5 week pregnancy: Baby development, symptoms and Tips

Short Answer: At 5 weeks pregnancy, your baby is an embryo about 2 to 3 mm long, roughly the size of an apple seed or a sesame seed. The neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, is closing, the heart tube starts to pulse and the foundations of the major organs are forming. You may have a missed period, sore breasts, tiredness, nausea and frequent urination, or no symptoms at all, which is also normal. A scan may show a gestational sac and a yolk sac, but the heartbeat is usually not visible until about 6 weeks. This week, start folic acid if you have not, stop alcohol and tobacco, check your medicines, book your first prenatal visit and learn the warning signs of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. Call a doctor for severe or one-sided pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, shoulder-tip pain or vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down.

Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period, not from conception. Five weeks pregnant means about three weeks since conception, and about one week after your missed period. That is why you are “5 weeks pregnant” even though your baby began only about three weeks ago. You are in the second month, and your due date is about 35 weeks away. Once you are ready, read on to 8 weeks pregnant, or see our pregnancy guidelines week by week.

• 1 week pregnancy: Baby development, symptoms and Tips.
• 2 week pregnancy: Baby development, symptoms and Tips
• 3 week pregnancy: Baby development, symptoms and Tips
• 4 week pregnancy: Baby development, symptoms and Tips
• 6 week pregnancy: Baby development, symptoms and Tips
• 7 week pregnancy: Baby development, symptoms and Tips
• 8 week pregnancy: Baby development, symptoms and Tips
• 9 week pregnancy: Baby development, symptoms and Tips

Week 5 at a glance

Sizes are tiny and differ a little between guides and between pregnancies, so do not worry if a chart says something slightly different from your scan.

How many months is 5 weeks?

At 5 weeks, you are in the second month of pregnancy. Doctors count pregnancy in weeks, because dates are exact, while “months” are uneven.

Why the count starts early. Your due date is worked out from the first day of your last period, which assumes you ovulated about two weeks later. In weeks 1 and 2 you were not yet pregnant, and conception happened around week 3. So at 5 weeks pregnant, your baby has been growing for about three weeks. The count is a convenient way to give every pregnancy the same timeline, even when the exact date of conception is unknown.

Your baby at 5 weeks

Size and height. The embryo is about 2 to 3 mm long, the size of an apple seed. At this stage, doctors measure from the head to the bottom, called the crown-rump length, in millimetres. The figure is a guide, and it varies a little. The length will roughly double in the next week and reach about 1.6 cm by week 8.

Embryo, not a fetus. The baby is called an embryo from conception until about 10 weeks of pregnancy, when it becomes a fetus. This is the most important time for building the body.

The three layers. The embryo is made of three layers of cells, and each becomes different parts of the body.

Organ development this week:

Does the heart beat at 5 weeks? The heart tube starts to pulse around 5 weeks of pregnancy, about three weeks after conception, but the activity is too small to see on most scans until about 6 weeks. The first beats are slower than later ones, often around 90 to 110 beats per minute at 6 weeks, rising to 150 to 170 by 9 weeks. The old claim that a 5-week baby’s heart rate is 150 beats per minute is not right.

Movement. The embryo cannot move on purpose yet, and doctors cannot see movements at this stage. Small movements begin to show on scans at about 7 to 8 weeks, and you will not feel them until about 16 to 22 weeks.

What you cannot see. At 5 weeks, your baby is far smaller than a pea. You are not “showing” and will not look pregnant for weeks. All the main work of building organs is still ahead.

Your body at 5 weeks

Hormones. After implantation, the placenta begins to make human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, the hormone that pregnancy tests detect. Its level doubles about every two to three days in early pregnancy and peaks at about 8 to 11 weeks. hCG supports the pregnancy, and it is linked to nausea. Progesterone also rises, which relaxes smooth muscles, slows digestion and makes you tired. Estrogen rises too.

The womb. Your womb is still small, about the size of a lemon at this stage, and still inside the pelvis. You will not feel it from outside.

Blood volume. Your blood volume starts to rise, and it will increase by up to 40 to 50 percent by the third trimester. This can make you feel dizzy or tired.

