Is 5 weeks pregnant too early to test
5 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy
When you're pregnant, you have lots of questions. Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is packed with lots of useful information. From what's happening inside your body, to how your baby is developing, and tips and advice on having a healthy pregnancy – this is your one-stop pregnancy guide!
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Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is full of essential information. From early pregnancy symptoms to how your baby is growing and developing, you' ll find it all here.
- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Week 7
- Week 8
- Week 9
- Week 10
- Week 11
- Week 12
To the outside world, you'll look much the same as usual – but on the inside, some amazing things are happening.
What's happening in my body?
Your baby's nervous system is developing, and the brain and spinal cord are taking shape. The tiny heart is starting to form and will beat for the first time around now.
Many women realise that they're pregnant around week 5. You might notice that your period is late, and you may feel a bit under the weather. If you're wondering when to take a pregnancy test, now is a good time as they are sensitive to changes in your urine from week 3 or 4 onwards.
Finding out that you are pregnant can be exciting, but it's normal to have worries too. More than 1 in 10 mums feel anxious during pregnancy. Try not to keep your worries to yourself – talk to your midwife or doctor. You could also try doing some relaxing breathing exercises.
Food cravings
Are you getting food cravings? Some people do, some don't. Pregnancy cravings are caused by hormonal changes affecting your senses of taste and smell. Try to eat a balanced healthy diet.
If you have any unusual cravings, like wanting to eat dirt, talk to your midwife or doctor, as you may have a condition called pica which is caused by a lack of iron.
Early pregnancy symptoms (at 5 weeks)
It's still early days, and many women won't know they're pregnant at 5 weeks. Not everyone has regular menstrual cycles, so you may not realise that your period is late. You might notice some light bleeding, and think it's your period, but it can also be a sign of implantation bleeding (when an embryo attaches to the lining of the womb).
In the 1st trimester, many women feel extreme tiredness. Other early signs of pregnancy can include:
- a metallic taste in your mouth
- sore breasts
- nausea - also known as "morning sickness", although you can experience it at any time (read about morning sickness in week 6)
- mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
- new food likes and dislikes
- a heightened sense of smell
- needing to pee more frequently
- a milky white pregnancy discharge from your vagina
- light spotting (see your doctor if you get bleeding in pregnancy)
- cramping, a bit like period pains
- darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma faciei or the "mask of pregnancy"
- thicker and shinier hair
- bloating (read about bloating on week 16's page)
Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.
What does my baby look like?
Your baby, or embryo, is around 2mm long (about the size of a sesame seed). The face is starting to take shape, with a tiny nose and little eyes which stay closed until around 28 weeks. Your baby's brain and spinal cord are forming rapidly inside you.
Your baby already has some of its own blood vessels and a string of them will make up the umbilical cord. This cord delivers everything it needs from the placenta. The placenta, which is being created now, will give your baby nutrients and oxygen, while removing waste products.
Action stations
The advice for week 5 is the same as for week 4 - basically keep up the good work looking after yourself!
In particular:
Share the news with your GP or ask for an appointment with a midwife at your doctors' surgery. Alternatively you can refer yourself to your local hospital – look for contact details on their website.
You'll need to arrange a booking appointment.
This usually takes place between weeks 8 and 12 and takes around an hour. You can talk about the options for your pregnancy and the birth. You will also be offered screening tests for infectious diseases and conditions such as Down's syndrome. Now is a good time to ask about the Maternity Transformation Programme and how it could benefit you.
You will be offered your first dating scan at 8 to 14 weeks.
If it's your first pregnancy, you will probably have around 10 appointments and 2 scans in total.
Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.
Antenatal classes will give you the chance to meet other people and prepare you for parenthood. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.
Take prenatal vitamins. You're advised to take 400 micrograms of folic acid, every day, until at least week 12.
This helps your baby's nervous system to form and offers some protection from conditions such as spina bifida.
To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.
Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website. You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.
Do you think you or your partner could have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? If so, get it checked out, as this could affect your baby's development. Talk to your midwife or GP, or visit a sexual health clinic.
It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside.
Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.
There's no need to eat for 2. If you pile on the pounds, you could put you and your baby at risk of health problems such as high blood pressure. Eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.
If you have a long-term health condition, then let your specialist or GP know that you're pregnant as soon as possible. Don't stop taking any regular medication without discussing it first with your doctor.
How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor who can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need.
