Pregnancy Week 5
The ball of cells now resembles a tadpole and is as big as a peppercorn. The creation of the brain, spinal cord, heart, and blood vessels is already well under way.
Baby's Length: 0.05in.
Baby's Weight: 0.04oz.
Mom's Changing Body
Feeling overjoyed one minute and equally stressed out the next? It's all part of the normal mood swings that come along with pregnancy. You might feel elated, depressed, angry, sentimental, powerful, and insecure—sometimes all in the same hour. Your hormones are flaring, so it's only natural for emotions to do the same, especially when a major life change is on the way. Mood swings are often the most intense during the next month, and they sometimes surge again toward the end of pregnancy. Also, you may be surprised to learn that about 10 to 12 percent of women will experience depression during pregnancy—nearly as many as those who do postpartum. If at any point during your pregnancy you feel depressed for more than two weeks, call your practitioner.
This week, your baby's ticker will start beating for the first time! (Neither you nor your doctor can hear it yet, but it may be possible to see the movement on an ultrasound.) And your little one has been really busy growing! The embryo now has three distinct layers: the outer ectoderm, which will form the nervous system, ears, eyes, inner ear and many connective tissues; the endoderm, or inner layer, which will grow into internal organs like the lungs, intestines and bladder; and the middle mesoderm, which will eventually make way for the heart and circulatory system. In the weeks to come, the mesoderm will also evolve into bones, muscles, kidneys and reproductive organs.
Weekly Tip
No matter how you're feeling, remember that getting enough sleep is a sure mood-booster. Eight hours or so of shut-eye can make a world of difference. And right now, you might feel like dozing off all the time—at work, in front of the TV, in mid-sentence—thanks to soaring progesterone levels, lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and increased blood volume.
The dark area is the fluid filling the gestational sac. Eventually, this fluid will be replaced by a sac containing the amniotic fluid your baby-to-be will live in for the next few months. The white circle within the fluid is called the yolk sac. Before the placenta is fully formed, the yolk sac plays a role in providing all the nutrients your baby-to-be needs to grow. Adjacent to the yolk sac, little + marks show a very early embryo. The sonographer measures the length of the embryo (the crown-rump length or CRL) to confirm or revise the due date estimated from your LMP, or to evaluate the embryo's growth.
What Week 5 of Your Pregnancy Is Really Like
This Week's To-Do List
This Week's FAQs
Must-Reads
Related Content
-
5 Best Pregnancy Apps
These personalized pregnancy apps can track your week-by-week milestones, appointment schedule, symptoms, and even contractions. Plus, they give you access to medical professionals, informational articles and other mothers when you need some support. Find the one that's right for you. -
A Cheat Sheet to Pregnancy Hormones
From emotions that change on a dime to a whole range of stomach troubles, your hormones during pregnancy can take you for quite a ride! Here, we explain what's going on with six key hormones including progesterone, HCG and oxytocin. -
All About Prenatal Vitamins — Your Questions Answered
So are prenatal vitamins really that good for you during pregnancy? In a nutshell: Yes. Our experts are here to answer your questions when it comes to making sure you're getting the nutrients you and baby need. -
What to Know About Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy
Research shows more children are affected by fetal alcohol disorders than previously thought. Here's what that means for alcohol consumption while pregnant and trying to conceive. -
Pregnant? 9 Must-Ask Ob-Gyn Questions
Your ob-gyn is your go-to guru for pregnancy questions. Here are nine that you should ask ASAP.