Breasts. They may feel tender, heavy or tingly, and the nipples may darken. This is normal.

The kidneys and bladder. Your kidneys filter more blood, and hormones relax the bladder, so you may need to pass urine more often. The womb is too small to press on the bladder yet. It is a hormone effect, not pressure.

The gut. Progesterone slows digestion, so you may feel bloated, gassy or constipated, and have heartburn. Your sense of smell may sharpen.

Weight. Most people gain little or nothing in the first trimester, and some lose weight if they are nauseous. This is normal.

Skin and hair. A glow, acne or dry skin can all appear. Your skin may change in other ways later in pregnancy.

The cervix. A thick plug of mucus forms to seal the cervix, which protects the womb.

5 weeks pregnant symptoms

Symptoms vary a great deal. Some people feel unwell from the day of their missed period. Others feel nothing until week 8 or later. Neither is a sign that anything is wrong.

Do not start vitamin B6, anti-nausea medicine or herbal remedies without your doctor’s advice.

No symptoms at 5 weeks: should you worry?

This is one of the most common questions, and the honest answer is: usually no.

Why you may have no symptoms:

• Hormone levels are still rising, and many people notice nothing until 6 to 8 weeks
• Symptoms differ widely from person to person, and even between your own pregnancies
• Some people are less sensitive to hormones
• Symptoms often come and go in the first trimester

What the evidence shows. Having no symptoms does not mean something is wrong. Many healthy pregnancies have little or no nausea or breast tenderness in the early weeks. A sudden loss of symptoms alone, without bleeding or pain, is also not proof of a problem, because symptoms fluctuate.

When to see a doctor. Go for a check if:

• You have bleeding or pain along with a loss of symptoms
• You have had a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy before
• You are very worried and need reassurance. Your doctor can arrange an ultrasound or hCG blood tests at the right time
• You have a risk factor, such as a previous ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery, an IUD in place when you conceived, pelvic infection or fertility treatment

Waiting is the hardest part. If you are worried, try to keep busy, rest, eat well and talk about your fears. A scan too early can be falsely worrying, because it is often too soon to see everything. Your doctor will tell you the right time.

Spotting, cramps and miscarriage

Some bleeding and cramping in early pregnancy is common, but it can also be a warning sign. Knowing the difference helps you stay calm and act when you should.

Common and often harmless:

• Implantation spotting. A little pink or brown spotting around the time of your expected period, when the embryo attaches to the womb lining. It lasts a few hours to two days.
• Light spotting. About 1 in 4 pregnant people have some spotting in the first trimester, and most go on to have healthy babies. It can follow sex, an internal examination or hormone changes.
• Mild cramps. Mild, period-like or pulling cramps are common as the womb stretches.

What to do for light spotting: wear a pad (not a tampon), note the colour and amount, avoid sex until it stops and call your doctor to report it and to arrange a check. Light spotting that stops is usually fine.

Call a doctor the same day, or go to a hospital, if you have:

• Bleeding that is red and heavy, or that soaks a pad in an hour
• Bleeding with strong cramps or pain
• Passing clots or tissue
• Severe or one-sided belly pain
• Dizziness, fainting, pale skin or a racing heart
• Shoulder-tip pain
• Fever, or foul-smelling discharge

Miscarriage: what to know.

• About 10 to 20 in 100 known pregnancies end in miscarriage, most of them in the first 12 weeks. Many more happen before a person knows she is pregnant.
• In more than half of early miscarriages, the cause is a chromosome problem in the embryo, which cannot be prevented. It is nobody’s fault.
• Miscarriage is not caused by normal exercise, work, lifting normal loads, sex, a fall that did not injure you, stress, a shock, spicy food, hot or cold food, ripe fruit or an ordinary argument. Do not blame yourself.
• The risk rises with age, with previous miscarriages and with some conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes and thyroid disease, smoking, alcohol and high caffeine intake.
• The risk falls once a heartbeat has been seen on a scan, and falls more after the first trimester.
• Signs of miscarriage include vaginal bleeding, often with cramping or back pain, passing clots or tissue and a loss of pregnancy symptoms. Not every bleed is a miscarriage, and not every miscarriage has a lot of pain.

