A hearty congratulations. Seeing those two pink lines on the pregnancy kit is happy and overwhelming. The fifth week of pregnancy is precious because most couples get their pregnancy confirmed. It is also the period when the morning sickness starts to interfere. Along with morning sickness, several other symptoms join hands together. Did you know how your body change during week 5 of pregnancy?
In the process of accommodating a little life inside, your hormones will take a good ride to accomplish their goals of looking after the baby. Relax, cope, and keep the excitement on for the coming weeks.
How Does Your Body Change During Week 5 Of Pregnancy?
By this week, your baby is the size of an orange seed and looks like a tadpole. The fifth week of pregnancy marks the beginning of several symptoms due to a lot of hormonal changes that occur in the body.
Here are a few symptoms you are likely to notice along with body change during week 5 of pregnancy.
1. Morning Sickness/ Nausea
Your nausea might have kicked in the early fourth week. It is likely to be much stronger in the fifth week. Since it is termed morning sickness, it does not mean nausea comes in the morning and disappears later during the day. You will have the feeling continuously all day long. Many women also may throw up. It is widespread as the body changes to accommodate the little one. Don’t worry much, it is very normal to have this morning sickness throughout the pregnancy.
What to Do?
You cannot escape morning sickness, but you can follow specific tips to soothe or help you overcome them.
- Drink more water. Dehydration could worsen morning sickness.
- Avoid spicy, greasy, and fatty foods. They may be the trigger point for nausea.
- Eat small meals several times daily rather than three big meals.
2. Frequent Urination
The fifth week of pregnancy is the starting point of frequent urination. Your body undergoes several hormonal changes this week. Your uterus expands more and the pressure on the bladder also increases. Further, the blood flow increases during pregnancy, and your kidneys will have to work harder to drive out waste fluids. All these factors may make you visit the loo very often. Frequent Urination is entirely normal, and there is nothing to worry about.
What to Do?
You can not do anything to avoid frequent urination. However, you can reduce your trips to the bathroom by following a few tips like
- Try to empty your bladder when you go to the bathroom. Reduce the intake of fluids at night and before going to bed.
- Some women may lose control of their bladder before reaching the bathroom. This is because of the weak pelvic floor.
- You can follow specific exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor to avoid losing control over the bladder.
3. Heartburn
Heartburn during pregnancy feels like a burning sensation along the throat until the heart. It is very common during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. The primary factor causing heartburn would be,
- Hormonal changes
- When stomach acid flows up into the esophagus
- Irritated stomach lining
What to Do?
To cope with heartburn, you must follow certain food habits and avoid foods that can potentially trigger acidity.
- Eat a smaller portion of meals many times a day
- Sleep on your left side
- Raise the head of your bed by 10 to 15 cm
- Avoid having dinner just before bedtime
- Reduce caffeine consumption
- Avoid lying down after a meal
- Say NO to smoking
- Avoid chewing gum
- Do not eat and drink at the same time
If your heartburn gets worse, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe you medicines to neutralize the acid reflux.
4. Headaches
Headache is yet another common symptom during early pregnancy. The hormonal changes are the primary culprit. Though it does not harm the baby, you may feel uncomfortable and stressed. It matures and becomes worse as the pregnancy progresses.
What to Do?
You can consult your doctor and take paracetamol only if prescribed by them. But, most doctors do not prescribe medicines during pregnancy. Instead, they may suggest specific lifestyle changes which include
- Adequate sleep
- Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration
- Proper rest
5. Food Aversions
During the fifth week, you may notice that your favorite food does not taste yummy. Sudden food aversions may strike you. The pregnancy hormones may make your sense of smell and taste receptors sensitive. On the flip side, you may like particular food which you never like before. The following are some food whose smell and taste can put you off.
- Meat
- Coffee
- Tea
- Meat
- Spicy food
- Fatty Food
- Eggs
- Alcohol
What to Do?
If you have food aversions, eat food you like and avoid those that can cause nausea. But, if the healthy foods put you off, try to accommodate some of them in your diet. You can blend all the leafy vegetables and consume them as a smoothie.
6. Excess Saliva
Excess saliva or ptyalism is a condition you would least expect to experience during early pregnancy. Ptyalism is a condition where women experience the production of excess saliva in the early weeks of pregnancy. It is also known as Sialorrhea or Hypersalivation. It is not a severe condition.
The pregnancy hormones may trigger excess salivation. Nausea could also be a connecting cause. When women feel nauseous, they tend to swallow less. This may lead to the accumulation of excess saliva.
What to Do?
There are no medical treatments that can cure ptyalism. You can follow specific tips to ease the effects.
- Eat a smaller portion of meals, and eat several times a day
- Drink fewer sips of water many times a day
- Brush your teeth often
- Mouthwash can also be helpful
7. Fatigue
Fatigue can continue keeping you tired and helpless during the fifth week. It is expected during early pregnancy and tends to improve in the upcoming weeks. Keep yourself ready to face more tiring days ahead.
What to Do?
Taking good rest and avoiding caffeine can help you to cope better with fatigue.
Along with the above symptoms, you may also experience bloating and mood swings like you did in the fourth week of pregnancy. Some of them may linger throughout and some may vanish once you reach the second trimester.
The fifth week is still a glimpse of what your body might undergo in the upcoming weeks. While the symptoms can make you uncomfortable, you can follow the tips to prevent or relieve yourself of them. Enjoy your pregnancy, relax and let the good news sink in. Keeping yourself comfortable and happy is very important during pregnancy. While these symptoms are generic, not having or experiencing the above does not mean there is something wrong. Each body is different, and hence just focus on your health, don’t forget to report any abnormalities to your doctor.
Happy pregnancy!
Read Also: How Does Your Body Change During Week 6 of Pregnancy?
