Now you are officially into your first trimester. This is just the beginning of your pregnancy. By now you should have had your confirmation test, a pelvic exam and a due date. Now is the time to start to implement any eating or lifestyle changes you need to make for the health of the baby. If you were a smoker or a drinker, by now you should have stopped. Everything that you put into your body will affect the baby.
If you already haven’t started, it would be a good idea to choose a baby book and read it. The best one is What To Expect When You Are Expecting. This book is the only book you will need regarding pregnancy. Many moms to be read all of the books they can but they all basically say the same thing. You may also be starting to feel some apprehension about the pregnancy. This is perfectly normal, all new moms to be experience doubt and yes, it is normal to feel this way even if you are just 5 weeks pregnant.
Baby’s Development
In this stage of pregnancy, the baby will start to develop at a quicker pace. Right now the baby should be about 5 to 6 mm long. The embryo is still attached to the uterine wall and a start of a placenta will be formed. During this week of pregnancy, the baby will start to form its head, eyes and the opening of the mouth. On the next sonogram you will also be able to see the fingers and toes.
The brain is starting to develop as well. The baby’s umbilical cord will start to form in week 5 of pregnancy as well. This is a crucial time when the new mom to be has to take the prenatal vitamins. Drink plenty of orange juice for the Folic Acid; it helps with the baby’s brain development. As your pregnancy progresses the more sonograms you have the more exciting it is every time. You are seeing your baby grow right before your eyes.
Changes With Your Body
You will start to feel a bit more hormonal than you did before. The levels of estrogen and progesterone are increasing as you go further into the pregnancy. In the first stage of pregnancy, many moms will start to become fatigued very easily. This is perfectly normal and it usually lasts until the end of the first trimester. Stay away from caffeinated products during this time; try eating a healthy snack to boost your energy. Ask your doctor what you can do to help with the fatigue. They may be able recommend something.
You may notice some spotting or bleeding and you may experience some cramping. This can be normal due to the hormonal levels changing in your body. Don’t panic, call the doctor and voice your concerns. Let him make the decision of whether or not you should be worried. In this stage of pregnancy you may also start to feel some tingling sensations in the body as well as tenderness or soreness of the breast.
Remember, that every woman goes through her own unique experiences while pregnant. Just because someone had morning sickness so severe they could not get out of bed doesn’t mean that you will as well. Every woman is different. It is fun to share pregnancy stories with friends and family but you don’t want to concern yourself with some of the negative stories you hear.
What To Expect
At this stage, you should expect to enjoy almost every moment of pregnancy. This very two months can be difficult both physically and mentally. It is exhausting with the hormonal changes and the physical tiredness. But it can be mentally exhausting as well due to the thoughts racing through your mind. Mixed emotions are normal. You may also be implementing different lifestyle changes, so there is plenty going on at this stage.
You will have monthly doctors check ups and monthly sonograms so you can see the baby’s development through the months. It really is an amazing thing to see and experience. By the time you go to the doctor next month, you will be able to hear the heartbeat and that is a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience.
If you are serious about any lifestyle changes you want to make, this is the time to do it. Try starting out with some low impact exercises like walking, swimming and low impact aerobics. You can find videos in store that are geared towards pregnant women and exercise. By doing exercises, you are keeping physically fit but mentally you will feel better as well.
Tips/Advice
Take it one day at a time. Don’t think ahead to the next month and what that may bring you. Take each day and each week as it comes. By looking ahead it may cause some unwanted anxiety. Every time you visit the doctor’s office, make a list of questions and ask them, no matter how silly you may think they are. Many new moms tend to gain weight in the first trimester because they are eating for two.
It is an expression as long as you take care of yourself; the baby will be taken care of. If you eat healthy and exercise and take your vitamins then you won’t have to worry if the baby is getting enough to eat. For first time moms, this can be nerve wracking because many women hold their pregnancy from friends and family until the third month. So keeping that to yourself can be a little stressful.
