In the 5th week, your baby's heart will start beating for the first time! Woohoo..

Quick Facts 

5th Week of Pregnancy

Your Unborn Baby’s Size at 5 Weeks

At 5 weeks of pregnancy, your unborn baby is still very small. They are about the size of a sesame seed, which is approximately 0.13 inches (3.2 mm) long. The embryo is still developing and is not yet recognized as a human being. However, during this stage, the embryo is growing rapidly, and important organs and structures are starting to form. Despite being small, your unborn baby is growing and developing every day, and this is an important time in their development.

Pregnancy Symptoms  at Week 5

During the 5th week of pregnancy, you may experience several pregnancy symptoms, including:

1. Nausea and vomiting: Many women experience morning sickness, which can include nausea and vomiting, during the early weeks of pregnancy.

2. Fatigue: You may feel more tired than usual due to the hormonal changes in your body.

3. Breast changes: Your breasts may be tender, swollen, or sore due to hormonal changes in your body.

4. Cramping: You may experience mild cramping as the uterus begins to expand to accommodate the growing embryo.

5. Spotting: Some women may experience light spotting or bleeding during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

6. Mood swings: Hormonal changes can cause mood swings and make you feel more emotional than usual.

Remember that every woman’s experience of pregnancy is different, and you may not experience all these symptoms or may experience different symptoms altogether. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy symptoms, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor.

Prenatal Tests and Doctor’s Appointments at Pregnancy Week 5

Take a prenatal vitamin: Prenatal vitamins are important during pregnancy to ensure that you and your developing embryo are getting the necessary nutrients. Make sure to choose a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, which can help prevent birth defects.

1. Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy and balanced diet is important during pregnancy. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy products.
2. Stay hydrated: Drink more water and fluids to stay hydrated. 
3. Avoid harmful substances: Avoid smoking, alcohol, and any other harmful substances or activities that could potentially harm the developing embryo.
4. Get regular exercise: Regular exercise can help keep you healthy and may even help reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy. Ask your doctor about what types of exercise are safe for you to do.
5. Take care of your mental health: Pregnancy can be a stressful time, so make sure to take care of your mental health as well. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing anxiety or depression.
6. Rest and relax: Getting plenty of rest and relaxation is important during pregnancy.

Risks at Pregnancy Week 5

1. Miscarriage: Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the early weeks. It is most common during the first trimester, and the risk is highest during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
2. Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a medical condition where a fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can also occur in other locations outside of the uterus, such as the cervix, ovary, or abdominal cavity.
3. Birth defects: Exposure to certain medications, chemicals, or infections during the first few weeks of pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects.
4. Pregnancy complications: Some women may be at increased risk for pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or preterm labor.

To help reduce the risk of these and other pregnancy complications, it’s important to get early and regular prenatal care, avoid harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco, eat a healthy diet, and stay active. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor.

Developmental Milestones at Pregnancy Week 5

During the Pregnancy Week 5, the internal organs of the embryo begin to develop. These include:

1. Heart: The heart starts to form and will begin beating by the end of this week. The heart will continue to develop and mature throughout the pregnancy. By the end of the 5th week, the heart will have four chambers and will begin to beat. (So, you can hear your little one’s heartbeat, woohoo…) [insert excited emoji]
2. Brain and nervous system: The neural tube, which will become the brain and spinal cord, starts to form during this week.
3. Lungs: Although still in the early stages, the lungs begin to form at this stage.
4. Liver: The liver begins to develop and will play a crucial role in processing nutrients and eliminating waste products from the body.
5. Kidneys: The kidneys start to form and will eventually be responsible for filtering waste products from the blood.
6. Digestive system: The digestive system begins to form, including the stomach, intestines, and other organs.
7. Reproductive system: The reproductive organs also start to form during Pregnancy Week 5.

<-Previous Week 4

Next Week 6 ->