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In the 6th week of pregnancy, you are still in the second month of your pregnancy journey. To be precise, you are now one month and 2 weeks pregnant. This signifies that you have one month and 2 weeks to complete your first trimester.
You will have seven more months to complete your pregnancy journey. Most women would have found out that they’re pregnant at this stage. You may be dealing with many emotions now that you are fully aware. Your emotions may range from excitement to nervousness.
Take a Peak
Your baby’s face has started forming. It will get its structure by this week.
Through an early ultrasound, you may be able to hear your little one’s heartbeat at week 6.
Your baby, looking like a tadpole, is curled up with its leg tucked in and drawn up to the torso.
Take a Peak
Your baby’s face has started forming. It will get its structure by this week.
Through an early ultrasound, you may be able to hear your little one’s heartbeat at week 6.
Your baby, looking like a tadpole, is curled up with its leg tucked in and drawn up to the torso.
Baby Development at Week 6
At week 6 of your pregnancy, your baby’s face outline will take a more definite shape and appear more like a human face.
The neural tube, which will eventually give rise to the brain and spinal cord, is closing along the baby’s back. The heart and other organs are also starting to form, and the development of the lungs, jaw, nose, and palate is underway.
They’re forming optic vesicles, which will later become the eyes and the passageways for the inner ear. The digestive and respiratory systems are also beginning to take shape. This week, tiny buds that will eventually grow into your baby’s arms and legs appear.
Your baby’s heart is starting to beat, a moment you might even be able to witness during an ultrasound. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll be offered an ultrasound unless you’ve undergone IVF treatment. The embryo is also covered with a thin layer of transparent skin.
FETAL GROWTH
WEEK 6:
Your baby is as big as a sweet pea
LENGTH
WEIGHT
0.26
1.12
Inches
grams
From head to heel
Fetal Growth
WEEK 6:
Your baby is as big as a sweet pea
LENGTH
WEIGHT
0.26
1.12
Inches
grams
From head to heel
Body Changes at Week 6
During the 6th week of pregnancy, your body has increased fluid and blood flow. The hormone hCG is causing an increase in blood flow to your pelvic area, coupled with your kidneys becoming more effective at eliminating waste, resulting in more frequent restroom visits.
The expanding uterus adds to this by pressing on your bladder, exacerbating the need to urinate. However, it’s important not to reduce your fluid intake, as both your body and your baby require a consistent supply of fluids throughout the day.
It’s common for some women to experience light bleeding during pregnancy, often accompanied by mild cramping. This spotting, visible as blood spots on your underwear or when you wipe after using the restroom, isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm. However, monitoring it and informing your doctor during your first appointment is essential.
If the bleeding becomes heavier, resembling a normal period, or if the cramps intensify beyond typical period cramps, it could indicate a potential miscarriage, and it’s crucial to seek medical advice promptly.
Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 6
If you’re 6 weeks pregnant and haven’t experienced morning sickness yet, it might begin to manifest this week. Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day or night and can be triggered by various factors such as certain movements, smells, an empty stomach, or seemingly nothing. Keeping some crackers nearby can be helpful, as munching on them can alleviate nausea. Research has also shown that lemon aromatherapy may reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant individuals, providing a natural and soothing remedy.
Increased urinary frequency during pregnancy is partly due to the hormone hCG, which increases blood flow to the pelvic region. While needing to urinate more often is normal, experiencing painful urination or having the urge to urinate, but being unable to do so warrants immediate attention from your doctor. These symptoms could indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), which pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing starting around week 6 of pregnancy.
Constipation is another common symptom of pregnancy, often caused by the rise in progesterone levels, which can slow down the digestive system. To alleviate this discomfort, it’s helpful to maintain a regular exercise routine, consume a balanced diet rich in high-fibre foods, and ensure you’re staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
You may be more selective about what you eat. Foods that you previously found appealing might irritate you. You may also begin to have an appetite for new and sometimes strange food combinations.
Hormonal changes, especially an increase in progesterone, can cause bloating similar to what you might experience before your period. These changes affect digestion and fluid retention, leading to abdominal discomfort and bloating during early pregnancy. While common and usually mild, staying hydrated, eating small, frequent meals, and engaging in light physical activity can help ease bloating discomfort.
During 6 weeks of pregnancy, it’s common to experience cramping and spotting, which can be worrying. While these symptoms are often normal, they might indicate issues like ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. If you have severe abdominal pain, stronger than period cramps, or if the bleeding becomes heavy like a period, it’s important to call your doctor for advice and guidance.
Feeling utterly exhausted because of pregnancy fatigue is normal. As your progesterone levels rise, you’ll likely feel more tired. Taking naps can be helpful; some women find that having small snacks and doing light exercise can also combat fatigue. Ensure you’re getting enough iron, as low levels can cause anaemia, making you feel even more tired.
Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 6
If you’re 6 weeks pregnant and haven’t experienced morning sickness yet, it might begin to manifest this week. Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day or night and can be triggered by various factors such as certain movements, smells, an empty stomach, or seemingly nothing. Keeping some crackers nearby can be helpful, as munching on them can alleviate nausea. Research has also shown that lemon aromatherapy may reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant individuals, providing a natural and soothing remedy.
