What Is Happening With Your Baby During The 6th Week Of Pregnancy
Your baby is rapidly growing. The neural tube, from which the brain and spinal cord will develop, is closing along babys back.; The heart and other organs also are starting to form and the heart begins to beat. Development of the lungs, jaw, nose, and palate have begun. The hand and feet buds have webbed-like structures that will become the fingers and toes.;A vaginal ultrasound may be able to detect an audible heartbeat at this;time.
Say Hello To Morning Sickness
If this is your first baby, youre probably asking why the heck people use the term morning sickness when the nausea and vomiting actually occur all day long. The majority of pregnant women experience morning sickness and this first trimester symptom typically begins at around week six of pregnancy and subsides by week 12 for most women. ;
Your weight will likely yo-yo at this point because you vacillate between indulging your increasing appetite and then vomiting it up thanks to the aforementioned all-day sickness.;
If youre losing a significant amount of weight, cant keep water down, and the nausea and vomiting are severe, contact your doctor ASAP because it could be a sign that you have hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness made famous by Kate Middleton and Amy Schumer.;
What Should I Expect At 6 Weeks Pregnant
Six weeks is the first trimester of pregnancy. You may or may not be yet aware that you are pregnant, but certain signs will be common. At 6 weeks of pregnancy, your belly will probably look just the same from the outside. However, the most incredible things are happening inside your womb. During this period, you may expect early pregnancy signs and symptoms, such as:
- A metallic taste in your mouth
- A heightened sense of smell
- Milky white fluids coming out of the vagina
- Cramping pain in the belly
- Chloasma
- Light spotting that is typically normal
You May Like: How Many Weeks Do I Have Left Of Pregnancy
Weeks Pregnant Baby Size
At 6 weeks pregnant, your growing baby is about the size of a sweet pea around 4-5 mm in length. If you could look really closely, youd see he, or she, is starting to look like a little jellybean.
Doctors measure babies at this age from crown to rump , so the measurement excludes the legs. If you see the initials CRL on your ultrasound or report, this is what it means.
The TRUTH About Natural Birth
How Many Women Have Unplanned Pregnancies
Nearly half of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned.
A 2016 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine examined the rate of unintended pregnancy in the United States from 2008 to 2011 and found that 45 percent of pregnancies in 2011 were not planned. Thats 2.8 million unintended pregnancies, of which more than 40 percent would end in an abortion.
While the rate of unintended pregnancies declined from 2008 to 2011, the percentage of women who sought abortions for their unintended pregnancies changed very little. And in 2011, just like in 2008, unintended pregnancy remained most common among women and girls who were poor and those who were cohabiting.
Lower-income women, rural women and women with limited access to health care will be disproportionately affected by these laws, Dr. Horvath said. Women of means will be able to travel to other states, or other countries, just as they did before Roe v. Wade.
Also Check: Is It Normal To Feel Sad During Pregnancy
Miscarriage At 6 Weeks How Long Will It Take To Pass
If you are already having vaginal bleeding due to a miscarriage, you should know it will take some days to ease off.
This depends on the gestation age of the pregnancy, if its a twin or single pregnancy and if you are experiencing severe cramps.
If you are bleeding so much, your doctor will quickly evacuate your womb to prevent further blood loss. This usually stops bleeding, though its okay to have light spotting and cramps for a few days after.
What Does My Baby Look Like Inside The Womb
At 6 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is growing at a very fast pace, and organs such as the limbs, liver, brain, bones, and muscles are growing. Because your baby gets nourishment through your body, you will feel exhausted and tired.
At this stage, your baby will be around 6 mm long, which is about the size of a baked bean. It resembles a curved-shaped tadpole with its little tail.
The limb buds form into little arms and legs. The embryo has a bulge that grows as the head and brain. Your baby is covered with a very thin layer of transparent skin. A tiny dent or dimple will be soon formed into the ears, and another thick area will be formed where the eyes will grow further.
Another bump on this tiny embryo will further develop as the heart and will start beating at this stage. Even at this very early stage, heartbeats are audible on a vaginal ultrasound scan.
Many women may find it tough during this period due to morning sickness, tiredness, and other early pregnancy signs and symptoms.
Also Check: Can You Have Postpartum Depression During Pregnancy
Your Breasts Are Changing
Six weeks pregnant is typically when youll begin to notice that your breasts look and feel different. Your heightened hormone levels increase blood flow which affects the breast tissue, often making them swollen, tender, and sensitive. As your body prepares to breastfeed, your nipples and areolas will become darker in color so your baby can more easily spot where to latch on.;
If the changes in your breasts causes discomfort, go shopping for a new bra that provides strong support. Youll also want to avoid underwire bras and look for options that have wide shoulder straps and an adjustable closure.;
Week 6 Pregnancy Tips
At this sixth week of pregnancy you have to-
Maintain a proper eating habit. You can split your large meals into small meals. Being pregnant is not an excuse for overeating. Keeping a healthy weight during this period is key and therefore you should avoid unnecessary weight gain at all costs.
