Pregnancy Week 6

What does my baby look like?

The embryo has a slightly curved back and a little tail, so it still looks a bit like a tiny tadpole. This temporary appearance will change over the coming weeks.

The arms and legs are starting to form; two sets of "limb buds" that will eventually become them are appearing. Tiny dimples and the first structures for the ears and eyes are also becoming visible.

There's a bulge where the heart is and another swelling where the head will be. Sometimes the heartbeat can be picked up on a transvaginal ultrasound, but unless you've had IVF treatment, you're unlikely to have a scan like that at this stage.

The embryo is covered by a thin, transparent layer of skin.

Your baby's heart is getting ready

The cluster of cells that will become your baby's heart begins to beat sometime after last week. Starting this week or a little later, you may be able to see (and/or hear) the heart's movement for the first time on an ultrasound; exactly when it can be detected varies from person to person.

Your baby's face is taking shape

Your tiny baby's face is taking shape this week; the folds of tissue at the top of the head are slowly turning into the cheeks, chin, and jaw.

The indentations on either side of the head are the developing ear canals. The small dots on the face will form the eyes and nose within a few weeks.

This week your baby's kidneys, liver, and lungs continue to take shape along with the tiny heart. This is the stage when the internal organs begin to form (organogenesis). Your baby floats in the amniotic fluid, and the baby-placenta circulation has started working.

How big is my baby?

Your baby measures about half a centimeter to a centimeter from crown to rump this week, roughly the size of a pea. Since fertilization, the weight has increased by about 10,000 times.

What's happening in my body?

Your baby is growing and changing at a rapid pace as it begins to develop arms, legs, and ears. The liver, brain, and musculoskeletal system are developing too. To support this rapid growth, your baby takes the nutrients it needs from your body.

By this point you no longer have periods. But that doesn't mean period-like symptoms will disappear completely. As your pregnancy hormones rise, you may experience mood swings; you might feel emotional one moment and cheerful the next, and occasionally feel a fluttering sensation in your stomach.

Still, these hormones are essential for your baby's growth; they also help form the placenta, which carries oxygen and nutrients to your baby and protects it from germs and pollutants. If you haven't quit smoking yet, now is the best time to do it, and ideally your partner should quit alongside you.

Feeling nauseous

Morning sickness can happen at any time of day, though it's usually worse right when you first wake up. Keeping a snack by your bed can help.

Try eating 6 small meals a day, get plenty of rest, and follow a balanced, healthy diet with lots of water.

Some people find ginger helpful (like ginger tea, ginger ale, crystallized ginger, and ginger biscuits). Others say sucking on ice cubes and wearing a travel acupressure wristband helps.

If you can't keep any food down, talk to your doctor.

Urinating more often

Needing to urinate more often is one of the most common early signs of pregnancy. During pregnancy, much more blood flows through your body, which means your kidneys have extra fluid to process. (Pregnancy hormones, including hCG, also play a role in this.) In addition, your kidneys become more efficient at flushing out waste; combined with your growing uterus pressing on your bladder and leaving less room for urine, the need to urinate increases. This pressure usually eases in the second trimester when the uterus rises up into the abdominal cavity.

Even so, keep drinking enough water; your body needs a steady source of fluid. If your urine is pale yellow or colorless, you can tell you're well hydrated.

A helpful tip: Lean forward slightly while you urinate to make sure your bladder empties completely. Waiting a short while after you pee and then trying again can also help empty your bladder fully.

Mood and emotional changes

Many pregnant women find that moodiness flares up around weeks 6 to 10. Mood swings are mostly linked to stress, fatigue, and hormonal changes. If you feel notably low, talk to your doctor.

Breast tenderness

Breast tenderness can be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Rising hormone levels increase blood flow, which can make your breasts feel swollen, sore, tingly, and unusually sensitive to touch.

Fatigue

For many women, exhaustion is one of the first signs of pregnancy. No one knows for sure what causes early-pregnancy fatigue, but hormonal changes, such as the dramatic rise in progesterone, are likely at least partly responsible.

Metallic taste in the mouth

During the first trimester, you may notice a metallic taste in your mouth due to the sudden surge in estrogen. To cope with this, it can help to brush your teeth often, rinse with salt water, eat sour or acidic foods, or chew minty gum.

Vivid dreams

You may have more vivid and unusual dreams during pregnancy. This is thought to be related to your subconscious processing the physical and emotional changes you're going through. In the first trimester, dreams often reflect anxieties about your changing body, childbirth, and motherhood.

