At this stage the child’s brain is making its very first appearance. As a mother-to-be enters her fifth week of gestation period, what are other changes happening both with the pregnant woman and her child?

The first four weeks of gestation period is now well behind a mother-to-be. It’s very possible that she will not even know that she is with child. On the other hand, the small child, still in its embryonic stage, is quickly developing and growing. So, what is really going on in week 5?

What is Actually Happening with the Child?

The kidneys make their very 1st appearance in the fifth week. However, they don’t work for another four weeks. Furthermore, the child’s brain divides into the midbrain, hindbrain, and forebrain, in the week five. The forebrain section starts to for into the child’s nose and eyes.

The child’s heart is continuing to form all of its 4 chambers. The heart rate is fast, so frequent fetal heart rate monitoring is advised. Some of the internal organs, especially those in the digestive tract like the liver, stomach, esophagus as well as gall bladder and pancreas are forming at week five as well. The beginnings of the umbilical cord are also seen in this period. The respiratory tract in this period is developing and growing in this period as well.

What is Happening with the Pregnant Woman?

A pregnant woman is now several weeks past her delivery date. She will be having some experiences of bloating as well as fullness. It’s likely that she will be feeling some morning sickness as well.

In case she pays a visit to her physician, she or he will be able to see a softening of the cervical tip on a pelvic exam toward the end of the week five. This is usually known as the “Goodell’s sign.”

To Do List for a pregnant Woman

• In case she thinks she might be pregnant, she should take a simple home pregnancy test
• A mother-to-be should continue taking prenatal vitamins
• She should see her physician or schedule her prenatal appointment
• She should eat a healthy pregnancy diet
• Finally, a mother-to-be should avoid dangerous substances throughout this extremely sensitive period of her child’s development.