How does your stomach feel at 5 weeks pregnant

5 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and Baby Development

Even though it’s still early in your pregnancy, a lot happens at 5 weeks, both for you and your baby. The placenta and the beginnings of the umbilical cord are developing, and you might feel a pregnancy symptom or two. Keep reading to learn more about what happens at 5 weeks pregnant, what symptoms to anticipate, and what changes to make to support a healthy pregnancy.

Check out what's going on and what to do during your fifth week of pregnancy:

• This week, the neural tube continues developing, on its way to becoming your little one's spine and brain. The placenta and umbilical cord are also progressing in order to channel oxygen and nutrients to your baby.

• Despite all the action going on, your little one is still very tiny, just the size of

  a small orange seed or a grain of rice.

• You may have no pregnancy symptoms at 5 weeks pregnant, but it’s also likely that you may experience fatigue, spotting, breast tenderness, and even morning sickness at this stage.

• You might consider adopting some lifestyle changes at this point in your pregnancy, such as eating a healthy diet, avoiding certain foods, and reducing stress.

Can you be 5 weeks pregnant and test negative? This is a common question, as confirming your pregnancy is likely something you’ll want to do as soon as possible! Home pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, in your urine, which could be high enough at 5 weeks pregnant. If hCG levels are not yet high enough, you could receive a false negative. Wait a few days and test again before confirming with your healthcare provider.

“If I'm 5 weeks pregnant, what is my due date?” After confirming your pregnancy, this is likely the next question you’ll ask yourself! Again, your healthcare provider is your point person during your pregnancy and can help you determine your due date. In the meantime, try our Due Date Calculator.

Your healthcare provider will refer to your pregnancy in weeks, but it’s common to think in months, too. It gets a little tricky, but at 5 weeks pregnant, you’re usually considered to be in your second month of pregnancy, which typically includes weeks 5 through 8.

When you’re 5 weeks pregnant, important changes are taking place to support your baby’s development. Here's what's happening during your fifth week of pregnancy:

• The placenta and the beginnings of the umbilical cord are forming. These channel essential nutrients (like calcium, folic acid, and other vitamins) and oxygen from your body to the embryo, playing a vital role in healthy development.

• The neural tube continues to develop. It will eventually become the spinal column and the brain. At this point, taking at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day is a great way to support your baby’s healthy growth and development and reduce the risk of neural tube disorders.

• Your baby's heart will develop from what is now just a bulge in the middle of the embryo, and the heartbeat itself may be detected as early as the sixth week of pregnancy.

At five weeks pregnant, the embryo is still very small but growing quickly! Picture a small orange seed or a grain of rice. At this stage, your little one could be between about 1/16 of an inch long, with a shape like that of a tiny tadpole.

Look at this visual of your uterus and the gestational sac at 5 weeks for an idea of how your body is creating a comfortable home for your baby during your pregnancy.

It’s possible to have a range of common symptoms at 5 weeks pregnant, or symptoms that come and go, or even no symptoms at all! Every pregnancy is different, but early signs that you’re pregnant could include both physical symptoms and emotional changes.

These are some of the physical and emotional symptoms you might experience at 5 weeks pregnant:

• Morning sickness. It’s possible to experience morning sickness at 5 weeks pregnant. This unpleasant nausea and vomiting can happen in the morning, evening, or all day long. To help ease these symptoms, drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration and avoid any greasy, spicy, or fatty foods that may trigger your bouts of nausea. You also might want to eat small meals and snacks throughout the day rather than bigger meals.

• Light bleeding or spotting. It’s not unusual to see some light bleeding or spotting at 5 weeks pregnant. If you see a lot of blood, if the spotting lasts longer than two days, or you have any concerns, consult your healthcare provider 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. If your breasts are not sore anymore at 5 weeks pregnant, that’s also normal, as symptoms can occur earlier or come and go.

• Frequent urination. The constant and 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, if you need to pee a lot at 5 weeks pregnant, know it’s totally normal.

• Acne. Hormonal changes may be to blame for any pregnancy-related acne you’re experiencing. Though there are ways to combat pregnancy acne, remember that it’s just one of those pesky symptoms that should clear once your baby is born.

