Advice for soon-to-be parents
My pregnancy
5th week of pregnancy
Your Pregnancy Week by Week
1st Trimester: Pregnancy Week 5
Welcome to the world of parenting!
An exciting journey is about to start and Mothercare, through this journal, is going to be by your side and advise you throughout your pregnancy weeks.
Get informed about everything that parents need to know such as pregnancy, baby growth, body and psychology changes, doctor examinations and appointments and of course parturition, breastfeeding and baby care.
Our midwife and lactation consultant IBCLC Ms Georgia Leze every week is going to show you a special path to a healthy and happy baby.
Pregnancy Week 5
These early weeks can be tough. Fortunately most early-stage symptoms will disappear as pregnancy goes on. Here’s what week 5 has in store:
- you may be feeling nauseous, eating little and often helps
- mood swings are normal – don't give yourself a hard time
- you might be feeling a little sluggish so try to stay hydrated
Υou at Pregnancy Week 5
Outwardly, you haven’t changed at all, and you won’t look pregnant for a while.
It can be tricky keeping those pregnancy symptoms a secret from friends and colleagues though, if that's what you want to do.
You’re likely to feel pretty exhausted, so it’s hard to be your usual self. Some mums-to-be avoid announcing their pregnancy until the 12-week scan but you may want to tell close family and a few friends the good news sooner.
This way they can start giving you the support you need (and will understand why you may be crying, eating lots, being sick, or falling asleep at your desk).
Υour baby at Pregnancy Week 5
Your baby has a growth spurt around week 5, and is about 5mm long. They still look like a tadpole rather than a baby, but inside, tiny little organs are starting to develop.
The kidneys, liver, intestines, and appendix are all growing, as is the neural tube, which connects the spinal cord and brain.
Your baby’s heart is already divided into chambers and getting ready for its first heartbeat.
Tiny nubs are developing, which will eventually become limbs, and there are small folds which one day will be your baby’s neck and jaw.
That’s a very busy little tadpole!
Τhings to do in Pregnancy Week 5
If you can bear to think about food, it’s time to start planning a healthy pregnancy diet. A balanced diet including fruit and veg, starchy foods, protein and dairy, is ideal. You may also be advised to take certain supplements (for example folic acid, Vitamin D and possibly iron). Eating for two is (sadly) a myth but the occasional treat is OK.
There are a few foods to avoid, as they contain potentially harmful bacteria, chemicals, or parasites. These include: mould-ripened cheeses, raw or undercooked meat, raw eggs, cured meat, certain types of fish, liver, and alcohol.
Caffeine is also best avoided or limited to one cup per day.