5 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Ultrasound, Belly & Baby Size

At 5 weeks pregnant, many women are just beginning to realize they’re expecting. This stage is often considered the true start of early pregnancy, since hormone levels are rising quickly, and your body is preparing to support a growing embryo. Compared to 4 weeks pregnant, when symptoms may have been subtle or even unnoticed, week 5 often brings clearer signs that something is changing inside your body.

During this week, the pregnancy hormone HCG continues to increase, which is why home pregnancy tests usually show a strong positive result. As a result, common early pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, breast tenderness, nausea, and mild cramping may become more noticeable. Transitioning into this stage is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming as you begin to think about your baby’s development and your own health. Still adjusting to early pregnancy? If you’d like to compare your current experience, you can also check out our detailed guide for 4 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Ultrasound, Belly & Baby Size to see how your body is evolving week by week.

Most importantly, being 5 weeks pregnant means your baby’s major organs and structures are starting to form, laying the foundation for future growth. While you may not see a visible baby bump yet, a lot is happening at the cellular level. Understanding what to expect at this point—from symptoms and emotional changes to ultrasound possibilities—can give you both reassurance and confidence as you move forward in your pregnancy journey.

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5 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

At 5 weeks pregnant, your body is adjusting to the rapid rise in pregnancy hormones such as HCG and progesterone. These changes can bring on a variety of early pregnancy symptoms. While some women may feel several noticeable signs, others may experience very few at this stage. Curious about what’s coming next? Once you’re ready to explore how symptoms evolve, visit our 14 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Cramping, Spotting & Belly guide to track your journey as your body progresses.

Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms at 5 Weeks

Most women start to notice clear physical and emotional changes during week 5. These symptoms are your body’s natural response to supporting your developing baby.

Nausea and Morning Sickness

Morning sickness often begins around 5 weeks, though it can happen at any time of the day. Nausea is triggered by rising hormone levels and heightened sensitivity to smells. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and staying hydrated may help ease the discomfort.

Cramping and Spotting (Normal vs. Concerning)

Mild cramping at 5 weeks pregnant can be completely normal, as your uterus begins to expand. Light spotting may also occur due to implantation or cervical changes. However, heavy bleeding or severe cramping should be reported to your doctor right away, as these may signal complications. Wondering how your symptoms and belly size will change in the coming weeks? Be sure to check out our 9 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Belly Size & What to Expect post—it’s a helpful midpoint overview of the journey you’re on.

Fatigue and Mood Swings

Feeling extremely tired is one of the most common symptoms at this stage. Your body is working hard to produce more blood and hormones, which can leave you drained. Along with fatigue, mood swings are also common due to fluctuating hormone levels.

Frequent Urination and Bloating

Increased blood flow to the pelvic area can make you feel the need to urinate more often. At the same time, higher levels of progesterone may slow digestion, leading to bloating and gas.

When to Call Your Doctor

While many of these symptoms are typical at 5 weeks pregnant, you should contact your healthcare provider if you notice:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Heavy bleeding
• Persistent dizziness or fainting
• Fever or unusual discharge

As you move further along, you’ll notice even more changes—if you’d like a preview of what’s just around the corner, check out our 12th Week of Pregnancy: Symptoms, Baby Growth & Belly Changes guide.

5 Weeks Pregnant Belly & Body Changes

At 5 weeks pregnant, most women don’t notice a visible baby bump yet. However, many important internal changes are happening inside your body as it prepares to support your growing baby.

Is a Belly Visible at 5 Weeks?

• At this stage, your belly usually looks the same as before pregnancy.
• On the other hand, some women may feel a bit fuller or notice slight bloating.
• As a result, many mistake bloating for an early baby bump, but a real bump usually appears between 12–16 weeks.

Internal Changes (Uterus, Hormones, Blood Flow)

Behind the scenes, your body is working hard:

• Your uterus is beginning to expand, even though it’s not noticeable yet.
• In addition, rising hCG and progesterone hormones support your baby’s development.
• Meanwhile, increased blood flow helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your baby.

