Pregnancy Week 5 vs Week 6

Complete comparison of baby development, mom's symptoms, and changes between these weeks

📊

Time Difference

1 week apart

🔄

Trimester

Both in 1st trimester

Baby Size Comparison

Growth Progress

Week 5Sesame seed

Week 6Lentil

Your baby is approximately 14% through pregnancy

Week 5

📏

Length

0.13 inches

⚖️

Weight

Less than 1 gram

🍎

Size Comparison

Sesame seed

Week 6

📏

Length

0.25 inches

⚖️

Weight

Less than 1 gram

🍎

Size Comparison

Lentil

What Changes Between Week 5 and 6?

👶New Baby Developments

✓Facial features begin forming with dark spots marking where eyes and nostrils will develop
✓The heart beats 100-160 times per minute and can be detected on an ultrasound
✓Arm and leg buds are growing and beginning to show small paddles for hands and feet
✓The lungs, liver, and kidneys begin their development, though they won't function for many weeks
✓The neural tube closes completely, and the brain continues rapid development

🤰New or Changing Symptoms

✓Morning sickness intensifies for most women, with nausea peaking around weeks 6-12
✓Frequent urination continues as your uterus grows and presses on your bladder
✓Mood swings become more pronounced as progesterone and estrogen surge
✓Bloating and gas increase due to slowed digestion from progesterone
✓Heightened sense of smell that can trigger nausea and food aversions

📈Key Changes Summary

Baby Growth: Your baby continues to grow rapidly, with organs developing and maturing each day.

Your Body: Your body adapts to support your growing baby with various physical and hormonal changes.

Baby Development Milestones

Week 5 Development

•Your baby's heart begins beating at around 110-120 beats per minute, even though it's just a simple tube-like structure
•The neural tube continues developing and will close completely by the end of this week or early next week
•Tiny buds that will become arms and legs begin appearing on the sides of the embryo
•The umbilical cord forms, connecting your baby to the placenta for nutrient and oxygen delivery
•The beginnings of eyes, ears, and mouth start forming as facial features develop
•The brain is dividing into five distinct areas, and cranial nerves are becoming visible

Week 6 Development

•Facial features begin forming with dark spots marking where eyes and nostrils will develop
•The heart beats 100-160 times per minute and can be detected on an ultrasound
•Arm and leg buds are growing and beginning to show small paddles for hands and feet
•The lungs, liver, and kidneys begin their development, though they won't function for many weeks
•The neural tube closes completely, and the brain continues rapid development
•Small indentations appear on the sides of the head where ears will form

Common Symptoms

Week 5 Symptoms

•Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) may begin, though it can occur at any time of day
•Increased urination frequency as pregnancy hormones increase blood flow to your pelvic region
•Extreme fatigue and exhaustion as your body works overtime to support the pregnancy
•Breast tenderness, swelling, and tingling as milk ducts begin developing
•Strong food aversions (especially to meat, fish, or strong-smelling foods) or sudden cravings
•Heightened sense of smell that can trigger nausea

Week 6 Symptoms

•Morning sickness intensifies for most women, with nausea peaking around weeks 6-12
•Frequent urination continues as your uterus grows and presses on your bladder
•Mood swings become more pronounced as progesterone and estrogen surge
•Bloating and gas increase due to slowed digestion from progesterone
•Heightened sense of smell that can trigger nausea and food aversions
•Excessive saliva production (ptyalism) in some women

Nutrition Tips

Week 5 Nutrition

•Eat fresh ginger (in tea, candies, or grated in food) or use peppermint for natural nausea relief
•Keep plain crackers, dry toast, or pretzels by your bedside to eat before getting up in the morning
•Stay hydrated with at least 8-10 glasses of water, and try electrolyte drinks if vomiting occurs
•Eat protein-rich snacks every 2-3 hours like nuts, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, or Greek yogurt
•Try eating cold foods if hot food smells trigger nausea
•Take your prenatal vitamin with food or before bed to reduce nausea

Week 6 Nutrition

•Eat vitamin B6-rich foods like bananas, avocados, chicken, salmon, and fortified cereals to help reduce nausea
•Eat 5-6 small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals
•Avoid strong-smelling, greasy, or spicy foods that may trigger nausea
•Stay hydrated by sipping water throughout the day, even if you're vomiting
•Try cold or room-temperature foods which often smell less than hot foods
•Eat protein with every snack and meal to stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea