Why am I feeling so tired and nauseous at week 5?

Tiredness and nausea are common in early pregnancy due to hormonal changes. These symptoms can vary widely, and some people may experience them more than others.

When should I book my first prenatal appointment?

Many people schedule their first prenatal visit in the early weeks of pregnancy. Your healthcare provider can guide you on the appropriate timing based on your health and pregnancy history.

Is it normal to have no symptoms at week 5?

Yes, some people have very few or no pregnancy symptoms at this stage. A lack of symptoms does not always mean something is wrong, as every pregnancy develops differently.

Is there any food that I need to avoid at week 5?

During pregnancy, it is important to follow safe food practices and avoid foods that may carry health risks. Your healthcare provider can guide you based on your individual situation and local recommendations.

Content verified by Dr. Shubhi Gupta

First Trimester

Week 5

Weeks to go!

Your baby is about the size of an apple seed. The heart has started to form and is beginning to beat, while the brain, spinal cord, and other organs are developing quickly.

Weight

Length

0.6 cm

Days Left

245

Deep down there, your embryo is growing at a fast pace. At this stage, during the fifth week of your pregnancy, your baby is now the size of a apple seed and resembles more like a tadpole, than a human. Right now, your baby is made up of three important layers: the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm that will soon form its own organ and tissues. The ectoderm is forming the neutral tube as a result developing your baby’s brain, nerves, spinal cord and backbone. Apart from this, this layer will lead to the rise of skin, nail, mammary, sweat gland, hair and tooth enamel of your baby. The mesoderm, the middle layer, is going to form the heart and circulatory system of your baby. From this week onwards, your tiny bundle of joy is going to form his heart, dividing itself into chambers, beating and pumping blood. Along with this, mesoderm will constitute your baby’s cartilage, bone, muscles and subcutaneous tissues, which will form under the skin tissue. The endoderm, the third layer, will complete your baby’s lungs, intestines and premature urinary systems. This will also constitute your baby’s pancreas, liver and thyroid.All while this is happening, your baby’s primitive placenta and umbilical cord are already on the assignment of delivering nourishment and oxygen to your baby. It might be difficult to comprehend, but right now you baby is like a like a curled tube and not like a ball. While the one end of your tube will become your baby’s head, the other will be his or bottom. It is between these two ends that your baby’s spinal cord is forming – a start of your baby’s central nervous system taking shape. In the 5th week of pregnancy, your baby has a pear-shape yolk sac that is filled with fluid, which will help nourish his or her requirements. Your baby’s early stage heart is going to pump blood to the walls of the yolk sac, where it gets familiar with the circulation process. Right now your little kid’s heart is just a small tube at the moment. Apart from this, your baby’s organs are rapidly developing. Your baby’s brain has been divided into two lobes by the start of this time and his respiratory system will appear from behind his face. Now, it will continue to grow downwards as he or she develops, further branching out 23 times along with the sides of the body. Right now, his or her arms and legs are equivalent to tiny buds and are minuscule and paddle-shape. Soon, your baby will be visible to the naked eye.

Expert Advice

Reviewed by: Dr. Mangala Ramachandra, Consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecologist Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore

“By now you must have found about your pregnancy and must have witnessed of the most common symptoms of pregnancy, such as tingling or soreness in breasts, going through morning sickness, needing to pee more often and feeling more tired than the usual. Do schedule your visit to ob-gyn soon and start your prenatal care from early as it will ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Soon this excited news is followed by worry. Worry of miscarriage, how you will tackle and go through your pregnancy, gaining weight during pregnancy, labor pains and so on. Do take each day as it comes and talk to your gynaecologist and partner about your problem. In fact, at this stage the only things you should be worried about are getting an infection, eating right amount of healthy foods and not exercising enough. At this stage, do not hesitate to confide in your partner with your worries, queries, joys and overall emotions. This is perhaps a start of new level of intimacy between you two. A candid communication with your partner is a great way to help and nurture your relationship to grow, as your baby does.”