Introduction

Hey mom!! Are you 6 weeks pregnant? Congratulations you have officially started the 2nd month of your 9 months long journey. Week 6 of pregnancy marks almost half of the first trimester. Week 6 of pregnancy comes with a lot of pregnancy symptoms and a very rapid growth of the embryo. The embryo (soon to be your baby) is dividing and growing every second and has already developed many distinct features.

The whole journey of pregnancy is truly a roller coaster ride and can be very overwhelming at times but all these pregnancy blues will soon fade away bringing you the most precious gift of your life. And honestly, you are going to miss this time after you deliver your baby.

The whole first trimester i.e. weeks 1 to 12 is a very crucial time as most of the baby’s development takes place during these 3 months. You are already halfway through. Are you excited to know what week 6 brings for you and your baby? Keep on scrolling to get an answer to your every query.

Baby’s development in week 6 of pregnancy

During week 6 of pregnancy, the embryo is growing at such a fast pace that if you can see it with the naked eye you’ll just get amazed and struck. The embryo soon to be called a fetus is about the size of a sweet pea and is continuing to develop rapidly.

You know what!! Your little embryo’s heart is already beating and pumping blood, and the neural tube, which will become the baby’s brain and spinal cord, is closing. Isn’t it too quick for 6 weeks? We had just seen the implantation process finishes in week 4.  Hold on!! Many more surprises to come your way. The arms and legs are starting to form and the embryo has distinct facial features. The embryonic period of pregnancy ends at the end of week 8 and the baby is called a fetus after week 8.

The placenta and umbilical cord are also in the process of formation and both these organs will provide the baby with oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s bloodstream. The baby’s internal organs are also beginning to develop, including the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. Too much to digest? Hold on there is much more coming your way.

Another development of week 6 of pregnancy is the baby’s heart!! The baby’s heart will start to beat at around the 6th week, and by the end of the week, the heart will have formed four chambers. It is also the time when the baby’s eyes, ears, and nose begin to take shape.

Besides, this much development there are many more happenings going on in the mother’s body. Let’s have a look at those changes and symptoms as well.

Mother’s body in week 6 of pregnancy

During week 6 of pregnancy, the mother’s body is undergoing a number of changes to support the growth and development of the embryo. Some of the physical changes the mother may experience include:

• Morning sickness: Many women experience nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning.

• Fatigue: The body is working hard to support the pregnancy, and many women feel more tired than usual.
• Breast tenderness: Hormonal changes can cause the breasts to feel sore or swollen.
• Increased urination: The uterus is growing and putting pressure on the bladder, causing the need to urinate more frequently.
• Constipation: Hormonal changes can slow down digestion and cause constipation.
• Mood swings: Hormonal changes can also affect the mother’s mood and emotions, leading to feelings of irritability or sadness.

It’s important for the mother to take care of herself during this time by getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco. It’s also important for the mother to begin prenatal care and visit her healthcare provider for regular check-ups.

Checklist of week 6 of pregnancy

As your pregnancy journey keeps on progressing you should be more cautious because now the embryo has a heartbeat and he/she is alive and you should take very good care of this little human who is dependent on you.

The checklist for week 6 of pregnancy includes:

• Plan a visit to your midwife or gynecologist.
• Start taking antenatal classes for guidance and smooth delivery.
• Quit smoking, and drinking, and limit your caffeine intake.
• Be regular with your vitamins especially folic acid and calcium.
• Get yourself checked for STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
• Keep exercising. You can consult your midwife about how strenuous it can get.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Take good care of your emotional and mental well-being.

First prenatal visit

Other than taking care of the mentioned checklist you should not ignore your very first prenatal visit with a doctor during week 6 of pregnancy. By now you must have gotten confirmation if you are pregnant or not through a strip test or a missed period. But, it doesn’t mean that there is no need to go to the doctor.

The first prenatal visit is an important appointment for expectant mothers as during this visit, the doctor typically performs a physical exam, takes a medical history, and orders blood and urine tests. The doctor may also use an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and estimate the due date.

Other than the regular checkup this visit is an excellent opportunity for the mother to ask any questions she may have about her pregnancy and to discuss any concerns she may have with the doctor. It is also a good time to discuss any necessary lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and to discuss any potential risk factors for the pregnancy.

It is very important for the mother to keep all prenatal appointments in order to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Your gynecologist will also rule out any possibility of chromosomal or ethnic-based genetic disease in this checkup by carrying out certain tests.

Conclusion

Concluding our week 6 of pregnancy we can say that 6th week marks the beginning of the embryonic stage and is a crucial time for the development of the fetus. Mothers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy and schedule their first prenatal visit with a doctor during this week to get an ultrasound done to confirm the pregnancy and estimate the due date. By taking proper care and attention, mothers can look forward to welcoming a healthy newborn into the world.