You at 5 weeks pregnant: signs, symptoms and feelings
‘Hmmm, no period’, you think. ‘Could I be pregnant?’
What are the symptoms of pregnancy at 5 weeks?
In addition to a missed period, other symptoms of pregnancy at 5 weeks include:
- more tiredness than usual
- the need to go to the toilet more often – especially at night
- nausea or even vomiting
- tenderness in your breasts.
When should you do a pregnancy test?
It could be a good time to do a home pregnancy test if you:
- have been sexually active
- have missed a period
- have any of the symptoms above.
Pregnancy tests measure the amount of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Different kits show results in different ways, so read and follow the instructions carefully.
How you might feel about being pregnant
Pregnancy is often something to celebrate. But sometimes it can come as a surprise or shock. And even if you’ve been planning to have a baby, finding out that you’re pregnant can bring mixed emotions or uncertainty about what lies ahead.
Your feelings about pregnancy can be affected by other things going on in your life, like:
- whether your pregnancy was planned
- whether you have a partner
- how much help you expect to have with raising your child
- how long it took you to get pregnant
- whether you’ve had a miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death in the past
- whether you’ve had medical assistance, like IVF
- whether you’re in a stable relationship
- whether you’ve felt pressure from your partner or family to get pregnant.
Morning sickness is the nausea, dry-retching and vomiting that you might experience during pregnancy. Morning sickness is common, and symptoms might range from mild to severe. If you’re having very severe symptoms, see your GP.
Your baby when you’re 5 weeks pregnant
From now, your baby is called an embryo.
How big is a baby at 5 weeks of pregnancy?
Inside the amniotic sac, from head to tail, your baby will be about 2.5 mm long at the end of this week.
What does your baby look like at 5 weeks of pregnancy?
Your baby’s brain, heart and spinal column have started to form.
Things to think about at 5 weeks: when to tell people about the pregnancy
You might want to think about when and how you'd like to share the news with others. If you have a partner, it's a good idea to talk with them about this. Planning how you'd like to share the news can help you avoid hurt feelings, disagreements and the chance that excited family and friends spread the news for you!
Be prepared for a variety of reactions from people when you tell them your pregnancy news.