5 Weeks Pregnant Morning Sickness, Early Symptoms & Being Gentle With Yourself

Welcome to Week 5: The Week the Feelings Get Real

So, it's official. That little plus sign wasn't a dream, and you've probably taken a few more tests just to be sure. Welcome to Week 5. This is the week the reality of it all starts to sink in, and with it comes a whole new wave of feelings not just the physical ones, but the deep, emotional ones.

One minute you might feel a surge of excitement, the next a wave of what-have-I-done panic. You might feel a profound sense of love for this tiny secret, and at the same time, feel completely and totally exhausted.

If you're feeling a messy, confusing mix of everything, please hear us: It's okay to feel this way. You are not "going crazy." Other articles will talk about orange seeds and tadpoles. We're here to talk about you, because the person growing this baby is the most important person in the world right now.

A Note on "Morning Sickness" (And Other Lies)

Let’s be honest. Whoever named it "morning sickness" was either a man or a very, very lucky woman. For most of us, it’s all-day-and-all-night sickness. It’s the feeling of a constant, low-grade hangover, and it is absolutely draining.

The "Am I a Bad Mom for Feeling Miserable?" Guilt

It can be hard to reconcile the joy you feel about this baby with the sheer misery of constant nausea. You might even feel a deep sense of guilt, as if you're not grateful enough because you're so focused on just trying not to throw up.

Your Feelings Are Valid

You are not a bad mom for feeling miserable. You are a human being whose body is doing something extraordinary and incredibly demanding. It is okay to hate this part of the journey while still loving the reason you're on it.

The Food Aversion Struggle is Real

Suddenly, the coffee you used to love smells disgusting. The thought of a salad makes you want to cry. All you can stomach are saltine crackers and ginger ale. This is so normal. Your body is protecting your tiny, growing baby, and sometimes that means it develops a very strong (and weird) opinion about what it wants. Don’t fight it. If you need to live on beige-colored foods for a while, that's okay.

The Secret Life of Your Body

While you're just trying to survive the day, your body is building an entire universe. That tiny orange seed is now developing its own heartbeat. A real, steady, miraculous heartbeat. The major organs the brain, the heart, the spinal cord are all beginning to form.

You can't feel it. You can't see it. But it's happening. Your body is doing this incredible, complex work all on its own, without you having to think about it at all. Isn't that amazing?

How to Be Gentle With Yourself This Week

This week isn't about thriving; it's about surviving. The pressure to "do everything right" is immense, but the only thing you truly need to do is be kind to yourself.

Embrace the Nap: The exhaustion is not laziness. It's a real, physical symptom. Your body is building a human from scratch. If you need to sleep, sleep. The laundry can wait.

Find Your "Safe" Foods: Don't worry about a perfectly balanced diet right now. Focus on finding one or two things that you can keep down and that bring you a little bit of comfort.

It's Okay to Say No: You do not have to go to every social event. You do not have to pretend you feel amazing. It's okay to protect your energy and retreat into your own quiet space.

This is one of the hardest parts of the journey, but it won't last forever. You are strong, you are capable, and you are doing an incredible job. Be gentle with yourself.