Weight Gain or Loss in Early Pregnancy

• Many women experience little to no weight change at 5 weeks.
• However, some may even lose weight due to morning sickness or food aversions.
• Therefore, a healthy early pregnancy weight gain is not required—focus instead on balanced nutrition.

At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby’s heart and nervous system are beginning to form. You can read more in the NHS week-5 pregnancy guide.

Bloating vs. Real Bump

• In early pregnancy, bloating is common due to progesterone slowing digestion.
• This means your belly may feel bigger, even though it’s not a real baby bump yet.
• Eventually, the true pregnancy belly becomes noticeable later in the second trimester.

5 Weeks Pregnant Baby Development

At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is going through rapid growth and development. Although still tiny, major organs and systems are beginning to form, laying the foundation for the months ahead.

Size of the Baby at 5 Weeks

• At this stage, your baby is about the size of a sesame seed or a tiny grain of rice.
• In fact, the embryo measures just about 1–2 mm long.
• Even though the baby is so small, essential structures are already taking shape.

Heart Development: When Can the Heartbeat Be Detected?

• The heart begins to form around week 5.
• Meanwhile, tiny blood vessels are connecting, creating the early circulatory system.
• By week 6, a heartbeat may be detected via transvaginal ultrasound, though not always this early.
• Therefore, don’t worry if you can’t hear it yet—it’s usually visible between 6–7 weeks.

Curious about how your pregnancy progresses into the second trimester? Discover how many months that equals—and what symptoms and growth to expect—by reading our 15 Weeks Pregnant: How Many Months, Size & Symptoms guide.

Formation of Brain, Spinal Cord, and Major Organs

• During this week, the neural tube (which becomes the brain and spinal cord) is forming.
• At the same time, early development of the liver, kidneys, and digestive system begins.
• As a result, even though the baby looks like a small dot, its organ systems are starting to take shape.

Growth of Placenta and Yolk Sac

• The yolk sac provides nutrients for your baby until the placenta is fully developed.
• In addition, the placenta is beginning to grow and will soon take over this role.
• Meanwhile, the amniotic sac and fluid are forming to protect the baby.
• Together, these structures support and nourish your growing embryo.

5 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound

At 5 weeks pregnant, some parents may wonder if an ultrasound is necessary. While it’s usually too early for routine scans, in certain cases, your doctor might recommend one to check the pregnancy’s progress.

Is an Ultrasound Necessary for 5 Weeks?

• Generally, doctors don’t schedule a standard ultrasound until 8–12 weeks of pregnancy.
• However, if you’ve had fertility treatments (like IVF) or are at higher risk, an early scan may be suggested.
• Therefore, most women won’t need an ultrasound this early unless there’s a specific medical reason.

What You Can (and Can’t) See on the Scan

• At this stage, the ultrasound may show a tiny gestational sac inside the uterus.
• Sometimes, the yolk sac (which provides nutrition) is visible as well.
• On the other hand, the embryo itself is often too small to be clearly seen at 5 weeks.
• In short, don’t be alarmed if very little shows up on the screen, it’s perfectly normal.

Your pregnancy is now moving into an exciting stage with more noticeable changes. Learn what happens in detail in our 21 Weeks Pregnant: How Many Months, Symptoms & Baby Size guide.

Possibility of Detecting Heartbeat at 5 Weeks

• Technically, the heart is beginning to form around this time.
• Still, it is usually too early to detect a clear heartbeat on ultrasound.
• Most often, a heartbeat becomes visible between 6–7 weeks with a transvaginal scan.
• As a result, if no heartbeat is seen at 5 weeks, it doesn’t mean something is wrong.

Early Ultrasound for IVF or High-Risk Pregnancies

• For women who conceived via IVF, doctors may recommend an early scan to confirm implantation.
• Likewise, those with a history of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or complications may get checked sooner.
• In addition, an early ultrasound can confirm whether the pregnancy is developing inside the uterus.
• Ultimately, this early scan is more about reassurance than detailed baby imaging.

At 5 weeks pregnant, your embryo is already beginning to form a distinct shape, with the neural tube—which later becomes the brain and spinal cord—starting to develop. Learn more from the KidsHealth Week 5 Pregnancy Guide.

