Pregnancy Diary: 5 Weeks Pregnant – Worrying About Everything

Hello to the future. This is my 5 weeks pregnant update! Read my week 4 pregnancy post here: Week 4 pregnancy diary – taking the test. It’s 21st March 2020, and I’m currently 5 weeks and 1 day pregnant. I think. Actually, I’m not entirely sure because I calculated my period wrong initially, so I’m a day further along than I first thought – which I’m glad about, as every day that passes means the risk of miscarriage drops slightly.

The Constant Worry of Early Pregnancy

I calculated my period wrong so I am a day further along than I thought which I am glad for as I know as the days go on, the risk of miscarriage is lower and lower.

I never thought I’d be this worried, but it’s on my mind constantly. Every time I go to the toilet, I’m worried I’ll see blood. I’m worried I’ll get to the scan and it will be ectopic or have no heartbeat. As my uterus stretches and cramps, I worry that I’m going to get my period and I’ve made all this up, or that I’m losing the baby. I’m bloated all the time, and it’s hard to tell the difference between bloating pains and cramping. I feel terrified at every twinge in my body.

I thought getting pregnant would be the hard part. But it turns out, it’s not. It’s the waiting, the worry, and the self-doubt that’s difficult. I didn’t realise how common miscarriage is – how many people lose their babies – and I didn’t realise that the thought of losing mine would upset me so profoundly. I’ve only known I’m pregnant for a week, yet the bond already feels so strong.

Baby’s Development at 5 Weeks

My baby has just ‘levelled up’ from the size of a tomato seed to a red lentil – I love these food comparisons! It’s starting to take a bit of shape now. It’s still pretty alien-looking, but it looks less slug-like than last week. Most incredibly, its little heart should start beating this week. That tiny flutter of life is happening inside me right now.

I’m still unsure how I feel towards the baby, or how I should feel. I’m worried about losing it, but at the same time, I still don’t quite believe this is happening – even though I’ve taken 8 positive tests now. How can something so significant feel so unreal?

From the moment I held that positive test in my hand, I’ve already imagined my whole life around this child. I’ve planned everything out in my head – the nursery, their first day of school, all of it. I feel intensely protective and determined to do everything right for this baby, and I wasn’t expecting to feel this strongly so soon. So even though part of me doesn’t quite believe I’m pregnant, the idea of not being pregnant anymore feels catastrophic.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms at 5 Weeks

I’m feeling less sick at the moment, which is great. According to my pregnancy app, I’ll probably start with proper morning sickness in a few days. I’m hoping I’ll be one of the lucky ones who don’t experience it badly, but I’m not holding my breath. My main symptoms at 5 weeks are cramping, bloating, and my breasts are noticeably bigger and fuller. They’re quite tender too, which is a constant reminder that something is definitely happening in my body.

I’m still exercising and plan to continue for as long as I can. I’ve spoken to my PT (personal trainer), and she’s confirmed I can carry on as normal until I’m 12 weeks pregnant, then we’ll reassess. It feels good to keep some sense of normality.

Being Pregnant During COVID-19 Lockdown

I’m currently in quarantine, which feels surreal. I found out I was pregnant on Friday the 13th March, and then on the following Monday, Boris Johnson (UK Prime Minister) put pregnant people into the ‘at risk’ category and said they should stay home for 12 weeks due to COVID-19. Talk about timing!

I had told my manager Monday morning. I know it was very early to tell him but I thought it was best to let him know considering Coronavirus was getting worse and worse.

He called me on Tuesday and told me to work from home until my company had a clear policy in place. Now we have the policy, and it basically means working from home until the government says I’m no longer at risk.

I don’t mind too much because at least I will be at home if I do get sick again. I’ve not been out since Monday apart from getting a flu jab on Thursday, which was a nightmare as the pharmacy was so full. But I was advised by a GP friend to get the flu jab to protect me against anything else that is going around.

So I’m not leaving the house for 12 weeks. I’m so glad I have the home gym and piano to keep me sane. My boyfriend’s school has closed now and he is only going out on his road bike and to the supermarket.

The hardest thing is trying to keep it quiet that I’m high-risk and not going out. I’ve seen people talking about being in isolation on social media, but I can’t say anything yet – it’s too early to announce the pregnancy. I’ve told most people that I’m allowed to work from home because of the nature of my job, whilst the rest of my colleagues are all supporting the stores as a security presence.

