Week 6 of Your Pregnancy

Discover how your baby is developing in week six of pregnancy and what you should start thinking about.

Pregnancy Journey Week 6

Design By Alice Morgan / Illustration by Tara Anand

It's week six of your pregnancy, and while you may be excited, you may also be getting acclimated to the news—and your emotions. During week six, pregnancy symptoms can begin to appear, if they haven’t already. You may experience gastrointestinal issues or mood changes. You should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of miscarriage, which is a reality some pregnant people face. It's time to start thinking about where you want to deliver your baby and who will be a part of your medical care team.

Pregnancy Week 6 Quick Facts

  • At 6 weeks, you’re almost two months pregnant
  • You have 34 weeks until your due date
  • You are in the first trimester

Your Unborn Baby's Size at 6 Weeks

At this early stage, the embryo is measuring at approximately .13 inches and weighs in around .04 ounces. This is about the size of a pomegranate seed. Very tiny!

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 6 

During week six, you may be experiencing some (or none) of the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Hormonal changes
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Bloating or gas

Kyler Elwell Silver, MD, assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, says the best way to combat nausea is ginger, eating small and frequent meals, or using pressure point bands. For dizziness, she recommends you get up slowly from a sitting position and drink extra fluids. She maintains that bloating is very normal and caused by the hormones your body is making to maintain the pregnancy. To help with tiredness or fatigue, "take as many naps as you want," she advises.

Every person's experience is completely unique; at this point, you may be slowly or abruptly becoming aware of these early pregnancy symptoms, or experiencing none at all. Remember to always contact an OB-GYN, midwife, or health care provider for anything that feels concerning.

It was shocking to me how different everyone's journey is. I started experiencing the devastating effects of hyperemesis gravidarum during week six. I was debilitatingly nauseous, retching into the toilet dozens of times per day, unable to take care of my older children, or function normally. My dear friend was due around the same time, and we were so excited to be pregnant together and have kids the same age. It was clear that while she was experiencing an abundance of energy and beautiful glossy hair, my pregnancy would be plagued by misery and dried vomit.

Developmental Milestones

When it comes to embryonic development, there are some major changes happening this week, particularly with the kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs. Your little one has tripled in size and is now being protected by amniotic fluid. If you have an ultrasound this week—or sometime soon in the coming weeks—you will likely see the beginnings of a rudimentary heartbeat, which might be visible as a tiny flickering dot.

Pregnancy Journey Weekly Reminder

Design by Alice Morgan

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

Dr. Silver shares it's unlikely that you will have a doctor's appointment this week because typically patients are seen around eight weeks after the first day of their last menstrual period (also known as LMP, which also guides your due date calculation). But that shouldn't stop you from planning ahead for that appointment by starting to research your care options and deciding who you would like to accompany you to your next visit.

Yamel Belen, R.N., CLC, registered nurse, professional doula, and certified lactation counselor in Tampa, Florida, says you should start by making a list of things you want or don't want and empower yourself by conducting research to see which provider best fits your needs, whether that's an OB-GYN, doula, midwife, or combination of these providers. (You don't have to choose just one!). "These are people that you are going to deal with for the next nine months,” she explains. “It's important to look at your entire lifestyle and not just choose one of the providers that your insurance has on their list.”

Some questions she advises you to ask yourself when selecting a provider:

  • Is their office located near your home or office?
  • Do you want a provider that is closer to your partner's office or home so they can accompany you to prenatal appointments?
  • Is this provider compatible with your views on pregnancy and delivery?
  • Is their office and auxiliary staff respectful and courteous?
  • If you want to give birth at a particular hospital or facility, is this provider affiliated with said facility?

Common Questions at This Stage of Pregnancy

How likely is it that I will miscarry and what should I do if I start bleeding? 

"The majority of miscarriages (80%) occur before 12 weeks and, of those miscarriages, most happen before six weeks. Once there is a visible heartbeat... the risk of miscarriage drops to 10%," Dr. Silver states. She explains that bleeding is the most common symptom you will notice if you're having a miscarriage. "Don't panic and contact a provider for next steps," she says. "This is only an emergency if you are losing too much blood."


Can I still have vaginal sex? 

Dr. Silver says yes, you can, and it will not harm your unborn baby, but don't be alarmed if you see some spotting afterwards. "The cervix has lots of tiny, new blood vessels, particularly early in pregnancy, and some light bleeding may occur," she explains.


I'm super excited! Can I announce my pregnancy? 

This is a deeply personal choice and should be up to your discretion. Some but certainly not all pregnant people, Dr. Silver says, "keep this information close until you have seen a heartbeat and completed genetic testing (if you plan on doing so)." But the decision of whom and when to tell is completely personal preference.

Things You Might Consider This Week

You're six weeks pregnant, now is a good time to think about what you want in a care team and to search for a provider that aligns with your specific wants, desires, and preferences. It's also a great idea to start getting prepared for your upcoming visit by gathering your family and medical history and a list of all medications you are taking. Remember to pamper yourself by making time for extra rest, going on walks, or finding ways to sneak in some relaxation or meditation to quell some of the anxieties you might have about being pregnant. Those feelings can be totally normal during this time.

"I did IVF and I distinctly remember week six because those early weeks are the highest chance of miscarriage. Basically, if the embryo wasn't good quality, this is the time the pregnancy would fail. So, every time I went to the bathroom, I would have heightened anxiety because I was scared to see blood," shares Michelle*, 46, from Chicago.

Support You May Need This Week

A pregnancy can cause a rollercoaster of emotions, plus your hormones may feel slightly out of whack, which can contribute to you feeling big emotions. That, coupled with all the physical changes you're undergoing, can make this a difficult time. "Those initial weeks can be very tough to get through, so having someone to make the pregnant person comfortable is critical," Belen says. She suggests making sure your partner (if you have one) or other loved ones are understanding of all that you are going through and try to take some of your load off if you're not feeling up to your normal energy level by doing things like walking the dog, taking care of meals, or going to the grocery store.

If you experience a pregnancy loss, you may be feeling overwhelmed by grief or sorrow. Remember to reach out for help. There is no reason to feel alone in your pain; many other folks have experienced something similar and can offer support and guidance. March of Dimes has various ways you can honor your loss, gather resources, and find comradery and connection with a community of people to help you heal.

*Last names have been withheld for privacy.

Head over to week seven of pregnancy

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