HCG Levels at 5 Weeks Pregnant

At 5 weeks, many women start taking pregnancy tests or even get their blood drawn. This is because the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is rising quickly and can be measured to confirm pregnancy progress.

Normal HCG Range for 5 Weeks

• Typically, HCG levels at 5 weeks range from 217 to 8,245 mIU/mL (but the range is wide).
• In fact, levels can vary greatly from one woman to another and still be considered normal.
• Therefore, a single number isn’t as important as how the hormone is rising over time.

How hCG Supports Pregnancy

• In the early weeks, hCG helps maintain the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone.
• As a result, progesterone supports the uterine lining and helps the embryo implant securely.
• Additionally, hCG signals the body to stop ovulating and prepares for placenta development.

As your journey nears its exciting conclusion, many women begin paying close attention to labor signs and cramps. For a detailed overview of what typically happens at this stage, check out 33 Weeks Pregnant: How Many Months, Baby Cramping & Labor Signs.

Low vs. High hCG Levels—What They Might Mean

• On one hand, low or slowly rising hCG may indicate an early pregnancy loss or ectopic pregnancy.
• On the other hand, very high hCG levels could suggest twins or, in rare cases, a molar pregnancy.
• However, a single test cannot diagnose problems—doctors look for a steady 48–72 hour doubling pattern.

Tracking hCG After Chemical Pregnancy or Miscarriage

• After a miscarriage, doctors often monitor hCG until it returns to non-pregnant levels (<5 mIU/mL).
• Similarly, following a chemical pregnancy, hCG usually drops quickly within a few days to weeks.
• In these cases, tracking levels ensure no pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus.
• Ultimately, hCG monitoring helps confirm that the body is recovering properly.

In the coming weeks, your baby’s growth accelerates with distinguishable features forming. Explore more insights in our Baby at 8 Weeks: Size, Heartbeat, Development & What to Expect guide.

5 Weeks Pregnant Discharge

At 5 weeks pregnant, it’s completely normal to notice changes in vaginal discharge. This happens because hormonal shifts increase blood flow to the pelvic area, which can make secretions more noticeable.

Normal Discharge Types

• Typically, you may see a thin, milky white discharge (called leukorrhea).
• In most cases, this discharge is odorless or has only a mild smell.
• Additionally, it helps keep the vagina clean and prevents infection.

Signs of Infection to Watch Out For

• However, not all discharges are normal. You should watch for:
  • A yellow, green, or gray color
  • A strong or foul odor
  • Itching, burning, or irritation

If these occur, it may signal an infection such as yeast or bacterial vaginosis, and you should contact your doctor. At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby’s nervous system is starting to take shape—the brain and spinal cord are forming, and the heart is beginning its early development. You can learn more details from the WhatToExpect Week 5 Pregnancy Guide.

Discharge vs. Implantation Bleeding

• Sometimes, women confuse discharge with implantation bleeding.
• In reality, implantation bleeding appears as light spotting (pink or brown) rather than clear or milky fluid.
• Meanwhile, normal discharge is usually not mixed with blood.
• Therefore, spotting at this stage should be discussed with your healthcare provider to rule out any issues.

Lifestyle Tips for 5 Weeks

At 5 weeks pregnant, your body is working hard to support early fetal development. Because of this, small lifestyle adjustments can go a long way in keeping you and your baby healthy. As your pregnancy continues to unfold, finding out how many months you’ve reached can help you track milestones more easily. For clarity on this and other developments, check out our 16 Weeks in Months – How Many Months Pregnant Is 16 Weeks? guide.

Nutrition & Diet

• To begin with, focus on nutrient-rich foods such as:
  • Leafy greens (spinach, kale) for iron and folate
  • Protein sources (lean meats, beans, eggs) to support growth
  • Folic acid–rich foods (fortified cereals, lentils) for neural tube development
• On the other hand, it’s important to avoid:
  • Raw or undercooked fish and meats (risk of harmful bacteria and parasites)
  • Alcohol (linked to developmental issues)
  • Excess caffeine (limit to about 200 mg per day)

Exercise Safety in 5 Weeks

• Meanwhile, staying active is safe and beneficial, as long as you choose gentle options.
• For example, walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga can improve circulation and reduce stress.
• However, avoid high-impact sports, contact activities, or heavy lifting at this stage.

