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Week 5

Support and information from NCT

NCT offers reliable support and information about the various stages of pregnancy, week by week.

Your baby's development

Your baby’s nervous system, digestive tract, brain and heart are beginning to develop and their heart will beat for the first time now.

Your baby is still only the size of a sesame seed (3mm) so you won’t have a ‘bump’ for a while yet!

Week 5

Estimating your due date

Most pregnancies are between 37 and 42 weeks long, from the date of your last period to the birth of your baby. Your midwife will offer you a dating scan as part of your antenatal care to give you an estimate of your due date.

Until then you can use our handy pregnancy calculator to estimate your due date.

Feeling nauseous?

The most common signs and symptoms of early pregnancy include a change in appetite and feelings of nausea. You may also find yourself needing to go to the loo more often in the early weeks.

Feeling tired can take you by surprise early on so try to get as much rest as possible and don’t push yourself too much.

Food for thought

Pregnant women are advised to stop eating certain foods including shellfish, liver and soft cheeses. This is because during pregnancy parts of your immune system are suppressed so both you and your baby can be more vulnerable to bacteria that can cause food-related illness.

Checklist

Have you connected with us?

Get information on our website and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Further information

NCT offers reliable support and information about the various stages of pregnancy, week by week. Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
 

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Week 5

Courses & workshops

In-person NCT Antenatal course

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NCT Antenatal refresher course

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