You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family. You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live.
Don't keep it to yourself. It's important to ask for help if you need it.
You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19):
To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:
Go back to week 4
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Pregnancy at week 5 | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
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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.
Read next
Your pregnancy at 6 weeks
Learn about your pregnancy journey and what is happening to you and your baby.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
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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When to do a pregnancy test? Maternity hospital Leleka | Blog
Pregnancy in the life of every woman is a significant event and most often unexpected.
But, even if the pregnancy came as a “surprise”, you must definitely confirm your suspicions or refute them. And you can do this with the help of an instant express pregnancy test, in a matter of seconds.
| Express pregnancy test is a very convenient, fast and inexpensive device that determines pregnancy (if any) as accurately as possible. nine0012 The erroneous result is reduced to a minimum and is only 1%. |
The most informative are digital and tablet tests (the strip is placed on a plastic device with two "windows"). However, strip tests remain the most popular, which means that the price of the test does not affect the result.
If there is any doubt after the test, you should make an appointment with a gynecologist.
How the pregnancy test works
Despite the whole range of pregnancy tests, the principle of action is the same for everyone - to determine the level of hCG (the first hormone of pregnancy) in the urine.
| hCG - secreted by the villi of the embryo from the period of attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine wall. May be detected in the urine and blood of a pregnant woman. |
Pregnancy test procedure
Pregnancy test is performed no earlier than the first day of missed period or approximately 2 weeks after the expected day of conception. Until the zygote attaches to the wall of the uterus, hCG is not released, which means that before ten days of pregnancy, it is not advisable to carry out a test or any other tests.
At the beginning of the test, you should carefully study the instructions for its use. Although the principle of operation is always identical: one part of the test (paper) is immersed in a container with urine, the other (with a chemical indicator) determines the result in the form of red / blue stripes, the symbols “+” / “-” or the words “yes” / “no” ". The result is evaluated after the time specified in the instructions (from 1 to 5 minutes). nine0003
Sometimes there are mini-pipettes for metered distribution of urine in the tests, which are very convenient to use.
But putting the test under the urinary stream is not recommended, since this method can technically disrupt the express screening and give an error.
| You cannot rely on the result of a single test; for complete certainty, you need to repeat the express test in 1-3 days. nine0002 If two stripes are determined each time, it is mandatory to make an appointment with a gynecologist. |
When to take a pregnancy test
In order not to be confused by the numbers, dates and know exactly when it is appropriate to take a pregnancy test, you need to keep a calendar, control your well-being and know the basic process of how the egg is fertilized .
In every woman with a regular monthly cycle, the egg goes through several physiological stages of development, one of which is called “ovulation”. nine0003
Ovulation is the process where a mature egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube to join the sperm.
If there is no sperm in the tube, the egg dies and menstruation occurs.
| Ovulation lasts approximately 2 days. All this time the egg is active. |
If during ovulation the spermatozoa were inside the woman's genitals and conception did occur, the fertilized egg (zygote) begins to "move" into the uterine cavity, with the help of the ciliated epithelium and the muscles of the fallopian tube itself. nine0003
This whole process takes about 1 week.
After a fertilized egg enters the uterine cavity, it attaches there, hCG rises in the blood, cells divide and further development of the fetus occurs.
| The level of hCG (the first hormone of pregnancy) rises only after the fixation of a fertilized egg in the uterine cavity. Therefore, a reliable result of pregnancy can be obtained only on the seventh to tenth day of conception. In this case, the result must be supported by a doctor's opinion. |
nine0012 Some rapid tests can determine the presence of the hormone as early as the fourth day, but it is still better to check after at least 1.5 weeks. Then the level of the hormone becomes high enough to confidently determine the condition of the woman.
| Delayed periods do not always indicate pregnancy, but it is better to immediately check the cause and take a test on the first day. nine0012 |
When is a pregnancy test false?
Two strips on the test do not always cause delight in women, since pregnancy is not a cherished dream for all women, for most it is a surprise.
However, if you really do not plan a child and your test suddenly becomes “striped”, do not rush to panic, since a result error is not ruled out here.
False-positive or false-negative responses can range from a technical failure of a screening test to the identification of serious gynecological pathologies. nine0003
As you can see, pregnancy is not the most “terrible” thing that a test can determine, so we once again emphasize the importance of a gynecological examination.
| Gynecologists of the private maternity hospital "Leleka" strongly recommend not to be limited to the results of a rapid test to establish pregnancy.
