At 6 weeks pregnant, you’re already in your second month of pregnancy and some important developments are under way. Among other milestones, your little one’s brain and nervous system are quickly developing, as are small bumps and buds that will become their eyes, ears, arms, and legs. Read on to learn more about what happens at 6 weeks pregnant and what symptoms you might feel.
Highlights at 6 Weeks Pregnant
These are some of the key things to anticipate during your sixth week of pregnancy:
Your little one is making big strides in terms of development! During this week, the foundations for major organs and systems are being established.
You might start to feel more pregnancy symptoms at 6 weeks, including morning sickness, fatigue, and breast tenderness.
Don’t forget about the emotional symptoms of pregnancy. There’s lots you can do to keep yourself centered as mood swings come and go, such as documenting your pregnancy journey with a journal or book.
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At 6 weeks pregnant, your baby is making rapid progress in terms of growth and development. This week’s most important milestones include the following:
The neural tube begins to close over what will become your baby’s spinal cord.
The areas that will become the eyes and ears have started to project as bumps, and other tiny buds are forming that will eventually grow into arms and legs.
At 6 weeks pregnant, a tiny heartbeat of about 105 beats per minute may be detectable via ultrasound this week, and the brain and nervous system are also developing quickly.
Your little one’s nose, mouth, and inner and outer ears are just starting to take shape, along with the lungs. In just a few weeks, breathing tubes will form between the throat and the lungs, getting ready for your little one’s first breath of air (and maybe a loud wail) at birth.
Wondering when you might be able to meet your baby? Try our Due Date Calculator.
RELATED PREGNANCY TOOL
How Many Months Is 6 Weeks Pregnant?
Pregnancy is most often measured in weeks, and sometimes in months, too. Given that the 40 weeks of pregnancy don't fit evenly into months, it gets a little tricky, but at 6 weeks, you’re thought to be in your second month of pregnancy, which typically includes weeks 5 through 8.
How Big Is Your Baby at 6 Weeks Pregnant?
At six weeks, your baby’s size is about 3/16 of an inch—about the size of a pomegranate seed!
Your Baby: What Does 6 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?
Look at the visual below to get an idea of how things are progressing inside your belly. At 6 weeks pregnant, things are starting to take shape!
6 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms
You may be asking yourself, “What “should” I be feeling at 6 weeks pregnant?” At 6 weeks pregnant, you might experience various symptoms of pregnancy, though not everyone does. Here are some common symptoms you might notice during your sixth week:
Physical and Emotional Symptoms
From morning sickness to spotting to mood swings, there are quite a few symptoms of pregnancy that might occur at 6 weeks.
Spotting. It’s not unusual to see some spotting at 6 weeks. But any bleeding should be light, not even enough to cover a small pantyliner. If you see a lot of blood, if the spotting lasts longer than two days, or you have any concerns, be sure to contact your healthcare provider right away.
Cramping. Slight cramping and typical discharge that’s white or clear (or slightly tinted due to spotting) is normal at 6 weeks pregnant. It’s a sign your uterus and the surrounding tissues are expanding to make room for your baby. But at 6 weeks pregnant (or anytime during your pregnancy), if you feel stomach or lower abdomen pain more severe than typical period cramping, especially if accompanied by a fever or diarrhea, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Constipation. You may also experience constipation because of an increase in progesterone, which slows down the digestive tract. To deal with this, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet with high-fiber foods, and drink plenty of water.
Breast tenderness. This week, your breasts may feel tender or achy because of increased blood flow; this is a normal part of your body preparing for breastfeeding. Wearing a supportive bra can help with discomfort.
Morning sickness. If you’re at 6 weeks pregnant and have had no morning sickness, this week may be when it shows up. Morning sickness can happen any time of day or night. It may be triggered by certain movements, smells, an empty stomach, or nothing at all. Munching on crackers and other simple, starchy foods can help, so keep a little something on hand for those random bouts of nausea in 6 weeks of pregnancy and beyond.
Frequent urination. You can expect to run to the bathroom more often than usual. Your kidneys are working overtime to process the extra fluid in your body now.
Exhaustion. You may feel completely exhausted due to pregnancy fatigue, and that’s OK. As your levels of the hormone progesterone are increasing, making you more and more tired, you may find taking naps can help; some women also say that little snacks and light exercise are effective in fighting off fatigue. Be sure that you’re getting plenty of iron, because too little can cause anemia and lead to tiredness.
Mood swings. You may be in for some emotional highs and lows between now and the end of your pregnancy. Mood swings are common in the first trimester, often subside in the second, and sometimes return toward the end of the third trimester. Eating well, chatting with friends, taking naps, and engaging in light exercise are some easy ways to help yourself feel better.
No symptoms. “If at 6 weeks pregnant I have no symptoms, should I be worried?” You’re not the only one asking yourself this question! The good news is that it’s possible to be 6 weeks pregnant with no symptoms whatsoever. Every pregnancy is different, so you might just be someone who can enjoy these symptom-free days without worry.
How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 6 Weeks?
Will you be showing at6 weeks pregnant? This is a common question, as you might be anticipating a belly bump now or sometime soon. But a baby bump probably won't appear this early in your pregnancy. Everyone is different, but a pregnant belly could be visible at around 12 to 16 weeks.
What Does 6 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?
