Congratulations on your pregnancy! Now it's time to find out what your little baby is up to now that you're 5 weeks pregnant.
5 Weeks Pregnant is How Many Months?
If you're five weeks pregnant, you're about two months into your pregnancy, and almost halfway through the first trimester.
Week 5 of Pregnancy: Baby
The first two months are when many big changes happen in your body. Your uterus is beginning to grow, and your baby's heart is beginning to beat. Your baby is already developing all their organs and tissues and even have their unique fingerprints! You may have already had some morning sickness or even felt the first flutters of movement from your little one.
Baby’s Growth
How big is a baby at 5 weeks pregnant?
Your baby’s size can be measured now, although they are still really tiny at 5 weeks. Also, your baby resembles a tadpole more than a human. The fetus has grown to 1.2mm in length and weighs about 1.1g at this stage, around the size of a sesame seed!
Baby's growth is rapid during week 5 of pregnancy. The tiny heart is beating, and the lungs are developing. The kidneys, liver, intestines and pancreas are starting to work.
At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby's skin is still transparent but will soon turn light tan. Your baby's eyes are still closed, but they can see as well as you can see in the dark. Your baby's brain is also starting to develop, and your baby is learning how to move around in your womb.
Baby’s Development
Are you officially pregnant at 5 weeks?
You are now in your second month of pregnancy. If you're lucky, you can already hear your baby's heartbeat at an ultrasound from this point on. You are officially a pregnant mum!
- Your baby is furiously at work now at week 5 of pregnancy. Their major organs such as kidneys and liver are starting to grow.
- Their heart is beginning to divide into chambers and will begin to pump blood soon--this is one of the most exciting news in this week-by-week pregnancy guide.
- Their intestines have started to develop, and the appendix is in place.
- The neural tube- from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout- is starting to develop at the embryo's top layer, called the ectoderm.
- Your baby's skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel will form from the ectoderm.
- Four tiny buds begin sprouting. These will later turn into your baby’s arms and legs.
- The primitive placenta and umbilical cord are already starting to work, delivering nourishment and oxygen to the foetus.
Baby’s Teeth
Baby's teeth develop between the 5th and 11th week of pregnancy. The process of tooth formation begins when the cells on your baby's gums start to divide and multiply. They form a hard material known as enamel, which eventually covers the tooth.
During this time, your baby also starts growing two tiny buds called deciduous or primary teeth.
Baby’s Movement
If you have been trying to feel for a baby kick or hiccup, and haven't been successful yet, don't worry.
It's probably because your baby is still too small to feel. Even if everything goes perfectly during pregnancy, your little one won't start moving until about halfway through your pregnancy (about 14 weeks).
That doesn't mean that you shouldn't be checking for movement every so often—take comfort in knowing that there will be plenty of time for kicking and hiccups before long!
Your Body at 5 Weeks Pregnant
You may have noticed changes in how your body looks and feels. For example, some women report that their breasts are tender or sore during this pregnancy, while others notice an increase in breast size. Many women also experience cramping or bloating this week, making them feel bloated from head to toe!
Suppose you haven't heard any news from your doctor yet about prenatal testing for Down syndrome (trisomy 21). In that case, you may start getting requests for blood tests around now if your doctor wants more information about the status of your baby's chromosomes before deciding whether or not to order an amniocentesis.
Some of the changes you might notice happening are skin colour changes and stretch marks. These are all normal, especially if they happen early in your pregnancy. Don't stress out about them—they'll fade away eventually.
You may also feel more tired than usual—that's normal too! It's because your body has to work harder to support this growing little person inside you by producing extra blood and nutrients for them and making space for them in your uterus, which is getting bigger every day.
5 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
What should I be feeling at 5 weeks pregnant?
While to the outside world your body doesn't look any different, this week-by-week pregnancy guide will prove that your body is now sending you definite signs that some things are changing. At 5 weeks pregnant:
- Your breasts begin to feel sore and extra sensitive.
- Another not-so-happy symptom is the urge to pee frequently; this is due to the pregnancy hormones and an increase in blood volume, stimulating your kidney to expand and produce more urine.
- You will begin to feel more fatigue due to the increase in hormones. Try not to worry about it, as your energy will gradually return to normal in the second trimester.