Headaches

Headaches are common in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. By the time you reach the second trimester, they may ease or disappear. Until then, try to identify your headache triggers (such as nitrates, MSG, artificial sweeteners, or tobacco smoke) and avoid them. Getting enough sleep, food, water, and exercise can help prevent headaches; relaxation techniques like massage and meditation can help too. You can take acetaminophen (paracetamol) to relieve headaches in pregnancy, but aspirin, ibuprofen, and some prescription migraine medications are not recommended unless your doctor approves.

When your pregnancy will show

A number of factors — such as your baby's position in your uterus, your height, whether you're carrying twins or multiples, and whether you've been pregnant before — can affect when and how much your pregnancy will show.

Shorter women and those with a short torso tend to show more, because there's less vertical space for their baby to fill.

Women who have been pregnant before usually start to show earlier than first-time moms, because their abdominal muscles were stretched during their first pregnancy.

Symptoms you may notice this week

Along with other early pregnancy signs, you may be dealing with morning sickness and fatigue. Your symptoms may also include:

• a metallic taste in your mouth
• tender breasts
• mood swings
• new food likes and dislikes
• a heightened sense of smell
• needing to go to the bathroom more often
• a milky-white pregnancy discharge from your vagina
• light spotting (if you have bleeding in pregnancy, see your doctor)
• cramps similar to period pains
• darkened skin or brown patches on your face — this is called chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
• thicker, shinier hair
• bloating

Many people start to feel better after the first trimester (after 12 weeks). Talk to your doctor about anything that worries you.

Morning sickness (also called pregnancy nausea)

Morning sickness is very common in early pregnancy and is likely caused by hormonal changes. Don't be fooled by the name; nausea can hit you at any time of day, or you may feel sick all day long. You'll usually start to feel better as you move into your second trimester.

Morning sickness can be very unpleasant, but it doesn't harm your baby. If you can't keep any food down, talk to your doctor. If you haven't been able to keep anything down for 72 hours, contact a healthcare provider or emergency medical services.

Tender breasts

One of the most noticeable signs at this stage is tender breasts; it can be a clue in the first few weeks, even before a pregnancy test can confirm the pregnancy.

Rising estrogen and progesterone levels can make your breasts feel tender — just like when you first got your period. Just a few weeks after conceiving, your breasts may feel bigger, more swollen, and more sensitive than usual.

What to eat for morning sickness

• Drinking plenty of water (sipping it can help)
• Eating foods and drinks that contain ginger, like ginger biscuits (check with your pharmacist before taking a ginger supplement in pregnancy).

Dry, plain foods help ease nausea, and crackers aren't your only option. Dry cereal, pretzels, rice cakes, well-toasted bread, and breadsticks work too; you can keep them in your bag or on your nightstand.

Sometimes pregnancy nausea is severe. You may vomit several times a day and be unable to keep food or drink down. This is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and usually requires hospital treatment. If you're vomiting a lot, can't keep food or drink down, or your nausea is making daily life very difficult, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Nutrition this week

Folic acid and vitamin D are two supplements recommended during pregnancy. Vitamin supplements are a good way to make sure you get what you need every day. Health authorities recommend taking 400 micrograms of folic acid a day during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects (such as spina bifida). A daily vitamin D supplement is also recommended throughout pregnancy. Be sure to choose supplements made specifically for pregnancy.

Protein is also a key part of a healthy pregnancy diet, because it transports nutrients through your body and delivers them to your baby. Animal protein in particular is rich in amino acids that the body can't produce on its own.

Here are a few tips on what to eat while you're pregnant:

• Eat your greens. Almost everything green contains folate: kale, spinach, avocado, asparagus.
• Boost your iron. A nice juicy steak or a lamb roast is a very tasty way to raise your iron levels.
• Be pro-protein. Eggs, meat, and dairy provide the protein you need along with plenty of essential amino acids.
• Are you vegetarian? Lentils, tofu, beans, and legumes all have plenty of protein and iron. Just eat an extra serving a day.

Be especially careful when preparing food to avoid the risk of food poisoning. Cook your meat thoroughly and wash your hands before cooking. Always scrub your fruits and vegetables well, and clean your fridge regularly. Also, avoid eating leftovers, since bacteria may have had a chance to grow. Remember, a little care keeps you and your baby healthy and happy.

