6 Weeks Pregnant
Good morning, pregnant mommies and daddies-to-be! If you’re feeling sluggish and exhausted (like I am right now), just remember that you’re almost at the halfway point of the first trimester. These past few weeks have probably been a whirlwind for you. They certainly have been for me! Between finding out the news that you’re pregnant and having to already cope with unpleasant pregnancy symptoms, this has not been a cake walk. Let’s walk through what to expect when you’re six weeks pregnant.
6 Weeks Pregnant: Recurring Symptoms
| Bloating | Cervical Changes | Cramps | Excess Saliva |
| Fatigue | Faster Heart Rate | Food Cravings | Frequent Urination |
| Heightened Sniffer | Morning Sickness | Nothing | Spotting |
| Tender Breasts |
6 Weeks Pregnant: Common Symptoms
hCG Levels
Ever wonder what makes the pregnancy test say positive? It’s human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Quite the mouthful, this protein is made by the placenta, and is a sure sign that you’re pregnant. Pregnancy tests aren’t super sensitive, so it may take a couple of weeks for your body to produce enough hCG for the test to detect.
Heartburn
While your heart may be burning with love for your little one, the burning sensation in your chest is definitely something less glamorous. During pregnancy, the lower esophageal sphincter near the top of your stomach will begin to relax, meaning that the acid from the stomach will occasionally visit the lower section of your esophagus. Since your esophagus is not meant to handle the acidity of stomach acid, you may feel your throat burning or a burning pain in your chest. To relieve this burning sensation, doctors recommend staying upright after eating. For heartburn relief, my doctor also advised me to take antacids, saying Tums during pregnancy are fine. He also said to avoid the following foods:
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Mood swings
The trifecta of physical changes, emotions, and raging pregnancy hormones means you may be experiencing the highest of highs followed by the lowest of lows within minutes. You are going through a lot and it may feel like your life is changing and uncertain. I certainly experienced lots of mood swings during my first pregnancy and still do with my sixth. The good news is that once your hormones level out in the second trimester and you adapt to your ever-changing body, these mood swings will decrease in intensity. Over the years, I have found it helpful to get out in the sunshine, talk over my emotions with friends, exercise, and eat healthy, frequent meals.
Weird Dreams
Did you finally meet your celebrity crush, Chris Hemsworth, or were you being chased by a buzzing mass of murder hornets? As much as I’d personally like to meet Chris, I must unfortunately bring you back to reality. You’ve just been dreaming a lot! Weird dreams during pregnancy are common, whether due to hormones, stress, or anxiety. If you are feeling anxious about giving birth, these conscious anxieties can become personified in your dreams.
Stages of Fetal Development: Baby Growth & Size at 6 Weeks
Your 6 week fetus weighs less than .04 ounces and is .13 inches long, about the size of a pomegranate seed. Your baby’s heart is beating incredibly fast — up to 100 beats per minute! Either your baby is doing some HIIT workouts or they are scared by what’s going on inside your belly.
Your baby sure is a little genius. That’s right: during week 6, your baby’s brain is rapidly growing to fill up the inside of their skull. As the brain expands, it is forming three main regions: the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
During week 6, a lot of new organs and parts of your baby’s six-week-old body begin growing, including the eyes, jaws, cheeks, mouth, and limbs. Right now, your baby’s limbs are referred to as buds: like buds on a tree, they are just little bumps, but in the next few weeks, they will begin to flower.
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Fun Fact About Pregnancy Your cervix may turn blue: this symptom is called Chadwick’s sign and is one of a couple early signs of pregnancy. Your cervix turns a bluish shade (it’s really not that noticeable) due to increased blood flow. |
My Pregnant Belly Progression
Check out my 6 weeks pregnant belly! I’m still not seeing too much of a bump and I’m still fitting into most of my clothes. In my prior pregnancies, it took me a while before I started showing — most likely because I’m pretty tall and had relatively small babies. Whatever your bump size might be at this stage, don’t worry too much. Check with your doctor if you are very concerned. Don’t compare your bump to others because your pregnancy is completely unique to you.
Your Ever Changing Skin
While you may be thriving off your newfound pregnancy glow, chances are that there are some less glowy additions to your skin as well. A lot of skin conditions can arise during pregnancy — from a hormone stained linea alba to vaginal skin tags — so let’s do a quick rundown of what you may experience. Don’t let this get under your skin!
Your Pregnancy at 6 Weeks: Prenatal Appointments
At this stage in your pregnancy, you likely won’t have a regular doctor’s visit but a home pregnancy test or a pregnancy blood test are possibilities. However, I’d recommend looking ahead to future weeks so that you can begin scheduling prenatal appointments in advance.
Week by Week Pregnancy Food Guide: Healthy Foods for You & Baby
For more information on what to eat and not to eat during pregnancy, check out Week 4 and Week 5.
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Quick, Healthy Meal Tip Healthy Energy Bars: combine 1 cup of nuts, 1 cup of dates, and 1 cup of preferred dried fruit in a food processor. Scrap the sides and continue processing until a ball forms at the center of the processor. Form the ball into a thick square on a tray and divide into squares. Freeze and enjoy! (Tasty) Why Cashews? Cashews are one of my favorite nuts. These boomerang shaped nuts are linked with helping your body better control your blood sugar and support a healthy heart. Cashews contain copper, manganese, magnesium, and unsaturated fats, the later of which helps lower your risk of heart disease and premature death. |
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How Many Months is 6 Weeks?
Although doctors measure pregnancy by weeks (which is more precise) and not months, if you are 6 weeks pregnant, figure that you are in the second month of your pregnancy. (At 8 weeks of pregnancy, you will be around 2 months pregnant).
Week 6 Pregnancy Checklist
- Confirm your reservation for your week 8 doctor’s appointment
- Push yourself to exercise, even if tired—maybe try yoga
- Check in on your partner’s wellbeing
- Get lots of rest
- Stay hydrated
- Take your prenatal vitamins
- Beware of the signs of a Urinary Tract Infection
Resources
- What to Expect & What to Expect When You’re Expecting – 5th Edition (2016)
- The Bump
- Baby List
- Parents.com
- Healthline.com
- WebMD
- The Mama Natural Week to Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth (2017)
- Mayo Clinic’s Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy – Second Edition (2018)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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