Pregnancy Timeline – Week 5
Pregnancy Timeline – embryo 31-34 days. You probably still feel as if you are floating on a cloud of happiness. The fact that you are pregnant seems to take up most of your waking thoughts. This is normal. You are at the beginning of a wonderful experience, probably the most profound experience a person can have. Enjoy every moment of it, even the uncomfortable ones, if possible.
Pregnancy Timeline Journal
Now might be a good time to start a “Pregnancy Timeline Journal” of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Write as much or as little as you feel like, but get it down on paper; there will be so many wonderful things happening that you won’t be able to remember them all. Just imagine being able to give your child this journal later in life, perhaps when they are starting their journey to becoming a parent.
Bloating
By five weeks, you won’t ‘look’ pregnant, though a very few of you might have trouble doing up zips on your trousers. Bloating can occur, so it is nothing to be worried about. You may start to ‘feel’ pregnant around five weeks if you have morning sickness. Be aware that this is a normal part of pregnancy and affects approximately half to two-thirds of pregnant women. It normally passes by the end of the first trimester (week 12), though for some it may last longer. Just remember that it will end.
You have no doubt found that your bladder signals ‘full’ at the most inopportune time. You can be on the bus, walking down the street, or simply relaxing with a good book. Again, this is normal. The uterus lies on top of the bladder, er and as it expands with your baby, it presses down on the bladder. Many pregnant women revert to wearing a pad to give themselves a measure of confidence in the case of a leak. Don’t be embarrassed by this, it is completely normal.
Enlargement of the breast
Your breasts will continue to enlarge and be very tender. It might be a good idea to invest in some good bras at this stage. Many stores will have staff who can advise on the best type for your circumstances. I found that by wearing good quality bras throughout my pregnancy and while breastfeeding (including night times when I slept), it stopped my breasts from sagging due to the extra weight. Unless you have very small breasts, this is a good idea.
Fatigue Experiencing
You are probably experiencing fatigue as your body’s hormones adjust to the pregnancy. You will also have progesterone coursing through your veins, which will make you feel lethargic. Don’t try to fight this. Give in gracefully and get as much rest and sleep as you can. Don’t be alarmed if you notice your temperature is higher than normal; this is due to the progesterone.
There have been some fairly major developments with your baby. It has grown to about 1.25mm or .05 inches and is developing the areas that will become the central nervous system, heart, muscles, as well as bone formation. The facial features also begin to develop around week five and continue developing to about week nine.