If you are miscarrying, your doctor will examine you, and may do an ultrasound and blood tests. Options include waiting for the miscarriage to finish naturally, medicine to help it pass and a small procedure. Heavy bleeding, fever, severe pain or fainting need urgent care. If you are Rh negative, ask about an anti-D injection after bleeding.

Grief. A miscarriage is a loss, and it is normal to feel sad, angry, guilty or numb. Give yourself time, talk to someone you trust and ask for help if sadness does not ease. Most people go on to have a healthy pregnancy, and doctors usually advise further tests only after two or three miscarriages.

Ectopic pregnancy: know the warning signs

An ectopic pregnancy happens when the embryo implants outside the womb, most often in a fallopian tube. It affects about 1 to 2 in 100 pregnancies. It cannot continue, and if the tube ruptures, it can cause life-threatening bleeding. It is a medical emergency, and the first signs usually appear between 5 and 9 weeks, so knowing them at 5 weeks matters.

Warning signs:

• Sharp, stabbing or persistent pain in the lower belly or pelvis, often on one side
• Vaginal bleeding, which may be light, dark brown or watery, or heavier
• Shoulder-tip pain, which is caused by blood irritating the diaphragm
• Pain when passing stools or urine
• Dizziness, feeling faint or fainting
• Pale skin, a fast heartbeat, a feeling of weakness or collapse

Who is at higher risk:

• A previous ectopic pregnancy
• Previous tubal or pelvic surgery, including a tubal ligation
• Pelvic infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or chlamydia
• An IUD in place when you conceive
• Fertility treatment
• Smoking
• Endometriosis

About half of ectopic pregnancies occur in people without any known risk factor, so everyone should know the signs.

What to do: go to a hospital emergency department at once, or call 999. Do not wait. Do not eat or drink if you think you may need surgery. Tell the staff that you may be pregnant, and when your last period was.

How it is found and treated. Doctors use a transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests for hCG. If found early and stable, it can be treated with an injection of methotrexate, which stops the growth. Otherwise, keyhole surgery removes the pregnancy, sometimes with the tube. Early treatment protects your health and your fertility. Many people have a healthy pregnancy afterwards.

A scan before 6 weeks that shows nothing in the womb is called a pregnancy of unknown location. It does not always mean ectopic. It may be too early to see, a pregnancy that is not progressing or an ectopic pregnancy, so doctors repeat hCG tests and scans over a few days to decide. Return for every follow-up, and go to hospital at once if you develop any warning sign.

Ultrasound at 5 weeks

An ultrasound at 5 weeks is not routine, and most healthy pregnancies do not need one this early. Doctors usually advise a first scan between 6 and 9 weeks, or at 11 to 14 weeks for the combined screening scan. An early scan is advised if you have pain, bleeding, a history of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, uncertain dates or fertility treatment.

What a scan can show at 5 weeks. A transvaginal ultrasound, which gives a clearer view in early pregnancy, may show:

What a scan cannot show at 5 weeks. A heartbeat, a recognisable baby shape, the sex, movements or most organs. Do not expect to see a “baby” at this stage, and do not be alarmed if the scan shows only a small sac.

An “empty sac” at 5 weeks is usually normal. Because the embryo is so small, many healthy pregnancies show just a sac, and sometimes a yolk sac, at 5 weeks. Doctors repeat the scan in 7 to 14 days to see growth and a heartbeat. A single early scan cannot tell you if a pregnancy is healthy, and misreading it can cause unnecessary fear. Wait for the follow-up.

Dating. If your dates are uncertain, an early scan measures the embryo and may adjust your due date. If the embryo is smaller than expected, it may mean you ovulated later than you thought. This is common, and it does not mean the pregnancy is abnormal.

Types of scan.

Safety. Ultrasound uses sound waves and does not use radiation. It is safe at any stage, and early scans, when medically useful, do no harm. Non-medical “keepsake” scans are not recommended in the first trimester.

Cost. Prices vary a great deal. Ask what is included, who will do and report the scan, and whether the sonographer is trained. A good report helps your doctor.