- Go to your doctor. You will be given some pathological tests which are essential.
- Check your outfit It is wise to consider the future; thus, you will be increasing in size and therefore the need to start planning about the right attire maternity dresses. You may not require them at the moment but with the expectation of adding on some pounds, you will find it quite handy when the time reaches. You can add at least a few clothes to your wardrobe.
- You may want to seek some advice from your doctor and may be ask some questions. In this case, the best way to remember them is by writing them down.
Bottom Line
Now that you know you are at your 6th week of pregnancy what remains is for you to sit back and wait for the baby to grow. You also need to understand that you will more susceptible to illness so keeping close to your doctor is a wise idea. As aforementioned, a healthy diet is essential for a healthy pregnancy so you need to be very cautious about what you consume.
You May Like: How Soon Should You See An Obgyn When Pregnant
Youve Got Pregnancy Brain
Ah, pregnancy brain. Its not experienced by all pregnant women, but many do feel forgetful and have short-term memory problems and decreased concentration. This may make you feel anxious about your ability to function in your daily life, but its probably not as obvious as you think. According to Mayo Clinic, its unlikely to affect your job performance and the only people who will really notice it are you and your closest family and friends so dont beat yourself up because you forget to pick up a few items on your grocery list or it took you a little longer than usual to complete a task at home or at work.;
Weeks Pregnant: Ask Your Doctor
Your prenatal visits are usually scheduled about once a month until the last two months of your pregnancy, when they will become more frequent. These regular checkups give you the perfect opportunity to ask questions and bring up concerns.
-
What are some safe options for exercising while pregnant?
-
Where will you give birth, and what should you know in advance about the facility and its procedures?
-
If you have a chronic condition for which you take medication, how can you manage your condition safely during pregnancy?
-
Is the morning sickness youâre experiencing considered normal or severe? Some moms-to-be experience a more severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum.
Don’t Miss: How Easy Is It To Get Pregnant At 40
Your Babys Development At 6 Weeks
Though its still very early, babys starting to develop lots of new things, including circulation and a tiny heartbeat.
- Scrunched up: Your tadpole-like baby has, yes, a tail and sits scrunched up, which is why doctors measure them head-to-rump for now.
- Circulation: Blood has already started circulating, and a faint heartbeat can sometimes be seen on an ultrasound its beating at about 150 times a minute to be exact.
- Starting on arms and legs: Making their debut this week are tiny buds that will eventually grow into your babys arms and legs.
- Safe haven: Its easy to forget, but your baby isnt the only thing your body is making right now. The placenta, amniotic sac and umbilical cord are key to growing a healthy little one, and they are maturing this week to fully take on their responsibilities.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Now that youre pregnant, its extra important to keep up that hydration. Drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water a day. Dehydration can lead to serious pregnancy complications.
If youre having a hard time keeping water down, try adding a squeeze of lemon. In one , lemon aromatherapy was seen to help reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant people.
Read Also: Can You Donate Plasma While Pregnant
Tips For You This Week
Don’t skip all seafood
For the pregnant set, not all fish is created equal. While you should avoid high-mercury fish like tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, shark, swordfish, orange roughy, bigeye tuna, marlin and king mackerel, dont steer clear of all good-for-you seafood.
Fish is one of the best sources of DHA , so try to eat two to three servings of well-cooked shellfish, canned light tuna, salmon or cod a week.
Look out for UTI symptoms
If it hurts to pee or if you gotta go but nothing comes, you may have a urinary tract infection . Talk to your doctor to find out for sure.
If you do have a UTI, you’ll likely be prescribed a baby-safe antibiotic. You’re at a higher risk of getting this kind of infection after week 6 of pregnancy.
Go bland
Still suffering from morning sickness? Sadly, it isn’t limited to the mornings at all unless you count mornings in every time zone.
If you feel like screaming whenever you look at a saltine, don’t panic. You have more options than you might think.
Dry and bland are still the key here, but that describes more than a cracker. Dry cereal, pretzels, rice cakes, well-toasted bread and bread sticks are all suitable to stash in your purse or keep on the bedside table.
Get your steps in
It’s one thing to make the commitment to exercise it’s another thing to make time for it, particularly if you’re often feeling nauseous.
Choose healthy treatsPamper yourselfPrepare for your first prenatal visit
Weeks Pregnant Your Baby
What exactly is your baby up to in there when youre 6 weeks pregnant?
If you were able to look closely at your babys body, you would see four tiny buds.
As your baby grows, these limb buds will soon become your babys arms and legs. On each side of your babys head, an eye has already started to develop.
