Five Months Pregnant- Symptoms To Expect | What Feels Normal

Five months pregnant often sits in the middle of the second trimester. Many people feel more stable than the first trimester, yet the body is still shifting. Clothes fit differently, sleep can change, and the baby’s movement may go from a whisper to a real nudge.

Below you’ll find common symptoms around month five, why they happen, what usually helps at home, and which signs mean you should call your clinician the same day.

What’s happening around week 20

By this point, the uterus has moved higher in the abdomen. That changes posture, breathing, and digestion. Blood volume is still rising too, so you may feel warmer, notice mild swelling by evening, or get winded sooner during chores.

Some people also notice an energy bump. Others still feel tired. Both can fit a normal pregnancy.

Five Months Pregnant- Symptoms To Expect with practical fixes

Baby movement that’s easier to spot

Many people feel “quickening” between weeks 18 and 22. Early movement can feel like taps, bubbles, or a tiny flip. With an anterior placenta, movement may feel softer at first. A first pregnancy can also make timing less obvious.

Try lying on your side after a meal and paying attention for a few minutes. If you’re not feeling movement yet, it’s often still fine at this stage.

A growing bump and belly stretching

Your abdomen may feel tight by late afternoon, or you may notice pulling sensations when you roll over. This can come from skin stretching and ligaments holding the uterus. A warm shower and slow position changes can feel good.

Sharp one-sided twinges when standing up fast can be round ligament pain. It often eases with rest.

Back, hip, and pelvis aches

As weight shifts forward, the lower back works harder. Pregnancy hormones also loosen joints, which can make hips and pelvis feel sore after standing. Small tweaks help: flatter shoes, shorter walks more often, and a pillow between the knees at night.

Heartburn and slower digestion

Progesterone relaxes muscles that usually keep stomach acid down, and the uterus crowds the stomach. That can bring heartburn, burping, or a heavy feeling after meals.

Many people do better with smaller meals, staying upright after eating, and skipping late-night spicy or greasy foods. Ask what’s pregnancy-safe if you need medication.

Shortness of breath with activity

Your body uses more oxygen, and the diaphragm shifts as the uterus rises. You might get winded on stairs or when walking and talking.

Slow down and take breaks. If you have chest pain, fainting, blue lips, or breathing trouble at rest, seek urgent care.

Stuffy nose, snoring, and nosebleeds

Extra blood flow can swell nasal tissues. A humidifier, saline spray, and gentle nose blowing can help. Heavy or frequent nosebleeds deserve a call.

Leg cramps and restless legs

Nighttime calf cramps can strike out of nowhere. Stretch calves before bed, stay hydrated, and keep daily movement light. If a cramp hits, flex the foot toward the shin and massage the calf.

One-sided leg swelling, redness, warmth, or pain that doesn’t ease can be a clot warning sign—call right away.

Swelling in feet and ankles

Mild swelling late in the day is common, especially after long standing. Raise your feet, drink water, and take short walking breaks to keep circulation moving.

Sudden swelling of the face or hands, or swelling paired with headache or vision changes, needs same-day care.

Skin changes and itch

You may see a darker line down the belly, darker areolas, or patches of pigment on the face. Sunscreen can limit facial darkening. For itch from dryness or stretching, use fragrance-free moisturizer right after a shower and avoid hot, long showers.

Call your clinician if itching is intense on palms or soles, since that can signal a pregnancy liver condition that needs testing.

Headaches

Headaches can come from tension, dehydration, low blood sugar, or poor sleep. Water, regular snacks, neck stretches, and a quiet room can help. If you take medicine, confirm which options are pregnancy-safe.

A new severe headache with vision changes needs prompt medical advice.

Discharge and bathroom changes

More discharge that stays clear or milky is common. Wear breathable underwear and skip scented products. Urinating more often can also happen as the uterus presses on the bladder.

Call for burning with urination, fever, foul odor, pelvic pain, or discharge that turns green or yellow.

How to decide what’s normal and what needs a call

Many pregnancy symptoms are uncomfortable yet still within a normal range. What matters is pattern, severity, and what comes with it. A symptom that is mild and improves with rest is usually less concerning than one that is sudden, intense, or paired with bleeding or fever.

