5Th pregnancy what to expect
Pregnancy at week 5 | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Pregnancy at week 5 | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content4-minute read
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Your baby
By week 5, your baby has burrowed into the wall of your uterus. It is now called an embryo and measures about 2mm from end to end. The foundations for all of the major organs are in place. The baby is inside an amniotic sac, a bag of fluid that protects it.
The cells in the baby are still dividing. In week 5, the brain and spinal column are already starting to form. The spinal cord is called the neural tube and is developing as an open groove. Your baby’s head is much larger than the rest of the body at this stage as the brain and face are developing very rapidly.
Your baby’s heart will start beating this week. The blood vessels are already starting to form and blood is circulating in the baby’s body. A string of blood vessels connects you to your baby, and this will eventually become the umbilical cord.
Your baby at 5 weeks
Length: | 2mm |
Your body
Week 5 is when most women start to wonder whether they may be pregnant. You will have missed your period, but you may be feeling like it’s just about to start. You may notice your breasts are larger and feel sore, and you may be feeling quite tired.
Some women may feel nauseous, or notice they need to go to the toilet more often than usual.
You will also be producing more human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Things to remember
You can do a pregnancy test the day after you miss your period. There are many different tests available, so make sure you follow the instructions carefully.
If the pregnancy test shows you’re pregnant, it’s a good idea to see your doctor as soon as possible. They will confirm you are pregnant and advise you on how to look after yourself and your baby.
Finding out you’re pregnant can be very exciting. But for some women, pregnancy is unplanned. Whether the baby was planned or not, you may feel a range of emotions from joy to surprise to shock.
It’s important not to drink any alcohol, smoke cigarettes or take illicit drugs if you’re pregnant since these can all be very harmful for your baby.
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Sources:
Raising Children Network (Pregnancy week-by-week), Women's and Children's Health Network (The first 3 months of pregnancy: the first trimester), Parenthub (5 weeks pregnant), Australian Journal of General Practice (Preconception care)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: August 2020
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Related pages
- Pregnancy week-by-week
- Third trimester
- Second trimester
- First trimester
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5 weeks pregnant: Doctor appointments
Week 5 of pregnancy is the best time to have a pregnancy test. You can use a home pregnancy test but it’s still important to visit your doctor so that they can estimate your pregnancy due date. This may involve an early pregnancy ultrasound. You should also receive pregnancy health advice and discuss pregnancy folate supplements in the fifth week of pregnancy if you have not already done so. It’s also a good time to make sure you’re eating all the right pregnancy foods and start your pregnancy exercise routine.
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The first week of pregnancy occurs before you actually conceive your new baby. It’s a little confusing - doctors begin counting the weeks of your pregnancy from the date your last menstrual bleeding started, not from the date you conceived. Conception, that very important moment at which your partner’s sperm fertilises your egg, does not occur until approximately two weeks after the start of your last period. However, your body is already preparing itself for pregnancy, should conception occur, so this week officially marks the beginning of the pregnancy.
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5 Months Pregnant: Symptoms and Fetal Development
Though each mom-to-be’s body changes in different ways throughout pregnancy, your baby belly might be pretty visible by the time you’re five months pregnant. This month, you’ll likely be adjusting to the physical changes that come with a growing bump and your changing center of gravity. Read on to learn about common pregnancy symptoms at five months, what happens at the mid-pregnancy ultrasound, how your baby is developing, and more!
Common Pregnancy Symptoms at 5 Months Pregnant
Here's hoping that you are still enjoying the energy boost that the second trimester is famous for. It's also possible that you’re experiencing some pesky symptoms at five months pregnant. These can include:
Swollen feet. Pregnancy weight gain, fluid retention, and the pregnancy hormone relaxin might be causing this symptom. Relaxin loosens the muscles in your body in preparation for childbirth and it also loosens the joints in your feet, making your feet expand. A cool foot bath can help relieve some of the swelling. Putting your feet up might also help.
