You have finally stepped into a week where there will be no doubts about your pregnancy. If you are pregnant, you will definitely find out this week because by the 5th week you will have missed your period for about 7 days, the hCG hormone in your body will be high and you will be eager to get tested. Also, pregnancy symptoms will be stronger during this time. So, you`re officially a member of the pregnancy club. Congratulations!
Baby Growth
The embryo is growing fast inside you and your baby now looks like a small tadpole with a rudimentary head and tail. The embryo now has three layers - ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. These three layers will then develop into various body parts and complement your baby`s features. The neural tube also begins to develop in the upper layer or ectoderm this week. Your baby`s brain, spinal cord, nerve, and spine will sprout from the neural tube. Its heart and circulatory system began to form in the mesoderm. In fact, at week 5, your baby`s heart will begin to divide, beat, and pump blood, all with the help of the yolk sac, which actively supplies your baby with nutrients through red blood cells. Exciting, isn`t it?
Baby Size
At the 5th week of pregnancy, the baby is as small as an orange seed or apple seed. The embryo will look more like a tadpole with an immature head and tail, but that will change and you will give birth to a healthy baby in less than 8 months from now.
Common Body Changes
During the 5th week of pregnancy, body indicators that indicate you are pregnant increase. It`s time to take a pregnancy test and once it`s confirmed, let your partner know. The pregnancy hormone, hCG, is pretty high in your urine so far, and if you`re actually pregnant, you have a 99% chance of getting a positive result. Mood swings are the most obvious change that you and the people around you will have to adjust to over the next nine months. Other body changes during pregnancy differ from woman to woman, but we will also discuss some common pregnancy symptoms.
Pregnancy Symptoms
Pregnancy symptoms will be more pronounced from this week until the end of the first trimester. In only a few cases these symptoms persist throughout pregnancy and it can be a bit overwhelming.
- Tender and painful breasts are one of the most common and most obvious symptoms in the 5th week of pregnancy.
- Well, starting this week, you can find out if morning sickness is really `morning sickness`. It can happen at any time of the day. Most mothers feel nauseous throughout the day until the end of the first trimester. The smell of some foods can break you down instantly.
- Baby`s development accelerates and leaves you exhausted. It is normal to feel tired and take a nap at any time of the day. There`s not much you can do other than rest when needed.
- Your kidneys are starting to enlarge now and you may want to go to the toilet more often than ever!
- If you feel cramps in your stomach during the 5th week, it may mean that your uterus is expanding and stretching your ligaments. But if the cramp is abnormally painful, check with your doctor right away.
- Spotting after sexual intercourse may be due to pressure on the sensitive cervix.
- Bleeding: You may experience minor vaginal bleeding or spotting during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Bleeding can be a harbinger of many things, depending on its severity, duration and frequency. It is very important that you follow up and inform your doctor correctly. You should definitely note the consistency (watery, dense), color (light pink, light red, dark red, etc.), duration and interval of the bleeding and consult your doctor. Bleeding at 5 weeks of pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage as well as in the first trimester. However, not every bleeding will mean this. If you go to regular checkups and keep in touch with the doctor frequently, you are less likely to have an unexpected problem.
In a few cases, the expectant mother will not experience any of the above symptoms or these symptoms will just appear and disappear. However, this is completely normal and the absence of pregnancy symptoms does not mean there is anything wrong with your pregnancy.
Abdomen
At 5-week pregnancy, your abdomen will not look any different. You may feel a little bloated or have gained about a kilogram, but this is rare. There may be no weight gain during the 5th week of pregnancy. In fact, many mothers who suffer from constant nausea and vomiting can lose some weight. But don`t worry. You have 8 months to gain a lot of weight.
Ultrasound
Your doctor may not recommend an ultrasound scan for you during the 5th week. Only women with a history of pregnancy complications can be offered screening. As mentioned earlier, at week 5, your baby looks like a tadpole and is the size of an orange seed. Also, your baby`s heart will start beating this week, but none of this can be seen or felt during the ultrasound. All you can see on ultrasound is a thickened endometrium that is slowly moving up and down.
Is the baby visible at 5-week pregnancy? As for the answer to the question, the 5-week gestational sac can only be seen with vaginal ultrasound. However, it is not possible to see the baby and heartbeat in the gestational sac this week.
What to Eat?
It is a well-known fact that pregnant women should always eat right. But how much of this is possible from week 5 and until the end of the first trimester is a big question. Food aversions is a really simplified term used to describe a dislike for food that you develop at this stage. It can drive you crazy, especially seeing eggs, chicken, and other protein-rich poultry dishes. Here are a few tips on how to create a protein-rich week 5 pregnancy diet.
- Find protein-rich foods except poultry. Such as nuts, legumes, beans and some grains.
- Do you already hate milk? There`s always cheese and yogurt to supplement the calcium in milk, and that`s good enough.
- Do greens bother you? Feel free to replace them with other vegetables, lots of citrus and other fruits.
Pamper yourself with the things you love. By the way, some carbohydrates will not harm you, they will not make you nauseous. Keep calm because if you`re lucky, by the end of the first trimester, your nausea will disappear and you`ll start enjoying your food.
Tips and Care
Rest and sleep can make a world of difference. So, close your eyes and take a nap whenever you want. Eight hours of sleep is mandatory. Make room for it in your daily schedule. Rising progesterone levels, low blood sugar, low blood pressure and increased blood volume will leave you very tired. Rest and sleep are the only ways to improve your mood. Therefore, you can have plenty of guilt-free sleep time.
- Consult your doctor and get a blood test at a medical center.
- Eliminate unpasteurized foods and undercooked meat and eggs from your diet.
- Get healthy, tasty and desirable various nutrients.
- You can resort to ways to reduce your nausea with the help of vitamin B6, ginger capsules, lozenges that reduce nausea and acupressure wristbands.
- Include some healthy and light exercises in your program to build strength and endurance.
- Get yourself a prenatal vitamin supplement containing folic acid.
- Drink lots of water.
Don’ts
- Avoid junk food.
- Stay away from cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.
- Quit caffeine.
- Avoid radiation now and throughout your pregnancy.
- Stay away from any environment where you can get an infection.
Shopping
Your shopping cart for the 5th week is uncomplicated. Get yourself a book about pregnancy or a pregnancy diary, comfortable cotton bras, stretchy pants, tights, and anything that will stay loose on your tummy. The buttons of your skinny jeans can cause some discomfort on your bulging belly, so avoid them.