5. WOP

In the 5th week of pregnancy it is time to take a pregnancy test. How reliable the result really is and how far the little embryo has already developed, we tell you in this article.

This is what happens to you

In the 5th week of pregnancy, the embryo is about the size of a sesame seed. You are probably still overwhelmed – after all, this is the beginning of a new phase in your life.

Don’t worry: you still have plenty of time to prepare for this exciting time.

In our WOP calendar, we will accompany you week by week until you hold your baby in your arms in 35 weeks.

Important facts about the 5th week of pregnancy: What you should know

You should not take any medication during your pregnancy without first consulting your doctor. This also applies to homeopathic remedies.

In addition, stay away from alcohol and nicotine. A healthy diet is important in the 5th week of pregnancy to ensure a good foundation for your pregnancy

Also important: Look out for a midwife now.

It is never too early. Firstly, because midwives are usually in high demand and it can be difficult to find one, especially in large cities. On the other hand, if you have questions or complaints, you can turn to someone who has experience and a professional view of your questions or problems.

You can find midwives in your area, for example, in the public lists of midwives (usually available in doctors’ offices) or on the Internet.

Tip for fathers-to-be

From the 12th week on, many parents announce the good news, as the risk of miscarriage is close to 0 from this point on. Have you already thought about how you want to tell your friends and family the happy news? Via WhatsApp? At a celebration? Or privately?

How your body changes in the 5th week of pregnancy

Your period is actually due, but nothing happens? If you don’t have your period, for many women this is the first indication that things might finally be working out. Now is a good time to take a pregnancy test.

In the 5th week of pregnancy, the level of the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is usually sufficient to be detected in your body.

A pregnancy test measures the existing concentration of hCG in your body and can thus quickly give certainty about a potential pregnancy.

Also interesting:

If the test is positive, very different feelings can arise. You may be bursting with excitement because you have wanted a child for a long time. For women who don’t yet want a child, on the other hand, the news can cause emotional chaos.

It’s not just the thought of the big change in your life that contributes to this, but also the hormones that are now changing your body. Talk to your partner, friends or family about your feelings and uncertainties.

External signs, such as a baby bump, are unfortunately not yet visible in the 5th week of pregnancy. But many internal symptoms speak for a pregnancy.

Signs of pregnancy in the 5th week of pregnancy

While the little embryo experiences its first heartbeat and continues to grow, your body is not idle. It sensitizes itself to the pregnancy and creates precautions so that the growing embryo is doing well.

Probably the best-known sign of pregnancy in the 5th week of pregnancy is the absence of menstruation. In this section we have summarized for you which other signs indicate pregnancy.

  • Pulling in the lower abdomen
  • Tightening of the breasts, darkening and enlargement of the nipples
  • Mild nausea
  • Sensitivity to smell
  • Cravings
  • Limpness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Constipation
  • Stuffy nose
  • Heavy salivation
  • Increased urination
  • Mood swings

Your bodily functions run a little slower, because your body wants to protect the little being in your belly

Attention: Not all symptoms in the 5th week are normal or belong to a pregnancy.

Pain in the abdomen, fever or bleeding can also be signs that something is wrong. In the worst case, you may even miscarry. If you have physical complaints, you should always talk to your doctor.

Prevent nausea

The most common side effect of pregnancy is nausea: while some expectant mothers only experience mild nausea in the morning, others have to vomit several times a day.

Anti-nausea medications can be harmful to the baby and it is imperative to consult with a doctor before taking them. A popular “trick” to prevent nausea is eating small snacks such as rusks, crispbread or salt sticks. If the body is busy digesting, the feeling of nausea is often alleviated.

The first presentation to the gynecologist

After your period stops or you have a positive pregnancy test, you know for sure that you are pregnant! Now, at the latest, there is no way around a midwife or a gynecologist.

Maternity passport

The maternity pass port serves to document the development of the child and your pregnancy. Important vital signs or examination results such as your weight or blood pressure are entered here. Always carry it with you, so that you can follow the pregnancy at any time in the best possible way!

Initial examination

During the first visit to the doctor after the pregnancy has been established, a medical history is taken. This examination checks whether the fertilized egg has nested properly, which is crucial for the further course of the pregnancy.

Signs of ectopic pregnancy in the 5th week of gestation

An ectopic pregnancy is dangerous not only for the baby, but especially for the mother. The egg nests in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus, which can lead to dangerous internal bleeding as the embryo grows. That is why it is mandatory to see a doctor as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed.