Lower back pain. At five months pregnant, your posture may start to change as you adjust to your growing belly. As your bump grows, your center of gravity shifts. This can cause some strain on your lower back, as your muscles have to work extra hard to support this extra weight and your changing body shape. Try exercises that strengthen your back muscles, and make sure you sit in chairs with good back support — or prop a pillow behind you. If your back pain is causing too much discomfort, get help from your healthcare provider.
Dizziness. As your little one grows, your blood circulation can change, resulting in less blood flow to your head. This can cause that woozy feeling when you stand up or suddenly change positions. Be careful and take things slowly, and avoid being on your feet when you feel dizzy.
Nasal congestion. Stuffy nose? Nosebleeds? Or maybe a runny nose? These issues can be caused by pregnancy hormone, which can dry out the mucous membranes in your nasal passages. Saline drops might help relieve some of the congestion, and running a humidifier in your bedroom at night can also help.
“Pregnancy brain. ” If you keep losing your keys or can’t remember your phone’s password, don’t worry — this forgetfulness is known to happen during pregnancy. Although it’s not an official medical condition, it’s quite common. Many healthcare providers associate this absentmindedness with hormonal changes, stress, or sleep deprivation. Try making lists or using scheduling apps if you’re worried about forgetting something important.
Difficulty sleeping. A bigger bump can make it harder to find a comfortable sleeping position. Try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees and a pillow under your belly for extra support. Regular exercise such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga and taking a warm, soothing bath before bed may help you get a better night’s sleep.
Braxton Hicks contractions. It’s possible you’ll start to experience these “practice” contractions this month. These can feel like a mild tightening or a more painful cramping in your abdomen. You’re more likely to feel them later in the day, or after exercise or sex. Sometimes you may be unsure whether what you’re experiencing is Braxton Hicks or real labor contractions. Typically, Braxton Hicks go away if you move or change positions, but if you’re at all uncertain about what you are feeling, contact your healthcare provider.
How Is Your Baby Developing This Month?
Your little one might be becoming a little more active this month, with the kicks and flips finally becoming noticeable. Your baby is beginning to sleep and wake up at regular intervals, and she may even be awakened by outside noises, so don’t be surprised if you feel a reaction after a loud sound.
Your little one’s skin begins to produce both vernix and lanugo this month. Vernix is a slick, greasy coating that protects the skin while in the amniotic sac, and it will completely cover her body when she’s born. Lanugo is soft, fine hair that helps hold the vernix in place on the skin. Most of this lanugo will disappear before birth, but some babies are born with small patches on various parts of the body. By the end of this month, your little one may be a thumb sucker, as the sucking reflex starts to kick in in preparation for feeding once born.
How Big Is Your Baby When You’re 5 Months Pregnant?
Your baby grows from being about 5 inches long and weighing about 5 ounces, to being about 10 inches long and weighing about 1 pound around this month.
All this means, when you’re five months pregnant, your baby’s size is similar to that of a bell pepper or a banana. You’ve both come a long way in five months!
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What Does a Fetus Look Like at 5 Months?
Check out these illustrations for a glimpse at what your baby might look like when you’re five months pregnant:
Getting an Ultrasound at 5 Months Pregnant
Most moms-to-be have at least one ultrasound during pregnancy and this usually occurs when you’re five months pregnant, at around 18 to 20 weeks.
At the standard mid-pregnancy ultrasound, your healthcare provider:
Estimates your baby’s gestational age
Estimates your baby’s weight
Checks that your baby is developing normally, including that your baby’s heart, head, and spine are forming as they should
Checks for conditions like placenta previa (which is a rare condition in which the placenta lies low in the uterus and partially or completely covers the cervix) or placenta accreta (a very rare condition where the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall and can’t easily separate away after your baby is born).
Checks your baby’s position, movement, and heart rate
Checks the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby in the uterus
Checks whether you are carrying multiples.
Although an ultrasound exam is a medical tool, your healthcare provider may be able to tell you whether you’re having a boy or girl, if this is something you’d like to find out.
Your healthcare provider will be able to tell you whether any other ultrasounds need to be scheduled during your pregnancy. Sometimes additional ultrasounds are needed to check for a specific condition or as part of a medical test.
Speak to your provider if you’re curious about having a more detailed 3D or 4D ultrasound scan.
