5 weeks gestation is a common time for women to learn they are pregnant as most women with a regular menstrual cycle will realise they’ve missed a period. Some women may also start to experience pregnancy symptoms such as sore breasts, nausea, and fatigue due to heightened hormone levels and at 5 weeks gestation, most women will think “I should take a test!”
At 5 weeks gestation, a pregnancy test will be able to clearly identify if you are pregnant.
How big is your baby at 5 weeks gestation?
At 5 weeks gestation you are entering your second month of pregnancy and your baby is about the size of an apple seed. This is a time of rapid growth, and in the next week, your baby will almost double in size.
5 weeks gestation development and ultrasound
5 weeks gestation is still very early with your baby beginning to form. A transvagin*l ultrasound examination at 5 weeks gestation may show a tiny sac about 5mm in size in the lining of the womb (uterus). Around the gestation sac is a thick white band of tissue which is called the chorion. This is the future placenta.
The yolk sac is the first structure which develops within the pregnancy sac. It plays an important role in the development of your baby and provides needed nutrients in the early part of your pregnancy. On ultrasound, the yolk sac looks like a bubble within the pregnancy sac. Because it is so important for the baby’s early development, it is an important structure for the Ultrasound Care team to see and can also help diagnose whether a pregnancy is healthy, or a miscarriage has happened.
How long does the yolk sac remain?
As the pregnancy progresses the placenta takes on the role of providing nutrition to the baby. So, the yolk sac gradually gets smaller and disappears by 14 – 20 weeks.
What can I expect at 5 weeks gestation?
Pregnancy symptoms at 5 weeks and during the first trimester vary for each individual. Some women have no symptoms at all, but others experience a slew of symptoms. Many women feel more tired than usual, so take out time to rest and relax if you feel fatigued.
Some of the more common symptoms at 5 weeks gestation include:
- Sore, aching breasts
- Nausea or morning sickness (although this happens at anytime of the day, not just the morning!)
- Fatigue
- Increased urinary frequency
- Cramps
- Spotting
5 weeks gestation tips
At 5 weeks gestation the adoption of healthy habits is important for you and your baby. Some helpful tips are:
Good food, beverage and lifestfyle choices.
There are some food, drinks, and life habits that are a big “no” during pregnancy and these should be put on hold till after your baby is delivered. These include the consumption of:
- Alcohol
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Processed meats
- Raw and undercooked seafood and fish with high mercury levels
- Raw or undercooked eggs (no runny yolks)
- Unwashed fruit and vegs
- Raw bean sprouts
- Unpasteurised dairy products
If you are a smoker, you should also seek help to quit smoking when you become pregnant.
Is caffeine ok during pregnancy?
It’s not fully known what the effects of too much caffeine has on a developing baby so it’s best to err on the side of caution and reduce your consumption to a maximum of two small cups of coffee or tea per day while you are pregnant.
Pregnancy check list at 5 weeks gestation
Even though 5 weeks gestation is early, you can still be preparing for your baby. Get started by:
- Calling to arrange an appointment with your doctor for your first prenatal visit as this might not be available for the next couple of weeks. Your doctor will arrange for any necessary urine or blood tests at this visit.
- Get started on taking pregnancy vitamins and folic acid (if you haven’t already).
- Give your body a chance to adjust to hormonal changes and take time to rest and relax if you feel fatigued.
Is it best to have a first pregnancy ultrasound at 5 weeks gestation?
Speak to your doctor about arranging for your first ultrasound visit to check on your pregnancy. Ultrasound Care recommends the first ultrasound scan be undertaken at 6-7 weeks gestation for high risk pregnancies and otherwise at 8-10 weeks gestation.
If you would like to find out more about your first ultrasound scan or dating scan and what is involved and can be seen, please click here to visit our Dating Scan page or call us at a location of your choice to arrange for an appointment.
