5 Weeks Pregnant — Your Baby Is The Size Of A Pop Rock

Welcome to Scary Mommy’s pregnancy week by week guide! We’re here to give you all the info about what to expect when you’re expecting: be it week by week symptoms, your baby’s development, your changing body, or ultrasounds and appointments. Here’s everything you need to know about week 5.

Your Body at 5 Weeks Pregnant

Week 5 marks the moment when many moms-to-be discover they are pregnant. Your breasts are feeling more tender and sensitive, and you might also be experiencing fatigue and nausea. At this point, the level of hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin or the hormone produced by the placenta after implantation) is high enough to be detected by a pregnancy test.

Some women experience spotting around this time. A few spots of blood are normal, but if you are concerned, speak with your doctor as the risk of miscarriage is highest in the first trimester.

Eating For Two? Not Really.

Don’t expect your belly to show any signs of pregnancy just yet. You might feel bloated or have gained a pound — or you may have lost weight if you’ve been throwing up or find yourself avoiding certain foods. The amount you gain while pregnant depends on your weight before you became pregnant — but most doctors expect you to consume about 300 extra calories per day, per baby.

At week 5, the placenta is beginning to form. This organ provides oxygen and nutrients to your baby and removes waste products from the baby’s blood. It will attach to the wall of your uterus and house the umbilical cord, which will then be cut shortly after birth. Fun fact: After delivering your baby, you will also have to deliver your placenta!

Nausea Makes a Grand Entrance

Nausea is another fun side effect of pregnancy. Most moms experience some relief after a few weeks (usually between weeks 12 and 16), but some struggle with nausea for longer. If you’re suffering from morning sickness, try taking a multivitamin, eating crackers or toast, hydrating yourself and settling your stomach with flat coke or flat ginger ale, eating small portions of bland foods, and avoid smells or foods that seem to bother you.

Your Baby at 5 Weeks Pregnant

At 5 weeks pregnant, your little embryo is about the size of a pop rock and is between .05 and .10 inches long. You probably won’t receive an ultrasound at this point unless you’ve had complications in the past. That’s okay — you’re not missing much. On an ultrasound you would most likely only see the gestational sac or the yolk sac within the gestational sac.

Baby’s Heart Is Forming

At week 5, the neural tube, from which the brain, spinal cord, and backbone, is just about finished developing. The heart has started to beat, although it is not fully formed yet. Lungs are also beginning to develop at this stage.

Your Symptoms and Health at 5 Weeks Pregnant

You Constantly Have To Pee

In the early stages of pregnancy, you may find yourself making frequent trips to the bathroom. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body increases and leads to extra fluid being processed by your kidneys. This means more fluid in your bladder, which means…more pee. Now is a good time to map out all the nearby public restrooms you can use as you go about your daily activities!

You’re Tired From Your Fatigue

You might also be experiencing fatigue. If you thought you were exhausted all the time before pregnancy, get ready to become an expert in slogging through your life while desperately desiring a nap. While some women experience fatigue throughout their pregnancy, others report some relief during the second trimester. To help deal with fatigue, make sure you are getting enough calories and eating enough protein (which can be hard if you are both exhausted and also nauseas). If you are able to, indulge yourself! You are growing a human. Lay down.

Double Trouble

5-week old twin fetuses are at the same developmental stage as single-baby pregnancies. But because there’s two of them, you’ll likely experience the above symptoms more intensely – even if you don’t realize you’re carrying twins just yet.

The contents of this article have been medically reviewed by Ruth A. Tessler, M.D. in July, 2019.

Written by Patricia Grisafi.

Follow Preggo Nancy’s pregnancy journey week-by-week and share in her joy, her symptoms, and even her pregnancy cravings.

Read More:

4 Weeks Pregnant — How To Calculate Your Due Date

6 Weeks Pregnant — Your Baby Is The Size Of A Cupcake Sprinkle