Week 5: A Tiny Heart Starts to Beat
Your baby is now about the size of a sesame seed.
Avg. Length: 0.2 cm
(Crown to Rump)
Your Baby This Week
Incredibly, your baby's tiny heart tube is forming and starting to beat! Now the size of a sesame seed, the embryo has three layers that are building the foundations for all of its organs. The neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, is developing rapidly. A primitive umbilical cord is also taking shape, preparing to connect to the growing placenta.
Your Body This Week
A missed period is a big clue, and pregnancy hormone (hCG) levels are now high enough for a positive home test! It's completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety with the news. If you feel worried, don't hesitate to share your feelings with your doctor. You may also begin to feel 'under the weather' as early symptoms kick in.
Tips for Your Partner
Now that it's official, shower her with support! Offer to go with her to the first prenatal visit. Organizations like the Mayo Clinic recommend that pregnant women avoid changing cat litter to prevent toxoplasmosis, so this is a great chore for partners to take over
References
[1]
Fetal Development: Week-by-Week Stages of Pregnancy - Cleveland Clinichttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
[2]
Fetal development: The first trimester - Mayo Clinichttps://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20045302#:~:text=The%20embryo%20is%20now%20made,lungs%20and%20intestines%20will%20develop
[3]
The umbilical cord: a rich and ethical stem cell source to advance regenerative medicine - NIHhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6495455/#:~:text=From%20the%20third%20week%20of,shape%20of%20an%20umbilical%20ring
[4]
5 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Development, Symptoms & Signs - What To Expecthttps://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-5.aspx#:~:text=It's%20time%20to%20pee%20on,by%20a%20home%20pregnancy%20test
[5]
Week 5 Pregnancy: Your Baby's Heart Starts To Beat - Thomson Medicalhttps://www.thomsonmedical.com/blog/week-5-pregnancy
[6]
Mayo Clinic Minute: Pregnancy and toxoplasmosis - Mayo Clinichttps://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-pregnancy-and-toxoplasmosis/