Since today there is a growing trend of ectopic pregnancies, which lead to serious complications and gynecological pathologies in the future. |
Be that as it may, a positive test result is only the first step towards determining pregnancy.
The second step is a visit to the gynecologist, who must confirm / refute the information received. Since there are situations when express screening gives a false positive answer. nine0003
Main causes of a false positive result
A false positive result is a result that indicates the presence of pregnancy, in the absence of it.
Causes:
1. Incorrect express test.
Incorrect use of the test is the main cause of a false positive response. Therefore, you always need to read the instructions and follow the specified algorithm of actions. The evaluation of the result should be carried out strictly within the specified time range, from 3 to 10 minutes. After this period, a weak second strip may appear on the test (due to evaporation of urine), and the woman will perceive the result as a pregnancy. nine0003
2. Marriage.
A defective test is a very rare occurrence, but no one is immune from such a situation. Knowing this, women buy several tests from different brands and thus the problem is leveled.
3. Postpartum period.
Pregnancy test remains positive throughout pregnancy and 3-4 weeks after delivery. Therefore, if the test after the recent birth of a child shows a positive answer, and you are not planning children of the same age, you should not worry. However, you still need to check with your doctor about the absence of pregnancy. nine0003
4. Miscarriage, abortion.
After a miscarriage, miscarriage or medical abortion, the level of hCG cannot immediately decrease, it takes time. And, as a rule, this process takes from 2 to 4 weeks. Therefore, doing a pregnancy test during this period simply does not make sense, since the result will be false positive.
| If in doubt, a blood test for hCG levels or a follow-up abdominal ultrasound should be done. nine0012 |
5. Preparation for IVF.
Some women dream of pregnancy so much that they take tests even when they don't have to.
As, for example, when preparing for IVF.
During this period, ovulation is stimulated with hormonal preparations, which also increase the level of hCG, although there is no pregnancy itself yet. Therefore, a pregnancy test done during this period can misinform a woman.
6. Oncopathology. nine0173
Sometimes a positive pregnancy test, in its absence, indicates serious pathological processes that increase the level of hCG. These are ovarian tumors, lung, brain, breast or stomach cancer.
| To dispel all suspicions and fears, with a positive pregnancy test result, you should immediately contact a gynecologist to rule out ectopic pregnancy and oncopathology. |
Main causes of a false negative test
A false negative is a result that indicates no pregnancy, if any.
Causes:
- Fertilization occurred before the start of menstruation, and the level of hCG did not have time to rise to the desired concentration.
- There is a threat of miscarriage.
- A woman is taking diuretics (diuretics).
- Technical damage to the test.
If a pregnancy test shows a negative result, but the woman has specific pregnancy symptoms (morning sickness, dizziness, frequent urination, pain in the lower abdomen and chest), you need to see a doctor. nine0003
What to do if in doubt?
There are situations that make a woman doubt the correctness of a pregnancy test. For example, different tests give different results, spotting is present (similar to menstruation), screening gave a positive response, and there are no specific symptoms of pregnancy.
What to do in this case?
- Do not look for the cause yourself, but go for a consultation with a gynecologist and approach the solution of the problem comprehensively. nine0154
- Do not dispose of unwanted and unconfirmed pregnancies yourself.
- Find the exact reason why the test showed a false positive result in the absence of pregnancy.
| Note! Leading gynecologists of the private maternity center "Leleka" strongly recommend that after passing the test with a positive response, immediately contact a medical institution. nine0012 Even if you do not plan to give birth to a child, pregnancy in any case must be confirmed or denied. You should not rely only on the test result, and in no case should you resort to criminal abortions, buy the “necessary” pills in a pharmacy on your own, use folk methods to terminate a pregnancy. All this is fraught with serious consequences and complications, even death. nine0012 |
The Leleka maternity hospital is a modern medical institution where you will always receive specialized, highly qualified obstetric-gynecological and neonatological medical care at the level of world standards.
Only timely diagnosis and competent treatment will help preserve the reproductive health of a woman and there are no other options here.
We will teach you to understand pregnancy tests: when to take, what determines the accuracy, whether to believe a negative result and where to buy
There are two types of pregnancy tests: home (urine testing at home) and clinical (blood testing in a hospital). Both home and clinical tests check the same thing - the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the biomaterial (urine or blood). HCG is produced by the cells that eventually form the placenta.
