Pregnancy week 6
At pregnancy week 6 your growing baby (embryo) is still very small - only about 0.08" to 0.16" long
(from the top of baby's head to its buttocks - this length is called crown to rump length).
However, what is happening at this stage of pregnancy is extraordinary. The fastest growth phase in your
baby's life is taking place now. Its difficult to fully appreciate the extent of development but one thing
that can make it real is the knowledge that its possible (though not in all cases) to hear baby's heartbeat
with vaginal ultrasound equipment. Imagine that, you may not even realize that you are pregnant and already the baby's
heart is beating !
Baby at week 6 of pregnancy
At week 6 your baby's heart contractions start - its understood that the heart begins to beat 22 days after you conceive. To put the rate of baby's growth at around pregnancy week 6 into perspective, the embryo that is your baby about doubles in size over this week or two. The head and tail features are now clearly visible and eyes are forming - feet, legs and hands,arms are like little buds and the brain is forming - its clear now that this is a new life. At week 6 of pregnancy, baby's neural tube is closing at the top. The neural tube is key to nervous system, spinal cord and brain formation. If the neural tube does not close then a birth defect called spina bifida can result. It is for this reason that folic acid is recommended during pregnancy. Another thing to be aware of at this pregnancy week and before is that early development of your baby can be affected by alcohol in that alcohol is a nerve poison and could permanently damage your baby's brain.
Your condition at week 6 of pregnancy
As your baby embryo grows the cells which form the embryo release increasing amounts of the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hcg) into your bloodstream, and this pregnancy hormone increase is picked up in a pregnancy test. As your hcg levels rise it becomes more likely that you will have a positive pregnancy test. You may be experiencing some morning sickness and need to go to the bathroom more often at this stage of pregnancy. Although both pregnancy symptoms are you should discuss them with your doctor. For example, frequent urination, although a very common pregnancy symptom, can be caused by a urinary tract infection so its important you feel at ease to discuss even mundane things like frequent urination with your doctor. You may also be experiencing sore breasts and tiredness. So what about your weight and size ? By pregnancy week 6 its possible that you have gained a few pounds and your breasts and tummy maybe a little bigger. However, its very unlikely that anyone has noticed you are pregnant.
Some further reading if you are six weeks pregnant:
What causes heartburn during pregnancy and what you can do about heartburndate of last period
pregnancy and life
pregnancy stages
conception date
due date calculator
due date predictor
last menstrual period
pregnancy due date
cramping during pregnancy
early pregnancy symptom
pregnancy symptoms
pregnancy and electric blanket use
pregnancy concerns