Your baby at 5 weeks pregnant

Despite the fact that your baby is still in the very early stages of development it is possible that by the end of the week a scan may already pick up the heartbeat! The umbilical cord is developing, it will literally be the lifeline for your baby through your pregnancy as it pumps oxygen to them and provides nutrients, at the same time removing their waste products. The development of some of the baby’s major organs is underway and even some surprisingly intricate details are taking shape such as nostrils and retinas (part of the eye). This week the nervous system and brain are growing quite fast. The respiratory and digestive systems are now beginning to develop as well. In terms of the shape of the embryo, very small bumps are starting to show which will later become arms and legs. You need to get used to hearing your baby’s length described as a ‘crown to rump’ measurement, since they will spend most of their time in your uterus with their arms and legs curled up this is the easiest measurement to go by. At 5 weeks pregnant your baby will measure between 2 and 3mm.

How you are feeling at 5 weeks pregnant

If you have already been experiencing some, or all, of the many common pregnancy symptoms then you can expect them to continue for many weeks to come. Most women report losing the less desirable symptoms such as fatigue and nausea by the end of the first trimester (between 12 and 13 weeks). Experiencing these symptoms isn’t a negative experience for everybody though, many women say that they find the symptoms reassuring, that they work as a regular reminder of the wonderful (if a little daunting) path that lies ahead. If you are suffering from morning sickness remember that this is perfectly normal, and, despite the label it can actually occur at any time of day. Often women find that it can be kept at bay with small and regular meals. Other suggestions include taking ginger, in food or drinking ginger tea. Some people find eating dry foods such as crackers helps them, or you may even find that acupressure bands (used for travel sickness) help.

What you need to do at 5 weeks pregnant

You may be surprised to find yourself needing to urinate more frequently. Whilst this is more commonly thought of as a later-stage pregnancy symptom it is actually common from the very early stages. This is because more pressure is applied to your bladder as your womb gets larger. Don’t be tempted to reduce your fluid intake though. It is more important than ever that you make sure you don’t get dehydrated now that you are pregnant. Make sure that you are drinking at least 8-10 glasses per day.