This week, your baby is starting to look more like, well, a baby — your little i's head is taking shape, while the cheeks, chin and jaws are also beginning to form.

In calendar week vi of pregnancy, yous may exist feeling well and truly significant too, cheers to symptoms like heartburn, nausea and frequent urination.

Your Babe at Week 6

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It'south week six and your little sugariness pea is the size of…a sweet pea. Still tadpole (or prawn) shaped, that baby shrimp won't be a shrimp much longer…in fact, he or she is growing speedily, measuring one-6th of an inch from crown to rump this calendar week.

Why do we measure from head to tail? Right now, your baby's body is curved over into a C-shape, and somewhen, when those tiny legs start to course, your footling one's knees will be bent and tucked upward under the mentum. And that makes information technology tough to measure the head to toe length of the body. Instead, doctors measure out from cute crown to simply-as-beautiful rump until baby hits the 27-week marker, when a head-to-toe measurement takes over.

Incredibly, your infant is starting to gain those features that hint at the ambrosial little one to come — yous know, man stuff like a head and the beginnings of the facial features y'all'll soon cover with kisses — the mouth, eyes, jaw, and chin. See those little indentations where yous recall those pinchable cheeks will be? Nope, those aren't dimples — they're ear buds.

Talking almost budding buds, bank check out the limb buds that are starting to sprout from the body. They'll grow into arms and legs. And very soon, nodules will develop at the ends of these limb buds and eventually become small hands and tiny feet.

And that's merely what's happening on the outside. In that location'southward plenty of action on the within likewise. Major organs are taking shape, including the kidneys, liver, and lungs. And that make new heart is already beating an impressive 80 to 100 times per minute, a rate that'south rising every day.

Fueling all this growth is the yolk sac — a balloon-like structure attached to the embryo. But the early placenta — known equally the chorionic villi — has started to develop and form blood vessels, gearing up to take over and bring nutrition to the fetus when the yolk sac disappears by the end of the start trimester.

At a Glance

Grinning!

Your little ane's face is taking shape this week, with cheeks, chin and jaws beginning to grade.

Baby'due south heart is beating!

Your infant's heart has started to beat sometime between calendar week 5 and now. You lot may even be able to come across the tell-tale thump-thump on an ultrasound this week.

Fetal position

Information technology'south not called the fetal position for aught: Your babyhoped-for, who looks like a tiny tadpole complete with teeny "tail," is curled up with the leg buds tucked in toward the torso. No plans to motion soon!

6 weeks meaning is how many months?

If you're six weeks significant, yous're in month 2 of your pregnancy. Only seven months left to become! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at half-dozen weeks?

When you lot're six weeks pregnant, your infant's crown-to-rump measurement (more on this below) is anywhere from a fifth to a quarter of an inch and growing — making it the size of a nailhead or a sweet pea (your little sweetness pea!).

Infant's head takes shape

You lot might exist coping with full-blown pregnancy symptoms, only in that location's plenty of good news too. The folds of tissue in the prominent bump on top — the head — are developing into your baby's jaw, cheeks and chin, which will somewhen go i adorable face up.

And are those little indentations on both sides of the head the sweetness dimples you lot always hoped your baby would inherit from your mom'southward side of the family? No, they're ear canals in the making. Minor dots on the face will form the eyes and button nose in a few weeks.

Likewise taking shape this calendar week: your infant's kidneys, liver and lungs, along with his petty heart, which is at present chirapsia virtually 110 times a minute (and getting faster every solar day).

Measuring your embryo

During embryo and fetal evolution, practitioners measure babies as modest every bit yours from precious little crown to beautiful petty rump. That's considering as your baby grows, her legs volition be bent, making it difficult to get an authentic read on the full length of the torso.

Your Trunk at Calendar week vi

6 weeks pregnant woman

Frequent urination

Your body may not nevertheless take changed on the outside, simply y'all'll be reminded you're vi weeks pregnant every time yous feel queasy or bloated or dive head-first into your sixth grapefruit of the day — funny, considering you never craved grapefruit before.

Another inkling? You're in the bathroom more than you're out of information technology. Frequent urination is a symptom no meaning woman enjoys, especially when it breaks upwards the sleep you actually demand right now, but it'due south 1 of the nigh common symptoms of pregnancy, specially early on.

Why? For one thing, the pregnancy hormone hCG is causing an increase of blood flow to your pelvic area — practiced for increased sexual pleasure, not and so good when you're one hour into a ii-hour movie at the theater.

What'due south more, your kidneys are condign more efficient at ridding your body of waste. Add to that the fact that your growing uterus is beginning to push down on your bladder, leaving less storage space for urine, and y'all've got a perfect (pee) storm. Luckily, this pressure is oft relieved once the uterus rises into the intestinal cavity in the second trimester.

Hither's a quick tip: Lean frontward when you lot pee to ensure that your bladder is completely emptied each fourth dimension. Then, when y'all recall you're done, pee again. This way, you might need fewer trips to the bathroom. But don't be tempted to cut back on liquids — your body needs a steady supply of fluids.

Heartburn and indigestion

Here's the not-so-great news — the chances of getting through the next nine months heartburn-free are nearly zero. That'due south considering the ring of muscle at the summit of the breadbasket that ordinarily prevents digestive juices from bankroll up relaxes.

Merely here'southward better news: You can minimize the symptoms if yous avert foods similar citruses and tomatoes — and yes, that includes pizza and pasta sauce — steer articulate of greasy and spicy foods, don't rush through your meals and avoid clothes that constrict your belly. It's also a good idea to finish dinner at least 4 hours before going to bed and keeping your caput elevated on a pillow while you sleep.

