Week 5

What Is Happening To Your Body

You’ve missed your menstrual period. For many women, this is the first sign they notice that they are pregnant. Other women recognize symptoms of early pregnancy, such as sore breasts, fatigue, backaches, nausea and morning sickness, frequent urination and mood swings. These are all typical pregnancy symptoms during the 5th week. If your breasts are very tender and bother you while you sleep, try sleeping in a sports bra or another soft bra that provides support but doesn’t poke you.

Heartburn may start occurring this week. If this is the case, consider eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. You may also start to experience headaches due to a rise in hormone levels.

Be even more careful of the foods you eat. Listeriosis is just one example of foodborne illness that may make your baby susceptible to birth defects or cause you to miscarry. In order to prevent foodborne illness, be sure to stay clear of soft cheeses (like brie and feta, unless the food is labeled that it is made from pasteurized milk), unpasteurized foods, and raw and undercooked shellfish, meats, and eggs. Soiled pet litter boxes may also contain traces of the rare parasitic disease toxoplasmosis, which can cause serious birth defects. As a precaution, do not clean out your cat’s litter box while pregnant; ask your partner, friend or neighbor to do it for you.

What Is Happening To Your Baby

 What Is Happening This Week?