Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 5
The baby's brain is making its first appearance.
As we enter the second month of pregnancy, what are some changes happening both with you and your baby?
The first month of pregnancy is now behind you. It is quite possible that you might not even know that you are pregnant. Yet your little baby, still in its embryonic stage, is busily growing and developing. What is going on in Week Five?
What is happening with your Baby?
The kidneys make their first appearance in week five yet do not function for another month. Your baby's brain divides into the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain in this week. The forebrain section begins to develop into your baby's eyes and nose.
Your baby's heart is continuing to develop all of its four chambers. Many of the organs in the digestive tract such as the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas and gall bladder are also developing. The beginnings of the umbilical cord can be seen in week five. The respiratory tract which formed in week four is also growing and developing.
What is happening with You?
You are now several weeks past your due date. You may be having some sensations of fullness or bloating. It is possible that you might be feeling some morning sickness.
If you visit your health care provider he or she might be able to see a softening of the cervical tip on a pelvic exam toward the end of the fifth week. This is called "Goodell's sign."
To Do List
If you think you might be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test.
Continue taking prenatal vitamins.
See your health care provider or schedule your appointment.
Eat a healthy pregnancy diet.
Avoid harmful subtances during this very sensitive period of your baby's development.
See what is in store for Pregnancy Week Six.