Pregnancy Symptoms Calendar week 6

Breast tenderness and changes

No, it's not your imagination — your breasts are getting bigger and your nipples are sticking out more than usual. They may be tender, too, then definitely warn your partner about what feels expert to the touch and what doesn't. Why the new await and size these days? Your body is gearing up to breastfeed and the darker areolas, the skin around the nipples, turn your breasts into a balderdash's-eye for your newborn, making information technology easier to latch on. Read More

Fatigue

Edifice that infant — and the life support your growing fetus needs — is hard work, so it's no wonder you feel exhausted! Listen to your body. If it'southward screaming out at you to take a break, then take v! Simply do fit in some exercise: Take a walk or a yoga class; the endorphins y'all release will lift your mood and help you slumber better. But don't overdo it! Read More

Nausea and airsickness

Whether y'all're just experiencing slight queasiness or hurling breakfast, luncheon or dinner (or all three), look on the vivid side. Though admittedly, it'due south hard to expect on the bright side when your view is the porcelain goddess! Forenoon sickness is one of the almost common signs of a normal pregnancy, especially from week 6 on. Fight nausea by eating small-scale snacks that combine poly peptide and circuitous carbs — cheese and multigrain crackers, yogurt and granola. Whatever your tum can stomach! Read More

Bloating and gas

Blame the progesterone that'south coursing through your body — this delightful hormone is essential for maintaining a good for you pregnancy, merely information technology's also responsible for your puffy mommy-to-be await. Eat lots of fiber and drink enough of h2o to avoid getting constipated, which can aggravate bloating. Read More

Tips for Yous This Week

Don't skip all seafood

For the pregnant ready, 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 male monarch mackerel, don't steer articulate of all skillful-for-you seafood.

Fish is one of the best sources of DHA (a healthy omega-3 fatty acid), so attempt to eat two to 3 servings of well-cooked shellfish, canned light tuna, salmon (wild-caught is best) or cod a week.

Look out for UTI symptoms

If information technology hurts to pee or if yous gotta go merely nothing comes, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Talk to your physician to detect out for sure.

If you do have a UTI, you lot'll likely be prescribed a baby-safety antibiotic. You're at a college take a chance of getting this kind of infection after week 6 of pregnancy.

Go bland

Still suffering from morning sickness? Sadly, information technology isn't express to the mornings at all — unless y'all count mornings in every time zone.

If y'all feel like screaming whenever you look at a saltine, don't panic. Y'all have more options than you might think.

Dry and bland are nevertheless the key here, but that describes more than than a cracker. Dry cereal, pretzels, rice cakes, well-toasted bread and bread sticks are all suitable to stash in your handbag or go on on the bedside table.

Go your steps in

It'south 1 matter to make the commitment to exercise — it's some other thing to make time for it, particularly if you're frequently feeling nauseous.

The best strategy is to cake out a specific time in your mean solar day for working out — rather than waiting until you find half an 60 minutes to go around to it (hint: You never will).

Choose salubrious treats

For every sweet or salty junk food you're peckish now, there'south a healthier choice that, coupled with some willpower, tin can keep your taste buds — and your baby — happy.

Substitute soy fries or baked fries for the greasy varieties. Or munch your way through some air-popped popcorn (tossed with some Parmesan for that salty boot yous crave), rice cakes or pretzels.

If your inner chocoholic is clamoring to come out, satisfy it with a loving cup of hot chocolate or a single-serving Fudgsicle instead of that king-sized Snickers bar.

Screaming for ice cream? Fall for frozen yogurt instead — and top yours with fresh berries to score nutritional credibility points.

Pamper yourself

Relax — it's perfectly rubber to paint your nails. Take advantage now, since pregnancy hormones can make them abound faster and stronger than ever.

As for acrylics, there's no proof that the chemicals are harmful to you or your fetus, just to exist absolutely safe, you might want to forgo those tips until your baby arrives.

Non-toxic and water-based ingredients in smooth might too exist a skilful idea, as is a well-ventilated salon (this is true whether you lot're meaning or not).

If your hormones didn't get the memo and y'all find that your nails have become weak or breakable, try a clear nail hardener and reapply often (plus brand sure you lot're getting plenty calcium).

Prepare for your start prenatal visit

Sure, you lot already got the news from your home pregnancy test — but it doesn't hurt to hear it confirmed by a doctor, which is 1 reason you're probably looking forward to your very first prenatal dr.'s appointment. Expect this checkup to be heady…and long.

Ask your practitioner whether there are whatever COVID-19 rules you should know nearly and follow before coming in for your appointment.

Once you arrive, you'll have a thorough concrete, including a pelvic exam, Pap smear and initial claret tests to determine your blood type, Rh factor, whether y'all're iron-deficient and whether your baby is at take chances for chromosomal abnormalities.

You'll also be tested for sexually transmitted infections, immunity to rubella (German measles) and ethnic-specific genetic diseases. And you'll need to pee into a cup so your urine can be tested for glucose, protein, red and white blood cells, and bacteria.

Be prepared to answer lots of questions — wellness histories tin take a while — but more importantly, bring a list of some of your own. Wondering whether you lot and Joe (aka your beloved extra-foamy mocha cappuccino) will have to role means now that y'all're expecting? Why your chest suddenly resembles a map of an interstate highway? If having sex can hurt your baby? Don't just sit there — ask!

Recall, no question is silly now. While y'all're at information technology, talk to your doctor about whether y'all should get noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) — a screening for chromosomal abnormalities recommended for some at-risk moms that'southward given as early on as week 10 of pregnancy.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When You lot're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only apparent sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we proceed our content authentic and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

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  • WhatToExpect.com, What to Do If You Get a UTI During Pregnancy, Feb 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Manicures and Pedicures During Pregnancy, March 2021.
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  • WhatToExpect.com, Rh Cistron Testing and Pregnancy, March 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), Dec 2020.
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