In the week 5, your baby is
the size of a Sesame Seed
In Week 5 of pregnancy, your baby is growing rapidly, and early symptoms may start to appear. Expect changes in your body and the excitement of your pregnancy journey beginning!
Welcome to Week 5 of pregnancy! This week marks an exciting turning point as your embryo grows rapidly. Many women begin to notice symptoms like morning sickness and fatigue, signalling your body’s hard work to support your baby. These changes are all part of the journey ahead.
During Week 5, you might start noticing stronger pregnancy symptoms, or if they haven’t shown up yet, they could be on their way. Here are some common signs to watch out for:
Nausea
Often referred to as morning sickness, nausea can occur at any time of the day or night and leave you feeling queasy for hours.
Fatigue and mood swings
You might feel tired as your body is working overtime, while hormonal changes may leave you feeling more irritable or sensitive than usual.
Pregnancy Brain
The hormone surge may cause forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating, making it harder to focus on everyday tasks.
Frequent urination
Your kidneys work harder to process the extra fluid from the increased blood volume in your body.
Darkened skin/Melasma
You may observe dark patches or discolouration on your face, called chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy."
Thicker, shinier hair
Pregnancy hormones can make your hair appear fuller and glossier.
At Week 5, your baby is the size of a sesame seed, with a tiny head and tail, resembling a tadpole.
Organ Development
Right now, your baby’s cells are forming three main layers:
Physical Features
Though your baby is still just a cluster of cells, parts of the body are already beginning to form.
Weight of the Foetus
At just about 0.1 grams, your baby is still incredibly small, yet growing fast with each new cell division.
Movement of the Baby
While it’s too early to see any movement, the development of the brain and spinal cord has begun, laying the foundation for movement in the coming weeks.
At 5 weeks, your baby is starting to grow, with early features forming. Take it one day at a time—you're doing an amazing job, mama!
By Week 5, your body is working hard to support your growing baby, and you may start to feel new symptoms and changes. With hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) rising quickly, there’s a good chance you’ve already missed your period.
Breast Changes
The rise in hormones can make your breasts feel tender, swollen, or extra sensitive.
Dizziness
Rising hCG levels can lead to changes in blood circulation, which may cause dizziness as your body adjusts to pregnancy.
Food cravings & Digestion
Rising hCG levels can affect your appetite, triggering food cravings and slowing digestion, leading to bloating or constipation.
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems
Your heart might beat faster as it pumps more blood to support the baby, which can sometimes make you feel out of breath.
Vaginal Discharge
An increase in cervical mucus is expected in early pregnancy, often with a milky consistency & mild odour.
Prenatal guide
Attend all your prenatal appointments like vaccinations, tests, ultrasounds
to track vitals
Hospital check-in
If you notice blood in discharge or your water breaks, head to the hospital immediately
Diet check
Always seek your doctor’s advice to make sure your diet intake is safe for you.
Choose together
Make an informed decision along with your family about your pregnancy treatment options.
Calm labour
Practice yoga or hypnotherapy techniques to ease stress and discomfort in abnormal labour.
In Week 5, your pregnancy is still in the very early stages, so medical check-ups may not reveal much detail yet. For some, an early scan might be suggested, though it’s often too soon to see much more than a small sac.
Blood Tests
A blood test can confirm your pregnancy by detecting hCG levels. Doctors may also check other hormone levels to ensure your body supports the baby’s development. Blood tests at this stage might include checks for anaemia, rubella immunity, and screening for infections like hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV.
Early Scan
Some doctors recommend an early transvaginal ultrasound if you have a history of complications. This scan can confirm that the embryo has been implanted in the uterus, helping to rule out concerns like an ectopic pregnancy. However, it’s usually too early to see detailed images of the baby.
First Doctor’s Visit
Once you confirm your pregnancy, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor early, ideally within a few days of taking the test. Your first prenatal check-up is usually scheduled around eight weeks of pregnancy, about a month after your missed period.
During this visit, your doctor may check your blood pressure, height, and weight, review your medical and family history, and offer advice on nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy. They may also screen for Down syndrome, assess cervical health, and test for vitamin D deficiency if you’re at risk.
Your body is adjusting hormone levels to support the embryo, which requires energy. Fatigue is common in early pregnancy, especially with rising progesterone levels.
Yes, it’s completely normal to experience mood swings during early pregnancy. Hormonal changes can make you feel more emotional, sensitive, or even more irritable than usual. Many women notice these shifts, especially in the first trimester, and it’s just a part of the process. Don’t worry, these feelings are temporary and will settle as your pregnancy progresses.
Light exercise, like walking, is generally safe, but avoid heavy lifting or high-impact activities until your doctor confirms what’s suitable for you.
Eating nutrient-dense foods is key. Look for iron-rich vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, along with plenty of folic acid for neural tube development.
Your baby is roughly the size of a sesame seed, with critical systems like the neural tube developing quickly.
Spotting can happen in early pregnancy, and it’s often normal. However, you should always contact your healthcare provider to let them know. Spotting is light bleeding that can occur when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall, and it’s common in the first 12 weeks. Still, spotting can also be a sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which can be serious if not treated.
During pregnancy, it’s normal to have more vaginal discharge than usual. It’s usually thin, clear, or milky white, and doesn’t have a bad smell. This is called leukorrhea.
You should see a doctor as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, ideally before you reach 8 weeks. This will help ensure you get the care and advice you need for a healthy pregnancy. By Week 5, your hCG levels are high enough to show up on a home pregnancy test.