- Are you feeling a little more confused and forgetful? Pregnancy brain can also start this week.
- Do you suddenly hate the smell of fried chicken when it used to be your absolute favourite? Due to your fluctuating hormones and heightened senses, you may already start getting food aversions.
- Finally, say hello to morning sickness! However, the bouts of nausea and vomiting in this pregnancy stage affect different expecting mums at different times (and some not at all).
If you haven't yet, we recommend setting an appointment with a gynaecologist to confirm how far along you are and if any other symptoms you are feeling are normal.
Maternal Weight Gain
Congratulations! You're five weeks pregnant and almost halfway through the first trimester.
Let's talk about weight gain. If you haven't already started gaining weight, don't worry—you will soon!
As a general rule of thumb, women should gain about 25 pounds during pregnancy. However, if you were underweight before becoming pregnant, you may need to gain more than 25 pounds by the time your baby is born. On the other hand, if you were overweight before becoming pregnant, it is recommended that you only gain 15 to 20 pounds during your entire pregnancy.
You're only 5 weeks pregnant, so don't focus too much on how much weight you've gained so far because it can cause anxiety and stress for the mum-to-be —and that's no fun for anyone!
Instead of worrying about how much weight you should be gaining each week (or day!), focus on eating healthy food and staying active throughout your pregnancy so that both you and your baby stay healthy and strong!
Nutrition
What you eat now can have a lasting effect on both you and your baby. Here are some tips to help you make the best nutritional choices during this crucial time:
Eat a balanced diet. Your body needs extra nutrients and calories when you're pregnant—and it needs those things throughout your pregnancy and breastfeeding years. A balanced diet will help ensure that your baby gets all the nutrients he or she needs for healthy growth and development.
Make sure you get enough protein in every meal. Protein is essential for a healthy pregnancy because it helps build muscle and tissue, which are vital for your baby's growth and development. Protein also helps regulate hormones that are important during pregnancy, such as insulin or cortisol (which help regulate blood sugar levels).
Avoid foods that contain nitrates, like bacon, hot dogs, lunch meat, salami or other processed meats, because they may increase the risk of birth defects or childhood cancer later on in life when consumed during pregnancy.
What to Expect at 5 Weeks Pregnant
You might wonder if this is the week you'll start showing or if nausea will improve. Let's dive into some specifics on what else to expect at week 5 of pregnancy.
- You might start showing! You might not, though. It's normal for women to show at different times in their pregnancies, so don't stress if you don't start showing yet.
- Your body prepares for childbirth by building up its blood supply and making more amniotic fluid for your baby's growing body. The amniotic fluid helps protect your baby from injury and infection while in utero.
- Thanks to all that extra blood pumping through your veins, you have a lot more energy than usual! You may even feel like exercising more regularly than usual—make sure you take care of yourself too!
5 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound
You can get an ultrasound at 5 weeks pregnant.
Ultrasounds are a common way to check for fetal development in the first trimester of pregnancy. Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of the fetus and its features. The ultrasound is performed by a trained technician who can diagnose any abnormalities or determine how far along you are in your pregnancy.
While there are no specific guidelines for ultrasounds at 5 weeks pregnant, staying hydrated and avoiding excessive exercise before your appointment is important.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 5 Weeks Pregnant
What can you not do at 5 weeks pregnant?
First things first: do not stress yourself out, mum-to-be! It’s important to get sufficient relaxation at this stage of pregnancy. You have every reason to slow down now that you have a baby inside your womb. Here's what you can do at 5 weeks pregnant:
- It would be best if you watched out for spotting or any signs of vaginal bleeding. Although it is common in the early stages of pregnancy, it can also be an early sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
- Improve your muscle control by doing Kegel exercises several times a day.
- You can alter your diet and split your meals into smaller portions that can be consumed throughout the day.
- You could also discuss with your spouse when sharing your good news with family and friends.
- Get a comprehensive medical history of you and your spouse's immediate family. Your doctor will ask you about any chronic illnesses in the family that may affect you or the baby.
- This is also a good time to take a good look at your lifestyle and your job. Ensure that any activity or environment potentially dangerous to your baby is eliminated immediately. The first trimester is crucial, so make plans to lessen your workload, delegate some of your tasks at home and take more time to rest.
Your next week: 6 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 4 weeks pregnant
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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