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5 Weeks Pregnant—Symptoms, Baby Development And Important Info

5 Weeks Pregnant

At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is growing fast. 

It’s still a long way to go until you’re ready to give birth (about another eight months), but at this stage of your pregnancy, the little embryo that implants itself in your uterus is well on its way to becoming a fully formed human and a little bundle of joy.

This article will offer insight, tips, and advice for soon-to-be moms at five weeks pregnant. 

We’ll cover the following:

  • What’s happening at five weeks pregnant?
  • Pregnancy symptoms at five weeks
  • Self-care for moms at five weeks pregnant
  • Five weeks pregnant FAQs

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What’s happening at 5 weeks pregnant?

At five weeks, you may have already noticed the early signs of pregnancy, such as a missed period, tenderness or swelling in the breasts, and feelings of fatigue or emotional changes. These are the hallmark signs of pregnancy that most women experience during early pregnancy but don’t worry if you don’t notice these symptoms. 

It takes some women 5 to even 8 weeks to notice early signs of pregnancy.

Baby development at five weeks

At this still-early stage of pregnancy, your baby is about the size of a seed. 

The placenta, amniotic sac, and umbilical cord are still developing. Until they form completely, the tiny tadpole is protected by a yolk sac, which, just like the placenta, delivers essential nutrients from mother to baby.

Critical systems, such as your baby’s nervous and circulatory systems, are also developing.

Even though they’re still so tiny, much growth is happening.

At five weeks, there are distinct layers that make up the fetus. These are:

  • The ectoderm – the outer layer, responsible for growing skin, nervous system, eyes, and ears
  • The mesoderm – middle layer, responsible for growing baby’s heart, bones, reproductive system, kidneys, ligaments, muscles
  • The endoderm – inner layer, responsible for growing lungs, urinary system

Another vital process happening at five weeks is the formation of your baby’s neural tube. The neural tube plays an important role in a healthy spine and brain development, so it’s crucial to support your baby’s development at this time by taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid daily.

5 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy symptoms at week 5

All that growth taking place in your body leads to some noticeable pregnancy symptoms. 

By pregnancy week 5, your pregnancy hormones are elevated. 

These include estrogen, progesterone, and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which cause many symptoms. 

Some women notice symptoms at week 4, and others don’t see them until 6-8 weeks after conception, so don’t worry if you get these symptoms a little earlier or later.

At five weeks pregnant, you can expect the following:

1. Missed period

A missed period is usually the first sign of pregnancy, especially if you have a regular menstrual cycle. This occurs because the fertilized egg implants in the uterus and signals the body to stop shedding the uterine lining, which results in a missed period. 

If your cycle is regular, you’ll notice this pregnancy symptom around week 4. If not, you may see it around week 5 or 6.

2. Morning sickness

Many women experience nausea and vomiting, commonly known as morning sickness, during the first trimester. This happens due to the increased levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) surging through the body. Morning sickness is usually most severe in the mornings but can occur at any time of the day and tends to last throughout the first trimester.

3. Fatigue

Your body is working hard to support the growing baby during pregnancy. This hard work can cause feelings of fatigue or exhaustion. 

In addition, sudden and drastic hormonal changes in the body can contribute to feelings of tiredness and exhaustion.

4. Tender breasts

Hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy can cause breasts to become tender and swollen. 

You may notice that your breasts feel tender or sore and may also feel heavier. 

Your nipples may become more sensitive, and the areolas (the dark area around the nipple) may become darker.

5. Cravings

Many women experience food cravings during pregnancy. They can show up around week five but tend to show up a little later. 

You may also experience a strong aversion to certain smells or tastes during pregnancy. Hormonal changes in the body may cause these cravings and aversions, but the exact cause is unclear. 

Some women experience a phenomenon known as ‘pica’ – cravings for non-food items, but this is less common. 

If you experience this symptom, consult your healthcare provider.

6. Cramps

You may notice some light cramping around week 5; this can be disconcerting if you have been trying to get pregnant, but don’t worry. 

Cramping at this stage may be related to implantation and abdominal changes. If cramping persists and feels severe, don’t hesitate to consult your healthcare provider.

7. Mood swings

Mood signs are a common pregnancy symptom that may show up at week five but typically show up later. 

You may notice more feelings of anxiety or depression around this time. You may also see more irritability and sudden mood shifts.

Symptoms vary in type and severity, so if you don’t see any of the above symptoms, don’t worry. It takes some women 6 to 8 weeks to first notice the early signs of pregnancy.