Increased urinary frequency during pregnancy is partly due to the hormone hCG, which increases blood flow to the pelvic region. While needing to urinate more often is normal, experiencing painful urination or having the urge to urinate, but being unable to do so warrants immediate attention from your doctor.
These symptoms could indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), which pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing starting around week 6 of pregnancy.
Constipation is another common symptom of pregnancy, often caused by the rise in progesterone levels, which can slow down the digestive system. To alleviate this discomfort, it’s helpful to maintain a regular exercise routine, consume a balanced diet rich in high-fibre foods, and ensure you’re staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
You may be more selective about what you eat. Foods that you previously found appealing might irritate you. You may also begin to have an appetite for new and sometimes strange food combinations.
Hormonal changes, especially an increase in progesterone, can cause bloating similar to what you might experience before your period. These changes affect digestion and fluid retention, leading to abdominal discomfort and bloating during early pregnancy. While common and usually mild, staying hydrated, eating small, frequent meals, and engaging in light physical activity can help ease bloating discomfort.
During 6 weeks of pregnancy, it’s common to experience cramping and spotting, which can be worrying. While these symptoms are often normal, they might indicate issues like ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. If you have severe abdominal pain, stronger than period cramps, or if the bleeding becomes heavy like a period, it’s important to call your doctor for advice and guidance.
Feeling utterly exhausted because of pregnancy fatigue is normal. As your progesterone levels rise, you’ll likely feel more tired. Taking naps can be helpful; some women find that having small snacks and doing light exercise can also combat fatigue. Ensure you’re getting enough iron, as low levels can cause anaemia, making you feel even more tired.
Pregnancy Concerns at Week 6
The risk of coming down with a urinary tract infection (UTI) increases from the 6th week. There is an increased probability of getting a UTI if you hold in your urine for too long. So, to avoid this, you should always urinate whenever you feel the urge to. You should also watch out for a burning sensation during urination or an abnormal vaginal discharge. These symptoms might be indicative of a UTI.
An early ultrasound scan will help prevent the disaster that may arise from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. So, if you are yet to have your first ultrasound scan, you should do so quickly.
Sometimes, an ectopic pregnancy does not present with any symptoms until it ruptures. This is what makes it extremely dangerous. But sometimes, there are complaints of abdominal pain. So you must see a doctor if you start having abdominal cramps.
Abnormal or heavy bleeding can be indicative of a miscarriage. A little flow of blood, called spotting, occurs during the early weeks of pregnancy. Once this bleeding becomes heavier than usual, you should immediately consult your obstetrician.
Health Tips for Week 6
Take supplements and vitamins: Supplements and vitamins are relevant during pregnancy. Folic acid, vitamin D, and vitamin C are important for a pregnancy to progress smoothly.
Visit a midwife or obstetrician: If you haven’t booked your first appointment with your doctor or midwife at this stage, then you should do so. An obstetrician or midwife will provide medical advice, such as what drugs to take or avoid. You may also receive special care. This is important if you have a chronic medical condition. A woman with diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell disease, etc., would require close monitoring during pregnancy.
Eat healthily: Being overweight or underweight while pregnant can lead to many pregnancy complications. You may sometimes desire to eat unhealthy meals, or certain foods may irritate you and cause you to eat less. You should learn to fight those urges. Eating a healthy and balanced meal will ensure you are well-nourished during pregnancy.
Don’t delay urination: Pregnant women are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs), so staying hydrated is essential, and you should not delay urination when you feel the need to go. It’s normal to experience frequent urination during pregnancy. Still, if you feel an ongoing urgency to urinate or experience burning or pain while urinating, these could be signs of a UTI and should be addressed promptly.
Get plenty of rest: Feeling excessively tired can exacerbate morning sickness, so it’s crucial to prioritise getting plenty of rest. When you’re well-rested, your morning sickness symptoms may be more manageable.
Drink enough water: Aim to drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water daily to support your health and your baby’s well-being. Dehydration can lead to serious complications during pregnancy, so staying adequately hydrated is important. If you’re struggling to keep water down due to nausea, adding a squeeze of lemon can help.
Don’t smoke: Smoking during pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. Additionally, it increases the likelihood of health issues and low birth weight for your baby.
Discuss with your doctor to learn about smoking cessation programs. Quitting smoking may be difficult if you’re a smoker, but it’s incredibly beneficial for both your health and the health of your baby.
Advice for Partners
If your partner is experiencing morning sickness, you might feel helpless, but there are ways you can support her through this challenging time. Consider preparing some healthy snacks for them to nibble on regularly. Help them to avoid large meals or strong-smelling foods that could worsen nausea.
You can help them by offering easy-to-digest options like crackers, toast, smoothies, or foods containing ginger, which is known to help alleviate nausea.
Additionally, offering practical assistance like cooking, helping with kitchen clean-up, grocery shopping, doing laundry, and tidying up around the house can make a big difference in helping her feel more comfortable and supported.
Pregnancy Checklist for Week 6
- Develop a financial strategy to begin saving for your expanding family.
