6 weeks pregnant: Symptoms and baby development
Congratulations – you're now 6 weeks pregnant! Here's what to expect and how your baby is developing inside of you
At 6 weeks pregnant, your baby is growing at an incredible rate. Tiny facial features are forming and their heart is already beating. Meanwhile, you might be feeling early pregnancy symptoms like nausea, fatigue, itchy skin, lower back pain and tender breasts as your body adjusts to a surge in hormones.
Here, we’ll walk you through what’s happening inside you, what to expect next, and how to support a healthy pregnancy in these crucial early weeks.
How your baby is developing at 6 weeks
"Before we start it is important to understand what 6 weeks pregnant means. Your pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last period, meaning that if you have a 4 week menstrual cycle and test positive on the day of your expected period, you are actually said to be 4 weeks pregnant!" says our resident GP Dr Philippa Kaye.
"At this stage, your baby has small buds which will form arms and legs but actually looks rather like a tadpole, with a bulge where the head and what looks like a tail," explains Dr Philippa.
Their tiny heart is beating at around 100-160 times per minute — almost twice as fast as yours!
Facial features like the eyes, nose and ears are beginning to take shape. Likewise, major organs including the liver and kidneys are starting to develop. Though still tiny, your baby is already undergoing crucial changes that lay the foundation for their growth in the months ahead.
How big is your baby?
"At 6 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of a pea, just over half a centimetre long and about 6mm," shares Dr Philippa.
Your little one is curled up in a c-shape with their spine forming. Although you can't feel any movements yet, your baby is already making small, twitchy motions as its muscles and nerves begin to connect. They're so tiny but it's truly an exciting time of transformation.
"A heartbeat can be found with a transvaginal ultrasound scan at around 6 weeks of pregnancy. However, an ultrasound scan is not routinely suggested at this point, but might be offered, for example, if you have had bleeding," explains Dr Philippa.
Common pregnancy symptoms at week 6
"Some people will have pregnancy symptoms and others don't by 6 weeks of pregnancy. Having or not having pregnancy symptoms does not predict the health of the pregnancy," says Dr Philippa.
"Perhaps the most common and obvious symptom is that your period didn’t start but other symptoms can include feeling tired, nauseous and experiencing morning sickness (a terrible named condition as it can affect you at any time of the day!)"
Other symptoms present at 6 weeks pregnant are:
- a metallic taste in your mouth
- tender breasts
- mood swings
- headaches
- food aversions or new food likes
- heightened sense of smell
- needing to pee more often
- a white, milky vaginal discharge
- light spotting (seek medical advice if you have bleeding in pregnancy)
- mild cramping
- pregnancy nose
- thicker and shinier hair
- feeling bloated
Blame for the extra loo visits lies partly with the pregnancy hormone HCG for revving up the blood flow to your kidneys, and partly with your growing uterus for putting pressure on your bladder. In a few weeks, your uterus will move up to allow your baby room to grow even more and that might ease the frequent bathroom visits a bit.
Tips for managing symptoms
At 6 weeks pregnant, we know those early symptoms can feel intense. Thankfully, there are ways of managing your pregnancy symptoms if you have them. Some effective relief methods to try include:
- eating smaller meals regularly
- staying hydrated
- getting plenty of rest
- getting fresh air
- keep snacks by your bed
- ginger tea, biscuits or sweets
- sucking on ice cubes
- wearing a supportive bra without underwires
It's also helpful to attend your midwife appointments when you receive them as this is a great way to keep on track with the progress of your pregnancy and know how to best look after yourself and your baby.
And don’t forget to be kind to yourself — your body is working hard, so go easy and reach out for support or medical advice when you need it.
Healthy lifestyle changes for early pregnancy
Making small, healthy lifestyle changes can set you up for a smoother pregnancy. Here are some lifestyle changes we recommend:
Take prenatal vitamins
"Ensure that you are taking folic acid, even if you were not taking it before pregnancy it is important to start once you know you are pregnant and continue until 12 weeks of pregnancy," advises Dr Philippa.
Folic acid is an important vitamin that is vital to your baby's growth. It helps to protect your baby’s neural tube which is the channel that develops into your baby's brain and spinal cord.
Prenatal vitamins are super beneficial to take (if you can stomach them) during the early stages of your pregnancy. If you struggle to take your vitamins you can try alternative supplement brands that might be more suitable for you.
Food
Focus on a balanced diet as much as you can, think plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and protein. These nutritional foods will help to support your baby’s development as well as your growing body. Staying hydrated is also key, aim for around 6-8 glasses of water a day.
"Aim to follow the dietary advice about food and drinks to avoid during pregnancy. For example, you should avoid eating liver as it contains high levels of vitamin A which can affect the development of your baby’s eyes and vision; certain cheeses and other foods should also be avoided," advises Dr Philippa.
Cutting back on caffeine is also strongly advised (no more than 200mg a day). You can opt for decaffeinated tea if you prefer.
Some types of soft cheese are fine to eat during pregnancy, others are not. You can eat cottage cheese, ricotta, mascarpone, mozzarella, halloumi, feta, Boursin and processed cheese, such as Dairylea.
But the ones you'll want to avoid on the cheese board are brie and Camembert – plus goats' milk soft cheese that's mould-ripened. Also avoid tangy soft blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Cambozola and Danish Blue.
Exercise
Gentle exercise like walking or pregnancy-friendly yoga can boost your energy and mood while getting enough rest will help combat first-trimester fatigue.
Ensure your environment is safe to exercise and avoid any rigorous fitness programmes that aren't suitable for pregnancy.
Smoking
"It is also never too late to stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol and any recreational drugs" advises Dr Philippa.
Smoking (including vaping) and drinking alcohol can have significant side effects on your growing baby and should be avoided. You can always speak to your doctor if you're having trouble cutting out smoking and drinking during pregnancy.
When to contact your doctor
"You can contact your doctor, or self-refer to your local antenatal clinic for antenatal care.
"They will send you a booking appointment generally before week 10 of pregnancy. However, if you have bleeding before this point please seek medical help, if you have heavy bleeding with pain, or you have severe pain or dizziness please seek urgent medical assistance," shares Dr Philippa.
"Don’t forget that if you are struggling with nausea and vomiting to also discuss with your doctor as there are things we can do to help!"
Pic: Getty
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Janet is a Digital Journalist for MadeForMums and mother to a boy and girl both under 4. With a keen eye and passion for creating online media content, she enjoys sharing her own journey of motherhood, and providing encouragement for new mums.