5 Months Pregnant: Your Body’s Changes
At some point during this month, you may feel your little one move for the first time. This is called quickening, and some moms-to-be detect these sensations around 18 weeks of pregnancy.
If this isn’t your first baby, you may start to sense these movements earlier than you did with your first baby because you’re more familiar with the feeling. If you haven’t felt those first flutters yet, try to be patient. It may still be several weeks before your little one’s kicks are noticeable. If you are feeling those flutters, your healthcare provider may soon recommend that you begin doing daily "kick counts." Download our fetal movement tracker, and talk to your provider about when and how to count those little kicks. At your prenatal checkups from five months pregnant onward (if not earlier), your healthcare provider may start checking your belly size by measuring your fundal height. The fundal height is measured in centimeters from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus. Interestingly, your fundal height usually closely corresponds to the number of weeks pregnant you are. So, if you’re 18 weeks pregnant, your fundal height is likely to be around 18 centimeters.
How Far Along Are You at 5 Months Pregnant?
This month fits squarely into the second trimester, but you may be wondering which weeks of pregnancy you’re up to at five months pregnant? There are a few different ways the weeks of pregnancy are grouped into months, so this fifth month could range from week 17 or 18 up to week 20, 21, or 22.
Checklist for When You’re 5 Months Pregnant
Ask your healthcare provider whether you have any of the risk factors for gestational diabetes and whether a glucose screening test is right for you.
Check with your provider about whether you have any of the risk factors for the high blood pressure disorder called preeclampsia and find out what steps you can take to reduce the risks associated with this condition.
Get a flu shot, if you haven’t already. The shot is safe to get at any time during your pregnancy.
Schedule a dentist checkup, if you haven’t had one since the start of your pregnancy.
Start shopping for maternity clothes and bras, if needed.
Plan a babymoon! If you’re feeling up to it, this is a great time to travel. Just check with your healthcare provider first.
Consider if you want to draft a birth plan for your labor and delivery. You can download our Birth Plan Guide, and talk to your healthcare provider about what to include.
If you’re feeling energetic, take advantage of this time to design and prepare your baby’s nursery. If you need some inspiration, this quiz is what you need: Tell Us About Your Style and We Will Help You Decorate Your Nursery.
Sign up for prenatal classes. There may be childbirth, breastfeeding, or parenting classes available in your area; start by asking your healthcare provider and other parents for recommendations. Keep in mind that you may need to register ASAP to get a spot in your preferred class.
For a look at what’s to come in the final months of your pregnancy, read about the third trimester.
Sign up for even more weekly pregnancy tips here:
First pregnancy, what you need to know?
The first pregnancy in a woman's life is always an important event. Information about what to expect during this period is very easy to find. But often the sources of information are not trustworthy and offer conflicting information.
Facts that expectant mothers need to know
Pregnancy normally lasts 40-42 weeks and ends in vaginal delivery or caesarean section. This period will be divided into trimesters, the first - to 13 weeks inclusive, the second - from 14 to 27 weeks, and the third - from 28 weeks to delivery. Each trimester has its own characteristics.
The first trimester is the most unpredictable. It can pass very easily - some women do not even notice their condition. But in the first trimester, side effects of a sharp hormonal change in the body are also possible. Morning sickness, sudden bouts of weakness, low blood pressure, irritability, increased reaction to smells - all this happens due to the fact that the hormonal background changes dramatically in the body. All of these symptoms in the first trimester are normal, but they should be told to the attending physician.
In the first trimester, the laying and formation of the fetal body takes place. Most congenital pathologies are the result of violations during this period. In order not to provoke developmental anomalies, the expectant mother should avoid pathogens. Alcohol, nicotine, a range of drugs, and toxins in the water and air can adversely affect the health of the unborn child. You should also carefully approach the choice of cosmetics and hair products.
Pregnancy: first week
A woman can assume that the first week of pregnancy has begun only if she carefully prepared for the process of conception, calculated the time of ovulation, and chose the time for sexual intercourse. But even in this case, there can be no 100% certainty. For the first two or three weeks, a woman cannot independently determine whether pregnancy has occurred or not. Even if the fertilization of the egg has occurred, and the rapid process of embryo development has begun, it is still so small that it is not felt in the mother's body.
