Pregnancy week five is an exciting one! Now, more women are missing their period and realising they are pregnant! Your body is working hard to help the embryo grow and develop, with your baby’s spinal cord, heart, and brain starting to develop.
More women also notice symptoms, with morning sickness starting to happen. But what is going on in your body? What other signs can you expect? And what should you do to maintain a healthy pregnancy? We have the answers to these questions and more coming up today, so be sure to keep reading to find out everything you need to know about week five pregnancy!
Content in this article:
- What Does It Mean To Be 5 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect Pregnant At 5 Weeks?
- Should You Get An Ultrasound At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 5 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Big Is A Baby At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 5 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Body Changes Should You Expect At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Key Points
- At week 5, most women have missed their period and will test for pregnancy
- At week 5, the baby’s heart will start to develop
- At week 5, morning sickness, cramps, and spotting are common symptoms
- At week 5, folic acid should be taken to help you and your baby stay healthy
- At week 5, your baby’s eyes and nose are starting to develop
What Does It Mean To Be 5 Weeks Pregnant?
At five weeks pregnant, it will have been five weeks since your last period, and lots of things are happening! Women with an average 28-day menstrual cycle will be roughly one week late for their period and might start taking pregnancy tests to see a positive test result!
At five weeks, your embryo is starting to grow and take shape. There will be eyes and a nose beginning to form, with the yews remaining closed until 28 weeks. Your baby starts forming a heart, kidney, liver, and stomach. Digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems are beginning to develop too.
No wonder women feel so tired at week five; their bodies are working hard! The umbilical cord is also starting to form, although it won’t be fully developed yet. Pregnancy symptoms also start to pick up pace here, with morning sickness beginning for some women.
Can You Detect Pregnancy At 5 Weeks?
Yes, you can detect pregnancy at five weeks pregnant. You can take a home pregnancy test to confirm a pregnancy. Women who have a typical twenty-eight day cycle will have missed their period by this point and should get a positive pregnancy test if they are pregnant. Home pregnancy tests are very accurate these days and can even detect pregnancy before you miss your period! Look for early detection pregnancy tests if you aren’t sure when your period is due.
A blood test performed by your doctor can also detect pregnancy. Both tests measure your body’s human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. hCG is one of the pregnancy hormones your body produces. The levels double every forty-eight to seventy-two hours for the first few weeks of pregnancy, making them high enough to be detected.
Should You Get An Ultrasound At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You can have an ultrasound at five weeks if you want, but you will unlikely see the embryo. You might see the amniotic sac, which should measure around 5mm at five weeks. You will also see the uterus lining, which will be pretty thick at this stage.
You might also see the developing placenta but are unlikely to see the embryo. The sonographer might point out the embryo, but if anything, it will look like a tiny, curled white object.
Are There Any Other Tests or Scans I Need To Consider At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
At this stage, the only test or scan to consider is a pregnancy test. Women who have missed their period but haven’t taken a test should do so at this point.
Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You might be able to detect a heartbeat. At week five, your baby’s heart will start to develop. It develops from week five to seven, so you might hear the heartbeat through a vaginal ultrasound.
We recommend waiting a little longer so that the heartbeat is stronger and parents can enjoy the experience of hearing their baby’s heartbeat for the first time.
What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Common early pregnancy symptoms at five weeks include sore breasts, morning sickness, fatigue, and spotting. Spotting can seem scary when you are pregnant, but it is normal. Spotting refers to small amounts of blood in your underwear. Heavier bleeding should be reported to your doctor for further tests or advice.
Is There Any Change To HCG Levels At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Your hCG levels will continue to rise at week five of your pregnancy. They are high enough for a pregnancy test to pick up on, too.
Should I Expect Any Cramping At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, cramping is a common symptom in your first trimester. Should you experience severe cramping, speak to your doctor.
Will I Experience Morning Sickness At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Morning sickness can occur at five weeks pregnant, so you might notice this symptom.
Will My Breasts Feel Tender At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, your breasts will likely feel tender at five weeks pregnant. They might also ache or feel tingly.
Will I Have Food Cravings At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You might experience food cravings at five weeks pregnant. These can happen at any time during pregnancy.
Will I Pass Urine More Frequently At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Frequent urination, or the urge to urinate more frequently, is a common symptom at five weeks pregnant.
