You are now in month 2 of your pregnancy at 5 weeks pregnant. You can take a pregnancy test this week because your hCG hormone levels are high enough to show a positive result, and you may be experiencing early symptoms such as fatigue and nausea.
By week 5, your baby has burrowed into the uterine wall. It is now known as an embryo and measures approximately 2mm from end to end. All of the major organs' foundations are in place. The baby is protected by the amniotic sac, which is a bag of fluid.
Developmental Layers
At this point, your little embryo begins to lengthen and resemble a tadpole, owing in part to the development of the crucial neural tube that runs from the top to the bottom of the embryo. (This tube will develop into the spinal cord and brain.) There's even a tiny blip in the embryo's center that will eventually develop into the baby's heart.
The cells within your embryo separate into three layers to form different body systems
- The ectoderm, or outer layer, is forming the nervous system, which includes your baby's brain and spinal cord. It will also be responsible for your baby's skin, hair, and nails.
- With the development of your baby's heart and blood, the mesoderm, or middle layer, becomes the circulatory system. It will also form the bones, muscles, and kidneys.
- Your baby's lungs, intestines, and liver will develop from the endoderm or inner layer.
Your child
At 5 weeks pregnant, your embryo is still very small, about the size of an orange seed. The baby's cells are still dividing. The brain and spinal column are already forming in week 5. The neural tube is the name given to the spinal cord as it develops as an open groove. At this stage, your baby's head is much larger than the rest of his or her body because the brain and face are developing at a rapid pace.
This week, the child's heart will start to beat. Blood vessels are already forming and blood is circulating throughout the baby's body. Your baby is connected to you by a string of blood vessels, which will eventually become the umbilical cord.
Your physical body
Week 5 is when most women begin to wonder if they are pregnant. You will have missed your period, but you may feel as if it is about to begin. You may notice that your breasts have grown larger and are sore, and you may be extremely tired.
Some women may feel nauseous or need to use the restroom more frequently than usual. In addition, you will produce more human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Symptoms of a 5-week pregnancy
Any of the following week 5 pregnancy symptoms are possible:
- Early-morning sickness
- Lightheadedness
- Urinating frequently
- Heightened sense of smell
- Cramps in the abdomen
- Spotting
- Fatigue
- Breast alterations
- Cravings and aversions to food
- Constipation
Points to note
If you're pregnant, you should avoid drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and using illegal drugs because they can all be harmful to your baby. Prenatal vitamins should be taken. It's especially important to get enough folic acid because it lowers your baby's risk of developing neural tube birth defects like spina bifida.
Reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine consumption has been linked to miscarriage and other pregnancy complications in studies. As per the research, it is recommended that expectant mothers limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day (roughly one cup of coffee).
References
- https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/1st-trimester/week-5/
- https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/pregnancy-at-week-5