by Chess Thomas |
How your baby’s growing at five weeks of pregnancy
Although you don’t look pregnant yet, inside your womb, your baby is developing rapidly. The embryo has changed from a disc shape to look more like a tadpole. Their heart is one of the first organs to form and start working. It will start to beat around now.
The neural tube, which connects your baby's spinal cord to their brain, has formed and begins to close at each end. Other organs and tissues are also in the early stages of development.
See what your baby looks like now, and read more about their development at five weeks.
Pregnancy symptoms at five weeks
It's still early days, so you may not feel pregnant at all yet. This is perfectly normal. Some pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness, won't kick in for another week or so.
On the other hand, you may already have started noticing some tell-tale signs that you’re expecting. Your body is working hard to grow a new life so it's understandable if you're overwhelmed by tiredness at this stage. If all you're able to do is collapse onto the sofa at the end of the day, you're not alone.
The urge to wee more often is another sign that pregnancy hormones are surging through your body. You may get more headaches in the first trimester too. If this is the case for you, there are certain over-the-counter medicines you can take, and plenty of natural remedies that may help.
What you need to know at five weeks of pregnancy
Try to get into the habit of eating well. It'll help to keep your energy levels up, and your baby will benefit if your meals include a variety of nutrients. Small, regular meals and frequent drinks can also prevent you from getting indigestion, a common side effect of pregnancy.
You'll need plenty of vitamin C every day to help your baby grow and develop. Good sources of vitamin C include oranges, red or green peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants and potatoes. And don't forget to take your daily supplements of folic acid and vitamin D.
"I have a terrible memory, so I keep my pregnancy multivitamins next to my toothbrush. It means I never forget to take it!"
Nicola
Your pregnancy to-do list at five weeks
- Find advice and frequently asked questions on early pregnancy, from common side effects to diet and exercise.
- Book your first antenatal appointment, which will usually be with your midwife, and check out ourantenatal appointment scheduler. Your GP surgery or a children's centre can put you in touch with your nearest midwifery service.
- Want a guided tour of the womb during the first nine weeks of pregnancy? Check out our video.
- Find out whether it's safe to drink coffee during pregnancy.
Check out the BabyCentre podcast!
The Parent Pod is BabyCentre’s brilliantly entertaining and informative podcast series. Join hosts Claire and Lucy as they walk your exciting journey with you each week from early pregnancy until your baby is 12 weeks old. Subscribe now on the usual channels. Learn more
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shadz · 03/06/2016 11:58
Is this normal ?
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