Prenatal Vitamins & Supplements

• Additionally, taking a daily prenatal vitamin with folic acid (400–800 mcg) is essential.
• In fact, many doctors recommend starting prenatals even before conception.
• Furthermore, you may also need:
  • Iron supplements (if your doctor identifies low levels)
  • Vitamin D or calcium (to support bone health)
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (for brain and eye development)

Curious about your baby’s development during this pivotal fifth week? Learn more about what’s happening—from morning sickness to the beginnings of that tiny heartbeat—with The Bump’s 5 Weeks Pregnant Guide.

Risks & When to Worry

At 5 weeks pregnant, it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and concern. While many symptoms are harmless, it’s important to know when something may signal a complication.

Signs of Ectopic Pregnancy at 5 Weeks

• To begin with, ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.
• Warning signs may include:
  • Sharp or stabbing pain on one side of the abdomen or pelvis
  • Shoulder pain (from internal bleeding irritating the diaphragm)
  • Dizziness or fainting
• Because ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening, seek emergency care if you suspect these symptoms.

Miscarriage Symptoms vs. Normal Spotting

• Meanwhile, light spotting early pregnancy can be normal and often linked to implantation.
• However, miscarriage symptoms may include:
  • Heavier bleeding with clots
  • Severe cramping or back pain
  • Passing tissue from the vagina
• In contrast, mild pink or brown discharge without pain is usually not a cause for alarm.

Red-Flag Symptoms Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

• Finally, some symptoms should never be ignored. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience:
  • Heavy vaginal bleeding soaking through pads in an hour or less
  • Intense abdominal pain or pressure
  • Fever or chills (possible infection)
  • Sudden swelling in hands, feet, or face (may indicate high blood pressure issues)

Emotional & Mental Health

At 5 weeks pregnant, your body is changing rapidly—and so are your emotions. It’s completely normal to feel both excitement and worry at the same time. Understanding what’s happening can help you cope better.

Anxiety in Early Pregnancy

• To begin with, many women feel anxious during the first trimester.
• Common worries include:
  • Fear of miscarriage
  • Concern about symptoms (or lack of them)
  • Adjusting to the reality of pregnancy
• Remember, occasional anxiety is normal, but persistent worry that affects daily life may require extra support.

Hormonal Mood Swings

• In addition, pregnancy hormones like progesterone and hCG can cause sudden shifts in mood.
• You may notice:
  • Irritability or frustration over small things
  • Feeling unusually tearful or emotional
  • Moments of joy followed by worry
• Therefore, try not to blame yourself—these shifts are largely biological.

Coping Tips & Support from Partner/Family

• Finally, building emotional resilience can make the journey smoother. Consider:
  • Talking openly with your partner or family about your feelings
  • Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, journaling, or gentle meditation
  • Joining online or local pregnancy support groups for reassurance

Seeking professional help if anxiety or mood changes become overwhelming

Final Thoughts

At 5 weeks pregnant, your body is working hard behind the scenes—hormones are rising, early pregnancy symptoms may be kicking in, and your baby is beginning critical stages of development. You might feel tired, emotional, or even a little anxious, but all of these are part of the incredible journey ahead.

Remember, every pregnancy is unique. Some women experience strong symptoms early on, while others hardly notice any changes yet. Both are completely normal.

As you step into the weeks ahead, focus on nourishing your body, taking your prenatal vitamins, and caring for your emotional well-being. Each day brings your little one closer to growing stronger.

✨ You’ve got this! Week by week, your pregnancy will unfold in amazing ways—and before long, you’ll be celebrating bigger milestones like hearing the heartbeat or seeing your bump grow. At 36 weeks pregnant, you may notice increased fatigue, swelling, and more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions. Learn what to expect during this stage here: babycarrierplus.com.