Week 5 of Pregnancy

What happens in week 5 of pregnancy

This is the week when your period should’ve arrived – though not for everyone because we know that menstrual cycles can vary and be longer/shorter.  If your period was due, then alongside the positive pregnancy test, this is the week that cements being pregnant for you – you can now stop worrying that the symptoms of sore boobs and tiredness are all really just to do with your period and accept they are actually pregnancy symptoms.

If you haven’t already, this is a good time to plan on where you would like your pregnancy care (referred to as antenatal care) and where you would like to have your baby.  It can be a big decision, often this is the first time you are even having to attend hospital as an adult, or something you have strong views about because of previous experience or what family and friends have advised.

Find out about what your local options are and alternatives to them, ask your GP for their advice and friends and family who have had babies recently about their care too.  Think about the practical steps too – for example choosing a hospital close to work may be great in the first and second trimester, but will it be as easy to get to when you are on maternity leave and heavily pregnant? How will you get there and back is also a sensible consideration – if you are driving, can you park there easily, how long will it take to get there during rush hour and what are the alternative ways of getting there in a rush if you need to?

Once you’ve decided on what suits your needs best, you will need to either self-refer yourself for your booking in appointment or ask your GP to do so.  You should receive an appointment in the post or via text message in the next week or so, usually for when you are around 8 weeks.

How big is my baby?

Your precious baby is growing! – Though still dinky, your baby is now around 4mm in size, which in real life would be the size of an apple seed!

But don’t be fooled by their size, there are so many changes and developments happening now. Your baby’s spinal cord, their brain and nervous system are all developing.  Although minute in size and not yet usually visible on scans, your baby’s heart has also started to beat.

Deep inside you, your baby is beginning to look more like how you’d expect – they have little buds for hands and feet, and baby’s face is starting to take shape.

No wonder you are probably feeling so tired!

Week 5 pregnancy symptoms

If you haven’t already, you are probably starting to feel some of those pregnancy symptoms that we discussed in week 4.  If you aren’t, please don’t worry – there are just as many people with no symptoms as there are those with the whole smorgasbord of sickness, sore boobs, tiredness and cravings! 

It’s understandable to feel a bit in limbo if you aren’t feeling anything yet – you’ve had a positive pregnancy test, you’ve missed a period (which, by the way, is a huge and very reliable pregnancy symptom!) and you know you are pregnant but feel much the same!  Be reassured that is ok, the changes that are happening aren’t reliant on you having any symptoms and it’s still very early days, so they may just be around the corner!

If you are symptom free, use the time to relax and look after yourself.  Process the news and enjoyment of being pregnant, if you haven’t already made those small changes to ensure you have the best diet for you and baby.

Week 5 pregnancy tips

What can I do this week?

• If you haven’t already, self-refer or get your GP to refer you for your maternity care
• Self-care is important – so think of what works for you and practice it!
• You may want to start documenting your pregnancy journey – either by filling in a week-by-week baby book, or even just taking a weekly photo of your bump
• Ensure you are keeping well and healthy by following the advice on what to eat and what to avoid