Will I Feel Tiredness Or Fatigue At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, you will likely feel tired or fatigued at five weeks pregnant. Your body is working hard making a baby, so tiredness is expected!
Will I Feel Bloated At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You might feel bloated at five weeks pregnant.
Will I Get A Headache At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Headaches are common in the first few weeks of pregnancy, and you might experience headaches at five weeks
Will I Experience A Metallic Taste In My Mouth At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You might experience a metallic taste in your mouth at five weeks pregnant. It is primarily attributed to the pregnancy hormones in your body and can occur at any time.
Will I Have A Heightened Sense Of Smell At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You might experience a heightened sense of smell at five weeks pregnant. This is one of the early signs of pregnancy, and you might notice that you have aversions to smells that you previously liked.
Can You Experience Shortness Of Breath At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Shortness of breath usually occurs later in pregnancy. You should speak to your doctor if you experience shortness of breath at week five of a pregnancy.
Is It Normal To Get Diarrhea At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Diarrhea is normal in the first trimester of pregnancy and can affect many women.
Can You Get Vaginal Discharge At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You might experience vaginal discharge at week five. Discharge is normal at any stage of your pregnancy if it is thin, white, milky, with a mild smell.
You might also notice spotting at week five, which is only a cause for concern if the bleeding suddenly becomes heavy.
Will I Experience Lower Back Pain At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Lower back pain is common at week five, so you might experience it.
Will I Experience Mood Swings At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Mood swings are common during the first trimester of pregnancy. You might experience them at week five, feeling easily irritated or tearful.
Is Spotting Normal At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Spotting or light bleeding can happen at five weeks pregnant. It can get confused with your period but could be a sign of implantation bleeding. This does not happen to all women, but a little bleeding can occur when an embryo attaches to your womb lining.
What Other Symptoms Are Common When 5 Weeks Pregnant?
The following symptoms can happen during week five of your pregnancy:
- Changes in food that you like or dislike
- Feeling nauseous
- Darkened skin or brown patches on your face
- Thicker and shinier hair
How Big Is A Baby At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
At five weeks, the embryo is roughly 2mm long and is the size of a sesame seed. The face also starts to take shape, with eyes and a nose beginning to form.
Your baby’s brain, spinal cord and blood vessels are starting to form. Your baby’s nervous system is slowly beginning to develop, too.
Can You Feel The Baby At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
It is doubtful that you will feel the baby at five weeks pregnant. It is still too small to feel any movements, but you might experience mild cramps at five weeks pregnant.
What Are The Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
The common signs of miscarriage at five weeks include heavy bleeding, cramps in your lower abdomen, and fluid or tissue coming from your vagina. Any morning sickness will disappear, along with your breasts feeling tender.
You might notice a gush of pale pink or clear fluid from your vagina, passing blood clots or tissue, and other pregnancy symptoms passing. Not all women realise they are pregnant at five weeks; for many, this might seem like a painful period.
What Are The Chances Of Miscarriage At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
The chance of miscarriage in the first five weeks of pregnancy, including five weeks, is roughly 30& according to Oxford Academia.
How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 5 Weeks Pregnant?
The easiest way to calculate your due date at five weeks pregnant is to use the date of your last period. Pregnancy due dates are calculated most often based on your previous menstrual period and is known as the LMP method.
To do this, you need the date of your last period; many women now use cycle-tracking apps to record this. Once you have the date, you can count 40 weeks or 280 days from it to get your rough due date. Pregnancy due dates are based on the average 40-week pregnancy but don’t panic if yours does not run on time.
Many women give birth before or after their due date, which is not uncommon.
What Body Changes Should You Expect At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
At five weeks, you can expect many changes to your body. The most common changes are fatigue, spotting, and cramps. Morning sickness and nausea are common, too; you might notice that you have aversions to foods and that you used to enjoy. Certain smells and textures you once loved could seem disgusting to the point of vomiting now.
Breast tenderness is also commonly experienced at week five. Your breasts might ache feel tender, sore, or full at this point.
What Is The Body Doing During This Process?
Your body is busy! The baby’s nervous system is developing, with the spinal cord and brain taking shape. It is creating the heart that starts to beat halfway through week five.
Your body is also creating blood vessels for your baby, a string of which will become the umbilical cord, delivering everything your baby needs from the placenta. The placenta is also being created now too. That’s a lot going on, all while your baby is roughly the size of a sesame seed!
