6 weeks pregnant

At 6 weeks pregnant, your baby is making important strides in their development! The neural tube is developing, as well as tiny buds and bumps that will become your little one’s arms, legs, eyes and ears. Keep reading for more information about what to expect at 6 weeks pregnant, including your symptoms, questions for your midwife and important things to consider.

6 Weeks Pregnant: Highlights

Before we get into all the details, here are some important highlights at 6 weeks pregnant:

• It’s still early on, but your little one is making big developments at 6 weeks pregnant! The foundations for major organs and systems are being established.

• 6 weeks may bring more pregnancy symptoms, including morning sickness, fatigue and breast tenderness.

• Not forgetting the emotional symptoms of pregnancy, such as mood swings. There are lots you can do to keep yourself centred, such as journaling and documenting your pregnancy journey.

Your Baby's Development at 6 Weeks Pregnant

At 6 weeks pregnant, your baby is making big strides in terms of growth and development. Check out this week’s most important milestones:

• The neural tube that will develop into your baby’s brain and spinal cord, begins to close over.

• Little dimples and thickenings have formed where your baby’s eyes and ears will be, and other tiny buds are forming that will eventually grow into arms and legs.

• If you’re wondering ‘When does a baby’s heart start beating?’, at 6 weeks pregnant, there’s a bulge where the heart is forming and a tiny heartbeat may be detectable via an ultrasound scan around 6wks.

• At 6 weeks, your embryo kind of looks like a tadpole with a curved shape, a tail and a thin layer of transparent skin.

Wondering when you might be able to meet your baby? Try our Due Date Calculator.

How Many Months Is 6 Weeks Pregnant?

Pregnancy is most often measured in weeks, but you may wonder how the weeks are grouped into months. Given that the 40 weeks of pregnancy don't fit evenly into months, it gets a little tricky, but at 6 weeks, you’re thought to be in your second month of pregnancy, which typically includes weeks 5 through 8.

Your Baby’s Size at 6 Weeks Pregnant

If you’re wondering about the size of your foetus at 6 weeks in cm, know that until 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is referred to as an embryo. At 6 weeks, your embryo is about 6 millimetres long – about the size of a pomegranate seed or a baked bean!

Your Baby: What Does 6 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

How are things progressing inside your belly at 6 weeks pregnant? Check out the image below for a better idea of your embryo’s size and the gestational sac at 6 weeks!

Your Symptoms at 6 Weeks Pregnant

Symptoms may vary at 6 weeks pregnant, with some people even experiencing no symptoms at all. From morning sickness to spotting to mood swings, here are some physical and emotional symptoms you might notice during your sixth week:

• Sore Breasts. This week, your breasts may feel tender, achy or enlarged because of increased blood flow; this is a normal part of your body preparing for

  breastfeeding. Wearing a supportive bra can help with discomfort.

• Morning sickness. If you’re 6 weeks pregnant, morning sickness may show up now. Morning sickness can happen any time of the day or night. Nausea or vomiting may be triggered by certain movements, smells, an empty stomach or nothing at all. Eating small meals, drinking plenty of water and snacking on food or drinks containing ginger may help relieve morning sickness.

• Spotting. It's not unusual to see some light spotting at 6 weeks pregnant, around the time of your missed period. It could be implantation bleeding, which happens when the embryo burrows into the lining of your uterus. It's a good idea to consult your midwife or GP about any bleeding during pregnancy, just to be on the safe side.

• Cramping. At 6 weeks pregnant, slight cramping can be normal. It might be due to your growing uterus, constipation or trapped wind. If you feel pain more severe than period pain, or also experience bleeding, contact your GP or midwife immediately.

• Constipation. You may also experience constipation because of the hormonal changes in your body, which may slow down the digestive tract. To deal with this, exercise during pregnancy, eat a balanced diet with high-fibre foods and drink plenty of water.

• Frequent urination. It's also normal to run to the bathroom more often than usual – especially at night. Try cutting back on drinks before bedtime, but remember to stay hydrated throughout the day.

• Tiredness. Pregnancy fatigue is a thing! Being completely exhausted in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is normal, and you can thank hormonal changes for feeling this way. Taking naps can help as can getting help with chores and errands.

• Mood swings. Are you feeling emotional? Or different to how you thought you would? Know that there is no right or wrong answer to how you should be feeling at six weeks pregnant. Mood swings are common during pregnancy but if your feelings are affecting your ability to do your daily tasks, speak to your midwife. If you have a pre-existing mental health problem, it's a good idea to tell your doctor about your pregnancy and find out whether any treatment you're getting needs to be adjusted in light of this.