• Bloating and cramping. At 5 weeks pregnant, bloating, cramping, and feeling gassy or experiencing slight gas pains (which could occur at the same time as implantation bleeding) are quite normal. However, if you’re experiencing a lot of pain or severe cramping, bloating, or bleeding, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

• Fatigue. Don’t be surprised if you feel completely wiped out. At 5 weeks pregnant, your body is dealing with an increase in levels of progesterone, which can leave you feeling more tired than usual. Some things that may help include avoiding caffeine and vigorous activity before bed, keeping a consistent daily schedule, and 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 could 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.

• Mild or no symptoms. What if, at 5 weeks pregnant, you experience no symptoms? It’s not unusual to feel and look completely normal at this stage, or for certain symptoms to come and go. Be sure to consult 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.

The above signs and symptoms are common at 5 weeks pregnant, but nothing you experience should be particularly painful. If you’re feeling pain or observing changes that aren’t normal for you, contact your healthcare provider.

• At 5 weeks pregnant, symptoms not to ignore include pain in your body (such as in your buttocks, upper abdomen, lower back, middle back, or shoulder), abnormal diarrhea or constipation, pelvic pressure, or passing blood clots.

• Experiencing pain at your c-section scar (if you had one in the past), night sweats, shortness of breath, or feeling like it hurts to sneeze at 5 weeks pregnant are also symptoms not to ignore.

• Basically, if anything is painful or abnormal, consult your healthcare provider right away. Keep in mind that symptoms of a second (or subsequent) pregnancy could be different from those of your first pregnancy.

Are you keeping an eye on your belly, wondering if it has gotten bigger? At 5 weeks pregnant, you probably won’t have a baby bump just yet, nor will you notice a darker line, called the linea nigra, on your stomach. Everyone is different, but you might see a bulging belly at around 12 to 16 weeks and the linea nigra closer to 20 weeks.

To help you get a better sense of what your belly might look like at 5 weeks pregnant, check out the visual below:

It’s still early in your pregnancy journey, but there are plenty of important things to consider, from sharing the news with someone close to focusing on a healthy diet. Check out our lists below.

Now that you're pregnant, you may need to make some adjustments to make sure you and your baby stay healthy and safe.

• 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 undercooked or unpasteurized. Foods to avoid when pregnant also include 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.

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

• 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.

Sharing the news with your partner and others is a fun part of being pregnant, and so is looking ahead and learning about pregnancy and parenting. Here are some ideas.

• If you haven’t yet told your partner you’re pregnant, and you’re looking for fun ways to surprise them, check out these cute and creative pregnancy announcements for partners.

  As for telling others, you may prefer to wait at least until the end of the first trimester when the risk of miscarriage drops significantly.

• Download 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 want to read up on the trimesters of pregnancy so you know more about what to anticipate in the coming months.

• Start a journal. It’s normal to feel a range of different emotions as you adjust to pregnancy. Emotions can change from one day to the next and writing in a journal is one way to get your innermost thoughts and feelings out of your system. And as for those joyous moments, you may want to remember them!

• Although you won’t be showing just yet, you may want to start a month-by-month baby bump photo shoot. 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 their first “home.”

Have you seen your healthcare provider yet? Your first appointment and your subsequent checkups are the perfect time to raise questions and bring up concerns, such as the following:

• 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 and should you be concerned if you see brown discharge at 5 weeks pregnant?

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

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

As you anticipate your new pregnancy and all that lies ahead, consider the following to-dos:

□ Read up on how to choose a prenatal care provider if you haven't chosen one already.

□ Schedule your first prenatal appointment. Your healthcare provider will be able to fill you in 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.

5 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Cramping & More

Feeling pregnant?

You may be growing more aware of early pregnancy symptoms, including fatigue, achy or swollen breasts, nausea, and the need to pee more often.

Announcing your pregnancy

There are no hard and fast rules about when to announce your pregnancy. Many expecting parents wait until late in the first trimester, but it's up to you.

Having twins

The likelihood of twins is about 3 out of 100 for most people, but chances are as high as 30 percent if you had certain fertility treatments. Women typically discover they're having more than one baby during an ultrasound in the first trimester.

5 weeks is how many months?

You're in your second month!

Baby development at 5 weeks

Tiny embryo

Deep in your uterus an embryo is growing at a furious pace, and it looks more like a tadpole than a human. The embryo is made up of three layers – the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm – which will later form all of the organs and tissues.

Brain development

Your baby's brain, spinal cord, and nerves form from the neural tube, which is starting to develop from the embryo's top layer – the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

Heart development

The heart and circulatory system begin to form in the embryo's middle layer, or mesoderm. The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and the tissue under the skin.

