Week 5: A Tiny Beating Heart

Organs are developing so fast that your baby's heart may even be beating and pumping blood

By Dr Tan Shu Qi, Consultant and Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, Visiting Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital

What's Happening to Your Baby?

Now the size of an orange seed, your baby's circulatory system, or blood, has begun to function. Your baby might only have two heart tunnels (called heart tubes) working at this point, but soon they will fuse together to make that special little heart. A heartbeat is usually detected by week 6 by a transvaginal ultrasound scan, where the ultrasound probe will be placed inside the vagina. Also in formation is your baby's neural tube, which will be the basis of the brain and spinal cord.

close up of an orange seed

What's Happening to You?

Your pregnancy hormones (hcg) are finally high enough to get an affirmative double line on your pregnancy test. It's beginning to feel real! Now is the time to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss any concerns or specific health requirements you might have. While your baby is at this important developmental stage, it's best to steer clear of alcohol, smoking and any foods that might risk food poisoning like raw food and unpasteurised dairy products.

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This article was last reviewed on 22 Nov 2023