At 6 weeks pregnant, you might already be experiencing some undeniable pregnancy symptoms. Let's look at week 6 of your pregnancy in depth in this week-by-week pregnancy guide.
6 Weeks Pregnant is How Many Months?
Congrats! You're six weeks pregnant—that means you're about two months into your pregnancy, and already halfway through the first trimester.
It's a big deal, and we're so excited for you!
Week 6 of Pregnancy: Baby
Now that you're 6 weeks pregnant, your baby's brain has begun to form, and the body is developing. Your baby's face will soon be recognisable as human. The ears, eyes and nose are starting to take shape, as well as the arms and legs. Your baby is also starting to develop little buds on the back of his or her neck called gill slits, eventually becoming part of the respiratory system.
Baby’s Growth
Your sweet pea is as big as a pea! At the start of week 6, your little one is 0.3 cm long and weighs 0.4 grams; by the end of the week, they will have grown three times in length to 0.9cm and twice its weight to 0.8g.
Week 6 of your pregnancy is a big one! This week, your baby is beginning to grow and mature.
At this point in the pregnancy, your baby's heart works at full speed and pumps blood throughout your growing body. The liver and kidneys are developing, as well as the lungs and intestines. Your baby's eyes are also forming this week.
Your baby's skeleton is also starting to form—including bones in the arms and legs.
Baby’s Development
In this week-by-week pregnancy guide for week 6, you'll be happy to learn that:
- Good news! You can see your baby's heartbeat through an ultrasound or hear it via Doppler. Your baby's heart beats with a regular rhythm of about 150 times a minute. This heart rate, which is double that of an average adult, will continue until birth. Just imagine all that your baby is doing inside your womb!
- Not only is the heart pumping a lot more blood, but your baby’s blood circulatory system is also growing more sophisticated.
- Your baby is also getting ready to look less tadpole-like. Facial features are evolving, and there are dark spots where the eyes and the nostrils will eventually be. The ears, at the moment, are nothing more than small depressions on the side of the head.
- Although the limbs are still paddle-like, your baby might be doing some wiggling.
- Your baby is about the size of a lentil or a rice grain
Baby’s Hearing
At week 6 of pregnancy, your baby's hearing is still developing. The inner ear, which contains the cochlea (the part of the ear that converts sound waves into electrical signals for your baby to interpret), isn't fully formed yet.
It takes about more weeks for the cochlea to fully mature, so your baby likely can't hear much at this stage of development.
Baby’s Teeth
In week 6 of pregnancy, the baby begins to develop its teeth. That means they're starting to grow in the jawbone, but they won't be visible until later after birth.
Baby’s Movement
It's normal if you don't feel your baby move right away—the movements might be more subtle than you're used to feeling. But don't worry! Your baby is still moving around and growing as they should be.
6 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
At 6 weeks pregnant, your body is preparing for childbirth by thickening its muscle, skin, and fat walls around the uterus to expand during labour and delivery. You may notice more frequent urination than normal and slight cramping in the lower back or abdomen (this will be common throughout pregnancy).
You've probably noticed that you're feeling a little different these days. You might feel more tired, or your breasts might feel sore (either way, congratulations!). This is all normal. Your body is just doing its thing: growing a baby!
The good news is that this is a great time to start getting into shape for the upcoming months and years. If you have been putting off exercise because of morning sickness or other issues, now is the time to get back on track with your fitness routine. Exercise helps with energy levels, mood swings, and even weight loss during pregnancy—so don't let yourself get out of practice!
6 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
What should I be feeling at 6 weeks pregnant?
You are probably just coming to terms with the realisation that you are indeed pregnant. There might be emotional moments that you have not anticipated. It is okay to feel a bit overwhelmed all of a sudden. Here are some notable pregnancy signs at week 6:
- You might begin to develop Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde personas with the mood swings brought about by the hormone fluctuations. Most women report that their mood swings flare up around 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
- Because of the rise of the hormone progesterone in your body, you may be feeling exhausted and lethargic—this is completely alright. Remember, while you may feel so unproductive because of sleeping more often, your body is doing a lot of work to ensure your baby’s development is on track.
- Another surprise you'll learn from this week-by-week pregnancy guide is that after morning sickness sets in, you will realise that it is not restricted to mornings alone. You may be one of the unlucky ones who end up spending the entire day in the toilet.
- Your breasts are getting ready for breastfeeding (yep, already!), and the increased blood flow to them means they are beginning to feel quite sore, swollen and sensitive.