Your first prenatal appointment

You most likely found out about your pregnancy with a home test; even so, it's important to have it confirmed by a healthcare professional. Your first prenatal appointment can be both exciting and lengthy; it's the moment you feel your pregnancy journey has truly begun.

If your first prenatal appointment is coming up, be ready to talk about your health history, your family's medical history, and your lifestyle habits. If you haven't chosen a doctor yet, it's helpful to pick one by this point. It's a good idea to book the appointment early.

When you arrive for the appointment, you'll have a thorough physical exam, including a pelvic exam, to determine your Rh factor, whether you have iron deficiency, and whether your baby is at risk of chromosomal abnormalities.

You may also be tested for sexually transmitted infections, immunity to rubella (German measles), and ethnicity-specific genetic conditions. A urine sample may be taken to check for glucose, protein, red and white blood cells, and bacteria.

Because your medical history and obstetric history (that is, your pregnancy history) will be discussed, be ready to answer a lot of questions; this part can take some time. It's a good idea to make a list of your own questions and bring it along. If you feel anxious about anything, this is a great opportunity to talk through those small worries and put your mind at ease.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

If you think you or your partner might have an STI, get it checked, because it can affect your baby's development. Talk to your doctor or go to a healthcare clinic.

Long-term conditions

If you have a long-term health condition, tell your specialist or doctor that you're pregnant as soon as possible. Don't stop any medication you take regularly without talking to your doctor first.

There are several types of pregnancy specialists, but only you can decide which one best suits your situation. While more than 90% of women choose an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) — a physician with a medical degree and training in women's reproductive and general health — you can also choose a different specialist.

Coloring your hair

When it comes to coloring your hair, experts agree it's better to be safe than sorry. That's why it's recommended to wait until the second trimester (around week 14 of pregnancy) before getting a touch-up.

If you're going to color your hair, opt for highlights instead of root coloring (so the chemicals don't touch your scalp) and ask for a gentler, ammonia-free dye option. Hormonal changes can make your hair react differently to dye, so it's recommended to try a test strand first, before coloring your whole head, just to be sure.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

If it hurts to pee, or you need to go but nothing comes out, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Talk to your doctor to find out for sure. If you have a UTI, you'll likely be prescribed an antibiotic that's safe for the baby. From these weeks on, your risk of getting this kind of infection may increase.

Is bleeding normal?

One in four women experiences some bleeding during this trimester. If it happens to you, call your doctor and get it checked. While spotting or light bleeding is often due to a minor cause, it can also be a sign of something serious, such as an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or placenta problems.

Pregnancy headaches

Headaches can be common in early pregnancy and usually get better as your pregnancy progresses. They can be uncomfortable, but they don't harm your baby. The following may help:

• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Finding ways to relax
• Trying to get enough sleep

If you need a pain reliever, taking paracetamol is generally safe in pregnancy. Just make sure to take the recommended dose on the package, and try to take it for the shortest time possible. Ibuprofen is not recommended in pregnancy unless prescribed by a doctor.

Feeling tired and emotional?

Many people feel extremely tired during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Your body is working very hard and going through a lot of hormonal changes, so it's no surprise. Feeling emotional is also very common; there are so many changes happening in your body and your life.

If you feel down or anxious and it's affecting your daily life, talk to your doctor. They can help you find the right support.

Smoking and secondhand smoke

Tobacco smoke can lead to serious pregnancy complications. If you've just found out you're pregnant and you smoke, try to quit. Quitting now will help you and your baby right away. Quitting isn't easy for everyone, but there's plenty of help and support out there for you.

Staying away from secondhand smoke is also important. Secondhand smoke is extremely toxic; more than 80% of secondhand smoke is invisible and odorless. If someone in your home smokes, their quitting will help you and your baby too. If they can't or won't quit, they shouldn't smoke around you or in or near the home. If you're worried about the secondhand smoke you're exposed to, talk to your doctor.

Heartburn and indigestion

At this stage, symptoms like heartburn, nausea, and frequent urination may make you feel very pregnant indeed. Even though your body hasn't changed on the outside yet, the bloating and fluttering in your stomach can remind you that you're pregnant.

Heartburn is very common in pregnancy. It happens because the band of muscle that normally keeps digestive juices from flowing back up out of the stomach relaxes. But here's some better news: You can minimize the symptoms by avoiding foods like citrus and tomatoes, staying away from fatty and spicy foods, not rushing your meals, and avoiding clothing that's tight around your belly.