5 weeks pregnant: Baby’s development, symptoms, nutrition and tips

At around 2 mm long, your embryo is not yet a foetus at 5 weeks pregnant, andwon’t be for some weeks to come. It is developing a heart, blood vessels and blood, however, and the beginnings of what will become the umbilical cord.

Around this time, the outer layer of cells develops a hollow tube that will become your baby’s brain and spinal cord – isn’t that amazing? The end of this tube has a tail-like appearance, making your baby look more like a tadpole than a person at this point. By this time the baby’s nervous system is already beginning to develop:

Taking folic acid supplements will help ensure that the embryo develops according to plan, which is why this is so important in the first trimester.

At this early stage, your symptoms – if you have any – will be light. While you may experience some fatigue and even cramping as your body settles into pregnancy, nausea will hopefully be another week or so away.

Your body might feel slightly different. Perhaps you will notice some tenderness in your breasts or bloating that you might normally have attributed to the start of your period. (In fact, if you think you might be getting a bump at 5 weeks pregnant, bloating could be the cause!)

In week 5 of your pregnancy, levels of the pregnancy hormone HCG are still rising and will continue to do so until around 10 weeks. This hormone tells your body to prepare for pregnancy and ensures that things like the placenta develop properly.

However, hormones can also play havoc with your emotions, and you may find yourself feeling tearful for no reason, orperhaps reacting more strongly than you would normally. Talk to your partner about how you’re feeling and try to give yourself a break. This phase won’t last forever.

Sadly, the NHS estimates that, among people who know they are pregnant, about 1 in 8 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Many more miscarriages occur before people know they are pregnant. Most miscarriages can’t be prevented, though there are things you can do to reduce your risks – such as stopping smoking, avoiding alcohol, etc.

If you experience heavy bleeding or severe cramps, talk to your GP. But remember, it is fairly common to experience some bleeding during the first trimester and this doesn’t mean you’re having a miscarriage.

Around 1 in 90 pregnancies is an ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo starts to develop outside the womb. Ectopic pregnancies are not viable for the baby, and can be very dangerous for the mother, so if you experience symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, don’t ignore them. Call 111 or see a doctor immediately. Symptoms include tummy pain low down on one side; vaginal bleeding, or a brown watery discharge; pain in the tip of your shoulder, or pain while going to the toilet. These symptoms would usually develop between weeks 4 and 12 of your pregnancy.

Many people imagine that their pregnancy needs to be confirmed by a doctor or midwife, but a positive home pregnancy test is typically proof enough that you are expecting.

Your first prenatal appointment, therefore, is likely to be your booking-in appointment, which will usually take place between weeks 6 and 10 of your pregnancy. If you haven’t yet made the appointment, give them a call now. The booking-in appointment can take up to an hour, so you’ll need to make sure you and the midwife have time to schedule it in.

Your surgery will be able to tell you whether you need to also book appointments for blood tests, or if this will follow after your booking-in appointment. Screening tests for things like sickle cell and thalassaemia should be done before you are 10 weeks pregnant.

If you haven’t already, talk to your GP about any medications you’re taking and whether these are safe to continue during pregnancy.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a bacterial infection that you can catch by handling cat poo. If you have a cat or work with animals, take extra care when handling them and avoid changing the cat litter if possible. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves when gardening.

Fortunately, there is no week-by-week ‘what to eat’ guide so if you’re feeling well enough to eat normally, you can go for it. Remember, you are supposed to be fuelling your body with healthy foods, so aim to eat a good balance of foods across the week, including plenty of fruit and veg, protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates. There are some foods you should avoid during pregnancy, including liver, raw shellfish, unpasteurised milks and cheeses, as well as foods you should limit, such as oily fish. Read our guide to what to eat during pregnancy for more complete information.

Weight gain

At this stage in your pregnancy, you shouldn’t be putting on weight as the baby is still so tiny. If you’re concerned about weight gain during pregnancy, you can use our personal weight chart to see your recommended weight gain and use that to track your progress.

Limit caffeine

The NHS advises it is best to avoid alcohol during pregnancy, and to limit caffeine. You’re down to 200 mg a day of caffeine, which is the equivalent of about two cups of instant coffee – so if you’re a coffee lover, try to make those cups count!

What should I expect at 5 weeks pregnant?

There’s a long road ahead before you get the meet your baby, but this week should be a relatively easy one. Your physical symptoms probably won’t have kicked in quite yet and hopefully the hormones won’t be taking you for too much of a ride!

However, this is still a big moment for you and that could come with some big emotions. Lots of people feel anxious at this early stage of the pregnancy. Just try to take care of yourself as best you can, keep talking to your partner and practice positive self-talk. You might find it helpful to keep a journal of how you’re feeling, to help release some of that anxiety and work through your array of emotions.

Can I dye my hair at 5 weeks pregnant?

Due to the chemicals used in hair dye, the NHS suggests it may be wise to wait until after 12 weeks to dye your hair, when the risk of chemical substances harming your baby is much lower. However, they also note that the levels of chemicals used in hair dye are unlikely to be high enough to cause harm.

Is cramping normal at 5 weeks pregnant?

Some cramping at 5 weeks pregnant is to be expected as your body adjusts to its new role. However, if you are in severe pain, talk to your GP.

Can you identify twins at 5 weeks pregnant?

Twins can only be identified through an ultrasound, which you would not usually have at 5 weeks pregnant. The earliest ultrasounds are usually performed at 6 weeks.

How much weight can I lift at 5 weeks pregnant?

In week 5 of your pregnancy you can continue to lift as much weight as you would have pre-pregnancy – being careful of your back, of course! Our pre- and post-natal fitness expert Charlie recommends weightlifting as a good way to strengthen the body for pregnancy and birth.

Got questions? At the HiPPBabyClub, we bring you real-world advice and support from HiPP parents, midwives, nutritionists and more. Join our Baby Club to find out more.