6th week of pregnancy

The baby continues to develop rapidly, and the woman most likely already knows about the onset of pregnancy.

What happens to the baby in 6th week of pregnancy?

At 6th week of pregnancy, the size of the fetus is about 4-6 mm. The laying of organs and systems continues.

A very important event is the beginning of the formation of the brain. The rapid development of the nervous system leads to the fact that such a tiny creature can react to external stimuli already at 6-7 weeks of pregnancy.

At the 6th week of pregnancy, the arms and legs are starting to form, however, these are still just in the early stages. During this week, blood begins to circulate through the embryo’s body. A major milestone of this time period is the beginning of the fetal heartbeat during the 5th week. The developing baby’s heart beats faster than an adult’s, with a rate of 100-130 beats per minute.

The formation of the organs is in progress – the beginnings of the lungs, bone marrow and spleen are being established. The external genitalia are barely discernible. Before long, the answer to the burning question of whether you will be having a boy or a girl will be revealed. 

During the 6 or 7th week of pregnancy, the digestive system begins to differentiate. The esophagus is forming, an expansion is forming in the digestive tube which will become the stomach, and the pancreas is being laid down.

What happens in 6th week of pregnancy?

The expectant mother’s body at 6th week of pregnancy is influenced by powerful hormonal changes. In the vast majority of cases, a woman already knows about the onset of pregnancy because new signs are becoming more and more persistent with the absence of menstruation. As a rule, at this time a woman has already taken a pregnancy test, perhaps not even one. Many have already confirmed their pregnancy on ultrasound and visited a specialist.

Important Note: If you are indeed pregnant, the test will be positive in 100% of cases. If your test is negative in the absence of menstruation, do not delay a visit to a specialist. A negative pregnancy test, coupled with the existing signs of pregnancy, may indicate a serious malfunction in the body or a pregnancy pathology that requires specialists’ attention.

After six weeks of pregnancy, indications of a new state are increasingly evident. The woman experiences shifts between periods of high spirits and lethargy. She may be sluggish and easily get tired, which can significantly decrease efficiency and impair daily activities. Conversely, others could be highly energetic and display vigorous activity.

Changes in appetite.

Increased hunger is common for those who do not suffer from pregnancy toxemia. It is important to ensure proper nutrition during pregnancy and not overindulge, as being overweight in later life can make it harder to become pregnant and cause various other issues. There may be signs of cravings for certain foods and heightened sensitivity to smells. 

Symptoms of 6th week of pregnancy

A woman may notice the following symptoms: breast swelling, tenderness, and a feeling of tingling or heaviness in the mammary glands. Many darken the nipples, and if you look at the stomach, you can see a dark line from the navel to the pubis, but this is later. These are signs of hormonal changes in the body, which will pass on their own shortly after childbirth.

Lower abdomen pulled pain

Sometimes expectant mothers in the early stages of pregnancy complain that their lower abdomen is pulled and from time to time there are unpleasant aching pains in this area. Many note that they are similar to menstrual ones, they can be concentrated at one point, or they can be extensive and give to the lower back. The reasons why the pregnant mother pulls the lower abdomen are different.

For example, a gradual increase in the size of the uterus and stretching of the ligaments that support it or spasms in the intestines. Such minor sensations, as a rule, do not signal any pathology of pregnancy. But if the pain intensifies and/or does not go away for a long time, you should inform the specialist.

Note: During this period, urination may become more frequent. This is due to the enlargement of the uterus. It has not yet grown so much that the stomach has grown, but it presses quite noticeably on the bladder.

The intestines, on the other hand, may become lazier. This leads to constipation already in early pregnancy. The reason here is the mechanical pressure of the growing uterus and the pregnancy hormone progesterone activity.

Headaches, nausea, and increased salivation are unpleasant companions of pregnancy. Interestingly, every pregnancy is unique. And if you now have all these unpleasant symptoms, then in the next pregnancy. Perhaps this will be a little consolation for you now.

Note: Every third woman does not experience any new sensations. It may even surprise the expectant mother that she has no signs of pregnancy. Don’t worry. It’s completely normal.

Size of belly and fetus

Outwardly, the stomach is still exactly the same as it was before pregnancy. This is natural because the size of the fetus is still very small and the uterus has increased slightly. And if it seems to some women that the stomach has increased in size, and the clothes at the waist have become small, then the reason is most likely the accumulation of gases in the intestines. By the way, sensations in the stomach, which a woman can take for fetal movements, are also associated with the work of the intestines. It’s still too early for real movement.

Ultrasound at 6th week of pregnancy

Ultrasound at this time will confirm the presence of pregnancy in 100% of cases. Ultrasound will help determine the presence of a fetal egg with an embryo inside, the place of attachment in the uterus and uterine tone. Moreover, the heartbeat of your so tiny but already dearly beloved baby is clearly defined. If you experience discomfort in the abdomen, this method will answer the question of whether they are a sign of threatened abortion.

However, you should not do multiple ultrasounds unless there is a medical indication for this. Although ultrasound is considered safe for the baby, and sometimes it is interesting for the mother to watch the increase in its size, still let the natural process take its natural course.