- Is there a bit of metallic aftertaste in your mouth? That is common among pregnant women during the first trimester, thanks to a surge in estrogen.
Maternal Weight Gain
You've probably noticed that your body has changed since you got pregnant. You may have gained weight, and you may have noticed some changes in your breasts, belly, and hips.
Doctors recommend that women gain between 25 and 35 pounds during their pregnancy to ensure the health of both mother and baby.
The weight you'll need to gain while pregnant depends on many factors—including your height, weight before pregnancy, and your blood pressure. The average woman gains about 25 pounds during her pregnancy. But if you're already overweight or obese before getting pregnant, you might need to gain less than that.
The good news is that your body will naturally help track how much weight it needs by slowing down its metabolism as you approach full term. As a result, most women don't even notice when they hit their target weight gain goal by their due date!
Nutrition
The first trimester of pregnancy can be a difficult time for many women. Nausea and vomiting, which often accompany morning sickness, can make it hard to keep food down, which means that many mothers feel like they are losing weight.
However, this is not necessarily bad news. You should avoid gaining too much weight during your first trimester if you can help it.
During the first trimester, focusing on eating healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables is important. You should also avoid eating unhealthy foods such as salty snacks and processed meats because they can make you retain water, adding pounds that will not be lost after pregnancy.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 6 Weeks Pregnant
- It would help if you watched out for any spotting. Although this is common enough in the early stages of pregnancy, it can also be an early sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
- It would be best if you began improving your muscle control by doing Kegel exercises several times a day.
- Although now is not the time to worry about weight gain, it might help to change your diet and split your meals into smaller portions to be eaten throughout the day.
- If you already have an exercise routine, consider how to modify it to accommodate your pregnancy. Discuss your routine with your doctor to ensure that you are not doing activities that may harm your pregnancy.
- Remember to note down all questions that you may have. Your first gynaecologist appointment would be the time to ask them.
- This is a good time to start a pregnancy journal. Jot down the early pregnancy symptoms you experienced while you can still remember them. Looking back at it when your child is older can be fun.
- Find time to list down all your questions for your next prenatal appointment. Ask your doctor about prenatal tests and screenings you must do in the first trimester.
6 Weeks Pregnant Belly
Can you have a belly at 6 weeks pregnant?
A pregnant belly can be a sign that you're expecting a baby. Belly size varies from person to person, but a 6-week pregnant belly usually looks like this:
A 6-week pregnant belly is not very big yet, but the roundness may start to show to some. You may feel "pregnant."
The uterus grows, so your clothes may be tight around your waist.
You may have trouble buttoning your pants or finding comfortable clothing that fits correctly.
6 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound
Itching to get a glimpse of your sweet pea or hear their heartbeat? You can finally do so at 6 weeks pregnant.
You can get an ultrasound at 6 weeks pregnant, and it will give you all the answers you need to know about how your baby is growing.
The six-week ultrasound is also known as the dating ultrasound. This means that your doctor or midwife uses the ultrasound results to calculate how far along your pregnancy and when your baby was conceived.
Preparing for your 6 weeks pregnant scan can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. To make the most of this important milestone, there are a few things you can do to ensure a smooth experience.
First, confirm the date, time, and location of your appointment, and make sure you have all the necessary paperwork and identification with you. It's a good idea to drink plenty of water beforehand to ensure a full bladder, as this can help improve the clarity of the ultrasound images.
Dress comfortably and consider wearing loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to your abdomen. Finally, bring along a support person, such as your partner or a trusted friend, who can offer you emotional support and share in the joy of seeing your little one for the first time.
Remember, this is a special moment, so relax, ask questions, and cherish the experience of seeing your baby's tiny heartbeat on the screen.
What Are the Signs of Healthy Pregnancy in the First Trimester
Pregnancy is a time of excitement and wonder. It's also a time when you can have some questions about what's going on with your body, which is valid.
Here are some signs of a healthy pregnancy in the first trimester:
- You're exhausted all the time, but you still feel really good about it because it means you're growing a human
- You're experiencing a lot of minor aches and pains, especially in your lower abdomen (that's called round ligament pain)
- Your breasts are tender but not so painful that they keep you up at night
- Your heartburn is getting worse—but at least you know it's normal!
Still, it’s important to check with your doctor to know that these signs are not affecting your pregnancy.
Your next week: 7 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 5 weeks pregnant
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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