Pregnancy and the expectation of a baby is the most beautiful and exciting stretch of life. Today we will consider only the very beginning, when the expectant mother often just begins to guess about the upcoming changes in her life. So, in the focus of our attention today is the fifth week of pregnancy. What happens at this time in the body of a woman, how a new life is born - this is of interest to every mom. Therefore, we will try to reveal the secret and tell you about all the metamorphoses that are inherent in this period. It is very important that a woman realizes her position and responsibility for the child’s health as early as possible, this will optimize her nutrition and daily routine, as well as reduce the impact of various factors on the baby.
Confirm the diagnosis
Very often, it is at this time that a woman begins to pay attention to the characteristic signs of pregnancy, namely the delay in the menstrual cycle. If the fertilization of the egg occurred in the first days of the cycle, then just at this time you can see a clear two strips on the rapid test. In this case, the gynecologist at a routine examination may not yet suspect any changes or suggest a different nature. The most reliable answer will be given by ultrasound, and all after that the embryo is still very small, because only the fifth week of pregnancy is going on . What happens to the tiny blastocyst, which has recently been introduced into the lining of the uterus, we will consider in sufficient detail so that you have a complete impression.
Embryo size
This is already a multicellular organism, but still very tiny in size. Of course, he does not at all look like a man, rather like a little tadpole. However, it could well be seen with the naked eye, since it reaches already 2 mm in length. This tiny creature in nine months should reach 50 cm in length and gain 3-3.5 kg of weight. That is, the work ahead is considerable. More than ever, during the whole life path of a person, development will not go so intensively. However, back to basics, there is the fifth week of pregnancy. What happens at this time, before, was very interested in doctors. Only relatively recently, modern equipment made it possible to carry out high-quality monitoring of development at each of its stages. In the process, it was established that it was at this time that the heart began to beat. It's hard to believe, because only the fifth week of pregnancy is coming. What else is going on? The development of all internal organs is activated, soon they will all be included in the work. Surprisingly, a barely visible creature already has facial features. There are nostrils and parts of the eyes that are sensitive to solar radiation.
Term fetal and obstetric
Surely many young mothers do not fully understand what the fifth obstetric week of pregnancy means. What happens at this time with you and the baby, we will talk a little lower, but for now, let's deal with the terms. The obstetric month is four weeks. That is, your term is a month and a week or a month and a quarter. At the same time, the age of the fetus itself is considered somewhat different. We have already said that the first two weeks are spent on the fact that the fertilized egg descends into the uterine cavity and is implanted. That is why it cannot be said that now is the fifth embryonic week of pregnancy. What is happening at this stage, we have already described a little, and all this corresponds to three weeks, which are the real age of the baby.
Time for a change
Indeed, pregnancy is an amazing period. The future mother may not even know yet, and inside her, life is developing rapidly. It is very important to know how the fifth week of pregnancy proceeds , what is happening now with the fetus. First of all, it is necessary to note the active formation of specialized bodies that are responsible for its life support. Capillaries grow into the chorionic villi, and now the embryo begins to feed directly through the bloodstream. Blood will be a connecting link and a vehicle for the transfer of everything necessary for the life of the fetus.
Primary placenta formation
This body is extremely important, as it protects the child's body from harmful effects. It is fully formed by the beginning of the second trimester, but few people know that placental circulation is already forming. This is also why an important milestone in development is considered the 5th week of pregnancy. What is going on, let's talk in more detail. Now this body begins to perform its functions, that is, provide breathing and nutrition, utilize the discharge and regulate the blood circulation of the fetus. In addition, this important organ produces hormones and suppresses the mother’s immunity against a genetically alien organism - the unborn child. However, it cannot be said that the child is completely protected. The functions of the placenta are only emerging, another two months will pass before it is fully included in the work. In the meantime, there is only 5 weeks of pregnancy. What happens to your baby will be monitored by the attending physician, and you need to take care of your lifestyle and nutrition.
We continue the excursion into the unknown
Until now, the embryo was a two-layer disc. Now a strip appears that divides it into two equal halves. This is the axis of symmetry that is characteristic of all of us. It is possible to determine the abdominal and dorsal surface of the embryo, the region of the head and future lower extremities.
Now it is time for the formation of new organs, the embryo becomes three-layered. This period is also notable for the fact that the formation of an axial cartilaginous skeleton begins. These are future intervertebral discs. In this case, the inner leaflet of cells collapses and forms the intestinal tube. He is not yet ready to fulfill his functions, but is actively developing. What else is the 5th week of pregnancy famous for? What happens to the fetus? The nervous system begins to form, which is a very important point in the development of your crumbs. On both sides of this tube, somites form, the basis for the development of skin and muscles, bones. That is, only at first glance the embryo at this time looks like a tiny transparent lump. In fact, this is already a complex organism, which will become more and more autonomous every day.
The procedure for the formation of internal organs
The very first nervous system is formed. This is an important point, therefore, in preparation for conception, you need to know what happens in the fifth week of pregnancy. The fact is that it was at this time that the fetus felt the need for folic acid. Its deficiency can lead to serious deviations in the development of the nervous system, which means that it will affect the whole life of the unborn child. First of all, the nervous system forms a small groove, and then it closes. This is the basis of all the foundations from which the brain is formed, not only the dorsal, but also the brain. No need to explain how important their proper development. Therefore, the expectant mother needs to be calm, without exposing the baby to risk. And since the time when the decision is made to preserve the fetus is the fifth week of pregnancy, what happens to the fetus should worry the woman in the first place. This may not be proven, but the thought of having an abortion will certainly not benefit the unborn baby, because he feels the state of his mother.