Lungs and gut

The third layer, or endoderm, will become the lungs, intestines, and early urinary system, as well as the thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

Your baby at 5 weeks Tap the plus for more details

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Your baby is about the size of a sesame seed

Pregnancy symptoms during week 5

Frequent urination

Pregnancy hormones plus your body's increasing blood volume may equal a near-constant need to pee. During pregnancy, running to the bathroom much more than you'd like is a fact of life. It's important to stay hydrated, but you may want to cut back on fluids late in the day so you don't have to get up to pee as frequently at night.

Tender, swollen breasts

Breast tenderness is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Increased hormone levels boost blood flow, which may make your breasts feel swollen, sore, tingly, and unusually sensitive to touch.

Fatigue

No one knows for sure what causes bone-crushing exhaustion in early pregnancy, but it's likely that hormonal changes are to blame. Most women find that their energy returns in the second trimester. Until then, try to get more sleep, lighten your load, ask others for help, and take good care of yourself.

Spotting

About 1 in 4 women experience spotting or light bleeding during the first trimester. It's often nothing, but sometimes it's a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Call your doctor or midwife just in case. And if you're actively bleeding or you have severe pain and can't reach your provider, head to the emergency department right away.

Morning sickness

Morning sickness – also called nausea and vomiting of pregnancy – affects different expecting moms at different times (and some not at all). It usually starts around week 5 or 6 of pregnancy. For some women, that telltale queasy feeling is one of the first giveaways that they're pregnant. There are safe ways to get relief from morning sickness, including changes to your diet and lifestyle, natural remedies, and medication. Be sure to talk to your provider if you're suffering.

Food aversions

Does the smell of your coworker's lunch suddenly make your stomach churn? Food aversions often start around now. Most expecting moms experience them, thanks to changing hormones and a heightened sense of smell. Some of the most common aversions include meat, coffee, eggs, dairy, and foods with a lot of spices or fat. To cope, try eating bland or cold foods. If cooking makes you sick, ask a loved one to cook for you or get takeout.

Don't see your symptom?

Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.

Your body at 5 weeks Tap the plus for more details

Pregnancy checklist at 5 weeks pregnant

Choose a pregnancy healthcare provider

If you already have an ob-gyn or midwife you love, you're set. If not, start doing some research. Talk to friends and relatives, ask one of your other providers to recommend someone, check out the preferred providers under your health insurance plan, or search online. Find out more about what to consider when choosing a doctor or midwife.

Put together a family health history

Talk to relatives on both sides about your families' medical histories. Your provider will want to know whether any chronic conditions or genetic abnormalities run in either of your families.

Get our pregnancy app

For expert pregnancy info, helpful tools, and detailed fetal development images, download BabyCenter's free pregnancy and baby app.

Take your prenatal vitamin

If you haven't started taking a prenatal vitamin yet, now's the time to start. It's particularly critical to get enough folic acid now, because it greatly reduces your baby's risk of developing neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.

Cut down on caffeine

Studies have linked high caffeine consumption to miscarriage and other pregnancy problems. That's why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises expectant moms to limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg per day or less (that's about one large cup of coffee).

5 weeks pregnant bellies

At 5 weeks pregnant, your belly may be starting to look slightly different – perhaps like you had a big lunch. For some women, abdominal bloating due to hormonal changes is an early sign of pregnancy. That's why your clothes may feel more snug than usual at the waistline, even early on when your uterus is still quite small.

Or, you may not see any changes yet. There's no one-size-fits-all formula for how and when women show during pregnancy.

During the first trimester, nausea and vomiting may keep you from feeling like eating much. That's fine: Your baby-to-be is tiny at this point, and you don't need to eat any extra calories. It's typical to gain about 3 to 5 pounds in the first trimester (and it's okay if you don't gain any weight at all).

Some women lose weight in early pregnancy. In most cases, this weight loss isn't dangerous. If you're losing a lot of weight, though, or if you think you may be suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness), tell your provider right away.

This week's video

what happens to the baby and mother, photo of the abdomen, ultrasound of the fetus

What happens to the baby at the 5th week

The most important thing that happens to the baby at the 5th week of pregnancy is the formation and development of his brain. At this time, it increases and is divided into three sections, so the baby's head seems so big compared to the body. The crumbs continue to develop limbs, shoulders are indicated, a nose and ears appear. Embryos slowly straighten out.

