5 Weeks pregnant: Pregnancy symptoms & tips

Your body at week 5

Pregnancy hormones kick in

Week five is usually when most people realize or start to suspect that they’re pregnant, as it’s around now that those infamous early pregnancy symptoms begin to appear. You may be noticing more fatigue, tender breasts, cravings, or signs of morning sickness [1].

No matter the symptoms, if you’re pregnant, your body is producing more hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin — commonly known as “the pregnancy hormone”) this week [2]. Rising pregnancy hormones explain some of those common early symptoms. It’s also normal to feel very emotional, upset, or have intense mood swings as the hCG kicks in [3]. The hormones are preparing your body for the epic journey of growing another human being, so there may be major physical and emotional adjustments at this time.

Finding out that you’re pregnant can be exciting, but also daunting. About one in five women feel anxious or stressed during pregnancy, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone [1]. Try speaking with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist about what you’re feeling to ease the emotional burden. You may find it helpful to try some gentle breathing exercises to calm the nervous system [1]. While this action may seem small, finding ways to relax now can be a useful tool to help you throughout pregnancy, during the birthing journey, and beyond. If you’re finding that the stress is impacting your ability to go about your day, speak with a trusted healthcare provider about your symptoms.

On the other hand, it’s also totally normal not to feel anything new during this time — it may even be hard to tell if you’re pregnant. It’s still early in the pregnancy, and each person’s journey is unique (as are the symptoms they may or may not experience) [3].

HCG and home pregnancy tests

At-home pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of hCG in your urine. This is usually detectable from about week three or four of pregnancy onward, so week five is a great time to test if you haven’t already. There’s a good chance that you’ll get an accurate result during week five as long as you follow instructions closely, which generally recommend taking a pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period. If the home test shows that you’re pregnant, it’s best to see a healthcare provider as early as possible to confirm the pregnancy and begin specialized care [1].

If you get a negative pregnancy test but you still missed your period, this may be a false negative, especially if you’re noticing early pregnancy signs. You can wait another few days and try another at-home test, or see a healthcare provider to do a blood test and discuss your symptoms [4].

Pregnancy symptoms at week 5

Again, everyone’s pregnancy progression is unique, so while you may not experience any symptoms of rising hCG at this time, some people do have new symptoms to deal with. Let’s go through some of the most commonly reported five weeks pregnant symptoms below.

Tender, swollen breasts

Your breasts may become larger and feel more tender, or even swollen, during week five. You may also notice a tingling sensation in that area. The veins in your breasts can become more visible, and the nipples may darken as well [4]. All of this happens as a symptom of the shifting hormones in your body, and because your body is developing new tissue that will create and store breast milk [3].

Changes to appetite and sense of smell

Changing pregnancy hormones can bring changes to your appetite and sense of smell as well. You may find that you’re no longer interested in foods or drinks you used to enjoy, you start to crave new foods, or certain foods may taste different. Your sense of smell may become more sensitive, too, especially to certain foods. You may even notice a strange metallic taste in your mouth [4]. If you have unusual, non-dietary cravings like wanting to eat dirt, talk to your healthcare provider, as this may be a sign of a lack of iron [1]. 

Morning sickness

The nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness in early pregnancy usually starts between weeks four and six of pregnancy. Despite the name “morning” sickness, nausea can happen at any time of day or during the night, and the nausea may or may not be accompanied by actual vomiting [4]. Listen to your body if it’s telling you it needs rest or to avoid certain foods or situations that may be triggering the morning sickness.

Talk to your healthcare provider if the nausea and vomiting is affecting your daily life or if it lasts for several hours each day with frequent vomiting and you don’t seem to be able to keep anything down, as this may cause dehydration. About 80% of pregnant people report nausea or vomiting during pregnancy, so while it’s a common symptom, an extreme (although rare) version called hyperemesis gravidarum may occur that needs treatment [5, 6].

Frequent urination

As your uterus grows during early pregnancy, you may find yourself needing to use the bathroom more frequently. The growing uterus pushes on the bladder, increasing the urgency and frequency of urination [3]. You may also notice constipation and more of a white milky vaginal discharge during week five [1].

Fatigue

It’s common to feel extra fatigued during the early weeks of pregnancy, whether that’s needing more sleep each night, or dealing with sleep disturbances (like nausea or needing to pee) that lead to tiredness during the day. For example, some people who previously only needed 6 hours of sleep may need almost double that during the first few weeks. This is entirely normal as your body adjusts to this new set of changes. Like nausea, fatigue usually eases up in the second trimester, but fatigue may return in the third trimester as you approach birth [7]. 

Many of these five weeks pregnant symptoms are quite similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms (tender breasts, fatigue, and nausea in particular). Although it can be difficult to tell PMS apart from early pregnancy, remember that week 5 is a great time to take a pregnancy test, if you suspect that you might be pregnant,  so that you can understand what’s happening in your body.

Your baby’s development at 5 weeks

If you’ve confirmed that you’re pregnant, you may also be wondering how your baby is developing in week five. Although it’s just about the size of a sesame seed, the embryo is actually growing at a faster rate right now than at any other time during your pregnancy [1, 3].

Note: We’ll often refer to your baby as an “embryo” in these early pregnancy articles. While the pregnancy timeline is typically divided into three trimesters, fetal development is divided into four stages. Your baby is technically considered an embryo until week eight — about halfway through those four stages. Learn more about the difference between an embryo and a fetus here.

