6 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Ultrasound, & Belly Size

While the feeling of pregnancy might still be sinking in, your body must be going through a lot of changes. At 6 weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s organs are starting to form, you must be experiencing pregnancy symptoms in full force now. You must be still getting used to the feeling of being pregnant, but you will want to know how your baby will develop and the changes in your body at 6 weeks of pregnancy. So read this article to know what to expect at the 6th week of pregnancy.

Your Baby’s Growth at 6th Week of Pregnancy

Starting this week, some critical developments start taking place in the baby. Your baby’s nose, mouth, and ears start taking shape. Your baby’s head is formed and is seen quite distinctly in the ultrasound. The baby’s heartbeat is 100 to 160 times a minute, and blood has begun to circulate in your baby’s body. This week also marks the development of his intestines and the tissues that will evolve into his lungs. His brain, muscles, bones, and pituitary gland also start developing simultaneously.

What Is the Size of the Baby at 6 Weeks?

When you’re six weeks pregnant, your baby is going through a significant phase of development now. All his body parts are taking shape. His heart and circulatory system are already functional. At 6 weeks pregnant the baby’s size is that of a lentil and only about ¼ inch long.

Common Bodily Changes

Bodily changes during pregnancy, especially at 6 weeks, are largely on the inside due to the fast and constant hormonal changes. You will spend a lot of your time inside the bathroom urinating as your kidneys are working more efficiently this week and pushing down the waste. Also, your growing uterus is pushing down your bladder leaving less space for storage. Just lean forward while peeing to ensure that your bladder is emptied properly in the first go.

You may also experience heartburn and indigestion as the muscle that is on the top of your stomach, which usually prevents digestive juices from passing over relaxes.

6 Weeks of Pregnancy Is How Many Months?

At 6 weeks of pregnancy, you are in your second month. Pregnancy is typically counted as 40 weeks, starting from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), even though conception usually occurs about two weeks later. By the 6th week, you are around 1 month and 2 weeks pregnant, placing you in the early part of the first trimester, which lasts until the 13th week. This stage marks significant early developments for the baby, such as the formation of the heart and other vital organs.

Symptoms of Pregnancy at Week 6

Pregnancy symptoms are all at work together during this week. It’s not going to be easy for most, but there may be a percentage of women who may not experience these symptoms at all. In case you don’t experience these symptoms, there is no cause for worry, and there is nothing wrong with your pregnancy.

• The increased blood flow can increase the pain in your breasts. At just 6 weeks, your breasts are getting ready to breastfeed your baby, and that is amazing!
• You may just realize that morning sickness is not really ‘morning sickness’. It can happen any time of the day. Most moms experience nausea throughout the day until the end of the first trimester. They are also strongly aversive to the taste and smell of some food, especially poultry, milk, and some leafy vegetables.
• You may feel tired all the time. Make sure to get yourself some extra sleep.
• Your kidneys are working better than you would want them to. As a result, you may be passing urine more often than you would wish to.
• Progesterone, a pregnancy hormone, may cause your tummy to bloat. Drink lots of water and eat food rich in fibre to avoid constipation.
• You are cranky and moody most of the time because you are extremely tired. Give yourself enough time to recover and vent out when you must.
• During the 6th week, if you feel cramps in your stomach, it may mean that your uterus is expanding and stretching your ligaments. But if the cramp is abnormally painful, then consult your doctor right away.
• You may still be spotting in the 6th week, but if the flow seems heavy, visit a doctor.

Twin Development at 6 Weeks

At 6 weeks of pregnancy with twins, you are in the early stages of the first trimester, and your babies are rapidly developing. At this point, both embryos are about the size of a lentil and are starting to form their basic structures. The tiny hearts of your twins have begun to beat, and their brain, spinal cord, and other vital organs are beginning to develop. You may experience more pronounced pregnancy symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness, due to the increased levels of pregnancy hormones. While it might still be early to detect twin heartbeats on an ultrasound, a 6-week pregnancy with twins often shows two distinct gestational sacs or yolk sacs, confirming the presence of two babies.

Belly at 6 Weeks of Pregnancy

Your baby is still pea-sized and has not claimed too much space inside you. Hence, you will not be visibly pregnant yet, but your belly will expand soon.

6 Weeks Ultrasound

Your doctor may still not suggest an ultrasound at 6 weeks pregnant. But if you happen to go for a sonogram at 6 weeks, you will realize how fast the embryo is developing into a baby. Regarding the fetus at 6 weeks, you will see an over-sized head and dark spots which stand for your baby’s eyes and nose. You will see a small depression in the place where the ears are supposed to develop. The baby’s arms and legs will appear in the form of protruding buds, and if you are lucky, you may hear your baby’s heartbeat too.

What to Eat?