- Talk with both sides of the family regarding their health history and take notes to share with your doctor.
- If you haven’t already, select a prenatal care provider.
- Take note of who to contact if your healthcare provider is unavailable or you have a medical concern.
- Review the pregnancy signs you shouldn’t ignore so you know what to watch for and what actions to take if you notice any.
- Learn how due dates are calculated.
- Check your diet and stay away from the foods you should avoid while pregnant.
Key Facts
- By week 6, your baby’s face outline becomes more defined, resembling a human face.
- Your baby measures around 0.026 inches and weighs about 1.12 grams, comparable to a shirt button’s size.
- During the 6th week of pregnancy, fluid and blood flow are heightened. The hormone hCG increases blood flow to the pelvic area, leading to more frequent urination.
- Pregnancy fatigue is normal due to rising progesterone levels. Naps, small snacks, light exercise, and ensuring sufficient iron intake can help combat fatigue.
- Holding in urine for too long increases the risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Aim to drink 8 to 12 glasses of water daily to support your health and your baby’s development and prevent dehydration-related complications.
- Partners can support their pregnant spouse experiencing morning sickness by providing easy-to-digest snacks like crackers.
- It’s advisable to discuss health history with both sides of the family and take notes to share with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
At week 6, your baby is approximately 0.26 inches long, roughly the size of a shirt button, and weighs 1.12 grams.
During the 6th week of pregnancy, there is increased fluid and blood flow in your body, which causes the kidneys to be more efficient, leading to frequent urination. Try to lean forward while peeing to empty your bladder fully.
You might also feel nauseous and sick to your stomach at any time of the day. This is due to the rise in Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in the body. Drinking plenty of fluid can help to keep it at bay.
During this week of pregnancy, there will still be no baby bump. The pregnant uterus is still in the pelvis. There are no obvious physical changes yet. You would not look pregnant to people just yet, most of the changes you would observe are noticed by you alone.
Yes, you can get a flu shot at 6 weeks pregnant. According to the CDC, flu shots are considered safe for pregnant women and are highly recommended. Pregnant individuals are at a higher risk of experiencing complications from the flu virus, so it’s important to protect yourself and your baby by getting an annual flu shot.
Experts advise against engaging in activities, including sports and exercises, that could potentially lead to injury, particularly to your abdomen, during pregnancy. However, even lighter exercises or activities considered “safe” for most people might pose a risk to others.
Therefore, discussing your circumstances with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable course of action for you and your baby is essential.
According to Healthline, you can engage in sexual intercourse, and it won’t harm your unborn baby. However, don’t be alarmed if you notice some spotting afterwards. During early pregnancy, the cervix has many small, new blood vessels, so it’s normal for some light bleeding to occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
At week 6, your baby is approximately 0.26 inches long, roughly the size of a shirt button, and weighs 1.12 grams.
During the 6th week of pregnancy, there is increased fluid and blood flow in your body, which causes the kidneys to be more efficient, leading to frequent urination. Try to lean forward while peeing to empty your bladder fully.
You might also feel nauseous and sick to your stomach at any time of the day. This is due to the rise in Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in the body. Drinking plenty of fluid can help to keep it at bay.
During this week of pregnancy, there will still be no baby bump. The pregnant uterus is still in the pelvis. There are no obvious physical changes yet. You would not look pregnant to people just yet, most of the changes you would observe are noticed by you alone.
Yes, you can get a flu shot at 6 weeks pregnant. According to the CDC, flu shots are considered safe for pregnant women and are highly recommended. Pregnant individuals are at a higher risk of experiencing complications from the flu virus, so it’s important to protect yourself and your baby by getting an annual flu shot.
Experts advise against engaging in activities, including sports and exercises, that could potentially lead to injury, particularly to your abdomen, during pregnancy. However, even lighter exercises or activities considered “safe” for most people might pose a risk to others.
Therefore, discussing your circumstances with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable course of action for you and your baby is essential.
According to Healthline, you can engage in sexual intercourse, and it won’t harm your unborn baby. However, don’t be alarmed if you notice some spotting afterwards. During early pregnancy, the cervix has many small, new blood vessels, so it’s normal for some light bleeding to occur.
1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Early Pregnancy Loss
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Exercise During Pregnancy.
3. American Pregnancy Association. 6 Weeks Pregnant.
4. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine and Pregnancy
5. Emmas Diary. 6 Weeks pregnant.
6. Healthline. Can Sex in the First Trimester Cause Miscarriage? Early Pregnancy Sex Questions
7. Healthline. 6 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More.
8. Loh KY, Sivalingam N. Urinary tract infections in pregnancy. Malaysian family physician: the official journal of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia. 2007;2(2):54.
9. Nemours kids Health. Week 6
10. NHS. Week 6:
11. Safajou, F., Shahnazi, M. and Nazemiyeh, H., 2014. The effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: A double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 16(3).
12. Sivalingam, V.N., Duncan, W.C., Kirk, E., Shephard, L.A. and Horne, A.W., 2011. Diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. Journal of family planning and reproductive health care, 37(4), pp.231-240.
