Pregnancy week 5 is almost similar to pregnancy week 4. During 5 weeks of pregnancy the baby is just over a millimeter long, about the size of a small grain of rice! The vital organs continue to develop.

Growth of the baby and its Development

During the early part of pregnancy week 5 the central nervous system, muscles, bones and the heart begin to form. Early skeletal development is also possible during pregnancy week 5.

During pregnancy week 5 the heart which is formed from the middle layer of cells called the mesoderm begins to divide into separate chambers and start pumping blood. Other organs that develop from this layer include the muscles, cartilage and bone. The placenta and umbilical cord also keep developing. The neural tube develops in the top layer of cells called the ectoderm out of which the skin, hair, nails and sweat glands also develop. The lungs, intestines, thyroid and pancreas develop from the third layer of cells called the endoderm.

Mom’s body still keeps adjusting to the hormones that keep increasing. Morning sickness is experienced by most women. The abdomen might look slightly larger if a woman has given birth earlier which is because of bloating.

Changes in the Body

Finally at pregnancy week 5 nausea is commonly felt. Other women might notice that they need to urinate more frequently, while others will notice that their breasts start growing and they become tender. There are a number of steps that can be taken to help relieve morning sickness as pregnancy continues week to week. Having saltines and seltzer water frequently will help feel better and having empty stomach will be more helpful.

Any heavy lifting or bending while being pregnant is not recommended. If there is a need to lift up something then the back should be kept straight and hips and knees should be bent. While shopping, divide what ever is bought into two equal loads and one bag in each hand should be carried. Women should cut down on caffeine when pregnant as high level of intake can cause miscarriage or low birth weight.

Few important tips during pregnancy week 5 :

1. Always get out of the bed slowly.
2. To keep the stomach filled and blood sugar level steady small meals should be taken.
3. Should eat foods which are easy to digest like whole wheat toast, fruits and baked potatoes.
4. Greasy and oily foods should be avoided.
5. Water is the best to avoid dehydration.
6. Exercises help relief from stress and sound sleep at night.
7. Should consult the health care provider if vomiting for more than twice a day.

The mother should not try to lose weight while pregnant as it could harm the baby and lead to low in energy and important vitamins and minerals. She should eat a well-balanced diet. Normal weight gain is one of the most positive signs of a healthy pregnancy. The early months of pregnancy are a critical time for the baby's development. Good prenatal care is essential for the baby's health and also the mother. Most prenatal supplements contain more folic acid, iron, and calcium which a pregnant woman needs more of them. Many drugs and even some over the counter ones aren't safe during pregnancy. Smoking should be stopped as it increases the risk of a host of problems, including miscarriage, placental problem. It also slows fetal growth. Drinking alcohol should be stopped as it can increase the risk of low birth weight and also raise the child's risk for problems with learning, speech, attention span, language, and hyperactivity.