— At the 5th week of pregnancy, the intestines, the nervous system, or rather the neural tube, are formed in the baby, limbs appear, the genital, urinary system and thyroid gland are being laid. By the 5th week, the blood flow is already so formed that the influence of negative factors will directly affect the embryo and cause malformations. Therefore, now it is important for mom to exclude any negative impact - alcohol, smoking, stress, - explains obstetrician-gynecologist Dina Absalyamova

Fetal ultrasound

Fetal ultrasound at 5 weeks of gestation in the absence of warning signs is rarely prescribed. The fetus is still very small, it is impossible to see any pathologies and deviations in its development.

All the doctor can see at this time is the location of the baby. If the fetus is in the uterus, everything is in order, but if it is fixed in the fallopian tube or some other place, this is an ectopic pregnancy and, alas, it must be interrupted.

In addition to ultrasound, ectopic pregnancy may be indicated by pain in the lower abdomen and spotting, which should not normally be present.

Ultrasound diagnostics will also help to exclude miscarriage.

“At the 5th week of pregnancy, an ultrasound of the fetus will show the mother a gestational sac and a yolk sac, while the child itself is still very small - less than two millimeters - and it is difficult to see it,” explains obstetrician-gynecologist Dina Absalyamova .

Belly photo

A baby at 5 weeks pregnant is similar in size to a blackcurrant berry: its height is about 10 mm, and its weight is about 1.2 grams.

With these parameters, the woman's uterus does not yet need to stretch, so the mother's body looks almost unchanged. A photo of the abdomen at the 5th week of pregnancy is an example of this. If it was flat to "two stripes", then it remains so now.

It happens that the tummy swells a little, making a woman think that it is growing. In fact, it can increase due to gases accumulated in the intestines - progesterone (pregnancy hormone) reduces intestinal motility and provokes increased gas formation.

What happens to the mother at the 5th week

Outwardly, the body of the expectant mother hardly changes. The tummy is not yet noticeable and an “interesting position” can be given out, perhaps, by an enlarged chest. By the 5th week of pregnancy, in some women, it already grows by 1-2 sizes. This is because the mammary glands are preparing for the fact that they will have to feed a small person. The nipples become rough, the pigmentation around them intensifies.

At the 5th week of pregnancy, mothers sometimes experience swelling. Women are used to considering them almost an integral part of pregnancy, but this is wrong. Edema occurs due to an excess of fluid in the body, when the urinary system of a pregnant woman begins to cope worse with her duties. To avoid swelling, you need to give up food that provokes thirst, for example, from everything salty, sweet and spicy.

What sensations can you experience at the 5th week

The whole body of a woman at the 5th week of pregnancy is rebuilt in a new way. The uterus is slowly growing, hormones are naughty, the breasts are enlarged, hence the most common sensations at this time:

1. Toxicosis, which is understood as nausea and vomiting. Normally, attacks should occur no more than 3-4 times a day, if you feel sick after each meal, you need to inform the doctor, as the body loses valuable substances and moisture.
2. Change in taste preferences. A baby growing under a woman's heart needs building materials, which he can only get from his mother's body. Therefore, he strongly hints to her what exactly to eat at one time or another. Doctors advise to listen to the urge, but not to change the diet dramatically.
3. Constant desire to go to the toilet due to the pressure of the uterus on the bladder.
4. At the 5th week of pregnancy, a restructuring occurs in the mother's body: the uterus grows, stretching the ligaments, which causes discomfort in the lower abdomen.
5. Drowsiness and fatigue due to the fact that the growing baby is wasting his mother's energy.
6. Mood swings from euphoria to depression, tearfulness for no reason - all hormones.
7. Pain in the intestines, back and other places.

Periods

Menstruation at 5 weeks pregnant should not be normal. However, a woman may experience scanty spotting similar to them. They appear during the implantation of the baby in the uterus and do not pose a danger.

Abundant discharge with blood is another matter. In this case, the mother should call an ambulance at home. They may indicate such serious problems as:

• an ectopic pregnancy that threatens the health and even life of a woman;
• miscarriage;
• threatened miscarriage or miscarriage that has already begun, especially if severe pain in the lower abdomen is added to the blood;
• about the presence of a hematoma between the wall of the uterus and the tissue that nourishes the baby.

Abdominal pain

— Complaints of abdominal pain are very common during pregnancy. There can be many reasons for the discomfort. In the simplest cases, pain is associated with an increase in the size of the uterus or with the influence of progesterone. This hormone does not have the best effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract, provokes constipation and bloating, and this is always associated with discomfort, gynecologists explain.

