What is happening in week 6
Doctors count pregnancy weeks from the first day of your last period, so week 6 sits in the first trimester (up to the end of week 13). That is about 34 weeks to go until week 40, and about 1.4 months by a rough conversion. By week 6 the embryo is around 6mm long, and limb buds, ears and the heart bump are forming.
Your baby
The NHS guide describes an embryo of about 6mm, roughly the size and shape of a pea. Limb buds that will become arms and legs are forming, there are small dents where the ears will be, and the liver, brain and musculoskeletal system are developing.
Your body
Morning sickness and tiredness are common this week. Sickness can strike at any time of day, not only in the morning. Other possible changes are sore breasts, mood swings, headaches, needing to pee more often and bloating.
This week’s to-do
- Keep a plain snack by the bed and try about 6 small meals a day instead of 3 big ones.
- Sip water through the day and rest as much as you can; the NHS says ginger may help some people.
- Arrange a booking visit; the NHS says it is usually between weeks 8 and 12.
When to call
Call your doctor or hospital if you have any bleeding, if you cannot keep food or drink down, or if you feel very low or anxious.
Chaitanya Hospital in Kadapa, near RTC Bus Stand, Simhapuri Colony, provides delivery and emergency care 24/7. Our antenatal check-ups team can answer questions about your own pregnancy.
Use the week-by-week guide to jump to your week, or the due date calculator to work out your dates. Timings for scans and tests come from NHS guidance in the UK and can differ from your doctor’s schedule, so always follow your own doctor’s advice. This page is educational and not a substitute for a doctor.
Sources
Text on this page is paraphrased from the sources above. Sizes are averages and vary between babies.