Discover what’s happening to you and your baby on week 6 of pregnancy – explore your baby’s development, your body’s changes, and your weekly checklist!
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Welcome to the embryonic stage! As you enter your 6th week of pregnancy, an incredible transformation is taking place inside your body. Your baby is growing at a rapid pace and your uterus is becoming fuller to accommodate this growth. This week brings exciting changes and it’s important to be aware of them.
At six weeks, your baby’s major organs are developing, including the heart, which is now pumping blood through its chambers. Your baby’s lungs are also developing, as well as their bones and muscles. Tiny hands, feet, and facial features have started to form and your baby’s heart rate can be detected by a doctor using an ultrasound.
You may start to feel some of the physical changes associated with pregnancy this week too. Your breasts may become fuller and you may even experience some morning sickness. It’s important to keep your energy up as best you can, so be sure to listen to your body and get plenty of rest.
The 6 Weeks Pregnancy Digest
Here are the key takeaways for week 6 of your pregnancy:
- Your baby’s development: Your baby is now an embryo that resembles a tiny seahorse. Limb buds and eyes are now clearly visible.
- Symptoms you may be experiencing: You may experience some nausea and your breasts may become fuller. You may also notice a small weight gain this week. This is completely normal and healthy!
- Tips and Tricks: It’s important to take care of yourself during this time. Make sure to get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and eat a nutritious diet.
- Keep an eye out for: Ask about any signs or symptoms you’re feeling that concern you.
As you enter the embryonic stage, it is normal to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of changes that are happening in your body. However, it’s important to remember that each week brings you one step closer to holding your beautiful baby in your arms!
Week 6 for Your Baby
Your little baby, called an embryo at this stage, reaches around 4 millimeters (3/16 inches) this week. with a body that curves into a c-shape, it has a primitive tail (that you don’t need to worry about! It will gradually disappear as your baby continues to develop), and limbs that sprout from the trunk.
Your Baby Is as Big as …
a lentil! Your little lentil is floating in its fluid-filled amniotic sac.
Major Developments for Your Baby This Week
Your baby is growing at an incredible rate and has two dark spots on the face as eyes form, and small pits on each side of the head that will later become ears! The heart is now strongly pumping blood through its chambers, beating between 100 and 180 beats per minute. That’s more than the normal resting heartbeat for adults which is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, reflecting the embryo’s incredibly fast growth!
By week 6 your baby may already start to move! You may not feel your baby move just yet, but one of the major developments this week is that the embryo’s central nervous system is now developing connections to the muscles.
The brain of your baby develops into five areas, with a prominent forebrain and visible cranial nerves. At this point, the baby’s head size makes up half of the length of the body. Overall, your baby’s growth is very rapid at this stage with the embryo doubling in size over the next two weeks!
Your Body at 6 Weeks Pregnant: Common Symptoms
As you enter week 6 of your pregnancy you may be feeling some physical changes. If you notice that you have gained some weight, don’t worry! This is completely normal during pregnancy and is a sign that your body is adapting to the changes pregnancy brings.
Nausea (often not exclusively in the morning), frequent need to pee, and increased fatigue might still be your guests this week. These early pregnancy symptoms are common for the whole first trimester (first 12 weeks of pregnancy).
Tips for Week 6 of Your Pregnancy
Your priority in those early weeks of pregnancy is to take care of yourself. Make sure you get plenty of rest and don’t forget to stay active when possible. Prenatal yoga is a great way to keep your body feeling good. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids (with water as your go-to drink), eat a nutritious diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, and try not to overdo it with too much activity or stress!
Keep in mind that pregnancy is a delicate balancing act. Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester. It is important to listen to your body and give yourself time to adjust to the changes it is going through. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Prenatal Checklist: What to Do This Week?
Pregnancy brain is real! It’s easy to forget important things when you’re expecting. Here are a few items to keep on your to-do list for week 6 of pregnancy:
- Start taking a prenatal vitamin if you haven’t already.
- Continue to take 400 mg of folic acid each day, up to week 12.
- Schedule your first-trimester appointment with your doctor if it hasn’t been done yet.
- Begin writing your birth plan and familiarize yourself with the options available to you for delivery. This plan lets your ObGyn know your preferences and wishes for labor and delivery. It’s never early to think about what you would like and to make sure your partner is aware of it.
- Make sure to take time for yourself! Pregnancy can be overwhelming, so be sure to take breaks and relax when possible.
6 Weeks Pregnancy Wrap Up
Week 6 of your pregnancy brings exciting changes for both you and your baby. You may be feeling some physical changes, such as fatigue and morning sickness- but don’t forget to take care of yourself! Get plenty of rest, eat a nutritious diet, stay active when possible, and contact your doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
Most importantly, remember that this is just the beginning of a long and beautiful journey. As you enter this new phase in your life, keep your eyes on the prize- soon you will be holding your little one in your arms!
Congratulations on reaching week 6 of pregnancy! You’ve got this!
References & Resources
This pregnancy week-by-week series was developed based on the updated information contained in the following resources:
- “The Science of Pregnancy” (new edition) by DR. Sarah Brewer, Shaoni Bhattacharya, DR. Justine Davies, DR. Sheena Meredith, DR. Penny Preston.
- “The Mother of All Pregnancy Books” (third edition) by Ann Douglas.
- “My Pregnancy” by DR. Virginia Beckett.
- “The Pregnancy Encyclopedia” by DR. Chandrima Biswas.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Website: https://www.acog.org/
- NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/
The purpose of this article is informative and educational only. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babycious may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content.