Self-care at 5 Weeks pregnant

This journey to motherhood is a miracle. It’s unlike anything else you’ll ever experience. 

As wonderful, beautiful, and mind-blowing as it is, it’s not without its challenges. 

Part of carrying out a healthy pregnancy is taking adequate care of yourself as soon as you discover that you’re pregnant. 

To stay in good health and protect the health of your soon-to-be-born baby, consider the following:

5 weeks pregnant

1. Schedule your first prenatal appointment

Contact your healthcare provider to schedule your first prenatal appointment when you get a positive pregnancy test.

It may take some time before they are ready to see you, so the earlier, the better. They will do several physical exams, confirm your pregnancy, and check your overall health. 

This is the perfect time to raise any questions or concerns about your baby, your health, and how to move forward.

2. Nourish your body with prenatal vitamins

Prenatal vitamins, including your brain and spinal cord, contain essential nutrients that support your baby’s healthy growth and development. 

Make sure to take them as directed by your healthcare provider.

3. Eat well

Aim for a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. 

A healthy diet is essential for you and your growing baby. 

Remember that what you eat is what your growing baby will eat, so aim for high-quality clean food and plenty of water.

4. Avoid toxins

Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other toxins that harm your developing baby. 

Quitting alcohol and tobacco can be challenging, so it’s wise to start quitting before you conceive. 

Dealing with withdrawal symptoms during pregnancy is complex and may make quitting much harder.

5. Get regular exercise

You can maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications with regular physical activity. 

Now is an excellent time to start if you don’t already engage in regular physical activity. 

Walking, light jogging, and swimming are healthy exercises for expecting mothers at five weeks pregnant.

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5 Weeks Pregnant FAQs

Below are some common FAQs that are asked by women that are 5 weeks pregnant.

How many weeks are five months pregnant?

Five months pregnant is 20 weeks. 20 weeks is the second trimester of pregnancy. 

Five weeks pregnant is your second month, which is still the first trimester.

How big is my baby at five weeks?

At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a sesame seed -approximately 0.13 inches (3.2 mm) long. At this stage, your baby’s major organs and structures, including the brain, spinal cord, heart, and blood vessels, are beginning to form.

How does your stomach feel at five weeks pregnant?

At pregnancy week 5, you may not yet feel any noticeable changes in your stomach or abdomen. However, some women may experience mild cramping or bloating as the uterus begins to stretch and prepare for the growing baby inside.

You may experience nausea and vomiting at five weeks pregnant, sometimes making your stomach feel queasy. 

Breast tenderness and appetite changes are common symptoms at this stage of pregnancy.

It’s important to remember that every woman’s pregnancy experience is different, so you may not experience the same symptoms as someone else, or at least at the same intensity. 

If you have any concerns or questions about how your body feels during pregnancy, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

What should you not do at 5 weeks pregnant?

Taking special care of yourself at five weeks and throughout pregnancy is important. 

The first trimester is an especially sensitive time because this is the foundation for the rest of your baby’s growth. As such, try to avoid the following:

Tobacco smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke smoking can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and other health complications

Alcohol – Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can increase the risk of congenital disabilities and other developmental problems

Certain medications – Some medications can be harmful to your developing baby. Check with your healthcare provider before taking any new medication during pregnancy.

Overheating – avoid hot tubs, saunas, and strenuous exercise. High temperatures can put your baby’s health at risk. 

Raw or undercooked meat and eggs – raw or undercooked foods may carry harmful bacteria such as salmonella, so they’re best avoided during pregnancy.

What should I be doing at 5 weeks pregnant?

You should adhere to a healthy diet of fresh foods and nutrients at five weeks pregnant. 

If you don’t already take a prenatal vitamin, now is the time to start. The ideal time to start is before you even conceive. 

Schedule your first prenatal appointment, and eliminate toxins like alcohol and tobacco.

Conclusion

You may have just received a positive pregnancy test when you’re five weeks pregnant. 

What an exciting time! The journey ahead is beautiful, but it comes with challenges. 

You’ll have to undergo many emotional and physical changes over the next eight months, so having people around you who can love and support you is essential. Consider these people your team.

Now, while you’re still in the early days of pregnancy and less affected by the symptoms, do what you can to arrange that support team. 

Learn as much as possible about what to expect over the coming eight months, and let people know what you need.

The more prepared you are, the easier your pregnancy journey will be.

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