Confirming your pregnancy and your due date

Pregnancy tests.

• Urine tests at home. They detect hCG. Most are accurate from the first day of a missed period, and more accurate on a morning urine sample. By 5 weeks, a test should be clearly positive. A faint line is still a positive.
• A false positive is rare. It can happen after a recent miscarriage or with some fertility medicines.
• A false negative can happen if you test too early or your urine is diluted. If you have a missed period and a negative test, repeat in a few days.
• Blood tests. A blood test for hCG, done at a clinic, can confirm pregnancy a little earlier and measure the level. Doctors sometimes repeat it after 48 hours to see if it is rising normally.

Working out your due date. Add 280 days (40 weeks) to the first day of your last period. A quick method is to add 7 days to that date, subtract 3 months and add 1 year. For example, if your last period began on 10 October, the due date is about 17 July of the next year. This assumes a 28-day cycle. If your cycle is longer, shorter or irregular, an ultrasound gives a better estimate. Only about 1 in 20 babies arrives on the due date, so treat it as a guide.

Tell your doctor the first day of your last period, how regular your cycles are and if you used contraception or fertility treatment.

Your first prenatal visit

The World Health Organization recommends at least eight contacts with a health professional during pregnancy, with the first before 12 weeks. Early care finds problems that can be treated, and gives you advice and supplements. Book your first visit now, ideally by 8 to 10 weeks.

What usually happens:

• A review of your medical history, previous pregnancies, medicines, allergies and family history
• Blood pressure, weight, height and a physical check
• Confirmation of your due date, often by scan
• A discussion of your diet, supplements, habits and symptoms
• Blood tests, urine tests and screening, which may include the following

• Your doctor will give you a prenatal card, so keep it safe and bring it to every visit.

Questions to ask:

• Which supplements should I take, and for how long?
• Which medicines I take are safe?
• Which foods and activities should I avoid?
• What symptoms mean I should call you or go to hospital, and what number do I use at night?
• When is my next visit, and which scans and tests are planned?
• Where should I plan to give birth, and what does it cost?
• Who will see me, and what happens if they are not available?

Write down the answers.

Folic acid and supplements

Folic acid. Folic acid, or folate, helps the neural tube close properly. Taking it lowers the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, by about 70 percent. The neural tube closes by about 6 weeks of pregnancy, often before many people know they are pregnant, which is why it is advised before conception and in the first 12 weeks.

If you have not started folic acid, start today. It is never too late to benefit, and you do not need to worry about what you missed.

Iron. Most doctors in Bangladesh prescribe iron-folic acid tablets from the first visit, usually 60 mg of iron and 400 micrograms of folic acid a day, to prevent anaemia. Take them as prescribed. If iron upsets your stomach, take it with food or at night, and ask your doctor before stopping.

Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body use calcium. Many women in Bangladesh have low levels, especially if they cover their skin or spend most of the day indoors. A short time in daylight helps, and your doctor may advise a supplement or a test.

Calcium. Supplements are usually advised from about 20 weeks, not now. Ask your doctor.

Iodine. Use iodised salt in your cooking. Iodine supports your baby’s brain development.

Vitamin A. Do not take high-dose vitamin A supplements, which can harm the baby. Eat vitamin A in food, such as leafy greens, carrots, pumpkin, mango, eggs and milk.

Vitamin B6. A doctor may advise vitamin B6 for nausea. Do not take large doses on your own.

Do not take extra supplements or herbal products without your doctor’s advice. More is not better.

5 weeks pregnant foods to avoid

Good nutrition does not need special foods. A steady mix of everyday foods works well, and most of the same food can be eaten as before. A few foods carry a risk from germs or chemicals, so avoid them.

Avoid or take care with:

Myths in Bangladesh. Eating banana, ripe papaya, pineapple, eggplant, duck eggs, hot food, cold food or jackfruit in normal amounts does not cause miscarriage. Many old rules about “hot” and “cold” foods have no medical basis, and they can leave a pregnant woman short of nutrients. If you are unsure, ask your doctor.

