At 6 weeks pregnant, more than 70% of moms will already know they are pregnant, although some women still won’t know for weeks. Those who mistake implantation bleeding for a light period, for example, may not realize until a second missed period.
By now, most women are seeing some signs, though, and the baby — currently in the embryo phase — is growing and developing rapidly, beginning to develop features like nostrils and arms.
Your Baby’s Development At 6 Weeks Pregnant
At 6 weeks pregnant, the cells that are developing into a heart are beginning to beat quite quickly — around 110 beats per minute. (Various old superstitions claim you can predict the baby’s sex based on heart rate, but this is not supported by evidence).
If you have a transvaginal ultrasound at this point, it’s possible, though not yet certain, that this ‘heartbeat’ will be detectable.
Your baby is beginning to develop the features that will later be eyes, nostrils, and a tongue. He now has the beginnings of nubby limbs that will eventually become arms. He still has a tiny tail at the end of his spine, which will disappear over the coming weeks.
He’s still incredibly tiny — perhaps half a centimeter long, about the size of a pea.
Mother’s Symptoms At 6 Weeks
Many of the mother’s symptoms remain the same as in earlier weeks.
You may have morning sickness, which you can combat by avoiding smells and other sensations that trigger it, eating smaller, more frequent meals, perhaps with blander foods, and keeping hydrated. By this point, if your nausea is severe enough to warrant medical attention, you’ve likely already gotten hints. Remember that vomiting and the inability to keep liquids down can lead to dehydration, and call your doctor if you need medication or other treatment to address nausea.
You may suffer mood swings thanks to rushes of hormones. Don’t be too surprised if you now cry at the sight of tiny baby socks and onesies or realizing you’ve run out of your favorite snack. If you find yourself struggling with depression or anxiety, speak to your doctor or seek support.
You may be dealing with swelling and tenderness in your breasts and need to wear a supportive bra to minimize discomfort.
Fatigue is an expected pregnancy symptom, although keeping up with your prenatal vitamins may somewhat mitigate it.
A new symptom you may see surface this week is a metallic taste in your mouth from the surge of hormones. You can combat this by brushing your teeth more frequently. If it bothers you between brushings, mints or chewing gum may help (they may also help with nausea).
One of the more bizarre symptoms you may notice is that your hair, including body hair, may change. Hair may grow more thickly, both on your scalp and body. Some women complain of darker or thicker hair on their arms and legs during pregnancy.
You also may notice vaginal discharge, called leukorrhea, which is produced to help prevent infections. As long as it’s milky white, this is normal, but according to Healthline, it may be a sign of infection if you see a yellow, green, or gray color, notice a foul odor, or experience redness, itching or swelling of the vulva. A pinkish tinge may be due to spotting or implantation bleeding early in pregnancy.
When To Contact Your Doctor
If you have bleeding that is heavier than spotting, you should contact your doctor immediately. Light spotting may be normal, but letting your doctor know about it is still a good idea. Discharge that shows signs of a possible infection (green, yellow, or gray in color; foul odor; or with swelling, itching, or redness) also warrants a call to your doctor.
Any sudden severe pain or pain that does not ease with a change of position, OTC pain meds, or some rest should prompt contact with your doctor.
If your nausea is severe enough that you are unable to keep liquids down, and it doesn’t let up, you need to call your doctor. Providers may have specific lines they see as the point to call. Some may set a specific number of hours without passing urine; others say to call if you recognize that you’re urinating less frequently. The inability to keep liquids down for 8 hours may be the line for others.
You should always call if you see blood in your vomit, experience fainting or dizziness, or suffer severe headaches, unusual tiredness, or confusion.
If you find yourself struggling with mental health, which can be prompted both by hormonal changes and the life changes that may be impending, your doctor may be able to help. If you feel that you are struggling to a degree that may endanger your health, seek immediate help.
Some swelling can be expected in pregnancy, but some swelling symptoms can indicate a serious condition. Lancaster General Health advises you to call your doctor if you see extreme or sudden swelling in hands, arms, legs, and/or feet, swelling in the face, swelling in the chest with difficulty breathing, or more swelling in one leg than the other.
Blurry vision during pregnancy can be a sign of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes and warrants an immediate call to your provider.
What Should Mom Be Doing At 6 Weeks?
You should have contacted a doctor and scheduled your first appointment by now. If you haven’t, you should do so as soon as possible. Now is also a great time to prepare that family health history because you’ll be asked for it.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, your doctor may schedule you for a transvaginal ultrasound this week. Otherwise, he’ll probably have you wait until sometime between 8 and 12 weeks.
Continue to make sure your body is getting sufficient rest and nutrition, and avoid alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances. If you haven’t yet checked with a provider to make sure it’s okay to continue taking your prescription medications, you should do so now. If you consume large amounts of caffeine, consider reducing your intake.
Check with your doctor about continuing or altering your fitness regime. Unless you have complications that make exercise unsafe, doctors typically advise patients to stay active during pregnancy but to avoid adding new elements to their workout and to remove any especially strenuous elements.
What To Look Forward To
You’re now looking forward to a prenatal visit and your first ultrasound if you haven’t had one yet! It’s so exciting to get a first peek at your baby!
If you haven’t started shopping for maternity clothes, you will probably start that process soon.
By now, you’re likely also beginning to discuss baby names! Don’t worry if you and your partner can’t agree on any yet. There’s plenty of time to figure it out!
If you’re decorating a nursery, you may already be considering themes. However, let someone else handle any painting because fumes can be harmful.