Your Pregnancy: Week 5
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Your Body
Congratulations! You did it! The test came back positive, which we’re sure broke a dam of wide-ranging emotions – all of which are normal. No doubt you are feeling a sense of nervous excitement, perhaps even fear, about the months ahead of you.
And even if it feels surreal right now, make an appointment with your gynecologist to confirm the pregnancy. But don’t freak out if they want to wait until you’re seven or eight weeks pregnant – that’s common practice.
Once you’ve done that, just sit down, put up your feet and take a nice deep breath. There’s a lot to absorb and process now that the stress of getting pregnant is over – and a new kind of anticipation is taking over. Give yourself some time to let it all sink in – after you clue in your partner, of course. Take time to talk to them and include them in your thoughts – they’re probably feeling just as freaked out as you are.
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Missed your period? Time to take a home pregnancy test. Good luck!
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If it’s positive, call your doctor. Depending on their policies, you might be whisked in immediately for a pregnancy confirmation or you might be asked to wait 6 to 8 weeks for the first official prenatal appointment. Even though the wait might be torturous, seeing a doctor in the first few weeks technically isn’t a medical necessity.
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While you’re waiting for your first appointment, think about your prenatal care options. Do you want to stick with your OB-GYN or opt for a midwife? Do you want to switch to a practitioner affiliated with a more desirable hospital or birth center or one that will perform a home birth? Nothing is set in stone this early in the game, but it’s important to get that ball rolling.
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If you don’t have employer-based health care, call a neighborhood clinic or your local Medicaid and WIC agencies for assistance. If you do have coverage, call an insurance representative to find out which practitioners and hospitals are covered under your plan, what percentage of the costs they cover, and any limits to your policy coverage.
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Buy a memory book (like a pregnancy journal or DIY scrapbook for the crafty among you) to record your upcoming pregnancy milestones.
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Drink lots of water. Buy a new BPA-free water bottle to always have with you, and take water breaks once an hour during your workday.
Your Baby
Your little raisin-sized embryo is shaped like a “C” – with what will be the head on top and the tadpole-like tail on the bottom. Outlining the “C” is the neural tube, which will eventually become the brain and spinal cord. One of the first (and most important) developments is the heart, and although it’s not fully functioning yet, it already started to beat!
Advice from Dr. Shari E. Brasner
If you get a positive home urine test, there’s no need to waste money with more home-testing. You can now call your doctor’s office to schedule your first visit!”
Babble recommends Dr. Brasner’s pregnancy book, Advice from a Pregnant Obstetrician.
Babble recommends From the Hips, by Rebecca Odes and Ceridwen Morris.
« Conception | Week 5 | Week 6 »
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