What you need to know about home tests: when to take a test, what a negative result means, how to find the most accurate one and where to buy. "All pharmacies" answer these questions. nine0047
Why do tests determine pregnancy based on hCG?
This is the simplest and most reliable pregnancy indicator.
It is secreted by the cells of the embryo and the future placenta. As soon as a fertilized egg implants in the lining of her uterus, the hormone enters the blood (sometimes as early as six days after the fertilization of the egg). After that, the level of hCG increases very quickly: it doubles every 48 hours until a period of 14 weeks. Gradually, excess hCG begins to be released into the urine, and there it is detected by home tests. nine0003
And everything is simple there: there is hCG - there is a pregnancy, no hCG - there is no pregnancy.
When to test?
After ovulation, it takes about a week for the egg to travel from the ovary to the uterus. It can be fertilized at any time: either in the fallopian tube, or upon reaching the uterus. But HCG production begins only after implantation of fertilized eggs into the uterine wall.
Predicting exactly when fertilization occurs is difficult: spermatozoa can live in a woman's body for up to five days. This is the reason why most home pregnancy tests advise women to wait: it is better to take the test on the second or third day of delay or approximately 15-16 days after ovulation.
If the cycle is unstable, the ideal time for the test is defined differently:
If periods occur at intervals of less than 21 days or more than 35 days, and if their periods vary from month to month, cycles are considered irregular. In these cases, a pregnancy test should be done 36 days after the last menstrual period or four weeks after the last unprotected sex. nine0012
Test negative. So no pregnancy?
This is not true: the test may be false negative. If a few days after the negative result, menstruation has not appeared, repeat the test. The second negative result will be more reliable, but even a weak second strip should be interpreted as a positive test.
Why does the manual recommend taking the test in the morning?
The probability of obtaining a reliable result is higher when the biomaterial - urine - is the most concentrated: it contains more hCG. It happens in the morning. Therefore, most tests recommend doing an analysis immediately after waking up, on the second day after missing a period.
nine0003
Are there alternatives to pregnancy tests?
Among the exact tests - only blood test for hCG. No folk tests (with soda, iodine, potassium permanganate or boiling urine) are unreliable. Modern tests remain the most reliable and simple way to determine pregnancy.
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How accurate are home pregnancy tests and how to choose the most accurate one? nine0027
Home pregnancy test kits claim to be 97 to 99% accurate when used correctly.
An important indicator in this matter is sensitivity. You can determine it by the box with the test: the smaller the number indicated on the package, the more sensitive the test. For example, a test with a sensitivity of 20 IU/L (international units per liter) detects pregnancy earlier than a test with a sensitivity of only 50 IU/L.
The cost of a pregnancy test can also be an indication of its sensitivity: more expensive ones tend to detect pregnancy earlier.
nine0003
Why can the test fail?
Several factors can affect the accuracy of a home pregnancy test:
- When the test is taken. If you take the test too soon after the intended conception, the test will show a negative result.
- Violations of instructions. If you do not follow the instructions, you can miss an important detail of testing and get a false result.
- Physiological features. Some women simply don't produce enough hCG during pregnancy to be detected by home tests. In this case, pregnancy can only be determined with a blood test. nine0154
Remember: with any test, false positives or negative results are always possible. It is best to confirm the test twice and consult your doctor.
Where to buy and how to choose a pregnancy test?
You can buy a pregnancy test at any pharmacy - you can choose the right one from a huge number of brands. All of them check one thing - the presence of the hCG hormone in the urine.
However, depending on the principle of operation, there are several types of tests.
Important: before making an appointment with a doctor, it is recommended to take the test at least twice.
-
Inkjet tests
Inkjet tests work like this: you need to urinate on a stick or strip and wait for the result - a certain color or symbol. To learn how to interpret the result, read the instructions.
-
Immersion Test Strips
Immersion tests work by collecting urine in a cup and then either placing the test device in it or dropping small drops of urine onto it. If the urine contains hCG, this will cause a color change in the indicator part of the test after a few minutes. nine0003
-
Digital pregnancy tests
Digital pregnancy tests make it easier to interpret the test result. Instead of faint lines, barely visible pluses or minuses, and changes in color, the digital test gives a result that is easy to read - either pregnant or not.
