5 weeks pregnant: Symptoms, tips, and baby development

So, with a new tiny tenant moving in, the fifth week of pregnancy is when things get official - sort of!

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At 5 weeks pregnant, the “mini-you” inside is already 3 mm long and beginning to form its nervous system (they’re just as excited as you to race to the finish line, and this little overachiever is growing as rapidly as ever and making themselves feel right at home).

Your pregnancy at 5 week

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At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of an orange seed, an apple seed or a sesame seed and is already plotting the world—or womb domination—which starts with a comfy spot in your uterus.

And as your excitement grows each day, so does your baby.

Early pregnancy developments

The blastocyst, a.k.a the layer of cells that will soon be the embryo, makes lots and lots of hCG, which tells the ovaries that you won’t need any eggs released for a while.

Instead, it’s time to focus on increasing estrogen and progesterone levels to help this baby develop and support the growth of the placenta. (chop, chop!)

At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is made of three layers:

• Ectoderm: The top layer which is your baby’s outer layer of skin, central and peripheral nervous systems, eyes and inner ears.
• Mesoderm: The middle layer that will form the baby’s heart, circulatory system, tiny bones and ligaments, etc.
• Endoderm: The inside bit with your bub’s intestine and lungs.

This week is when some of the major organs start taking shape, and these include the brain and spinal cord:

• Neural tube: The neural tube is like the original blueprint for your little one’s brain and spinal column, so you’ve got some serious genius in the making.
• Heart: The tiny heart is gearing up for its debut performance, ready to start beating since it’ll be auditioning soon!
• Umbilical cord: A string of blood vessels forms the umbilical cord, which is basically the most important cord ever (sorry, iPhone charger). This magical lifeline will connect you and your baby, ensuring they get all the snacks they need while you get all the credit.

Fun Fact: your baby has a tail

Congratulations! It’s a tadpole!

We’re kidding, sort of! While you will still give birth to a human child, at 5 weeks pregnant, your baby will have a tiny tail and look almost like a tadpole.

But it’s only for a short while, so you won’t be kissing any frogs. And while the embryo is still tiny, it no longer looks like a ball and has started to look more like the early stages of a human being.

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5 weeks pregnancy symptoms

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This is the week you’ll likely notice a missed period and many women find out they are expecting (if they haven’t already).

At 5 weeks pregnant, you get introduced to some ‘fun’ pregnancy-related symptoms , like nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, and frequent urination. Since your body’s hard at work on the inside, you’ll feel tired. Really, really tired! (And while some pregnant women will experience all of these, others might be lucky and experience none of these at all)

These early symptoms are often misunderstood as regular period symptoms, complicating things. That’s why now is the perfect time to take that pregnancy test.

1. Just-so-tired!

Now that your body is working overtime to support your baby’s growth, you may feel a little out of breath and a bit exhausted. Hit the snooze button or nap anytime and anywhere you want- if you can. Keeping your workouts lightweight can help you push through this phase easily.

Tip: Avoid doing high-intensity or strenuous workouts. Instead, opt for lightweight exercises, like walking.

2. Morning sickness

The age-old nemesis of women: morning sickness.

If you’re beginning to feel unusually queasy or dizzy, be assured that it’s just your morning sickness setting in at 5 weeks pregnant. And don’t let the name deceive you; morning sickness can happen at any hour of the day and isn’t restricted to the AM hours.

And if you’re expecting twins, the nauseating feeling may be more intense than in a single-fetus pregnancy, so don’t be bummed out.

3. Breast tenderness

Thought sore breasts were a thing of the past? Tada, they’re here to stay!

Blame the pregnancy hormones raging through your body, which can make your breasts feel sensitive touch, tender, and overall uncomfortable. Your body is beginning to prep for those late-night feeding sessions, so just wear your comfiest bras!

4. Frequent urination

Now that your heart is pumping extra blood to your kidneys to keep up with the fetal development in your body, expect frequent visits to the loo. This is totally normal, and as your pregnancy continues, you may experience frequent urination.

5. Food cravings or aversions

You may suddenly be able to sniff out ingredients in your food, and chances are you may NOT like most of them. Most women begin to develop sudden food cravings or strong aversions to others at 5 weeks pregnant, which are common (it gets better as you enter your second trimester, so hang in there, soldier!).

6. Mood swings

Did the cat commercial make you cry?

Is the simple act of your partner breathing getting on your nerves?

Are you wondering how certain people have the audacity to ‘breathe so loudly’?

Chances are you are now experiencing weeks-long worth of mood swings; see it as an extended PMS feeling, but you’re far more agitated than ever. The hormonal changes in your body are the culprit behind your unpredictable mood swings. While annoying, it’s a very common 5 weeks pregnant symptom (you are off the hook for this craziness, but it’s better to give your family a heads-up about the changing season to help avoid any unnecessary altercations)

7. Light spotting or cramping

Many women experience implantation bleeding when the fertilised egg comes into contact with the sperm, and there can also be mild cramping. This type of bleeding is usually lighter and shorter than a regular period, and if anything feels intense, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider.

