Pregnancy Week 5: Symptoms, Tests and Baby Size
Pregnancy week 5 is probably the most eagerly awaited week: it’s the moment your period is late and the pregnancy test can finally give you the good news ❤️. Let me tell you what’s happening inside you, which symptoms are normal and how big your little one already is.
What is pregnancy week 5?
Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last menstrual period (your LMP), not from conception. That means in week 5 you’re about 3 weeks past fertilisation, and the embryo is already well implanted in your uterus, nourishing itself from you.
It’s the moment when most women find out they’re pregnant: your period is already late and your body is starting to produce the hCG hormone in detectable amounts. If you’re coming from pregnancy week 4, this week is the natural follow-up to everything I told you there.
When can I take a pregnancy test?
This week, it’s time! In week 5, hCG levels (the hormone tests detect) are already high enough to give a positive result in most cases, especially if you wait until the first day of your missed period.
My advice: if you take the test this week and it’s negative but you still have symptoms or a missed period, wait 2 or 3 days and repeat it. hCG roughly doubles every 48 hours, so in a few days the result will be much clearer. And if you want to get ahead, blood tests (beta-hCG) can detect pregnancy even earlier.
And if you don’t want to wait with a box in your hands, you can take our free online pregnancy test to get some guidance from your symptoms. And if you fancy a bit of fun, try your luck with our fun fingerprint game — it’s just a game, not a real test.
Which symptoms are normal in week 5?
Every pregnancy is different, but by week 5 it’s common to notice some of these signs:
- A missed period: the most reliable sign (and the one that brought you here).
- Tender or swollen breasts: rising progesterone doing its thing.
- Tiredness: your body is working hard to build the placenta.
- Nausea, with or without vomiting: it often starts around this week.
- Frequent urination: your uterus is starting to press on your bladder.
- Mood swings and sensitivity to smells: your hormones are on a rollercoaster.
- Mild lower belly discomfort, similar to period cramps.
Feeling twinges or a heavy belly? It’s normal: your uterus is growing and your ligaments are starting to stretch. But if the pain is strong or on one side only, mention it to your doctor.
How big is the baby in week 5?
The embryo in week 5 measures about 2 millimetres: the size of a sesame seed. Still tiny, but a real revolution is happening inside:
- The neural tube is forming, which will become the brain and spinal cord.
- The heart is starting to form, and by the end of this week or the beginning of the next it will start beating.
- Blood vessels and the first structures of the face are beginning to take shape.
Tips for week 5
- Confirm the pregnancy with a test if you haven’t yet, and book an appointment with your gynaecologist: the first ultrasound is usually done between week 6 and 8.
- Keep taking your folic acid: it’s essential for the neural tube development that’s happening right now. I tell you all about it in my article on folic acid in pregnancy.
- Look after your diet and avoid alcohol and tobacco from now on.
- Rest whenever you can: the tiredness of these weeks is real.
- Don’t obsess over symptoms: feeling nothing is also normal.
- Calculate your estimated due date with the gestogram and check which week you’re in with the how many weeks pregnant am I guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which month of pregnancy am I in at week 5?
You’re entering the second month of pregnancy: weeks 5 to 8 make up month 2. Remember the count starts on the first day of your last period, not at conception.
Will the test be positive in week 5?
In most cases, yes. From the first day of your missed period, hCG levels are usually enough for a urine test to show positive. If it’s negative, wait 2 or 3 days and repeat.
Is belly pain normal in week 5?
Mild discomfort, similar to period cramps, is normal: your uterus is growing. If the pain is intense, constant or on one side only, consult your doctor.
How big is the baby in week 5?
About 2 millimetres, roughly the size of a sesame seed. The embryo’s shape isn’t distinguishable on an ultrasound yet.
When can a pregnancy be seen on an ultrasound?
The gestational sac usually shows up from week 5-6, and the embryo’s heartbeat around week 6-7. The first recommended ultrasound is usually between week 6 and 8.
Remember this article is for information only. If you have any questions about your health or think you might be pregnant, consult your doctor. He or she can guide you with the right tests and support you in this very special moment ❤️.