We don’t see each other often as we all look after different stores across our region so as far as they know I’m in stores too. My manager is giving me admin to do so they probably just think I’m the favourite or something ha. I might have to tell them I’m at risk at some point, but I don’t want all the questions and hoping if I just say I’ve got a health condition and don’t want to go into detail they will leave it.

I’m trying hard to eat plant-based too – lots of whole foods, fresh fruit and vegetables. I’ve been drinking warm chocolate Alpro (plant-based milk) instead of coffee to ensure I’m getting enough calcium whilst staying within caffeine limits. I think the extra fruit and veg might be contributing to the bloat a little bit too and hope my body adjusts soon.

This whole thing is pretty crazy, but I’m trying to make the most of it by being thankful for being home during my first trimester as I’ve not been sleeping well either. I love being at home anyway.

Read: my experience of being pregnant during Coronavirus.

First Midwife Appointment Scheduled

I called my GP surgery on Monday to ask what I needed to do next. I have my first midwife appointment scheduled for the 14th of April, which seems like years away. I’ll be 8 weeks pregnant by then! It’s a 90-minute appointment, but I believe it’s mainly about explaining what will happen with future appointments and asking questions about me, my health, and my lifestyle.

I’m both scared and excited.

That’s it for my 5-week pregnant blog. See you next week, I hope.

Final Thoughts

Week 5 of pregnancy has been dominated by worry and uncertainty. I didn’t expect to feel this anxious, but I suppose it’s natural when you desperately want everything to be OK but have no way of knowing for sure. Add in the surreal timing of finding out I was pregnant right as the COVID pandemic began, and it’s been quite an overwhelming week.

The waiting until the first midwife appointment feels endless. Eight weeks seems like an eternity away when you’re this early in pregnancy and desperate for reassurance. But I’m trying to stay positive and take things one day at a time.

If you’re at a similar stage and feeling all the same worries, please know you’re not alone. Early pregnancy anxiety is so common, even if we don’t talk about it enough.

Frequently Asked Questions: 5 Weeks Pregnant

Is it normal to worry constantly at 5 weeks pregnant?

Yes, completely normal. At 5 weeks, you’re in the very early stages where miscarriage risk is highest, and you haven’t had any scans yet to confirm everything is OK. I worried constantly – every twinge, every trip to the toilet. It’s exhausting but very common.

What does a baby look like at 5 weeks pregnant?

At 5 weeks, your baby is about the size of a red lentil or sesame seed. It’s starting to take shape but still looks quite alien-like! The most exciting development is that the heart should start beating this week, even though you can’t feel it yet.

What are normal symptoms at 5 weeks pregnant?

At 5 weeks, my main symptoms were cramping (like period pains), bloating, tender and fuller breasts, and occasional nausea. Some women have no symptoms at all at this stage, whilst others have severe morning sickness. Everyone’s different.

Can you exercise at 5 weeks pregnant?

Generally yes, if you were active before pregnancy. I spoke to my personal trainer and continued my normal exercise routine until 12 weeks. However, always check with your GP or midwife, especially if you have any complications or concerns.

Were pregnant women at higher risk during COVID-19?

In March 2020, when I was 5 weeks pregnant, pregnant women were put in the high-risk category and told to isolate for 12 weeks. This guidance changed as more research became available. I found out I was pregnant just as the first UK lockdown began, which was quite surreal timing.

When is the first midwife appointment?

Your first midwife appointment (often called the booking appointment) is usually between 8-12 weeks pregnant. Mine was scheduled for 8 weeks. It’s a long appointment where they take your medical history, discuss your pregnancy, and explain what happens next.

All my pregnancy diary blog posts:

Pregnancy Diary Week 4

Pregnancy Diary Week 5

Pregnancy Diary – 6 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 7 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 8 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 9 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 10 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 11 & 12 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 13 & 14 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 15 & 16 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 17 & 18 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 19 & 20 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 21 & 22 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 23 & 24 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 25 & 26 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 27 & 28 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 29 & 30 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 31 & 32 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 33 & 34 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 35 & 36 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 37 & 38 weeks pregnant

Birth Story