The key to a relaxing pregnancy is no stress. You have may have moments of stress or anxiety but you have to find a way to let it go and simply relax. It is easier said than done in some circumstances. But pregnancy should be enjoyed and when you don’t slow down to enjoy it you may not remember it.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Thank You!… 5 weeks preganant and mentally exhausted from trying to plan the next few months of my life. I will take your advice and slow down to take it day by day.
March 4th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Hi Missi. This is my first pregnacy and I am extrememly nervous. I pray all goes well with your pregnacy. Is this your first as well?
March 4th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
HI i am also five weeks pregnant and i am nervous morning sickness has now started this week especially today i vomited like five times and while i don't want to take any medication the morning sickness is cutting into my daily life
March 7th, 2011 at 11:13 am
I will be 5 weeks tomorrow. I had a miscarriage in 2009 and I'm praying all goes well with this one. I am VERY anxious, and find myself worrying about every little thing that I feel. If only it were easy to relax! I have been very tired, peeing a lot, and have tender breasts… other than that, I feel great. I hope I can steer clear of the morning sickness! Good luck everyone!
March 10th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
I had a Miscarriage in Januay when i was only about a week along, and i had an US yesterday and they told me i am 5wks 2days along now in a new pregnancy. Fingers crossed everything goes well. Morning sickness hit me hard today around 3am.
March 10th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Hi I am 6 weeks today and this is my first. I am excited but I believe my husband is more excited than I am. I didn't think I was pregnant due to me just moving down to New Orleans, LA but I got pregnant the day after I made it down. Isn't that crazy I didn't know I was pregnant until the 3rd of this month though but I am blessed.
March 21st, 2011 at 3:04 am
this article is so interesting i am also a little bit more than 5 weeks 7 its my first pregnancy
well i must say i did learn a lot with this article
the symptom i have is just peeing all the time haha,breast pain
and feel very sleepy
congrats to all mum out there
April 4th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
This website is extremely frustrating to use due to all the pop up ads on it!
The ads cover everything and can't read it!
August 5th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Hello everyone. Congrats everyone. This is my second pregnancy. I had a miscarriage in June and pregnant 5 weeks now. I am so scared i will have a miscarriage again, but I have read that the chances of that are low. i feel good so far, slight cramping and no bleeding…thank God! I pray everyday for this baby. This will be our first child for my husband and I. We have been married for 13 years so this will be our little miracle. I wish you all the best.
August 5th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Just wanted to know how everyone is doing so far, i have noticed its been a wile since you all have left messages. Would love to hear from you all.
September 15th, 2011 at 9:58 am
I am 5 Weeks and 2 days and i have had two miscarriages so i understand and i am so excited and very ANXIOUS so i have been listening to relaxing music and that seem sto help. The only thing that stinks is that every pain i get i am like oh my goodness and i need to tell myself that is normal. i am so excited i can not wait to see my baby for the first time.
October 1st, 2011 at 6:34 pm
I had a miscarriage last year at 7weeks. Now I find out I am pregnant and is told to be 5 weeks today but I cant excited yet. I am trying to keep happy thoughts but scared at the same time. Even afraid to have sex because I am afraid he will cause me to start bleeding.
October 6th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Fantastic!
November 30th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
im 17 and i think im pregnate…im just scared cuz i dont kno what the symthoms are…any help?
January 1st, 2012 at 10:30 pm
I’m 18 and about 4 or 5 weeks pregnant and this is my first child. Any advice on what to expect?
March 18th, 2012 at 12:12 am
i 8weeks pregnant 35years old my scanning report shows 5weeks impression is single well difined gestation my qustion is when heart beat starts and shall i carry normal pregancy
January 13th, 2013 at 4:44 pm
this is my first pregnacy to im happy
January 27th, 2013 at 8:28 pm
I am five weeks as well with my 4th baby. i can’t say it gets any easier. I’m spotting ,slightly bleeding and i feel very nervous because it has never happened like this before. I guess i just need to take one day at a time.