Week 5 of pregnancy — what is happening and what to do

In week five many people feel the first clear symptoms: nausea, drowsiness, tender breasts. At the same time an organizational task appears — the first blood tests and the first ultrasound. The good news is that preparing for both takes a few minutes, and a good plan for nausea and fatigue genuinely changes the quality of your day.

How to prepare for a blood test

Ask at the front desk whether any of the tests require coming fasted, and fit your visit time around it. Drink water before the blood draw — it is often easier to find a vein then, and you feel better too. Bring a list of the medications and supplements you take, including ones bought without a prescription. If blood draws are hard for you, tell the staff — you can usually choose a more comfortable position or take a longer moment to rest.

• Check which tests you come to fasted and which do not require it.
• Bring your ID and the referral, if one was issued.
• Prepare a list of medications and supplements with their names.
• Plan something to eat after the draw so you do not leave hungry.

How to prepare for the first ultrasound

Before the first ultrasound, ask whether the scan will be done through the abdominal wall or transvaginally — this determines how you prepare your bladder. Wear something easy to take off and put back on, and if the clinic asks, bring a pad or towel. Bring results of earlier tests, if you have them. During the scan, ask for a brief explanation of the image and write the key information down in your note right away.

Nausea and fatigue — a plan for the day

Nausea in the first trimester often gets worse on an empty stomach and in response to smells. It helps to eat small portions more often and to keep something bland at hand, such as crackers or a banana. Cooking can be difficult then, so ask someone close to help and air out the rooms. Treat fatigue as a signal, not a weakness: plan a short nap and one task fewer.

• Eat small portions more often instead of a few large meals.
• Keep a snack by the bed and eat something before getting up.
• Air out the rooms and avoid strong smells.
• Plan a short nap and a shorter list of duties.
• Drink water throughout the day, in small amounts.

It is also worth preparing for the conversation at the visit itself. Describe your symptoms in your own words and say how they affect your day: whether you manage to eat and drink, how you sleep, and whether you leave the house. The medical staff will ask follow-up questions and assess whether further diagnostics are needed. You do not have to draw conclusions or suspect specific causes — an honest description of what is happening is enough.

Referrals and registering for tests

Some tests in pregnancy are publicly funded, while others come with conditions worth knowing before registering. Ask which tests you need a referral for and how long it is valid. Find out whether you can combine several draws into one visit instead of multiple trips to the collection point, and what the waiting times look like at your clinic. If you use the online patient account, check whether referrals and results are visible there.

A list of questions for the first pregnancy visit

• Which tests are needed now, and which only in the coming weeks?
• How should I take the medications and supplements I already use?
• When and where should the ultrasound be done, and how do I prepare for it?
• Which symptoms should prompt me to call the clinic?
• When should the next visit be booked, and whom do I contact between visits?

Everyday life: travel and commutes

Travel in the first trimester is mostly a matter of organization. Plan your route so that breaks and bathroom stops are possible, and bring water and a snack. If you are traveling farther, ask the staff whether it is worth carrying your records with you and how to reach the clinic if needed. Save the registration number so it is available even without internet access.