Week 6 of Pregnancy

At this early pregnancy stage, you might have just learned that you are pregnant! Being 5 weeks and 1 day pregnant means that you might experience some early pregnancy symptoms, and may have only recently taken a pregnancy test. Although you still have a long way to go before you reach your due date.

How Big Is My Baby at 5 Weeks Pregnant?

At this point in your first trimester, your baby is very small! Your baby’s development is still in its early stages, but your growing baby is developing some important bodily systems.

The embryo now has three layers, and looks more like a tadpole than a baby! Those three layers are the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm. Those layers will continue to grow across your pregnancy as your little one continues to develop.

If you’re wondering about the size of your baby at 5 weeks, they are still very small! Your baby is about the size of a sesame seed but will continue to grow bigger and bigger over the coming weeks.

Your Baby’s Development at 5 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby’s brain, baby’s heart, and other major organs are also beginning to develop. One important part of your baby’s brain development is the closing of the neural tube, which, along with the opening at the base of the spinal cord. One of the biggest reasons that your OB-GYN and other healthcare providers recommend taking folic acid and prenatal vitamins at this stage in pregnancy is that it supports a healthy pregnancy and fetal development of your baby’s neural tube and nervous system.

Your little one is still quite small at this stage, but will continue to grow and grow across your pregnancy and the stages of fetal development. Start or continue taking prenatal vitamins and supplements to support your baby’s development.

Your Body at 5 Weeks Pregnant

At this stage, you may not have any pregnancy symptoms at all, despite the rapidly changing and growing embryo inside you. If you do experience any signs of pregnancy, this will be relatively minor. You might feel a bit queasy, experience food aversions, or have morning sickness. On the flip side, you might also feel some strong food cravings as your hormone levels fluctuate.

Other signs of pregnancy that you might experience would include tender breasts, frequent urination, and mood swings.

This absence of pregnancy symptoms is completely normal and is not a cause for concern. Try to remember that the majority of pregnancies are without any complications. It's normal for a healthy pregnant woman to have a wide range of side effects or none at all. So don't worry if you're feeling great — in fact count yourself lucky!

When Should I Schedule a Doctor’s Visit?

Typically, most pregnant women won’t have a doctor’s visit until later on in their pregnancy, typically around 6 to 8 weeks pregnant. If you don’t already have an OB-GYN that you love, now would be a good time to ask around and find a healthcare provider to schedule a visit with.

Some women will have an early ultrasound scan, but the majority of women will have one around the 12th week of pregnancy (see You are 11 Weeks and 1 Day). Early scans are usually done vaginally, with a scanning probe inserted gently into the vagina.

Your doctor might schedule an early ultrasound for any of the following reasons:

• If there is a history of multiple births in your family, or you have used IVF or another form of assisted pregnancy that increases your chances of having multiple births. Your doctor may schedule an early ultrasound to check the number of fetuses.
• If you've had a miscarriage in the past, or show signs of cramping or spotting, or more profuse bleeding, a scan can be done to check that there is still a heartbeat.
• To establish the cause of vaginal bleeding. Your baby may be healthy, but fibroids or other conditions may be causing you to bleed. This will be addressed by your doctor.

Early vaginal scans do not show a great deal of detail. The sonographer waits until the embryo is in the correct position (left) to be measured.

What to Think About at 5 Weeks Pregnant

At 5 weeks pregnant, you have a long way to go until your due date, but these are some of the most important stages of fetal development for your little one! Some of the most important things you can do are to schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN for your 7th or 8th week of pregnancy. You can also support a healthy pregnancy by taking prenatal vitamins, avoiding consuming caffeine, and making sure you're getting enough sleep.

This second month of your pregnancy is an exciting stage. Make time to take it all in and really feel all of the emotions that you’re experiencing. Connect with loved ones in ways that feel good to you, even if that means avoiding telling them about your pregnancy until you feel ready. This time is about you and your baby — it’s okay to act in ways that prioritize what you want!