Normally, pain during pregnancy should be short-term and not severe, that is, they should not knock a woman out of her usual rhythm. The cause for alarm can be acute attacks, intense and prolonged.

- Cramping pains at certain intervals for, for example, an hour, should alert the expectant mother. In the first trimester, miscarriages happen quite often, almost in every fifth case, and the first symptoms are abdominal pain and often bleeding, doctors warn.

Brown discharge

Discharge during pregnancy, as well as at other times, should not frighten a woman. There is a standard that is the same for everyone. If the volume of secretions does not exceed 1-4 ml per day, this is normal. During pregnancy, they may become a little more. The discharge should be odorless, let's say a slightly sour smell. In color, they can be transparent, whitish, light yellow and light beige. By consistency - liquid or mucous. This is what the norm looks like, if you notice other discharge, talk about them with a gynecologist.

Scanty brownish discharge at the 5th week of pregnancy may indicate the implantation of the baby in the uterus, then there is nothing to worry about. However, they can also hint at bleeding that threatens the life of the child.

Bloody discharge

Bloody discharge during pregnancy, regardless of its volume, is a cause for concern. Normally, they shouldn't be. Bloody discharge can be caused by various reasons, and all of them are not the most pleasant:

• mechanical damage to the vagina;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• fetal rejection;
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• lesions of the cervix;
• pathologies of the uterus, for example, myomatous or fibromatous nodes.

Pink discharge

- Discharge with blood outside of menstruation - any, pink, dark red or scarlet - can be caused by venereal diseases or lesions of the cervix. They can occur due to fetal rejection, due to a miscarriage that has begun, due to mucosal injuries. For any of them, you should consult a doctor, gynecologists advise.

If these discharges are plentiful, and alarming symptoms are added - severe weakness, acute pain in the abdomen - you need to call an ambulance.

Popular questions and answers

Together with gynecologist Dina Absalyamov oh we answer the most popular questions related to pregnancy.

I suffer from constant nausea, how to alleviate toxicosis?

In some cases, nausea and vomiting can be caused by an overabundance of vitamins. Many expectant mothers drink everything at once: iodine, folic acid, omega-3, vitamin D, and magnesium. It is better to alternate them or focus on the most necessary.

To make nausea less inconvenient, you can follow these tips:
— eat more often and in fractions, increase fluid intake - fruit drinks, compotes, mineral water without gas;
- food should be easily digestible, rich in proteins and carbohydrates: nuts, dairy products, legumes, biscuits, etc.;
- water with lemon and honey, mint water, grapefruit, ginger helps to fight nausea.

When does the baby begin to move and when should his immobility alert?

Pregnant women usually begin to feel fetal movements around the 20th week. If the pregnancy is not the first, then earlier - by the 18th. Often, women notice the first movements at other times, a lot depends on the sensitivity of the mother, her physique, and the location of the placenta. At first, the fetal movements are weak, they can be mistaken for the work of the intestines. Normally, a pregnant woman feels at least 8-10 movements per hour. The absence of movements for 6 hours is an alarming sign, it may indicate fetal hypoxia and requires a doctor's consultation.

What is anemia of pregnancy, when does it occur and how is it treated?

75-90% of all anemias in pregnancy are iron deficiency. During pregnancy, the volume of circulating blood increases, there are more red blood cells, the need for iron increases (it increases 9 times!). In the presence of gastrointestinal diseases, malnutrition, toxicosis, the processes of supplying iron in the right amount can be disrupted and anemia develops. It is manifested by weakness, drowsiness, fainting, the skin becomes dry, hair splits, you want to eat chalk, clay. Iron preparations are used for treatment, there are many of them and they are selected individually depending on the tests. If the lack of iron is small, you can eat more green apples, red meat, fish, liver, dairy products. But if the diagnosis of IDA is established by analysis, you will have to resort to drugs, since iron is absorbed from food rather poorly.

Can I have sex?

You can have sex at any stage of pregnancy if there are no contraindications, such as a threatened miscarriage. If the pregnancy is proceeding normally, then there is no point in denying yourself intimacy. Another thing is that most women do not want this intimacy in the early stages - too many new sensations pile up, not all of them are pleasant, and libido drops.

However, there are pregnant women who, on the contrary, are provoked by the new situation. In this case, they may find that sex has become hotter, more interesting, because now their relationship with a partner is more intimate than before.

Doctors say that sex is even useful - both as a physical activity and as a way to get hormones of joy.