Remember, not everyone experiences this bleeding, so if there is none, there is no need for concern, but if there is any, it is best to keep your doctor in the loop to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Now may be the best time to conduct a pregnancy test, and even home pregnancy tests can produce fruitful results since hcg levels are significantly higher when you’re 5 weeks pregnant.

8. Excess saliva

Excess saliva? Blame those pesky pregnancy hormones. If you find yourself drooling like your pup, just pop in a chewing gum.

9. No symptoms at all

There is a slight chance that you may feel no symptoms at all! Every pregnancy is different, and chances may be that you will start to experience early signs next week. As long as your ultrasounds are clear and your doctor is satisfied, it’s best to relax and take care of yourself.

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5 weeks pregnant: Tips to get you through the week

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Even though you may feel like not much is happening inside of you and that being 5 weeks pregnant isn’t a huge milestone, it’s still important to make certain lifestyle changes to help support your baby’s development and to make your experience smooth, especially if it’s your first pregnancy.

1. Take your prenatal vitamins

Being mindful of your supplement intake during early pregnancy can have a colossal impact on your baby’s health and ensure a healthy pregnancy for yourself. Taking vitamins and folic acid can help develop your baby’s brain and aid towards a strong anatomical foundation. While maintaining a healthy diet is important, getting extra nutrients from prenatal supplements is almost as necessary.

2. A balanced diet and healthy fats

While morning sickness and food aversions can lead to a restricted diet, it’s your duty as the mama to ensure you are on track with your nutrients. Opt for a balanced, healthy diet that is nutritious, and if the nausea is too strong, then opt for small meals spread throughout the day.

Opt for healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, which help your baby’s brain development, and skip the saturated fats. Pregnancy-safe fish like trout and wild salmon are some great options. If that doesn’t work out, opt for prenatal vitamins and supplements.

And don’t forget to hydrate! Your growing baby needs all the nutrients and H2O it can get.

3. Get plenty of rest

To beat the fatigue, it’s important to rest as much as possible. You will be short on sleep when your baby arrives, so it’s best to snooze as much as you can during your pregnancy. Listen to your body, and give it the rest it needs.

4. Avoid harmful substances

Steer clear of any harmful substances like alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and so on. It’s important to be mindful of how smoking impacts your baby, and even secondhand smoke can cause birth complications and harm the baby.

Certain foods can also become dangerous during pregnancy, like poorly cooked meat, unpasteurised milk, and soft cheeses. 

5. Schedule your first prenatal appointment

At 5 weeks pregnant, now’s the time to schedule your first prenatal care appointment to understand what lies ahead. Early care can help you understand your first trimester, early pregnancy symptoms, and other signs in great detail. Do not undermine the importance of rightly timed prenatal appointments, and get in touch with your healthcare provider ASAP.

6. Gentle exercise

If you feel well enough to cram in some light-duty exercises, be sure to do so. There are plenty of options that pregnant women can opt for, like prenatal yoga, swimming, walking, cycling, and so on.

Avoid lifting any heavy weights, though, and now is not the time to test out new routines in your first trimester.

Your checklist for 5 weeks pregnant

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Now that you’re 5 weeks pregnant, it’s essential to do a pregnancy test and schedule your first prenatal care appointment. You will get an approximate due date and can have many of your concerns sorted out by your OB/GYN.

Start making changes to your lifestyle that can support a healthful pregnancy and avoid anything harmful. Steer clear of smoking and alcohol and nourish your body with nutritious foods.

Some nasty side effects can strike any time of the day or night and can range in severity from feeling queasy to vomiting. There can also be severe vomiting and dehydration, known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).

While HG is rare, it does require treatment to ensure your baby can continue to grow and thrive.

Take it easy, listen to your body, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. If you are worried, speak with your doctor or midwife.

Now can also be a good time to consider whether you want to go through the public or private system for your pregnancy and birth. There are several options, including midwife programs or obstetricians, and it really comes down to personal preference and budget.

Take a look at your private health insurance to see what you’re covered for. If you are fit and well and would prefer to have minimal medical intervention, find your local midwifery group practice and give them a call.

5 weeks pregnant: Symptoms not to ignore

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Here are some symptoms that require medical attention, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor if you experience these as a 5 weeks pregnant woman:

• Severe body pain: Pain in your buttocks, upper abdomen, lower back, middle back, or shoulder is a symptom you should not ignore.
• Abnormal diarrhea or constipation
• Pelvic pressure
• Passing blood clots
• Pain in your previous C-section scar
• Other symptoms like shortness of breath, night sweats, etc.

Sources

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Health Direct Australia, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby , April 2024

Better Health Channel, Pregnancy- week by week , February 2012

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, Pregnancy at week 5 , August 2023