Foods that are good for you:

• Protein: well-cooked eggs, fish, chicken, lentils (dal), beans and milk
• Iron-rich foods: leafy greens (shak), lean meat and lentils, with lemon or guava for vitamin C
• Folate-rich foods: leafy greens, lentils, beans, oranges and fortified foods
• Calcium: milk, yogurt, and small fish eaten with the bones
• Fruit and vegetables: a variety of colours every day
• Whole grains and fibre: brown rice, whole wheat roti and oats
• Healthy fats: well-cooked oily fish, nuts and seeds
• Water: 8 to 10 glasses a day, more in hot weather

How much to eat. You do not need extra calories in the first trimester. You do not need to “eat for two”. Focus on quality, not quantity. If nausea limits what you eat, eat what you can, and rely on your iron-folic acid to fill the gaps.

Weight. Most people gain 0.5 to 2 kg in the first trimester, and some gain nothing or lose a little. Tell your doctor if you are losing weight quickly.

Medicines, herbs and habits

Medicines. Always ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine, including over-the-counter and herbal products. General guidance:

Long-term conditions. If you take medicine for epilepsy, diabetes, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, asthma, depression or another condition, do not stop it without talking to your doctor. Some medicines need to be changed, and untreated conditions can harm the baby. Tell your doctor about all medicines as soon as you know you are pregnant.

Fever. A fever in early pregnancy needs a doctor. In Bangladesh, a fever can also mean dengue, so do not treat it at home.

Vaccines. Some vaccines are safe and advised in pregnancy, such as tetanus-diphtheria later in the second trimester, and flu. Live vaccines, such as MMR and chickenpox, are not given in pregnancy. Ask your doctor.

X-rays and scans. A dental or chest X-ray, with shielding, carries a very small dose. Tell the staff you are pregnant, and ask whether the test is really needed.

Habits to leave:

• Alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Stop completely. If you find it hard, ask your doctor for help, and there is no judgement.
• Hot baths, saunas and steam rooms. Overheating in the first trimester is not advised.
• Cat litter and raw meat. Wear gloves, and wash your hands, to avoid toxoplasma.
• Chemicals and pesticides. Avoid strong paints, solvents and farm chemicals, and wear protection if you must handle them.
• Mosquito coils and incense smoke. Use nets instead.

Exercise. Light to moderate exercise is safe and good for most healthy pregnancies. Walk 30 minutes on most days. Swimming, gentle yoga and stretching are good choices. You should be able to talk while you exercise. Avoid contact sports, hot yoga, activities with a risk of falls and lifting heavy loads. Stop and call your doctor if you have pain, bleeding or dizziness.

Sleep. Rest when you can. Many people need more sleep in the first trimester, and short naps help.

Sex. Sex is safe for most healthy pregnancies, unless your doctor advises otherwise. It does not cause miscarriage. Avoid it if you have bleeding, pain or have been told to rest.

Nausea and vomiting: what helps

Nausea affects about 7 in 10 pregnant people, and vomiting about half. It usually begins at about 5 to 6 weeks, peaks at 9 to 10 weeks and eases by 12 to 14 weeks, though it lasts longer for some. It is called “morning sickness”, but it can happen at any time.

Things that help:

• Eat a few dry biscuits, toast or puffed rice before getting out of bed
• Eat small, frequent meals every two to three hours, so your stomach is never empty
• Avoid triggers, such as strong smells, spicy, oily or very sweet food and cooking fumes. Ask someone else to cook, if you can
• Sip fluids in small amounts through the day, and try cold drinks, ice chips, lemon water or oral rehydration solution
• Try ginger, such as ginger tea, ginger biscuits or fresh ginger in food. It is generally safe in food amounts
• Fresh air, a cool room and rest
• Brush your teeth after vomiting, and rinse your mouth to protect the enamel
• Eat protein with each meal, which may settle the stomach
• Take your iron-folic acid with food or at night, and ask your doctor if iron makes nausea worse

Medicine. If nausea is bad, your doctor may advise vitamin B6, with or without a medicine called doxylamine, or another anti-nausea medicine. Do not take them without advice.

