Week 5
By now a large majority of expectant moms will have found out they’re pregnant. You’ve missed your period, and as early as five weeks you should be experiencing the first telltale signs of pregnancy due to those wonderful pregnancy hormone levels playing havoc on your body.
Your Baby
Your little cherub, now the size of an apple seed and measuring a tiny 3mm, is growing at an alarming rate, and will double in size over the next week.
This is the stage where your embryo looks like a tadpole, with a basic head and tail. Your embryo is now made up of 3 layers – the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm – these layers work together in the upcoming weeks to form all of the necessary organs and tissues. At just five weeks, your baby is already starting to develop major organs: the heart, stomach, kidney and liver.
Your Body
Your body is starting to go through the most dramatic internal changes, and you might start to feel the side effects. Symptoms vary from woman to woman, but common signs include sore breasts, fatigue, frequent urination and bouts of nausea, often referred to as morning sickness. These symptoms are just the start of the changes your body is about to go through. But remember that it’ll all be worth it in the end, so hang in there. Fortunately for most, some of these pregnancy symptoms subside after the first trimester, which is often referred to as the toughest. So be kind and gentle on yourself by getting plenty of rest – it’s hard work creating a human.
Sensible Tips
- It’s important to stay fit and healthy throughout your pregnancy, so if you’re not already active, start following a gentle exercise routine that you can maintain throughout.
- Take the time to read about what foods to avoid during pregnancy and stock your pantry with healthy snacks that’ll nourish both you and your little one.