If you have asthma, migraines, high blood pressure, diabetes, or a prior pregnancy complication, your clinician may want you to call sooner. Calling early is often the safest move.

If you want a clinician-written list of warning signs, see ACOG warning signs during pregnancy.

Symptom around month five	Common reason	What often helps and when to call
Round ligament twinges	Ligaments stretch as the uterus grows	Move slowly, rest, warm shower; call for severe pain or fever
Lower back or hip ache	Posture shift and joint looseness	Pillow between knees, short walks; call if numbness or weakness
Heartburn	Relaxed valve plus stomach crowding	Small meals, upright after eating; ask about antacids if frequent
Congestion or nosebleeds	Swollen nasal tissues from blood flow	Humidifier, saline; call if heavy or frequent bleeding
Leg cramps	Circulation shifts and muscle fatigue	Calf stretches, hydration; call for one-sided swelling or warmth
Mild ankle swelling	Fluid retention and slower return flow	Raise feet, walk breaks; call for face/hand swelling or headache
Headaches	Tension, dehydration, sleep loss	Water, snack, rest; call for severe headache or vision changes
Increased discharge	Hormonal changes and higher blood flow	Breathable underwear; call for odor, itch, pain, or color change
Urinary frequency	Uterus pressure and higher kidney flow	Hydrate, pee often; call for burning, fever, or back pain

Habits that can make month five easier

Sleep positions that ease aches

Side sleeping can feel better for circulation and comfort. A pillow between the knees keeps hips stacked. A small pillow under the belly can reduce pulling sensations. If reflux wakes you up, raise the head of the bed or use an extra pillow to lift your upper body.

Meal timing for heartburn and steady energy

Try breakfast soon after waking, then smaller meals and snacks through the day. Protein plus fiber often keeps energy steadier. If heartburn is common, aim for an earlier dinner and a short walk after eating.

Food safety still matters. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists safer food choices for pregnancy, plus handling tips: CDC food safety in pregnancy.

Gentle movement that protects joints

Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are common picks. Start with ten to twenty minutes and build from there. If you feel pelvic pressure or sharp pain, scale back and ask about prenatal physical therapy.

Hydration and constipation relief

Constipation can return in month five due to slower gut motion and iron in prenatal vitamins. Water, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains help many people. Some also use a stool softener or fiber supplement with clinician guidance.

If you want to review iron basics, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements explains intake and common side effects: NIH ODS iron fact sheet.

Checkups and milestones you may hit

Many people have an anatomy ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks. It checks growth and looks closely at organs and placenta placement. Routine visits also track blood pressure and urine, since pregnancy-related blood pressure problems can start silently.

If you want a week-by-week view that matches many clinical checklists, the UK National Health Service has a week 20 page: NHS week 20 of pregnancy.

Red flag	Why it needs prompt care	What to do
Vaginal bleeding or leaking fluid	May relate to placenta or membranes	Call right away or go in as directed
Severe belly pain or persistent one-sided pain	May relate to infection or placental issues	Call same day; seek urgent care if severe
Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)	Infection can affect pregnancy	Call same day for advice and testing
Burning with urination plus back pain	Possible kidney infection	Call same day
Sudden face/hand swelling with headache or vision changes	May signal a blood pressure disorder	Call same day; go in if symptoms are intense
Chest pain, fainting, or breathing trouble at rest	May relate to heart or clot issues	Seek emergency care
One leg swelling, warmth, redness, or calf pain	Possible blood clot	Call right away; urgent evaluation
Severe itch on palms or soles	May relate to a pregnancy liver condition	Call for same-day testing

Keeping notes that help your clinician help you

A simple note on your phone can be enough. Write what you felt, when it started, what eased it, and what else came with it. That gives your clinician clear detail in a short message.

When to contact your clinician right away

If you’re unsure, use the red-flag table as your checklist. Also reach out if something feels alarming to you, even if it isn’t on a list.

What month five often feels like

Many people notice a steadier appetite, a bump that grows week to week, and more awareness of the baby inside. At the same time, new aches, reflux, and congestion can pop up. If you know what tends to be common, you can respond fast and stay calmer when something new shows up.