Pregnancy at 5 weeks - Symptoms, Embryo & Baby Growth
Pregnancy at 5 weeks - Symptoms, Embryo & Baby Growth
At 5 weeks a baby is just like the size of an apple seed or an orange seed with a primitive head and a tail. Your embryo is also measurable now from crown to rump at 5 weeks of pregnancy. If you're 5 weeks pregnant it means you're now 1 month pregnant and are in the 2nd month of pregnancy. It's the right time to take a pregnancy test at home as your HCG hormone levels are rise enough to confirm your pregnancy. You can take a pregnancy test at 5 weeks and can go to the doctor to confirm your pregnancy and to figure out your due date.
Baby's heart rate at 5 weeks
At 5 weeks pregnancy your baby's heart is made up of two tiny channels which are known as heart tubes. When both of these tubes fuse together then your baby will have a fully functioning heart. The baby already has some blood vessels. The blood begins to circulate in these vessels. The string of these blood vessels connects the mother and the baby and will become Umbilical Cord. The cells of the embryo's outer layer develop a groove and fold to form the neural tube which will become the baby's spinal cord and brain.Pregnancy at 5 weeks ultrasound
Embryo at 5 weeks looks like a tiny tadpole which is now made up of three layers -
Ectoderm
The neural tube is starting to develop on the topmost layer which is called Ectoderm. The baby's brain, spinal cord, backbone, and nerves will sprout from the neural tube. The ectoderm layer also gives rise to the baby's hair, skin, tooth enamel, sweat glands, and nails. Mesoderm
The baby's heart, circulatory system, bone, muscles, cartilage, and subcutaneous tissue begin to form in the mid-layer called Mesoderm. At 5 weeks baby's heart divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.
(Also read: Pregnancy at 6 weeks)
Endoderm
The lungs, urinary system, thyroid, liver, pancreas, intestines begin to form in the last layer called Endoderm. The umbilical cord and primitive placenta are already functioning and they deliver oxygen and nourishment to your baby. The umbilical cord and primitive placenta are functioning to channel nutrients from your body to the embryo at 5 weeks. Oxygen, Amino Acids, Fats all are essential for healthy development.The baby has already started to form major organs such as - Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Stomach, and major systems such as Digestive System, Nervous and Circulatory System. Taking Folic Acid every day is very essential for a pregnant woman to avoid Spinal-Cord related birth defects.
Birth defects
Anencephaly
When there are defects in the head end and the bones of the skull do not form properly then this defect is known as Anencephaly.
Spina Bifida
When there are defects in the tail end of the neural tube then it leads to Spina Bifida. Folic Acid plays a vital role in preventing Spina Bifida. So, you have to start Folic Acid as soon as you figure out that you are pregnant. You can even take Folic Acid before you get pregnant.
(Also read: Baby development at 8 weeks of pregnancy)
Pregnancy at 5 weeks symptoms
The pregnancy symptoms which a pregnant woman feel at 5 weeks are described below :1. Sore and Tender Breasts
Estrogen and Progesterone are the two hormones that increase during pregnancy and are responsible for the changes such as swelling or tenderness in breasts during early pregnancy. These changes start 1 or two weeks after conception. A pregnant woman experiences breast pain during early pregnancy around 3 to 5 weeks of pregnancy. Your breasts change in shape and size during pregnancy as it is preparing itself for producing milk for your baby.2. Fatigue
A lot of energy goes to build the placenta which is a life support system for your baby during early pregnancy. The metabolism of your body increases significantly and blood pressure tends to be lower. These are the reasons which cause fatigue during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.3. Frequent Urination
The hormonal changes during pregnancy increase urine production. The uterus of a pregnant woman expands and puts pressure on the bladder. The extra blood flow also makes the kidneys of a pregnant woman produce more urine soon after conception.
4. Morning Sickness - Nausea & Vomiting
When a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus lining then your body started producing a pregnancy hormone called HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) hormone. One other hormone called Estrogen also rises during pregnancy. Both of these hormones cause morning sickness which leads to nausea and vomiting during the first trimester of pregnancy.5. Cramps
The ligament and muscles support the uterus to stretch and expand due to which cramps occur during pregnancy. Some other causes of cramping during pregnancy includes Constipation, Gas, and Bloating. As your body is going through a lot of physical changes during pregnancy so these mild cramps are considered as a normal part of pregnancy.
(Also read: 12 early signs & symptoms of pregnancy)
6. Spotting or Vaginal Bleeding
Some women experience spotting or Vaginal Bleeding during early pregnancy. Spotting or Light bleeding during early pregnancy is lighter in flow than a usual menstrual period and its color often varies from pink to red to brown. Vaginal Bleeding is any discharge of blood through the vagina. Spotting or light bleeding is common during early pregnancy and it can happen anytime from conception to the end of your pregnancy.Some pregnant woman doesn't feel any pregnancy symptoms at 5 weeks. But it doesn't mean there is something wrong with their pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different so their symptoms too.
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Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information only and it should not be used as the basis of patient treatment. The given content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or any diagnosis. Always consult a doctor for more information. Our website doesn't claim responsibility for this information.
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