Week 6 of Pregnancy
Your baby is about the size of a lentil
Your Baby This Week
Development milestones for week 6
At 6 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a sweet pea or lentil - around 5-6 millimeters from crown to rump. The most exciting development this week: your baby's heart is beating, and it might be detectable on an ultrasound. That tiny heart is racing at 110-160 beats per minute - about twice as fast as yours. Facial features are starting to form: dark spots where eyes will be, small indentations for ears, and the beginnings of a nose and mouth. Your baby looks a bit like a tadpole right now, with a curved shape and a small tail that will disappear as development progresses. Arm and leg buds are more defined, and the neural tube has closed. The brain is growing rapidly, developing the distinct sections that will control different body functions. Six weeks pregnant represents a major milestone in early fetal development.
Your Body This Week
Changes you may experience
If morning sickness was subtle before, week 6 is often when it hits full force. The nausea can be relentless - morning, noon, and night despite the misleading name. Many women describe "all day sickness" that makes eating feel impossible. About 80% of pregnant women experience some degree of nausea, and for many, this week is the turning point. Food aversions may appear suddenly: "I used to love coffee, but now the smell makes me gag" is a common refrain. Fatigue continues to be overwhelming. Your breasts may have grown a cup size already and feel incredibly sore. Frequent urination often begins as your growing uterus presses on your bladder. You might feel bloated and your pants are definitely tight, though your belly does not look pregnant yet. Emotional swings intensify - crying at commercials is now your life.
Tips & Advice for Week 6
Practical guidance from real moms
Survival mode is acceptable right now. For nausea, try these tips: eat before your feet hit the floor (crackers by the bedside are essential), never let your stomach get empty, try ginger in any form (tea, candies, ale), sniff lemons when waves of nausea hit, and wear sea-bands on your wrists for acupressure relief. Small, bland meals are your friend - think toast, rice, bananas, and plain pasta. Cold foods are often more tolerable than hot ones because they have less smell. Stay hydrated even if you can only manage small sips. If prenatal vitamins make you nauseous, try taking them at night or switch to gummy versions. Rest as much as possible. Tell your workplace you are under the weather if needed - early pregnancy is genuinely hard. Lean on your support system even if you are not sharing the news publicly yet.
Medical Guidance for Week 6
What to discuss with your healthcare provider
Some women have their first ultrasound around week 6, especially if there are concerns or previous complications. Seeing the heartbeat at this stage reduces miscarriage risk significantly - from around 15% to about 5%. If your nausea is so severe that you cannot keep fluids down for 24 hours, contact your provider - this could be hyperemesis gravidarum, which requires treatment. Otherwise, your first prenatal visit is coming soon.
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.