During week 6 of pregnancy, your baby is now the size of a lentil in length and is growing like a weed. Each day, he or she gets about a millimeter bigger, which may not seem like a lot but, considering that just a few weeks ago your little womb-mate was still just two tiny cells (your egg and your partner’s sperm), even that little bit of growth is exponential. You are in your second month of pregnancy.
Your Baby
Week 6 of Pregnancy
The standard measure for an unborn baby is the length between the head (crown) and the butt (rump). During week 6 of pregnancy, your baby measures between 0.08 inches to 0.16 inches long from crown to rump. Over the course of the next week, your baby’s head will increase and grow bigger than the rest of his or her little body. Although the embryo still looks more like a tadpole than a human baby, limb buds are forming, which will eventually develop into your baby’s chubby little arms and legs and adorable little fingers and toes. The jaw, cheeks, chin, eyes, ears, and nose are also beginning to develop on what will soon be your baby’s cute little face.
During week 6 of pregnancy, your baby’s heart begins to beat at about 80 beats per minute and will beat faster each day until beating at between 100 and 160 times a minute. Blood begins to circulate through your baby’s tiny body. An ultrasound may be able to pick up the heartbeat by now, although you should be aware of the potential risks associated with too many medically unnecessary sonograms. The umbilical cord, which will supply your baby with oxygen and nutrients, also continues to develop. The intestines and pituitary gland also appear during week 6 of pregnancy.
Your Body
All the wonderful symptoms of pregnancy that you began experiencing last week will intensify during week 6 of pregnancy. You may find yourself feeling tired, moody, irritable, and otherwise emotional. You will probably find yourself needing to make more frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate more often because of the increasing hormones circulating throughout your body. Your uterus will also begin to grow, which pushes on your bladder, causing you to run to the bathroom more frequently. Your waistline and your bust may start to expand this week. Your breasts may also be sore and tender or even painful to touch as your mammary glands prepare to produce milk for your baby. You may also begin to experience food cravings or food aversions. Morning sickness may begin to get worse this week. However, even if you are feeling nauseated most of the time, try to take your prenatal vitamin as directed to make sure that your baby gets off to a good start. Other common symptoms during week 6 of pregnancy include frequent urination, fatigue, and heartburn and indigestion.
During Week 6 of Pregnancy
Learn about your baby during week 5 of pregnancy or week 7 of pregnancy.
How Big Is Your Baby Bump
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not meant to replace the professional medical advice of your health care provider.
References
6 weeks pregnant: http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/6-weeks-pregnant_70619
Curtis, Glade B. & Judith Schuler. 2011. Your pregnancy week by week. 7th edn. Philadelphia: Running Press.
Stone, Joanne & Keith Eddleman, eds. 2003. The pregnancy bible: Your complete guide to pregnancy and early parenthood. Willowdale, Ontario: Firefly Books.
Your pregnancy: 6 weeks: http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-6-weeks_1095.bc
Your pregnancy week by week: Weeks 5-8: http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/your-pregnancy-week-by-week-weeks-5-8
Image Credits
Week 6 of Pregnancy: Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar © The Parenting Patch
Embryo During Week 6 of Pregnancy: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gray52.png
Six Week Embryo: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Six_weeks_embryo.JPG
Embryo at Six Weeks: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Embryo_at_6_weeks.JPG
Lentils: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ab_food_15.jpg
Baby Bump Week 6 of Pregnancy 1 © 2011 Heather Johnson
Heather Pregnant 5 Weeks 2 Days © 2014 James Johnson
Baby Bump Week 6 of Pregnancy 2: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Myllissa_06_weeks.jpg