It is only important to indulge in pleasures with trusted partners who are definitely healthy.

What to do if the lower abdomen is pulled?

Almost every pregnant woman has this unpleasant feeling when her lower abdomen is pulled. This is usually a spasm, which is caused by the growth of the uterus and the stretching of the ligaments. It's annoying, but not dangerous.

Doctors advise at such a moment to relax, it is better to lie down and take a deep breath. The pain usually goes away on its own within a few minutes.

If this doesn't happen and she doesn't even get weaker, you should see a doctor. In the early stages, miscarriages often occur, so any pain should be treated carefully.

What should I do if my temperature rises?

Pregnant women usually have a slightly elevated temperature anyway. 37.5 degrees is a normal temperature for an expectant mother, but it happens that she rises due to a cold.

— Pregnant women are more susceptible to complications from SARS (pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis). This is due to physiological changes in the body during this period. If the temperature is caused by SARS, then you can rinse your nose with sea water, use antiseptics for sore throats, drink plenty of warm liquids and rest more, gynecologists advise.

Doctors can also prescribe antiviral drugs to the mother, but there are not so many drugs approved for pregnant women.

How to eat right?

During pregnancy, you need to review your usual diet, as your unborn baby eats at your expense and extracts everything useful and harmful (!) From the food you consume, doctors remind.

Eat often - 5-6 times a day, in small portions, the last meal three hours before bedtime. Try not to be hungry, but don’t eat for two either. You need to give up fatty, fried, smoked, salty, spicy, canned foods, and preferably sweets and flour products too. It is necessary to drink two liters of liquid per day, from 20-30 weeks - 1.5, and then even less.

It is highly undesirable to use:

— alcohol in any form;
- products containing tartrazine (marking E120): colored carbonated drinks, chewing gum and sweets, canned vegetables and fruits;
- products with sodium nitrite (E-250): sausages, sausages, smoked meats;
- monosodium glutamate (E-621): products with a flavor enhancer;
- sodium benzoate (E-211): canned fish, meat, mayonnaise, ketchup, canned olives, olives.

Eat fruits and vegetables, and protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.

An important trace element is magnesium, it is present in wheat bran, legumes, nuts, dried apricots, bananas.

How the belly grows - articles from the specialists of the clinic "Mother and Child"

Bagriy Alexander Tarasovich

Anesthesiologist-resuscitator

Clinical hospital "AVICENNA" GC "Mother and Child"

Let's say right away that how the belly looks and grows during pregnancy depends on many reasons: the body of a woman, the structure of the pelvis, the state of the muscles, height uterus and baby, the amount of amniotic fluid. Therefore, for some, the belly grows faster, for some it is slower, for some mothers it is large, for others it can be almost invisible. But still, there are some general patterns of growth and size of the abdomen during pregnancy.

Growth rates

1st trimester

As a rule, in the early stages of pregnancy, the belly does not increase in size or increases very slightly. This is due to the fact that the uterus is still very small and takes up little space in the pelvis. So, for example, by the end of 4th week the uterus reaches only the size of a chicken egg, by the 8th week increases to the size of a goose, but most importantly - at this time it still does not reach the pubic articulation (located in the lower abdomen ). That is why in the early stages no increase in the abdomen is visible. And only after 12th week (end of the first trimester of pregnancy) the fundus of the uterus begins to rise above the womb.

II trimester

At this time, the child is rapidly gaining height and weight, and the uterus is also rapidly growing. That is why, at a period of 12-16 weeks, an attentive mother will see that the stomach has already become noticeable. True, others will pay attention to the woman’s new position at about 20-q weeks, especially if she wears tight-fitting things.

III trimester

By the beginning of the third trimester, no one doubts pregnancy. The abdomen is clearly visible even if the woman is wearing loose clothing.

Sharp, round, various

Approximately from the second trimester of pregnancy, during each examination, the obstetrician-gynecologist determines the height of the uterine fundus and measures the circumference of the abdomen at the level of the navel. Why does the doctor so carefully monitor the increase in mother's tummy? The fact is that this is the easiest way to control the growth and development of the unborn baby.

One of the formulas for estimating the weight of the fetus according to the height of the fundus of the uterus (FHH): the shape of the abdomen often tried to determine the sex of the child. It was believed that a round belly portends a girl, and an elongated, oblong, “sharp” one portends a boy. However, these predictions did not always come true, since the shape and size of the abdomen do not depend at all on the sex of the child.