The fifth week marks the beginning of the second month of pregnancy with a total of nine months to complete. At this stage, the mature egg that was fertilized in the fallopian tube at the time of ovulation has made its way down into the uterus and has already attached itself to the uterine wall during the implantation process. The amniotic sac as well as the placenta is developing at this stage. From the placenta, your baby will draw its nourishment over the next few months and begin to develop and grow. Many expectant mothers eagerly ask the question – ‘How big is my baby at 5 weeks pregnant?’...
...Being just the beginning, the size of baby at 5 weeks pregnant is similar to that of a sesame seed and will grow rapidly over the next few weeks. By the end of the fifth week, the little baby will be approximately 5mm long. A baby at 5 weeks pregnant looks nothing like a human being but resembles a tadpole to quite an extent, complete with a little tail. Even though the baby is so very tiny, its organs have begun to form and its heart has already started beating and pumping blood. The chambers of the heart are also being formed at this stage. However, the heartbeat will not be picked up clearly until the tenth week or so. The brain and the nervous system will soon begin to function. The hand and leg buds begin to appear. Cartilage begins to form and will give the baby its shape in the initial weeks of gestation, before hardening to form bone mass. The normal figure of the baby slowly begins to take shape and the facial features are also forming.
At 5 weeks pregnant, the expectant mother will begin to experience nausea and vomiting as a result of the production of the pregnancy hormone HCG. Pregnant women are also known to develop food cravings as well as food aversions. Aversions to certain odors may also develop. Mood swings, drowsiness and fatigue are also a part and parcel of pregnancy, triggered by a change in hormonal equilibrium. An increase in the frequency to urinate as well as slight abdominal discomfort may be experienced as a result of the pressure exerted by the expanding uterus as well as the increased blood flow to the pelvic region. Breast tenderness as well a gradual increase in breast size will also be experienced.
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