During the coming weeks, the eyes move into the correct position and recognizable facial features begin to develop.
Nose, mouth, and ears are also taking shape and form your babys face.
The lungs are just starting to appear, along with the kidneys and intestines.
Between pregnancy weeks 4 and 6, your babys neural tube forms and then closes; this later becomes your babys spinal cord, spine, brain, and skull. If this fails to close properly during fetal development, your baby will develop whats known as a neural tube defect or NTD.
Most care providers will recommend pregnant women take a daily dose of folic acid, which is known to prevent, or reduce the chances of your baby developing a NTD, such as spina bifida.
Read Also: Can You Get Lasik Eye Surgery While Pregnant
How Often Does Miscarriage Happen At 6 Weeks
The chances you will miscarry usually drops at 6 weeks compared to the fourth and fifth weeks of pregnancy.
Miscarriage rates at 6 weeks pregnancy are about 5 percent, though, as you get into your 7th or 8th week of pregnancy, chances reduce further.
If your doctor notices that you are bleeding at six weeks, he/she will monitor if your HCG is rising or not.
This hormone multiplies every 48 72 hours if pregnant, and a falling level may indicate something is wrong.
Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development
Now that youâre six weeks pregnant, your little one is developing new features. This weekâs most important milestone: The neural tube begins to close over what will become your babyâs spinal cord.Thereâs more! This week, the areas that will become the eyes and ears have started to project as bumps, and other tiny buds are forming that will eventually grow into arms and legs.A tiny heartbeat of about 105 beats per minute may be detectable in an ultrasound when youâre six weeks pregnant, and the brain and nervous system are also developing quickly. In fact, the nose, mouth, and inner and outer ears are just starting to take shape, along with the lungs. In just a few weeks, breathing tubes will form between the throat and the lungs, getting ready for your little oneâs first breath of air at birth. Wondering when you might be able to meet your baby? Try our Due Date Calculator to find out!
Also Check: Does Birth Control 100 Prevent Pregnancy
Booking Your First Antenatal Doctors Appointment
While you might not quite be ready for your dating scan, by 6 weeks pregnant its a good time to contact your GP or midwife and start booking in your antenatal appointments. At around 8 to 12 weeks youll need to attend your booking appointment. During which youll discuss your pregnancy and birthing options. Its also the time youll be offered a number of screening tests. These can determine whether or not your baby is at risk from various infectious diseases or genetic conditions, including Downs Syndrome.
Now find out whats going on at 7 weeks pregnant.
Want more information and inspiration on everything parenting and lifestyle? Hit Like on our , follow us on and join the conversation on . Oh, and dont forget to !
Th Week Pregnancy Symptoms
The early stages of pregnancy can come with many symptoms or none at all. Every woman and every pregnancy is different, and you shouldnt worry if you havent experienced many changes get. Common 6 week pregnancy symptoms include:
- Frequent urination: your uterus is already putting pressure on your bladder, your kidneys have become bigger, and hCG has increased their blood flow. All these factors are making you feel the need to go to the bathroom more often.
- Heartburn;and indigestion: hormonal changes are relaxing the muscles that are supposed to prevent acid from rising to your esophagus, which causes these symptoms.
- Bloating and constipation: progesterone slows down your digestive system, which can make gas accumulate inside your stomach and intestines.
- Morning sickness: by week 6 of pregnancy, you might have already started to experience nausea and queasiness, or it might be starting right about now.
- Fatigue: your baby is growing so fast, that most of your energy is going to them. Feeling fatigued is a very common symptom at this point.
- Breast tenderness: hormones can make your breasts larger even during the early stages of pregnancy. They can also feel swollen, tender, or painful; your nipples might also look more prominent than before.
Also Check: When Is The Best Time To Use Pregnancy Test
Ive Been Pregnant Three Times; Ive Never Known I Was Pregnant At Six Weeks
Each time the pregnancy was desired and planned. With my second pregnancy, I was in a cab to catch a flight to Miami when I felt first queasy; I thought: This is motion sicknessdamn this traffic. On the plane I passed out in way that wasnt normal for me; I thought: Im exhausted from work and caring for a toddler and trying to sustain my relationships with friends. ;Only when I got back did I put the pieces together and take a test. I was about seven weeks. It wasnt irresponsibility; it was life.;
With the last, most recent pregnancy, I was tracking my cycle to the dayand still, because of irregular periods of varying length, I cant see how it would have been possible for me to have known that I was pregnant at six weeks unless I was taking a test every day. By the time I was pregnant the third time, I was well versed in the early symptoms and very conscious of what might happen and when. Still, I was past seven weeks before I found out.;
These were desired pregnancies, but that shouldnt matter. Saying that a woman cant get an abortion after six weeks is just saying that a woman cant get an abortion, period.
