At 6 weeks pregnant, things are changing incredibly quickly.
You may have only known you're pregnant for a week or two, but inside your body your tiny baby is already going through some amazing developments. Your baby is still absolutely tiny, but their brain, spinal cord and heart are developing rapidly, and the very beginnings of their little arms and legs are starting to appear. Meanwhile, those pregnancy hormones are continuing to rise, which means you might be starting to feel rather more pregnant than you did last week!
Welcome to Week 6 of our Pregnancy Week by Week journey. Here's what may be happening with you and your growing baby this week.
What does your baby look like at 6 weeks pregnant?
At six weeks, your baby is still known as an embryo. They have a tiny curved body with a relatively large head area and a little tail-like shape at the bottom, which will gradually disappear as your baby develops. Tiny buds are beginning to appear where your baby's arms and legs will eventually grow. The beginnings of your baby's eyes and ears are also developing, although they certainly don't look like the little features you'll eventually see on your baby's face.
It's incredible to think that such a tiny embryo is already beginning to develop the foundations of the little person you'll meet in a few months' time.
How big is your baby at 6 weeks?
At six weeks pregnant, your baby is only around a few millimetres long from head to bottom. That's roughly comparable to the size of a small pea or lentil.
It can be difficult to imagine something so tiny growing inside you, particularly when it may already be making you feel so tired! Your baby may be small, but this is another incredibly busy week for development.
Your baby's heart at 6 weeks
One of the most exciting developments around this stage of pregnancy is your baby's tiny developing heart.
The heart begins as a simple tube and develops rapidly during these early weeks. Cardiac activity may sometimes be detected on an ultrasound around this stage, particularly with a vaginal ultrasound. However, not seeing cardiac activity at exactly six weeks doesn't automatically mean something is wrong.
Pregnancy dates aren't always exact. Ovulation and implantation can happen at slightly different times, meaning a pregnancy thought to be six weeks may actually be a little earlier. If you've had an early scan, your healthcare professional will explain what they can see and whether another scan is recommended.
Your baby's brain is developing rapidly
Your baby's neural tube, which eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord, continues to develop. Different areas of the brain are beginning to form and your baby's nervous system will continue developing throughout pregnancy.
It's another reason why folic acid is particularly important during these first weeks. Although your baby doesn't look much like a newborn yet, many of the foundations for their future body are already being put into place.
What's happening inside your body?
While your baby is busy developing, your body is doing plenty of work too. Pregnancy hormones, including hCG and progesterone, are continuing to increase and support your pregnancy. Your uterus is beginning to change, blood flow is increasing and your body is adapting to everything required to grow your baby.
From the outside, however, there may still be absolutely nothing to see. You probably won't have a noticeable pregnancy bump yet, although bloating can certainly make your clothes feel a little tighter. You may suddenly discover that something you normally love, your morning coffee, favourite perfume or a particular meal, now makes your stomach turn! Pregnancy can be strange like that.
Morning sickness at 6 weeks
If morning sickness hasn't already arrived, week 6 can be around the time nausea starts for some women. And despite the name, it doesn't have to happen in the morning.
You might feel sick when you wake up, during the afternoon, in the evening or seemingly all day long. Eating small amounts regularly can sometimes help, and you may find that plain foods are easier to manage.
Most importantly, try to keep yourself hydrated.
If you're vomiting frequently, struggling to keep food or fluids down, becoming dehydrated or feeling particularly unwell, contact your midwife, GP or maternity service for advice. Severe pregnancy sickness can require medical treatment.
Feeling absolutely exhausted?
If you could happily climb into bed at 7pm, you're definitely not alone. Tiredness can be particularly noticeable during the first trimester.
Your body is going through enormous hormonal and physical changes even though nobody looking at you would necessarily know you're pregnant.
Give yourself permission to slow down when you need to.
The washing can wait. The house doesn't need to be perfect. And an early night can suddenly feel like the greatest luxury in the world!
Your first midwife appointment
If you haven't already contacted your maternity service, now is a good time to find out how maternity care works in your local area. Your first longer appointment with your midwife is usually known as your booking appointment.
During this appointment, your midwife will normally ask about your health, previous pregnancies and family medical history, as well as carrying out some routine checks and discussing your pregnancy care.
It's also a perfect opportunity to ask questions.
And don't worry about having too many, pregnancy comes with plenty of them! You might find it helpful to keep a little list on your phone whenever something pops into your head.
Keep taking your folic acid
UK guidance recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic acid every day until you're 12 weeks pregnant, unless you've been advised by a healthcare professional to take a higher dose. Folic acid helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Pregnant women are also advised to take a daily vitamin D supplement. If you're unsure which supplements are suitable during pregnancy, speak to your pharmacist, midwife or GP.
What about your first pregnancy scan?
At six weeks, you may already be dreaming about seeing your baby on that little ultrasound screen. For most uncomplicated pregnancies in the UK, the first routine NHS ultrasound, often called the dating scan, is usually offered at around 10 to 14 weeks. Some women may have an earlier ultrasound for medical reasons.
Private early pregnancy scans are also available, but remember that scanning very early can sometimes lead to uncertainty simply because the pregnancy is too early for everything to be clearly visible.
From one mum to another
Six weeks can be a funny stage of pregnancy. You're carrying around the biggest secret in the world, but nobody else can see it.
You might be sitting at work trying desperately not to yawn, avoiding the office coffee because suddenly you can't stand the smell and secretly counting down the days until your first scan. And all the while, everybody around you is carrying on as normal.
If you're feeling exhausted, emotional or simply overwhelmed by everything that's happening, be kind to yourself. You don't need to enjoy every single symptom to be excited about your baby. Pregnancy can be wonderful and difficult at the same time.
Take each day as it comes.
Your little Week 6 checklist
- Start or continue taking your recommended folic acid.
- Take your daily vitamin D supplement as recommended during pregnancy.
- Contact your maternity service if you haven't already arranged your pregnancy care.
- Keep a note of questions you'd like to ask your midwife.
- Drink plenty of fluids, particularly if you're experiencing nausea.
- Rest whenever your body is telling you that you need it.
- Contact your healthcare team if you're worried about any symptoms.
- And remember to enjoy this tiny, secret stage of your pregnancy whenever you can.
This week, remember...
Your baby may only be a few millimetres long, but they're changing every single day. Their developing brain and spinal cord are continuing to grow, their tiny heart is developing and the beginnings of those little arms and legs are appearing.
Next week brings even more changes as your baby's features continue to take shape.
For now, though, you're six weeks pregnant! One more week of your journey completed, and so many exciting milestones still to come. 🤍
Next: 7 Weeks Pregnant – Tiny Features Are Starting to Form
The Allaboutthebump Pregnancy Week by Week series is intended as a general guide and should not replace individual medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. If you experience symptoms that concern you, pain, bleeding, severe sickness or have questions about your pregnancy, contact your midwife, GP, maternity unit or NHS 111 as appropriate.
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