Overview
At five weeks pregnant, your baby is actually three weeks along in development. The timeline for your pregnancy begins on the first day of your last menstrual period, which is about two weeks before the conception. This is a time of hormonal changes for your body and rapid development for your baby.
Symptoms
At five weeks pregnant, you may not even know you are pregnant yet, or you may have just found out. Your period is only a week late and you may think it is on the way because of slight bloating you may feel. At this stage of pregnancy, the main symptom women notice is fatigue. Other symptoms of pregnancy you may experience at five weeks include breast tenderness, excessive saliva, food cravings or aversions, morning sickness and frequent urination, according to What to Expect.
Fetal Development
Your baby is developing rapidly at five weeks. She is about one millimeter long. At five weeks, her heart is just starting to develop. This week, a heartbeat will begin and the heart will start to pump blood. The umbilical cord is forming, as are arm and leg buds.
Considerations
Because your baby’s vital organs are developing fast at five weeks, it is important to give him the nutrients he needs to develop. If you haven’t already started eating a healthy diet, you should begin now. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, milk and some oil are all necessary components of a healthy pregnancy diet. Most pregnant women need approximately 300 extra calories a day while pregnant, according to Parents Connect.
Prevention
Using illegal drugs, certain over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, alcohol, nicotine products and caffeine can cause problems for a developing baby. If you are using these substances, now is the best time to quit. Your baby’s brain and other vital organs are beginning to form during the fifth week of pregnancy.
Warning
About 1 in 60 pregnant women will have an ectopic pregnancy, according to the American Pregnancy Association. An ectopic pregnancy is one that occurs outside of the uterus, most often in the fallopian tube. Signs of this condition include vaginal bleeding, severe stomach pain, fainting, weakness, dizziness and stomach upset. Another risk during this stage of pregnancy is miscarriage.
About this Author
Casey Holley is a medical writer with more than 10 years of experience in the health and fitness industries. She has worked as a nutrition consultant and has written numerous health and wellness articles, for various online publications. She has also served in the Navy, and is currently pursing a business administration degree.
