5weeks
pregnant

Written by The BabyCenter Editorial Team

Highlights this week

Want a guided tour of your baby's snug home? Watch the first of our Inside pregnancy videos.

What blood tests will you have during your pregnancy?

Is it safe to drink coffee now you're pregnant?

Baby development at 5 weeks

You may not look pregnant yet (you may not even have any symptoms) but your baby is growing rapidly. This week the heart -- no bigger than a poppy seed -- begins to beat though at this point the embryo still looks more like a tadpole than a human. Major organs, including the kidneys and heart, have begun to develop, and the neural tube, which connects the brain and spinal cord, closes. For more information on your baby's development this week click here.

three levels of embryo, ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm

Your baby at 5 weeks

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Your baby is the size of a sesame seed

Pregnancy symptoms at 5 weeks

Pregnancy symptoms continue or start this week. You might notice nausea (and not just in the morning), fatigue, the discomfort of sore breasts, and a need to urinate more often. All are normal, all are annoying, but the good thing is that they're simply a part of being pregnant so they won't last forever. Some women also get headaches in the first trimester of pregnancy -- follow our self-help tips if you're one of them.

However, there are some pregnancy symptoms that you should never ignore. If you experience any of the danger signs of early pregnancy seek medical help immediately. Your family doctor, OB/GYN, or midwife is there to help you in these circumstances.

It’s important to eat well at every stage of pregnancy so that your baby gets all the nutrients they need to develop. Small regular meals and drinks can help prevent indigestion and combat nausea and fatigue. It helps to eat a wide variety of foods, particularly if you are vegetarian.

Your body at 5 weeks

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Pregnancy Tip

"For a natural morning sickness remedy, try nibbling on cucumber soaked in water. It really helps." -- Kim

Other hot topics this week

Get plenty of vitamin C, especially now, when your embryo's cell growth is fast and furious. Good sources include: oranges, red peppers, tomatoes and kiwi. Find out more with our vitamin buying guide.

If you're over 35 or are worried about genetic problems you may want to think about screening or diagnostic tests. The nuchal translucency ultrasound and CVS test both check for abnormalities and need to be booked early.

Now that you're pregnant it's more important than ever to take good care of yourself. Take a look at these 10 steps to a healthy pregnancy.

Is it safe to eat seafood now I'm pregnant?

The BabyCenter Editorial Team

BabyCenter’s talented team of editors and writers has decades of experience creating inspiring content.

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