5 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby's Development

Mom's Body at 5 Weeks Pregnant

How do you feel knowing that you’re pregnant? If you’ve been trying to conceive for a while, you’re probably ecstatic. Whether you’ve been planning for this, it’s come as a beautiful surprise, or it’s all a bit of a shock, it’s natural to feel a range of other emotions like nervousness, happiness, hope, and wonder.

You may also find yourself wondering about all the changes in store and when you may be able to meet your little one.

Some symptoms you may notice at five weeks pregnant include fatigue, nausea, and tender breasts, and they're all quite common.

You might like to read up on the pregnancy hormone hCG as it plays an important role in pregnancy. Treat your hard-working body to a break by soaking in a warm bath, listening to some soothing music, or taking a nap. You can also give yourself a boost and get your little one off to a great start by adopting healthier habits, starting with quitting smoking and eliminating alcoholic beverages. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to include moderate exercise in your pregnancy, and keep taking any prenatal vitamins your healthcare provider recommends or prescribes.

5 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

Although every mom-to-be is unique, these are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing at five weeks pregnant:

• Morning sickness. Some women start to experience morning sickness at five weeks pregnant. Unpleasant, nauseous feelings can happen in the morning, evening, or all day long, and many women will also throw up. To deal with morning sickness, drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration and avoid any greasy, spicy, or fatty foods that may trigger your bouts of nausea. Many women with morning sickness benefit from eating small meals and snacks frequently.

• Light bleeding or spotting. It’s common to see some spotting at five weeks pregnant, but there should be no more than a few drops of blood — not even enough to cover a small pantyliner. This is likely just implantation bleeding, but you’ll want to mention it to your doctor so that he or she can rule out complications. If you see a lot of blood, if the spotting lasts longer than two days, or you have any concerns, see your doctor right away.

• Breast tenderness. Around five weeks pregnant, a surge of hormones might cause your breasts to ache as they continue to stretch and grow in preparation for breastfeeding.

• Frequent urination. The urgent need to pee can strike any time, especially as your kidneys are starting to have extra fluid to process, thanks to the increasing volume of blood in your body. Although this symptom can be annoying, it’s also completely normal.

• Fatigue. Don’t be surprised if you feel completely wiped out. Your body is dealing with an increase in levels of progesterone, which can leave you feeling more tired than usual. Avoiding caffeine and vigorous activity before bed can help you sleep better at night. Try to keep your daily schedule regular, but also try not to overschedule yourself. It's important to find a healthy balance between your daily activities and rest time. And don't feel guilty about taking time to rest or nap when you need it. You'll be doing yourself and your little one a big favor by getting as much rest as you can now.

• Mood swings. Happy one moment, crying the next? Mood swings are common when you're pregnant, and for some women they feel like PMS at its worst. It may help to find some ways to distract yourself when an unpleasant mood interferes with your normal routine. Try going for a walk or listening to music, for example.

• Acne. Hormonal changes may be to blame for any pregnancy-related acne you are experiencing. Read up on how you can combat some of those spots and blemishes in our article on pregnancy acne, and remember that it’s just one of those pesky pregnancy that should clear once your baby is born.

• Mild or no symptoms. What if, at five weeks pregnant, you are symptom-free? It’s not unusual for women to feel and look completely normal at this stage, or for certain symptoms to come and go. As for that five weeks pregnant belly, it may appear unchanged, or it may be looking and feeling bloated. If you’ve got severe morning sickness, you may even lose a little bit of weight during the first trimester. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the changes that are taking place, or if the lack of any symptoms has you feeling uneasy.

If this is not your first pregnancy, read up on how the symptoms of this second (or subsequent) pregnancy may be different to your first.

5 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

• If you haven’t yet told your partner you’re pregnant yet, and you’re looking for fun ways to surprise him, check out these cute and creative ways to tell your partner he’s about to become a parent.

• Give some thought to what you're eating, making sure that you're consuming a variety of healthy foods. Avoid fish that could contain high levels of mercury — like shark, swordfish, and mackerel — and skip any food that’s uncooked or unpasteurized. You'll also want to avoid things like sushi made with raw fish and oysters, as well as soft cheeses like Brie and feta. These items can cause food-borne illnesses that can affect you and your little one. Read up on all the foods to avoid eating when pregnant.

• Curious about other early signs and symptoms of pregnancy? Try our Early Signs of Pregnancy quiz to learn more.

• Think about whether to share the news that you’re five weeks along with family and friends. Some people prefer to wait until the end of the first trimester when the risk of miscarriage drops significantly. Others tell at least a select few the moment they’ve got a positive pregnancy test in hand.

• Have a cat? Now is the time to get someone else to take care of the litter box so that you can stay clear of toxoplasmosis, an infection that can harm unborn babies.

• Ask us for our Pregnancy Guide to learn more about what to look forward to over the coming weeks and months. Our guide covers everything from nutrition and weight gain to all the questions you'll want to ask your healthcare provider.

• If this is your first pregnancy you might like to read up on the trimesters of pregnancy so that you know more about what’s to come in the coming months.

• Start a journal. It’s normal to feel a range of different emotions as you adjust to the idea that you are pregnant. Whether it’s something you’ve been hoping for for a long time, or come as a bit of a surprise, your feelings about it may be different to what you had expected. And, they may even change from one day to the next! Writing in a journal is one way to get your inner-most thoughts and feelings out of your system and journaling can help you navigate the emotional highs and lows of early pregnancy.

• Although you won’t be showing just yet, you may want to start a month-by-month baby bump photoshoot using our free downloadable bump to baby monthly milestone cards. You can either save the photos as a private keepsake or share the images on social media (once you’re ready to share news of your pregnancy). In the years to come, you’ll love to look back on how your bump grew during your pregnancy, and your little one will also love to see his first “home.”

5 Weeks Pregnant: Ask Your Doctor

Your prenatal visits are usually scheduled about once a month until the last two months of your pregnancy, when they will become more frequent. These regular checkups give you the perfect opportunity to ask questions and bring up concerns.

• Are there any possible risks for your pregnancy based on your health, age, or family history?

• What should you do if you notice slight bleeding at this stage of pregnancy?

• What is normal pregnancy discharge?

• How often should you see your healthcare provider during your pregnancy?

• How far along are you and when is your due date?

5 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

• Read up on how to choose a prenatal care provider– that is unless you already have one.

• Schedule your first prenatal appointment. Your healthcare provider will be able to fill you on the specifics of your care, but you can read up on prenatal care to get a general idea of what’s coming.

• Find out who to call if your healthcare provider is unavailable or if it’s after hours and you have a medical concern.

• Save your provider’s number to your phone and have emergency contact numbers stuck on your fridge and saved to your contact list, too.

• Be ready to feel anxious or excited, worried or ecstatic — all normal reactions to becoming pregnant.

• Soothe any cramps and backaches with a warm bath or a nap.

• Cut out smoking and alcohol, if you haven't already.

• Although rare, it’s a good idea to read up on the signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy just in case.