What Size is a Pregnant Belly at 6 Weeks?

At 6 weeks pregnant, it’s common to anticipate when your belly bump will start showing. A baby bump usually doesn’t appear this early in your pregnancy. Everyone is different, but a pregnant belly could be visible at around 12 to 16 weeks if this is your first pregnancy, or possibly earlier if you’ve given birth before.

What Does 6 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

To help you get a better sense of what your belly might look like at 6 weeks pregnant, check out the visual below:

Things to Consider at 6 Weeks Pregnant

There’s a lot to think about at 6 weeks pregnant, and you may feel like you have an abundance of questions. To help you through this exciting week, here are a few things you may want to consider.

• Looking for ways to tell your partner you’re pregnant around 6 weeks? You’ve come to the right place! Check out these cute and creative ways to announce your pregnancy to your partner.

• Check what healthcare services are available. You can go to NHS.uk/service-search to find out what’s available in your area. Your midwife and doctor can also point you in the right direction. It’s good to know that you may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions and free NHS dental treatment during pregnancy.

• A healthy diet during pregnancy is important. Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods including lots of fruit, vegetables and protein. Keep in mind you don’t need to eat for two when it comes to portion sizes, but you do need to eat for the health and well-being of the two of you. Read up on pregnancy weight gain for more advice on this topic or try out our pregnancy weight gain calculator.

• Read up on the foods you should avoid during pregnancy. You might like to make a list that you can take with you when you go shopping, or think about substitutions you can make.

• It’s natural for there to be times when you have lots of concerns and when you feel overwhelmed. If your mind is racing, write down your thoughts in a pregnancy journal – it might help you feel a little better. You could also make a list of questions for your doctor. This might help you feel more in control, as you’ll know that you’ll be able to get answers at your next antenatal visit.

• Download our Pregnancy Guide, which has more information to help you navigate the first trimester of your pregnancy and beyond.

• Take a look at your closet. Do you have some stretchy or roomy clothing to wear during the coming weeks as your body starts to grow? You’ll want to stay comfy even if you’re not yet ready to transition into maternity clothes. Don't forget to increase your bra size when needed for your comfort.

• Around 6 weeks pregnant, you may also want to start a week-by-week photo journal or a pregnancy scrapbook full of your notes, photos, and mementoes, as a nice way to celebrate your pregnancy. This is also a lovely keepsake you can share with your child in a few years’ time.

• It’s still too early to tell if you’re pregnant with twins or more. At 6 weeks pregnant you might be analysing your belly size or symptoms to try to guess but you’ll only get an answer at your dating scan, which happens between weeks 8 and 14.

• If you can, plan time to rest. Amid all the things you may have to do, it’s very important to schedule time to rest during the first trimester, especially if exhaustion is one of your symptoms. If you can, rest when you can – whether it’s a lunchtime nap, sleeping in, or getting to bed extra early.

Questions for Your Doctor at 6 Weeks Pregnant

Now or sometime soon you'll have your first appointment with your doctor or midwife. This usually happens between 8 and 10 weeks, but you can contact them at any time if you have any questions or concerns. Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll have regular check-ups that will give you the perfect opportunity to ask questions and express any concerns. Here are some questions you might want to ask at 6 weeks of pregnancy:

• Should I be taking prenatal vitamins, like folic acid?

• What are some safe options for exercising while pregnant?

• How can I avoid infections that might harm the embryo?

• Where will I give birth, and what should I know in advance about the facility and its procedures?

• If I have a chronic condition (like diabetes, epilepsy or high blood pressure) for which I take medication, how can I manage my condition safely during pregnancy?

• When should I tell my boss that I am pregnant? Is six weeks pregnant too early?

6 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

At this busy and exciting time in your life, use this list to stay focused and organized:

• If you found out you were pregnant via a home pregnancy test, see your GP to let them know the great news. Your GP will explain the antenatal care you can expect over the coming months and point you in the direction of a midwife, if you don’t already have one.

• Arrange an appointment with your midwife before you hit the 10-week mark. At your first appointment, you can ask about the rest of your antenatal care, discuss the choices you have about where to give birth and ask any questions you have.

• Although it’s early days, it’s good to be prepared, so read up on your maternity leave rights and responsibilities.

• It’s easier said than done, but if you smoke, it’s time to quit. This is one of the top things you can do for the health of the developing embryo – and for you! Ask for help from your GP or head to your nearest NHS Stop Smoking Service. You can do it!

• There’s no rush, but why not start daydreaming about the perfect boy and girl names? Our Baby Name Generator can help you start a shortlist of favourites.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}