Your Weekly Pregnancy Development: Week 5

Your baby's heart begins to beat and could be visible on an ultrasound

Learn more
Common myths and truths about pregnancy nutrition
Prenatal multivitamins and the role they should play

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Week 5

Vital organs start to form

Week 5: Your baby begins to take shape

After weeks of rapid cell development, your baby takes on a more distinct form. During the 5th week of pregnancy, here's what is happening inside:

  • Your baby's heart and circulatory system take shape — a bulge indicates where her heart is developing. By the end of the 5th week of pregnancy, your baby's earliest blood vessels form.
  • Around the 5th week of pregnancy, your baby's heart begins to beat and might be visible on an ultrasound.
  • The umbilical cord replaces the yolk sac. The umbilical cord works with the placenta to bring nutrition and oxygen to your baby and remove waste.
  • At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is the length of the tip of a pen, about 1/17th of an inch, and growing rapidly every day.

Week 5

Your Week 5 nutrition and health

Learn which types of foods you should be eating

Pregnancy is one of the best times to pump up your nutrition intake, because your choices now affect both you and baby. During your 5th week of pregnancy:

  • Continue to follow a balanced diet.
  • Remember, the balance is not in the individual foods. For healthy, balanced food plans, www.ChooseMyPlate.gov has a helpful nutrition section specifically for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • While it's essential to keep well hydrated and to drink lots of water, you also can count skim milk, low-fat milk, 100% fruit juices, or low-fat fruit smoothies as part of your fluid intake.

Woman with her doctor

Small nutrition changes that can make a big difference

As you start down your pregnancy journey, you'll find that there are many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals you should be getting every day. Here is the first part of a three-part series that provides you with simple tips you can start implementing today to get the nutrition you need for the rest of your pregnancy.

  • Switch from white to whole-grain bread. This simple switch will add more fiber to your diet as well as increase the magnesium and chromium. Additionally, you'll get more zinc, copper, vitamin E, and vitamin B6.
  • Get more whole grains. Trade sugary cereals for whole-grain cereals, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta and whole-grain bread. Try wild rice or barley in soups, stews, casseroles, and salads. Look for products that list whole grains, such as whole-wheat flour, first in the ingredients list.

Making the most of your doctor visits

Regular prenatal care remains a critical part of monitoring your health and the health of your baby throughout your pregnancy. Now is the time to schedule your first prenatal visit. Most OB/GYN offices will schedule the appointment between your 6th and 10th week of pregnancy.

  • Your first prenatal doctor visit will be one of the most involved. During this visit, your doctor will confirm your pregnancy and record your medical history. Your doctor probably will perform a physical exam and a series of additional routine tests to make sure you and your baby are healthy.
  • Good communication is a key to success with your doctor. If you don't understand something at any doctor visit, be sure to ask for clarification or additional details.
  • Get informed and be equipped. The more informed you are, the better able you'll be to make the best choices throughout your pregnancy.
  • Look beyond the belly. Remember to keep up with other areas of your overall health. Schedule routine dental visits and promptly address other health concerns as they arise.

Get ready for the beginning of pregnancy symptoms

Most women start to feel pregnancy symptoms (commonly referred to as morning sickness) at 5 weeks. This can include breast changes, nausea, heightened sense of smell, frequent urination, and/or mood swings.


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