To help you get a better sense of what your belly might look like at 6 weeks pregnant, check out the visual below:
6 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider
Early on in your pregnancy, there’s a lot to think about, and you may have plenty of questions or concerns. To help you through this exciting week, here are a few things you may want to take into consideration.
Many wonder if 6 weeks is too early to tell family that you’re pregnant. Another common question is this one: “Should I tell my boss I'm pregnant at 6 weeks?” The choice is yours, but it’s common to wait until the end of the first trimester or the beginning of the second trimester to share the news more widely, as this is when the risk of miscarriage decreases significantly. Still, you might want to have someone in the loop for support at the start, so
check out these cute and creative ways to tell your partner you’re pregnant!
One of the first things you may notice early in your pregnancy is an increase in the size of your breasts, and the surge of pregnancy hormones you're experiencing now may also lead to some skin changes. Your nipples may turn a shade or two darker thanks to hyperpigmentation.
Look in your closet to make sure you'll have some stretchy or roomy clothing to wear during the coming weeks. Your body will soon start to expand, and you’ll want to stay comfy even if you’re not yet ready to transition into maternity clothes. You might also want to avoid tight-fitting pants from this point on and choose cotton underwear—and don't forget to switch your bra size when needed for your comfort.
If you’re just now wondering if you’re pregnant and taking a test at six weeks, it’s still possible to have a false negative, as your levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG might not be detectable yet. To confirm your pregnancy, it’s best to do so with your healthcare provider.
Around this time, you may also want to start a week-by-week photo journal or a pregnancy scrapbook for your notes, photos, and mementos. This is a nice way to celebrate your pregnancy and is also a lovely keepsake you can share with your baby in a few years’ time.
You can also download our Pregnancy Guide, which has all the information you need to navigate the first trimester and beyond.
Read up on the foods to avoid during pregnancy. You might like to make a list that you can take with you when you go shopping or think about substitutions you can make.
Tip for Partners
If your pregnant partner is struggling with all-day nausea, make them some healthy snacks that they can nibble on throughout the day. Avoid offering large meals or strong-smelling food that might cause nausea and consider easy-to-digest choices like crackers, toast, and smoothies, or something containing ginger, which can help with queasiness.
6 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider
Now or sometime soon you'll want to book an appointment with your healthcare provider. Your prenatal visits are usually scheduled about once a month until the last two months of your pregnancy, when they will become more frequent. These regular checkups give you the perfect opportunity to ask questions and express any concerns. Here are some questions you might want to ask your healthcare provider at 6 weeks of pregnancy:
What are some safe options for exercising while pregnant?
Where will you give birth, and what should you know in advance about the facility and its procedures?
If you have a chronic condition (like diabetes or high blood pressure) for which you take medication, how can you manage your condition safely during pregnancy?
Should you be taking folic acid?
What prenatal care will you be getting?
Is the morning sickness you’re experiencing considered normal or severe? Some experience a more severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum, and your healthcare provider can determine what you’re experiencing.
FAQS AT A GLANCE
Every person is unique, so every pregnancy will look a little different. There’s no particular way you “should” be feeling at this point in your pregnancy, but it does help to know about common symptoms at six weeks, such as morning sickness, exhaustion, and breast tenderness, among others.
A healthy pregnancy will vary from person to person, though there are some common symptoms of pregnancy you might experience at 6 weeks. However, you shouldn’t feel any sort of severe pain or abnormal changes. If you’re feeling strong stomach or back pain at 6 weeks pregnant (or other type of pain or heavy bleeding), contact your healthcare provider.
At 6 weeks pregnant, your little baby (technically referred to as an embryo, not a fetus) is teensy tiny—just about 3/16 of an inch long, which is the size of a pomegranate seed.
At 6 weeks pregnant, a tiny heartbeat may be detectable with an ultrasound. It may beat at about 105 beats per minute.
Known as quickening, feeling your baby move for the first time doesn’t typically happen until about 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Experts recommend avoiding any activity (including sports and exercises) that increase your risk of injuring yourself, especially in your abdomen. But for some, even lighter exercise or “safe” activities could pose a risk, so it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about your unique situation.
According to the CDC, flu shots are perfectly safe for those who are pregnant, and highly recommended. If you’re pregnant, you’re at an increased risk of having complications with the flu virus, so it’s best to protect yourself and your baby with an annual flu shot.
Round ligament pain is when your ligaments start to stretch to accommodate your growing uterus and belly. At 6 weeks pregnant, you won’t likely experience this type of pain, as your uterus is still small and has yet to stretch beyond your pelvis. If you do experience round ligament pain, it’ll likely be in your second trimester.
6 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist
At this busy and exciting time in your life, use this list to stay focused and organized:
If you don’t already have someone, choose a prenatal care provider.
Drink plenty of water, eat high-fiber foods, and exercise regularly to help avoid constipation.
Find out who to call if your healthcare provider is unavailable or if it’s after hours and you have a medical concern.
Save your provider’s number to your phone and have emergency contact numbers stuck on your fridge and saved to your contact list, too.
Learn how due dates are calculated and how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Check out the warning signs you should not ignore so that you know what to look out for and what to do if you happen to notice one.
Although this type of pregnancy is rare, it’s a good idea to read up on the signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, even at 6 weeks pregnant.
How We Wrote This ArticleThe information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
