5 Weeks Pregnant: You're Late

Reviewed by Dr. Elisa Ross in June 2010

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If you think you're pregnant, it's time to ask your healthcare provider for a pregnancy test to confirm it. This is the start of your prenatal care.

Could you be pregnant? Maybe it's just a feeling you have ... an intuition. Whatever your clues, chances are you will not want to wait for your doctor's appointment. Instead, you may decide to take a home pregnancy test. Be careful! If you take it too soon you might get a false negative result.

Pregnancy Week 5: All About You

Miscarriage Worries
Pregnancy can throw you into a world of worry, from the superficial, "Will I have stretch marks like my mom?" to the more serious, "What will I do if my baby has a developmental problem?" It's normal to have questions and concerns. Miscarriage is a common worry, especially during the first trimester, when it is most likely to happen.

The American College of Gynecology (ACOG) reports that 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies result in miscarriage (the clinical term is spontaneous abortion or SAB). But, some miscarriages occur so early in a pregnancy that a woman doesn't even know that she's pregnant and simply thinks that her period is a little late.

Causes of Miscarriage
A miscarriage can be devastating, especially since the cause is often unknown. Doctors break down miscarriage triggers into three main categories: chromosomal problems, women's health issues, or the largest one, unknown causes. According to ACOG, "More than half of miscarriages in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy are caused by problems with the chromosomes of the fetus." Chromosomes, which carry the genetic blueprint for your developing baby, may be deficient, either carrying too much information, too little, or information that is simply configured wrong. "The chance of these problems increases with the age of the woman," says ACOG.

There may also be concerns with the woman's health. Women who smoke, drink alcohol (excessively), or take drugs are more likely to have problems with their pregnancies, including miscarriage. Beyond expected risk factors, a woman may have infections or previously unknown problems with her uterus or cervix.

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Discuss any health or lifestyle concerns with your healthcare provider. Many strenuous activities such as work, exercise, and sex won't increase your risk of miscarriage.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any spotting or if you experience heavy bleeding. Other miscarriage signs may be more noticeable, such as strong pain in the lower back or excessive discharge from the vagina.

Your miscarriage fears may be heightened by the growing reality—you're pregnant. You may be feeling bloated and retaining water, even though you're using the bathroom every five minutes. Add to that, you may also have soreness in your breasts. Certain smells may drive you into dry heaves. Just keep thinking about all the amazing things happening with your growing baby-to-be, instead of focusing on your aches.

Pregnancy Week 5: All About Baby

In your 5th week of pregnancy, Baby begins to form a "C" shape—with the beginnings of his head on top curving into what will become legs later. A tube visibly outlines the "C." This tube will eventually become part of your baby's brain and spinal cord. In the middle of the "C" the beginnings of your baby's heart are taking shape.

How Big Is Baby?

Your embryo is the size of a sesame seed, only 1/10 of an inch or 1.5 to 3 mm.