What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You can take several precautions to maintain your health at five weeks pregnant. We have listed them below for you.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
You should take prenatal vitamins to ensure you stay healthy while pregnant. Look for vitamins with a high level of folic acid; this is a vital supplement women need when pregnant. You should also look for calcium and iron in prenatal vitamins to help your body stay healthy and grow a tiny human.
A prenatal vitamin can be purchased from most drugstores and health stores. You should speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about this.
Enjoy A Balanced Diet
You should also try and eat a healthy and balanced diet. You might crave a chocolate bar or two, and you should eat them, but work to incorporate healthy foods and meals where possible. Try eating various fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, carbs, and healthy fats.
You should speak to a doctor or nutritionist if you need further guidance on this.
Get Plenty Of Rest
Your body will demand this at week five, so listen to it! You need plenty of rest to maintain your health through pregnancy. This includes getting plenty of rest. Ensure you get eight hours of sleep a night and take it easy during the day.
Stop Smoking
You should stop smoking as soon as possible to ensure your and your baby’s health does not deteriorate. You can speak to a healthcare professional if you want help to quit smoking.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
At five weeks pregnant, the following foods should be avoided:
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Raw or undercooked eggs
- Raw fish
- Seafood with a high mercury content
- Raw sprouts
- Unpasteurized dairy
- Soft cheeses
- Pre-prepared or unwashed fruit and vegetables
Are There Any Drinks I Should Avoid At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid all alcoholic drinks while pregnant. You should also reduce your consumption of caffeine and sugary drinks.
Are There Any Supplements I Should Avoid At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid any supplements that your doctor has not approved of. Any supplements that are unsuitable for anyone pregnant should also be avoided.
Can I Exercise While 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You can exercise while five weeks pregnant. You should avoid contact sports and any sports where you could fall. These include climbing, horseback riding, boxing, football, or rugby.
Is It Safe To Travel When 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, you can travel while five weeks pregnant. Before travelling to a different country, you should check if you need any vaccinations or if there are any advisories about pregnant women.
Speak to your doctor or midwife if you have any medical reasons that could complicate flying, like high blood pressure or thrombosis.
Are There Any Activities I Should Avoid At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
The following activities should be avoided at five weeks pregnant:
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Saunas
- Steam rooms
- Hot tubs
- Whirlpools
- Contact sport
Is It Safe To Have Sex When 5 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, it is safe to have sex at five weeks pregnant.
How Should I Sleep At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
You should sleep as normal at five weeks pregnant.
What Position Is It Safe To Sleep In When 5 Weeks Pregnant?
At this stage, you can sleep in any position that feels comfortable. However, we recommend practising side sleeping. Side sleeping is a safe and comfortable position in the later stages of pregnancy, so why not get used to it now?
How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
There are a few things you can do to prepare for pregnancy. Whether you have just found out you are pregnant or are trying to conceive, here are some things you can do.
Speak To Your Doctor
You can speak to your doctor when you find out you are pregnant or before you conceive. It is a good opportunity to discuss any medical conditions that could impact a pregnancy or if you have any family illnesses that you are concerned could be genetic.
Make Changes To Your Lifestyle
You should consider changes to your lifestyle, including stopping smoking, drinking alcohol, or if you take any recreational drugs. You can access support for all of these through your healthcare provider.
You can also make changes if you work with or live around toxic substances or in an abusive or stressful environment. Again, there is support out there for these if needed.
Start Taking Folic Acid
Folic acid is a vital prenatal vitamin taken for the first trimester of pregnancy, but it can also be taken as a prenatal vitamin leading up to conception. You should look for folic acid with a dosage of 400 mcg, but you can speak to a healthcare professional about this if you need more guidance.
Surround Yourself With The Right People
Pregnancy is not an easy ride for everyone, so you need to have the right people around you at all times. Ensure your friends, family, and partner are ready to support you through this journey. You can also reach out to other expecting mothers in your area. You can use social media apps or local Facebook groups to find women in your area who are also pregnant.
This can be especially helpful if this is your first pregnancy; you will appreciate the extra support and people who can advise or reassure you.
Final Thoughts On 5 Weeks Pregnant
Week five in your pregnancy is an exciting one! Your baby’s heart and some internal organs, eyes, and nose are starting to develop. While they are still too small to feel or see on an ultrasound, it won’t be long before you hear their heart beating or see their tiny body. That makes the morning sickness and sore breasts worth it, doesn’t it?