What’s happening right now is a process called cell differentiation. This means that the embryo’s cells are rapidly multiplying, and each new cell is taking on specific functions which will eventually become the baby’s major organs [2, 8]. Here’s a short breakdown of what’s happening:

Brain: One of those major organs forming right now is the brain and larger nervous system. The embryo’s brain and spinal cord are taking shape at week five, and the head is much larger than the rest of the body [1, 2].

Heart: The vascular system is also starting to come together. The heart is forming, and it’s likely to beat for the first time around weeks five to six. The embryo already has some of its own blood vessels, and blood is starting to circulate in the embryo [1, 2].

Lungs and gut: Certain cells are forming the baby’s gastrointestinal tract right now, and its tiny lungs are starting to form as well [8].

Face: The tiny structures that will make up the eyes and nose are starting to take shape around week five, although the eyes will stay closed until much later in the pregnancy (around 28 weeks) [1].

Placenta: Certain cells in the embryo are starting to link with your blood supply. This link will eventually develop into the placenta, which will give the embryo all of the nutrients and oxygen it needs to grow [1, 3].

Tips for you at five weeks pregnant

Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider 

As we mentioned earlier, confirming the pregnancy with your healthcare provider is a great first step. Once it’s confirmed, you’ll meet with your pregnancy care team multiple times throughout your pregnancy, and you’re likely to have at least two scans to monitor the baby’s development. Your doctor or midwife can talk you through the timing of your pregnancy check ups and what each one entails at your first appointment [1].

Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods

Week five is a good time to read up on what to eat while pregnant. Eating a nutritious diet and staying hydrated is an important part of supporting your pregnancy. Trust your gut if you’re feeling aversions to certain foods or drinks, as long as you’re still hydrated and getting plenty of fruits and vegetables. 

As for cravings, it’s generally okay to indulge, but if you start to worry that they might impact your health, consider speaking with your healthcare provider. If you’re feeling nauseous, eating small, frequent meals can help, and opt for dry plain foods like toast or crackers [7].

Small amounts of caffeine are generally okay as long as you limit your intake. For example, you can opt for one caffeinated coffee in the morning and then switch to decaf for the rest of the day. We know that making these adjustments is easier said than done, and it can be difficult to deal with the reality of not being able to enjoy certain things the way you used to. Your healthcare provider can offer support here, and you can also explore some pregnancy-safe teas to enjoy as an alternative to coffee [1, 9].

Take vitamins

It’s generally advised to take 400mcg of folic acid every day of pregnancy until at least week twelve, but talk to your healthcare provider about specific dosages and recommendations. Folic acid helps support your baby’s developing nervous system. Prenatal vitamins are also recommended as a supplement to make sure you have the right mix of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed to support your body and baby as the pregnancy progresses [1]. 

You may also need a vitamin D supplement to support healthy bones and muscles, or an iron supplement, as iron deficiency is quite common during pregnancy [1, 10]. We recommend speaking with your healthcare provider about which vitamins are most important for your unique needs during your pregnancy .

Avoid alcohol and smoking

Try to cut out alcohol and smoking, as these are known to have a negative impact on developing embryos at this stage. Alcohol in particular has been shown to increase your risk of miscarriage, premature labor, and low birth weight [11]. If you need support with quitting, speak with your healthcare provider candidly about your habits and what resources are available to you.

Gentle exercise

The general recommendation is to perform about 150 minutes per week of exercise during pregnancy, but everyone’s journey is unique. Depending on how you feel in pregnancy, even a small amount of movement may be challenging. You can break down the recommendation into doing any kind of movement that feels good for about 20 minutes a day — even if it’s just a brisk walk or some gentle stretching. Listen to your body and do what feels best for you [1].

Experiment with new sleeping habits

You might find it helpful to play with new sleeping habits if you’re feeling fatigued. Try napping during the day, going to bed earlier or waking up later, and overall making sure your sleep space is a relaxing environment to support your body through this major transition [7].

Avoid extra responsibilities

We can’t say it enough — everyone experiences pregnancy differently. For some, these first few weeks may bring extra excitement or energy, while others may feel drained and daunted by the changes happening in their bodies. If you are struggling, now is a good time to reassess your responsibilities and commitments. Are there any social events you can skip? Or maybe it’s helpful to make time to talk to friends — they may be able to assist with childcare or housework responsibilities in addition to emotional support.

You can also take a look at your work calendar and figure out if you can cut any extra job-related duties during these early weeks, or factor in some time working from home if that’s an option for you. You may also need to take more breaks than you’re used to throughout the day [7]. If your pregnancy-related symptoms are impacting your ability to go about your daily life, we recommend speaking with your healthcare provider. It might be worth looking into your company's sick leave policy, along with your rights in the workplace while pregnant [12].

Support your mental and emotional health

In a similar vein, be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider, your community, and/or talk to a therapist if you’re feeling low, anxious, or stressed. It’s normal to feel a whole range of feelings relating to your pregnancy, and support is available to help you work through these complex emotions [1].

Get support on your pregnancy and postpartum journey with Natural Cycles

Looking for a smart way to follow your pregnancy? NC° Follow Pregnancy allows you to track your symptoms and follow your baby’s development throughout your entire pregnancy. You’ll get weekly updates on your baby’s development while getting support on the physical, mental, and emotional changes you may be experiencing. After giving birth, NC° Postpartum can help you navigate the postpartum journey with confidence and expert guidance. Explore all of the ways Natural Cycles can support you today.