When it is more than morning sickness: hyperemesis gravidarum. About 1 in 100 pregnant people develop severe, persistent vomiting, called hyperemesis gravidarum. It is more than normal nausea and needs treatment.

Signs:

• Vomiting many times a day, and you cannot keep down food or water
• Weight loss of more than 5 percent of your body weight
• Signs of dehydration, such as dark urine, passing little urine, a dry mouth, dizziness and a fast heartbeat
• Weakness, and being unable to do your daily tasks
• Vomiting blood, or severe abdominal pain

What to do: see a doctor the same day. Treatment includes fluids through a drip, anti-nausea medicine, vitamins and, sometimes, a short hospital stay. It is not caused by anything you did, and it is treatable. Many people feel better quickly once they are rehydrated. Severe vomiting is not something to push through.

Everyday life in Bangladesh

Dengue and mosquito bites. Dengue spreads by mosquito bites, and it is a real risk, especially during and after the monsoon. It can be serious in pregnancy. Remove standing water around your home, use a mosquito net and a pregnancy-safe repellent, wear long sleeves and see a doctor straight away for any fever. Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin for fever unless your doctor says so.

Heat. Hot, humid weather can dehydrate you and make nausea worse. Drink water through the day, wear loose cotton clothes, rest in the shade and avoid long hours in direct sun. Oral rehydration solution helps if you have been sweating or vomiting a lot.

Safe water. In many areas, groundwater from tube wells contains arsenic. Drink water from tube wells that have been tested and marked safe, usually painted green, and avoid those marked red. Boil or filter drinking water for germs. Boiling does not remove arsenic.

Cooking smoke. Smoke from wood, dung, crop waste and kerosene harms your lungs and can lead to low birth weight. Cook outdoors or with good ventilation, use a cleaner stove if you can and take breaks from the kitchen.

Fasting. If you plan to fast during Ramadan or for other reasons, talk to your doctor first. Many doctors advise against fasting in pregnancy, particularly with nausea, and fasting can cause dehydration and low blood sugar. Islamic scholars allow an exemption for pregnant women if fasting may harm them or their baby.

Travel and transport. Short trips are usually fine. In the first trimester, nausea and tiredness can make bumpy rickshaw, CNG and bus rides uncomfortable. Choose smoother routes, sit with your back supported and avoid crowded vehicles where you could be pushed. Wear a seat belt in a car.

Work. Most people can keep working. Tell your doctor about night shifts, chemicals, heavy lifting or long standing. Take breaks to eat and drink. You do not need to tell your employer yet. Under Bangladesh’s labour law, working mothers in the private sector are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, eight weeks before and eight weeks after the birth, and government employees receive six months, so you will need to give notice later. Check your own contract.

Feelings, relationships and telling people

Your feelings. Early pregnancy brings a mix of feelings: joy, fear, disbelief, worry, tiredness and moodiness. If the pregnancy was unplanned, you may feel unsure, and that is normal. Many people worry about miscarriage in the first weeks, and the waiting can be hard.

What helps:

• Talk to your partner, a trusted friend or relative, or your doctor
• Keep a routine, with regular meals, daylight and a short walk
• Rest when you can
• Limit searching online for frightening stories, and ask your doctor instead
• Take it one day at a time

When to get help. Feeling very low, hopeless or anxious for two weeks or more, losing interest in things, being unable to sleep or eat or having thoughts of harming yourself needs attention. Depression and anxiety in pregnancy are common and treatable. Tell your doctor. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, go to the nearest hospital or call 999.

Your partner. Partners may feel excited, anxious or left out. Share how you feel, and invite them to your visits. Ask for specific help, such as cooking, avoiding strong smells and sharing chores.

Telling people. Many people wait until after the first scan, or until 12 weeks, because the risk of miscarriage is higher in the first trimester. It is your choice. You might tell a few people you trust first, so you have support if things go wrong. You do not owe anyone an explanation if you prefer to wait.

If you are not safe. If you feel unsafe at home, tell your doctor or a trusted person. In Bangladesh you can call the national helpline 109 for support with violence against women and children. It is free.

