Pregnancy week by week · trimester 1
🌱 5 weeks pregnant: your baby is about the size of a sesame seed
At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a sesame seed, and the earliest shape of the brain, spine and heart is forming.
Your baby this week
Your baby, now around the size of a sesame seed, is growing into three layers of cells, and each layer has its own job. One will become the brain, spine and nerves, another the heart, blood and muscles, and the third the lungs and tummy. A groove called the neural tube is forming, which will go on to become the brain and spinal cord, and this is exactly why folic acid matters so much right now. A very simple early heart is starting to take shape too.
You this week
This is often the week a period is noticeably late and early signs creep in. You might feel tired in a way that sleep does not quite fix, have sore or fuller breasts, a metallic taste in your mouth, or a new dislike of certain smells. Some mums feel a little queasy already, and others not at all. Mild cramping, a bit like period pains, can be normal as your womb begins to change. Rest when you can; your body is working hard.
Kind things to do this week
- Keep taking folic acid every day, as this is the most important time for it.
- Eat little and often if you feel queasy, and keep plain snacks like crackers nearby.
- Check which foods to avoid, such as raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurised soft cheeses and liver.
Appointments around now
No appointment yet. If you have not already, contact your local maternity service or GP so your booking appointment can be arranged for 8 to 10 weeks.
Questions to ask your midwife
- How soon can I have my booking appointment in this area?
- Is it safe to carry on with my usual exercise?
When to call your midwife or maternity unit
Please call your GP, midwife or NHS 111 if you have any bleeding, tummy pain that does not settle (especially low down on one side), or you are being sick so often you cannot keep fluids down. You are never wasting anyone's time.
OBubba from bump to baby
Follow your pregnancy week by week, free.
OBubba is free through pregnancy, with a weekly update, kick counting and contraction timing. On the day your baby arrives, the same app becomes your baby tracker.
Questions
Is cramping normal at 5 weeks pregnant?
Mild, period-like twinges are common as your womb changes. Pain that is strong, keeps going, or sits on one side, or any pain with bleeding, should be checked by your GP, midwife or NHS 111.
Can I still drink coffee at 5 weeks pregnant?
Yes, in moderation. The NHS advises keeping caffeine below 200mg a day, which includes tea, coffee, cola, energy drinks and chocolate.
Not sure how far along you are? Use the due date calculator.
Sources
OBubba gives general information. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Your midwife and maternity unit are always the right people to ask, any time of day or night.