The most common symptoms are pain in the abdomen, usually unilateral on the side where the embryo has nested, and spotting, which occurs after the implantation bleeding.

But don’t worry: an ectopic pregnancy can be treated surgically or with medication, and in many cases even the fallopian tube is preserved. You can get more detailed information from your midwife or gynecologist.

What can be seen on the ultrasound during the 5th week of pregnancy?

During the 5th week of pregnancy, a small black dot on the ultrasound confirms that you are pregnant. This is the amniotic fluid cavity, which is now about 1 cm in size. The embryo itself is not yet visible – it is still much too small.

The embryo is only clearly visible on the ultrasound image from the 7th week of gestation.

What is the risk of miscarriage in the 5th week of pregnancy?

Are you afraid that something could go wrong during your pregnancy? Or have you already experienced a miscarriage? It is completely natural that you are worried now. In this section we explain which signs point to a miscarriage and whether you can avoid a miscarriage.

In many cases, the affected women think that the miscarriage is a delayed, heavier menstrual period.

From the 5th week of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage is still 10-15%. Most miscarriages – about 80% – occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Of course, this knowledge does not help at all against the pain you experience when you have lost your own child. However, you know that you are not alone in this loss. If you do not want to talk about this issue with your friends or family, do not hesitate to seek psychological help.

Miscarriages are still considered a taboo subject. However, it is completely unfounded. Talking about it is good. Only in this way will you be able to really come to terms with what has happened. From the 12th week of pregnancy, the probability of a miscarriage is so low that you can tell your friends and family about your pregnancy.

Signs of a miscarriage

In pregnancy, things rarely go according to “the book”. However, there are alarming symptoms that can point to a possible miscarriage.

So that you can recognize these symptoms early and act quickly, we have summarized them for you at a glance.

  • Bleeding*
  • Severe, cramping pain in the lower abdomen
  • Severe pulling in the lower abdomen
  • Severe pain in the lower back
  • Fever and purulent discharge
  • In advanced pregnancy: leakage of amniotic fluid

*Bleeding is not necessarily a sign of miscarriage. Bleeding occurs easily during implantation, as small blood vessels are injured in the process. However, this is completely harmless – no need to worry. This bleeding is often called spotting or implantation bleeding.

If the bleeding becomes heavier or is associated with pain, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Can a miscarriage be avoided?

Unfortunately, there is no patent remedy that can absolutely prevent a miscarriage. However, we have some helpful tips for you on how to minimize the risk.

  • Healthy diet
  • Avoidance of alcohol, nicotine and medication
  • Avoid strenuous sports
  • Take medication only after consultation with your doctor

With these tips you can ensure a good foundation for your pregnancy. Especially important: If you feel unwell, have pain in the abdomen or bleeding – contact your doctor immediately.

This is important now

This is how you can support your body in the 5th week of pregnancy

There are a number of things you can do to create a good foundation for your pregnancy. We have summarized for you in this section what is particularly important now.

The right diet

A healthy and balanced diet during pregnancy is important – you surely already know that. Plenty of vegetables, fruits, proteins and proteins support your body during pregnancy.

In order to build a properly functioning nervous system, the embryo needs sufficient folic acid in the first weeks of pregnancy.

Doctors and midwives recommend 550 mg of folic acid per day during pregnancy. These foods contain particularly high levels of folic acid:

  • Cabbage
  • Leaf spinach
  • Salads
  • Tomatoes
  • Fruits (e.g. oranges)
  • Whole grain products
  • Legumes
  • Nuts
  • Sprouts
  • Wheat and soy germs
  • Dairy products

Since the required amount cannot be ingested through food alone, many doctors and midwives advise folic acid supplements.

That is why sport is important

Sport during pregnancy makes you fit for the birth, lifts your spirits and can alleviate pregnancy discomforts. We have summarized safe sports for you at a glance.

Swimming and aqua fitness

Swimming also strengthens many muscle groups, such as the leg, back and arm muscles. Aqua-jogging and aqua-gymnastics are also ideal sports during pregnancy.

Yoga

and Pilates

Gentle training methods such as yoga or Pilates help you to breathe consciously and relax. Important: Beginners should only do exercises under supervision, otherwise there is a risk of injury.

Nordic Walking

Just like swimming, walking and Nordic walking are gentle and safe training methods. Walking stimulates the cardiovascular system and puts no strain on knee joints or ankles.

Cycling

Cycling relieves water retention in the legs and, like running, provides you and your baby with an extra dose of oxygen.