If the pregnancy is unplanned or unwanted. You have the right to confidential, non-judgemental advice. Talk to your doctor or a trusted health worker about your options. Menstrual regulation, which is a legal procedure in Bangladesh within the first 10 weeks of a missed period, is available at government and approved NGO facilities. Do not use unsafe methods, herbal mixtures or unlicensed providers, which can cause serious harm. Ask your doctor or the nearest family planning clinic for safe options and support.

Where to get care

You do not need an expensive private clinic to get good prenatal care.

Tips:

• Choose a doctor or clinic you can reach easily, and plan to see the same place for most visits
• Ask what each visit and test costs, and ask for a written estimate for delivery
• Keep your prenatal card and results with you
• If you plan to give birth in a hospital, check that it has skilled staff, an operating theatre, blood and a newborn unit
• Ask your local health worker about free services and any support for pregnant women
• Government facilities provide iron-folic acid tablets and tetanus vaccination at no cost or low cost

Checklist for this week

• Start folic acid today, with iron-folic acid as your doctor advises
• Book your first prenatal visit, ideally by 8 to 10 weeks
• Stop alcohol, tobacco (including zarda and jorda) and avoid smoke
• Check all your medicines and herbal products with a doctor or pharmacist
• Do not stop medicine for a long-term condition without medical advice
• Learn the warning signs of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, and keep your doctor’s number and the nearest hospital’s emergency number
• Eat small, frequent, well-cooked meals, and drink boiled or filtered water
• Limit caffeine to about 200 mg a day
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites, and remove standing water at home
• Rest, walk gently and avoid heavy lifting and overheating
• Talk to someone you trust about how you feel
• Decide when you want to tell family, friends and work

FAQ

How big is the baby at 5 weeks?
About 2 to 3 mm long, roughly the size of an apple seed or a sesame seed. The embryo is far too small to feel or see without a scan.

What is the height of a baby at 5 weeks of pregnancy?
About 2 to 3 mm from head to bottom. Doctors measure in millimetres this early, and the baby will reach about 1.6 cm by 8 weeks.

How many months pregnant am I at 5 weeks?
You are in the second month of pregnancy. The first four weeks make up month one, and weeks 5 to 8 make up month two.

Can you see a baby on an ultrasound at 5 weeks?
You may see a small gestational sac and sometimes a yolk sac, but usually no embryo or heartbeat. The heartbeat is usually seen from about 6 weeks, so a repeat scan in one to two weeks is common.

Does the baby’s heart beat at 5 weeks?
The heart tube starts to pulse around now, but it is too small to see on most scans. The heartbeat is usually visible from about 6 weeks, at around 90 to 110 beats per minute, rising to 150 to 170 by 9 weeks.

What are the first signs of pregnancy at 5 weeks?
A missed period, tender breasts, tiredness, nausea, frequent urination, bloating and mood changes. Some people have no symptoms, which is also normal.

I have no symptoms at 5 weeks. Should I be worried?
Usually no. Symptoms vary, and many healthy pregnancies have few or none at this stage. See a doctor if you have bleeding or pain, have had a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy before or need reassurance.

Is spotting at 5 weeks normal?
Light spotting is common, and about 1 in 4 pregnant people have it. Tell your doctor. Go to hospital for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided pain, dizziness, shoulder-tip pain or fainting.

What foods should I avoid at 5 weeks pregnant?
Raw or undercooked meat, eggs and fish, large predatory fish, unpasteurised milk and cheese, unwashed raw produce, unsafe street food, untreated water, alcohol, tobacco and herbal tonics. Limit caffeine to about 200 mg a day.

Should I take folic acid?
Yes. Take 400 micrograms a day until 12 weeks, or the higher dose your doctor prescribes if you are at higher risk of a neural tube defect. If you have not started, start today.

Is it safe to exercise at 5 weeks?
Yes for most healthy pregnancies. Walking, swimming, gentle yoga and stretching are good. Avoid contact sports, hot yoga, heavy lifting and activities with a risk of falls.

Note: This article gives general information and does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife. Every pregnancy is different. Call your doctor or go to a hospital if you have bleeding, severe pain, fever, fainting or any symptom that worries you.