However, from the first days you can switch to a lifestyle suitable for pregnant women. It is recommended to avoid harmful foods, strong drugs, alcohol, smoking, stress; engage in gentle sports, walk in the fresh air.
In the second trimester, the fetus is almost formed and grows rapidly. At about 4.5 - 5 months, a woman begins to feel the movement of the child. At the same time, the belly appears and begins to grow. The baby acquires the ability to hear sounds, and if the mother or father is talking to him, he can move in response. The second trimester proceeds with a minimum number of complications, this is the best period for official preparation for childbirth: choosing a clinic, paperwork, settling issues with work, and so on. By the end of the second trimester, you should pack a bag for the maternity hospital, and in addition, sign up for a course for new mothers. In such courses, women are taught not only the correct behavior in childbirth, but also the handling of a newborn baby.
In the third trimester, the fetus is already formed, even with the onset of premature birth, the child can be saved. However, normal gestation up to 40-42 weeks is the best option. Due to the large and heavy belly, the expectant mother experiences inconvenience: her back may hurt, her legs may swell, and during sleep, a woman cannot calmly change her position. On the recommendation of a doctor, you can wear a bandage for pregnant women: this is a wide elastic belt that supports the stomach. The third trimester is considered the most difficult.
Whatever the course of pregnancy, it should be remembered that this is not a disease, but a natural state for a woman. Therefore, the expectant mother should lead a familiar lifestyle, excluding only that which can harm the baby. A pregnant woman can continue to work, travel, engage in her favorite hobby. This will create a good mood for the mother, and the hormones of joy, along with the bloodstream, are transmitted to the baby. The psychological comfort of the expectant mother is no less important than compliance with other recommendations.
Second trimester of pregnancy (from 13 to 28 weeks)
The beginning of the second trimester is traditionally considered one of the calmest. Walk more. Walking is very helpful. Sit down to rest only when you are tired. Movement in the fresh air improves the supply of oxygen to the fetus, which is very necessary for its normal development.
Nausea disappears, appetite improves. Do not eat a lot of salty, refuse marinades, smoked meats, if you have not done this before. The increased need of the child's body for proteins and vitamins begins. The daily diet should include meat or fish (boiled or stewed), dairy products, especially cottage cheese, eggs. Do not forget about vegetables, fruits, greens. An excellent source of vitamin C is sauerkraut (rather than salted) cabbage. Salads from carrots, cabbage, beets, apples, green radish should be on your table every day.
At 17-20 weeks you will feel your baby's first kicks. From them you can determine how comfortable the baby feels. Intense tremors are a signal of lack of oxygen. Maybe you haven’t walked for a long time or, on the contrary, you are engaged in hard physical labor. Get out into the fresh air or lie down to rest and you will immediately feel how the child has calmed down.
But the lack of movement is an alarm. See a doctor immediately!
The need for calcium in the fetus increases sharply - an intensive growth of the skeleton has begun. If you don't have enough free calcium in your body right now, you could lose your teeth. To prevent this from happening, start taking calcium supplements in consultation with your doctor.
At this time, toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy may occur, the child suffers greatly from it. Therefore, if the doctor suggests hospitalization, do not refuse. Toxicosis can, if not be avoided, then at least reduce its manifestations. Be sure to follow your diet. Completely exclude salty, smoked, fried, spicy, canned food, chocolate. Do not eat a lot of grapes and drink fresh milk. Limit flour and rich products. As before, your diet should include boiled meat and fish, oatmeal and buckwheat porridge, vegetables and fruits
Periodically, once a week, check for fluid retention in the body. It is allowed to release liquid 200-300 ml less than what was drunk. If little urine is released, this is a signal of latent edema and the onset of toxicosis.
It is very good if you can measure your blood pressure at home. Show the results of measurements at the next visit to the doctor. Both high and too low pressure should alert. With low pressure, blood sluggishly crosses the placenta, and the baby does not receive enough nutrients.
Do not neglect blood tests - it is important not to miss the development of anemia.