Finally, almost simultaneously, in the third week of the baby’s development, or in the fifth obstetric week of pregnancy, the heart and sex glands of the future crumbs begin to develop. After about a week, the rudiments of all other organs are connected to this. It is difficult to determine the sequence, but it is customary to say that the liver and kidneys appear first, and then the remaining digestive organs and lungs. Speaking of what happens in the fifth obstetric week of pregnancy, it is necessary to dwell on the development of sexual identification. Right now the testes are developing. Moreover, if this happened, then testosterone begins to be produced in them. If this does not happen, then the fetus continues to develop as a female body.
The Importance of First Trimester
As you can see, this is the time when absolutely all vital organs are laid. This means that at the moment when your baby does not reach even half a centimeter in length, the formation of the foundation takes place, which will determine the quality of life of the future person. The period of organogenesis can easily be disturbed by harmful external influences. That is why a woman should carefully monitor herself. Attentiveness to the smallest changes in your body will allow you to diagnose your condition even before the doctor designates a period of 4-5 weeks of pregnancy. What happens to the maternal body? We will also talk about this in more detail now. But most importantly, you need to protect yourself from colds and viral diseases, give up medications, smoking and alcohol. All this can have a teratogenic effect on the fetus and cause numerous malformations.
How can a woman diagnose pregnancy?
If its indirect signs could still appear or be completely absent, then from this moment an interesting position can be confirmed by laboratory analyzes and clinical studies. The fifth week is characterized by the appearance of reliable signs of pregnancy. And the most important thing, from which we usually build on, is the lack of regular menstruation. If conception occurred at the very beginning of the cycle, then the time when the next menstruation does not occur (or its absence ceases to be perceived as a usual delay) will be exactly the fifth week of pregnancy. What happens (the photo of the embryo at this stage is too early to do), the regional gynecologist will tell you, who will conduct an examination and send it to the first ultrasound to exclude an ectopic pregnancy.
You can pre-use a pregnancy test for your own comfort. It should be noted that there are practically no false positive results, the special hormone that they detect appears only as a result of the life of the embryo. But false-negative results are quite possible if a hormonal failure is observed in the woman’s body or the pregnancy develops with violations.
What is the expectant mother now feeling?
Anyone who has already passed this stage knows how much joy and anxiety he brings. Even the most desired pregnancy is still stress. A woman is overcome by a thousand thoughts: what her baby will be like, how the birth will pass, whether she can educate him correctly. However, now you need to calm down and focus on one thing: you have to endure a healthy baby. The most difficult period begins - the fifth week of pregnancy marks it. What happens to the fetus and what the woman feels - you can always find a huge amount of literature about this. The emotional state begins to change, the pregnant woman becomes irritable, emotionally unstable and tearful. She is worried about weakness and lethargy. Sometimes headache and insomnia appear.
Gustatory preferences begin to change. This is manifested in increased appetite or its complete absence, intolerance to some products. Very often, it is at this time that toxicosis develops. In the morning, nausea and vomiting are disturbing. The engorgement of the mammary glands becomes more distinct. The chest becomes heavier, painful, significantly increases in size. Now is a very difficult moment, because the body is preparing for the next menstruation. A woman often feels heaviness in the lower abdomen or even pain.
Nutrition of a pregnant woman
Surely you have heard that the expectant mother needs to eat for two. This is actually wrong. Now is the fifth week of pregnancy from conception. We have already described what happens to the fetus; its active development requires a complete set of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. You need not eat more of the same type of food, but diversify your diet as much as possible. This should be meat and fish, dairy products, cereals and legumes, vegetables and fruits. Magnesium and iodine are found in large quantities in seaweed and bananas. Vitamin E - in unrefined sunflower oil. Ascorbic acid is also important for the expectant mother, but it can easily be obtained from a large number of products (lemons, other citrus fruits, etc. are suitable). But the vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed and canceled by the attending gynecologist or therapist. Doing yourself an appointment should not be.
Allocations and intimate relationships
To begin with, if a woman feels well, then pregnancy is not a reason to deny herself sexual intimacy. Focus on your own feelings. If the proximity causes pain or discomfort, then you should experiment with the positions and consult a doctor to exclude pregnancy pathology. It is possible that toxicosis temporarily nullifies an intimate life, but this moment you just need to survive. Many doctors agree that regular sexual life throughout pregnancy contributes to easier delivery, as well as strengthening the relationship of spouses.
Vaginal discharge normally remains light white, and the expected menstruation does not begin. However, if the stomach begins to hurt badly and spotting, spotting appears - this indicates the risk of a miscarriage. If heavy bleeding is revealed, this is a sure sign of termination of pregnancy. Call an ambulance immediately, it may not be about saving the fetus, but about your life. There are other scenarios. You may observe purulent, mucous, or bubbling discharge. These are nothing but signs of a genital infection. Be sure to consult a doctor and undergo the necessary examination, and then treatment.