Attention: You should avoid these sports

  • Squash
  • Tennis
  • Handball
  • Basketball
  • Skiing
  • Horse riding
  • Martial arts

Due to an increased risk of falling, these sports can have a negative influence on pregnancy or the development of the child

What happens to the baby

In the 5th week of pregnancy, the embryo in your belly is just 3 weeks old. It has only recently implanted itself in the protective lining of the uterus. This happened in the 1st and 2nd week of pregnancy.

From now on, it grows a little more every day. In this section you will learn how big the embryo is in the 5th week and how far its development has progressed.

This is the size of the embryo in the 5th week of gestation

In the 5th week of gestation, the embryo is about 1.2 mm in size. To give you a better idea: This is about the size of sesame seeds.

Accordingly, nothing of the small embryo can be seen on the ultrasound. You will have to be patient until you can see your baby for sure on the ultrasound image.

How far is the embryo developed in the 5th week of pregnancy?

In the 5th week of gestation, the embryo has finally settled in your uterine lining. There it lies safe and secure and is supplied with important nutrients such as oxygen.

Now the heart, blood vessel system, connective tissue, lungs, intestines, nervous system and sex organs develop from the neural groove (the midline of the germinal disc) and the cotyledons. The cotyledons have 3 layers, which mainly make up the embryo in the 5th WOP. At this time, the appearance of the embryo resembles an oval disc.

From the formed germinal shell a furrow develops – which is also called a neural tube. This is only a “preliminary stage” of the brain. This will continue to develop during the course of pregnancy. Nerves, which will be the spinal cord and later the brain, create here the basis for all later bodily functions, as well as human consciousness.

A milestone in the 5th WOP: The heart cells weld together on the 22nd day of the embryo’s life. In most cases, the first heartbeat can already be seen at the end of the 5th or beginning of the 6th week of gestation.

At this stage, the small heart already takes on important tasks, such as supplying the growing organs with oxygen and nutrients. The right ventricle receives the blood from the organs, the left ventricle passes the blood mixed with oxygen to the organs. The small heart beats twice as fast as your heart.

However, the oxygen is not taken in through the lungs, but through the placenta. The baby does not take its first “own” breath until immediately after birth.

Why you should already look for a midwife now

Finding a good midwife is not that easy. Especially in big cities, the high demand can hardly be met. Rural areas, on the other hand, have a real shortage of midwives.

A loving midwife is a great support during your pregnancy. It is never too early to start looking for a midwife. She will accompany you during your pregnancy, during birth, in the postpartum period and during breastfeeding.

These are the tasks of a midwife:

  • Advice on all aspects of pregnancy (nutrition, sports, etc.)
  • Help with complaints during pregnancy
  • Referral to other specialists, such as doctors, counseling centers or, if necessary, psychotherapists
  • Birth preparation courses
  • Pregnancy gymnastics
  • Postpartum classes
  • Advice on the choice of birthplace and the birth process
  • Support during the birth process
  • Practical and emotional support during pregnancy
  • Postpartum care
  • Advice and guidance on breastfeeding or preparing and administering bottle feeds
  • Baby care
  • Questions about changes in partnership and sexuality, contraception after birth
  • Support in the process of becoming a parent and promotion of the parent-child bond (“bonding“)

Midwifery tip

Alcohol and nicotine are still taboo. Caution: Not every medication is compatible with your pregnancy. To be on the safe side, you should talk to your doctor about this.
As you already know, the first weeks of pregnancy are particularly delicate. Accordingly, you should try to support your body during pregnancy. A healthy, balanced diet provides an optimal basis. You should avoid stress as much as possible

FAQ

5 WOP: How big is the baby?

The embryo – that’s what your baby is called in the first 3 months – is about 1.2 mm in size in the 5th week of pregnancy. This corresponds to the size of sesame seeds.

Do you need to see anything during the ultrasound in the 5th week of pregnancy?

The embryo is still too small in the 5th week of pregnancy to be able to recognise it on the ultrasound image. However, you can already see the amniotic cavity. The embryo continues to develop in it from day to day.

How do you notice a miscarriage in the 5th week of pregnancy?

If a pregnancy ends prematurely, this can manifest itself as follows: Bleeding, pain in the abdomen, fever and purulent discharge. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor or go to hospital immediately.

What is the risk of miscarriage in the 5th week of pregnancy?

Unfortunately, the first weeks of pregnancy are particularly delicate. Therefore, the risk of miscarriage is also relatively high. In the 5th week of pregnancy, however, the risk drops to 10-15 %.

WOP 5 video

Join Charlotte and Sarah through their 5th week of pregnancy and learn more about early signs of pregnancy.

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