Medical examination at 6th week of pregnancy

At week 6, a woman must register with a parental clinic by contacting a gynecologist. Timely medical examinations can reduce the risk of negative consequences during pregnancy. The following studies are shown to a woman in the sixth week:

• External examination with measurement of the size of the pelvis, body weight and blood pressure. Obesity negatively affects the state of the blood and increases the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus associated with increased glucose levels during pregnancy.
• Clinical and biochemical blood tests. The methods are aimed at identifying signs of inflammation and other diseases. The biochemical method determines the concentration of glucose, bilirubin, fibrinogen, liver enzymes, etc.
• General urinalysis for the diagnosis of diseases of the urinary system. When an infection is detected, the doctor selects a complex antibacterial or antiviral therapy.
• Determination of the level of chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone rises after fertilization of the egg and the formation of chorionic villi. At the 6th week of pregnancy, it should be 2 times higher than normal. If its level does not increase, then this indicates a fading pregnancy. A woman can independently measure the concentration of hCG in the urine using biochemical strips. They are sold in pharmacies. It should be remembered that their accuracy is lower than that of laboratory methods.
• Determination of the Rh factor, blood group, and coagulogram. The latter allows the doctor to assess the risk of hemorrhagic complications during pregnancy.
• Examination of a woman for infectious agents: HIV infection, syphilis, viral hepatitis and TORCH infections. The latter include rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes and toxoplasmosis. These are infectious diseases that, in an acute course, can lead to miscarriage and malformations in a child.
• Study of the microflora of the vagina. Its pathological changes are a prerequisite for infection of the embryo and the development of complications during pregnancy.
• In addition to laboratory studies, an ultrasound of the pelvic organs is performed. It allows you to confirm pregnancy and timely detect complications: in an ectopic location of the embryo or a fading of its development. 

Do’s and Don’ts at 6 week pregnancy

A woman during pregnancy must follow a number of recommendations from doctors regarding lifestyle and nutrition. This allows you to improve well-being and prevent complications for her health and the child.

Do’s at 6 week pregnancy

• regularly walk in the fresh air and exercise. The level of physical activity is selected individually and should not be accompanied by stress for a woman.
• Cosmetic procedures are carried out only after consultation with a doctor or cosmetologist. Masks, ointments and other products contain many chemical additives that can lead to an allergic reaction and other unpleasant consequences.
• Have sex regularly in the absence of pregnancy complications.
• Take a multivitamin and vitamin-mineral complex after their appointment by the attending physician.
• Increase the amount of sleep up to 8-9 hours. During the day, it is recommended to sleep for 40-60 minutes for extra rest.

Don’ts at 6 week pregnancy

• Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs.
• Use dietary supplements and medications without consulting your doctor. Many medications can lead to abnormalities in the development of internal organs or the nervous system and cause miscarriage.
• Visit a bath or sauna or take a hot bath. Hyperthermia increases the tone of the uterus and increases the risk of abortion.
• Get tattoos, permanent make-up or dye your hair. The dyes contain toxic substances that can enter the bloodstream and affect the developing embryo. When visiting a tattoo parlor, there is a risk of contracting infectious diseases – HIV infections or viral hepatitis.
• Close contact with pets, especially cats and birds. They carry parasites such as Toxoplasma.

Proper nutrition at 6th week of pregnancy

The health of a woman and a child during the prenatal period depends on the pregnant woman’s diet. Food products contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, microelements and biologically active substances involved in the work of internal organs and the nervous system.

At the 6th week of pregnancy, it is recommended:

• Follow the principles of healthy eating. To do this, a woman should give up fried, smoked and salty foods. Reduce the consumption of simple carbohydrates from bakery and confectionery products. Increase the amount of fiber and unsaturated fatty acids in the diet.
• Give up any fast food. It is rich in simple carbohydrates and saturated fatty acids, which, in excess, negatively affect the body, contributing to obesity and diabetes.
• During the day should be 5-6 meals. Three of them are main, and 2-3 are snacks.
• To reduce signs of toxicosis, it is recommended to drink more fluids. Ordinary water or sour drinks are suitable: compotes, fruit drinks and freshly squeezed juices without added sugar.
• The diet should provide 2000 calories per day. If the pregnancy is twins – 2600 kcal.
• Increase the amount of fiber by adding vegetables and fruits rich in dietary fiber to meals.
• Limit or completely abandon foods that are allergens. These include chocolate and cocoa-containing drinks, honey, citrus fruits and mushrooms.
• Refuse carbonated drinks containing a large amount of sugar.
• Limit tea and coffee intake. Caffeine increases the dehydration of the body, increasing the symptoms of toxicosis. Doctors note that it impairs calcium absorption from the intestines, increasing the risk of osteoporosis in a woman and malformations in a child.

Checklist for the 6 week pregnancy

1. With a positive pregnancy test, you should immediately contact the antenatal clinic and register.
2. Normalize the daily routine. Night sleep should last at least 8 hours. During the day, it is recommended to spend 40-60 minutes in the fresh air.
3. Observe the principles of a healthy diet: exclude fast food, fried and fatty foods. Increase consumption of fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, nuts and lean meats.
4. Complete rejection of bad habits: smoking, taking drugs and alcoholic beverages.
5. Observe the rules of personal hygiene and general recommendations for preventing infectious diseases.
6. Regularly ventilate the apartment and workplace.
7. Avoid stressful situations and heavy physical and mental stress.
8. Regularly monitor body weight. On an empty stomach in light pajamas, weighing is carried out in the morning. Weekly weight gain is assessed. Normally, by week 6, body weight should not increase by more than 600 g.
9. master breathing exercises that allow you to master the correct breathing technique and reduce stress.
10. Control the intake of vitamins and minerals with food. If they are deficient in nutrition, consult a doctor about dietary supplements.
11. If symptoms of SARS and other diseases occur, seek medical help in a timely manner.