At 5 weeks pregnant, you may only have known you’re expecting for a few days, or perhaps you’ve just taken that exciting pregnancy test and discovered those two little lines.
Although there may not be anything to see from the outside just yet, inside your body an incredible amount is happening. Your baby is still absolutely tiny, but this is a particularly important week for development. Structures that will eventually become your baby's brain, spinal cord, heart and other organs are beginning to take shape.
Welcome to Week 5 of our Pregnancy Week by Week journey. Here's what may be happening with you and your growing baby this week.
What does your baby look like at 5 weeks pregnant?
At five weeks, your baby is known as an embryo and is only a few millimetres long. Rather than looking like the little curled-up baby you might picture when thinking about pregnancy, at this stage your baby is incredibly small and has a curved shape.
The neural tube is developing. This will eventually form your baby's brain and spinal cord, making these early weeks an incredibly important period of development. Your baby's developing heart is also beginning to form. It's amazing to think that something so tiny is already changing so quickly.
How big is your baby at 5 weeks?
Your baby is only a few millimetres from head to bottom at this stage. You'll often see early pregnancy websites comparing babies with seeds or pieces of fruit, and at five weeks your little one really is that tiny! Don't let their size fool you though, an enormous amount of development is taking place.
What's happening inside your body?
Your pregnancy hormones are increasing rapidly. One of these is human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) — the hormone detected by home pregnancy tests. Increasing hormone levels help support your developing pregnancy, but they can also be responsible for some of those early pregnancy symptoms you may suddenly be noticing. And this is often the week when pregnancy begins to feel very real indeed!
How might you feel at 5 weeks pregnant?
Every pregnancy is different. You might already be experiencing several symptoms, or you may be wondering why you don't feel pregnant at all. Both experiences can happen. Some common early pregnancy symptoms can include:
- Tender or sore breasts
- Feeling unusually tired
- Nausea or feeling queasy
- Needing to wee more often
- Mild cramping
- Bloating
- Changes to your sense of smell or taste
- Food suddenly seeming less appealing
- Mood changes
- A strange metallic taste in your mouth
Morning sickness can also begin around this stage for some women. Despite its name, morning sickness doesn't necessarily happen in the morning. Nausea can appear at any time of the day — something many mums discover rather quickly! And if you don't have morning sickness, don't worry. Not everybody experiences the same pregnancy symptoms.
You're pregnant... what happens now?
If you've only just discovered you're pregnant, you might be wondering what you're actually supposed to do next.
In the UK, you can contact your GP surgery or local maternity service to find out how to arrange your first midwife appointment. In some areas you can refer yourself directly to maternity services.
Your first appointment with your midwife is commonly called your booking appointment. There's usually plenty to talk through, so don't worry if you have a million questions. You certainly won't be the first!
Folic acid and your pregnancy
Folic acid is particularly important during the early stages of pregnancy because it helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
UK guidance recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before pregnancy and until you're 12 weeks pregnant. Some women may be advised to take a higher dose, so speak to your GP or midwife if you're unsure what's appropriate for you.
It's also recommended that pregnant women take a daily vitamin D supplement.
If you've only just discovered you're pregnant and haven't been taking folic acid, don't panic, start taking it and speak to your healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
When will you have your first scan?
Once you've seen that positive pregnancy test, it's completely natural to start thinking about the moment you'll finally get to see your baby. For most uncomplicated pregnancies in the UK, the first routine NHS ultrasound is the dating scan, usually offered at around 10 to 14 weeks.
At five weeks, that can feel like an awfully long time to wait! Those first weeks can seem to pass incredibly slowly, particularly when you're keeping your pregnancy a secret.
From one mum to another
Week 5 can feel slightly surreal. You've got this enormous news, but everything around you carries on exactly as before. Nobody can see your growing bump yet. You may not have had an appointment. You haven't had your first scan. And you might not have told anybody apart from your partner.
Yet suddenly you're thinking about due dates, baby names, prams, nurseries and what life might look like nine months from now!
Try not to feel as though you need to plan everything immediately, there is plenty of time. For now, take things one week at a time.
Should you announce your pregnancy at 5 weeks?
This is entirely your decision.
Some couples prefer to wait until after their first scan before announcing their pregnancy more widely, while others tell close family and friends straight away. There is no universal 'correct' week to announce a pregnancy.
Sometimes having one or two trusted people who know can also be lovely during those early weeks, especially if you're struggling with tiredness or morning sickness.
Whenever you decide the time is right, telling your family they're about to welcome a new little person can be one of those memories you treasure forever.
Your little Week 5 checklist
- Start or continue taking your recommended folic acid.
- Take a daily vitamin D supplement as recommended during pregnancy.
- Contact your maternity service or GP if you haven't already found out how to arrange your pregnancy care.
- Start thinking about any questions you'd like to ask your midwife.
- Rest when you can — growing a baby is hard work, even when your bump isn't showing!
- Enjoy your little secret for as long as feels right for you.
This week, remember...
Your baby might only be a few millimetres long, but so much is already happening. Over the coming weeks, that tiny embryo will change incredibly quickly. Features will begin forming, little arms and legs will start developing and eventually you'll get that magical first glimpse of your baby on a scan.
For now, though, you're five weeks pregnant.
And your journey is still only just beginning.
Next: 6 Weeks Pregnant – Your Baby Is Growing Quickly
The Allaboutthebump Pregnancy Week by Week series is intended as a general guide and should not replace individual medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. If you experience symptoms that concern you, pain, bleeding, severe sickness or have questions about your pregnancy, contact your midwife, GP, maternity unit or NHS 111 as appropriate.
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