Eating healthy throughout pregnancy is the key to smooth delivery. But this may be a little tricky during this week as the sight of an egg, chicken, and other protein-rich poultry food may drive you crazy and you may throw up. Here are a few tips on how to put together a healthy 6th-week pregnancy food menu.

• Stick to palatable food and don’t try to explore too much. If you can accommodate some fruits or anything else in your diet that is healthy and palatable, then stick to it.

• Eat smaller meals. Nausea may hit you when you are running on an empty stomach. Stock your nightstand with cold cereals and munchies to munch as soon as you are up in the morning.
• Before going to bed, eat light snacks rich in carbs and protein, like cheese or a handful of freeze-dried mango. You can also include a whole grain toast with cheese and peanut butter if you like.
• Eat often and eat as healthy as possible. The idea is to avoid heartburn.

Until the end of the first trimester, indulge in food that you like and don’t force yourself to eat anything. Your body may reject it and you may not be able to keep it inside you.

Care Tips

Eat small but frequent meals, take plenty of rest, watch out for urinary tract infection, and avoid using hair colour. You may get touch-ups or streaks, but full hair colour is not recommended because the body may absorb chemicals if the dye touches the scalp. Here are a few more tips that you should follow:

Dos

• Knock out unpasteurized food and undercooked meat and egg from your diet to avoid bacterial contamination.
• Find healthy, tasty, and desirable replacement to various nutrients.
• Eat small but frequent meals.
• Fine tune your taste buds with the help of vitamin B6, ginger capsules, nausea-reducing lozenges or lollipops, and acupressure wristbands.

• Include some healthy and light exercises in your daily routine to build strength and endurance.
• Get yourself a supplement or prenatal vitamin with folic acid. This prevents the chances of birth defects in the baby.
• Drink lots and lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Don’ts

• Avoid junk foods as they contain high amounts of fats and calories.
• Quit smoking, drinking or using drugs as it can affect the development of the baby.
• Cut down on caffeine. It is a diuretic, and excessive consumption has been linked to miscarriages.

• Don’t force yourself to eat anything that you can’t stand. Nausea may exhaust you completely.
• Don’t work too hard. Exhaustion may give rise to complications.
• Don’t take severe cramps in the stomach lightly. Visit a doctor.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

When you’re expecting, it’s essential to stay informed and connected with your doctor to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Asking the right questions can help you understand your baby’s development and address any concerns you may have. Here are some important questions to ask your doctor:

• What tests or screenings will I need during the first trimester?
• How much weight gain is healthy for me throughout the pregnancy?
• Are there specific symptoms I should watch for and report immediately?
• What lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, should I follow?
• How can I manage morning sickness and other early pregnancy symptoms?
• Is it safe to continue taking my current medications or supplements?

What You Need to Shop For?

There is not much that you will need to buy this week as you will still fit into your old clothes. A pregnancy book, a pregnancy journal to record milestones, comfortable bras, and a few stretchable pants are the only things you can shop for if you wish to.

FAQs

1. Can 6 weeks pregnant feel like a missed period but not be pregnant?

At 6 weeks, some women may experience symptoms similar to a missed period, such as cramping, mood swings, or fatigue, and still not be pregnant. This can happen in cases of a false positive pregnancy test or a very early miscarriage. If you have doubts, it’s important to follow up with your doctor for further tests.

2. Can you have severe back pain at 6 weeks pregnant?

Severe back pain at 6 weeks may be unusual, but it can happen due to the hormonal changes causing your ligaments to loosen. Additionally, early pregnancy can lead to changes in posture, pressure on the lower back, or even stress, which can contribute to discomfort. It’s important to monitor the pain and consult your doctor if it feels severe or persistent.

3. Why does my skin feel extra sensitive at 6 weeks pregnant?

Hormonal shifts at 6 weeks can make your skin more sensitive, causing discomfort when wearing certain fabrics or when exposed to hot or cold temperatures. This can also be linked to increased blood flow and skin changes due to pregnancy hormones, making it a common yet overlooked symptom at this stage.

4. Can I experience hot flashes at 6 weeks pregnant?

Hot flashes are not typically associated with early pregnancy but can occur due to the rapid rise in hormones, especially progesterone. At 6 weeks, your body is adjusting to these hormonal changes, and some women may experience sudden, intense heat or a flushed feeling, which may seem out of the ordinary during this early stage.

Pregnancy can be daunting and exciting at the same time. Having all the information can lift off some worries and you can sail through it easily.

References/Resources:

1. Week 6; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/1st-trimester/week-6/

2. 6 Weeks Pregnant; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/week-by-week/6-weeks-pregnant/

3. Fetal Development; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth

4. Fetal development: The 1st trimester; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20045302

5. Pregnancy Calendar: Week 6; Nemours Kids Health; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/week6.html

6. Pregnancy and Heartburn; Stanford Medicine; https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=pregnancy-and-heartburn-134-10

7. Prenatal care: First trimester visits; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20044882

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