Pregnancy Weeks 5-6

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Your Pregnancy Week 5

‘Hmmm, no period’, you think. ‘Could I be pregnant?’
 

Your Body

• This is the time of the first missed period, when most women are only just beginning to think they may be pregnant.¹
• Pregnancy or maternity care is the care you get from doctors during your pregnancy to make sure you and your baby are as well as possible.¹
• Contact your doctor promptly once you know you're pregnant, so you get care at the right time.¹
   

What is happening with your baby at pregnancy week 5?

The baby's nervous system is already developing, and the foundations for its major organs are in place¹

The heart is forming as a simple tube-like structure. The baby already has some of its own blood vessels and blood circulates.¹

A string of these blood vessels connects the baby and mother and will become the umbilical cord.

The embryo's outer layer of cells develops a groove and folds to form a hollow tube called the neural tube. This will become the baby's brain and spinal cord.^1,2
 

How big is your baby?

Your baby is about the size of a sesame seed.³
 

Your Pregnancy Week 6

Your sense of smell might be stronger, and ordinary smells might make you feel sick. It’s the same with your appetite and sense of taste. Watch out for dizzy spells – if you’re feeling faint, make sure you sit down.⁴
 

What is happening with your baby when you are 6 weeks pregnant?

• By week 6, your baby's brain and nervous system are developing quickly.⁵
• Your baby's heart will beat around this time and might even be detected on ultrasound examination.⁵
• The embryo is curved and has a tail and looks a bit like a small tadpole.⁶
• Small buds that will grow into your baby's arms and legs appear this week.⁵
• Little dimples on the side of the head will become the ears, and there are thickenings where the eyes will be.⁶
• By now, the embryo is covered with a thin layer of see-through skin.⁶

How big is your baby?

Your baby is s about the size of a baked bean.⁷
 

Your Body6

• Common pregnancy complaints might hit with full force this week.⁵
• You may feel exhausted as your body adjusts to the demands of pregnancy.⁵
• Tender breasts and nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) may leave you feeling less than great.⁵
• Despite its name, morning sickness can happen at any hour or all day, so don't be surprised if your queasy stomach doesn't pass by noon.⁵
   

Tips for making your pregnancy better

How Can You Avoid or Treat Morning Sickness?⁸

• Eat foods rich in protein. Protein helps ease morning sickness.
• Drink lots of fluids. Staying hydrated during this time period may be a challenge but it’s a must and will make you feel better.
• Don’t get out of bed too quickly in the morning. Sitting up too quickly can wreak havoc on your equilibrium…slow and steady wins the race.
• Invest in products that contain ginger which is clinically proven to reduce morning sickness and safe for both mom and baby. Whether ginger drops, or ginger tea, ginger can help.
   

How Can You Avoid or Treat Fatigue During Pregnancy?⁸

To reduce lack of energy and pregnancy fatigue:

• If possible, take several cat naps.
• Get up and walk around to get yourself moving!
• Go to bed early, mama!
• Reduce chances of the need to pee waking you up by drinking fluids earlier in the day and avoid drinking at least 2 hours before bed.
• Minimize nighttime heartburn by not eating right before bed (2-3 hours prior).
• Stretch your leg muscles before bedtime to avoid leg cramps and include potassium-rich foods, like bananas, peaches, kiwis, potatoes, and leafy greens in your diet.
• Exercise, unless your doctor has advised against it. It can improve your mood and energy level. 30 minutes of walking 3+ times a week can help.
• Try to eat every 3-4 hours and make sure to include carbohydrates, protein, and fat in every meal and snack.
• Stick to high-fiber carbohydrates (whole grains, starchy vegetables, fruit) and minimize sweets and refined grains.
• Avoid caffeine if possible (200 mg is considered the max each day).
• Drink plenty of fluids, ESPECIALLY water.
• Reduce stress. Ok, not so easy to do, but spend time on things that you find relaxing. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are overstressed.
   

References:

1. NIH. You and your baby at 5 weeks pregnant. Page last reviewed: 17 July 2018. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/1-to-12/5-weeks/.  Last accessed at: 19.09.2021.
2. Nemours KidsHealth. Parents: Week 5. Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/week5.html.  Last accessed at: 19.09.2021
3. NHS. Start 4 life. Week-by-week guide to pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/1st-trimester/week-5/#anchor-tabs. Last accessed at: 04/10/2021
4. raisingchildren.net.au. 6 weeks pregnant. Last updated or reviewed: 10-11-2020. Available at: https://raisingchildren.net.au/pregnancy/week-by-week/first-trimester/6-weeks .  Last accessed at: 19.09.2021
5. Nemours KidsHealth. Parents: Week 6. Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/week6.html.  Last accessed at: 19.09.2021.
6. NIH. You and your baby at 6 weeks pregnant. Page last reviewed: 17 July 2018. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/1-to-12/6-weeks/.  Last accessed at: 19.09.2021.
7. NHS. Start 4 life. Week-by-week guide to pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/1st-trimester/week-6/#anchor-tabs. Last accessed at: 04/10/2021
8. American Pregnancy Association. Common Discomforts of Pregnancy. Available at: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-concerns/7-common-discomforts-of-pregnancy/. Last accessed at: 04/10/2021.