6 weeks pregnant
At 6 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a lentil: under 1 cm long and lighter than 1 g. A flicker of heart activity may show on an early ultrasound.
Your baby at 6 weeks
A flicker of heart activity may show on an early ultrasound.
| Size | About the size of a lentil |
|---|---|
| Length | under 1 cm crown to rump |
| Weight | under 1 g |
The neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, closes around the end of this week. Small dark spots mark where the eyes and nostrils will be, and tiny pits on the sides of the head will become ears. Arm buds are starting to appear. On a vaginal scan, the heartbeat can often be seen, usually at around 100 to 120 beats a minute, and it will speed up over the coming weeks.
How far along are you at 6 weeks?
At 6 weeks pregnant you are in the second month of your pregnancy and the first trimester. You have about 34 weeks to go until your due date. Doctors count pregnancy from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at 6 weeks your baby has been growing for about 4 weeks. Not sure of your dates? Use our due date calculator.
Your body at 6 weeks
You may notice a missed period, tender breasts and tiredness that hits hard. Take folic acid daily and book your first appointment.
Common symptoms at 6 weeks
Every pregnancy is different, and you may have some, all or none of these.
- Nausea and vomiting. For many women it is building now and will peak around weeks 8 to 10.
- Food aversions and cravings. Foods you loved may suddenly put you off, while others become irresistible.
- A metallic taste. Some women notice a strange, metallic taste in their mouth.
- Constipation. Progesterone slows your bowels. Water, fibre and gentle walks help.
- Frequent weeing. This often eases in the second trimester, then returns later.
- Exhaustion. Rest when you can. It usually lifts around 12 to 14 weeks.
Your checklist for week 6
- Eat small snacks every two to three hours so your stomach is never empty. Plain biscuits, toast or rusks before getting up can help.
- Sip water through the day, or try cold water, ice lollies or lemon water if plain water makes you feel sick.
- Try ginger, such as ginger tea or biscuits, which can ease mild nausea.
- If nausea is affecting your daily life, ask your doctor about safe anti-sickness medicine. There is no need to struggle on.
- If you've had a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy before, ask about an early reassurance scan.
Tip of the week: Making morning sickness easier
Cold foods smell less than hot ones, so salads, yoghurt, fruit and sandwiches can be easier than freshly cooked curries. Let someone else cook if smells set you off, and keep windows open. Taking your vitamins at night with a snack can also help. See our morning sickness guide for more.
For your partner
She may feel exhausted long before anything shows.
- Take over cooking if smells bother her
- Keep the news private until she's ready
- Go with her to the first appointment
When to call your doctor at 6 weeks
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit the same day if you have:
- Signs of severe sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum): you can't keep fluids down, your wee is dark or you have hardly been, you feel dizzy when you stand, or you are losing weight.
- Any bleeding, especially with pain.
Call your doctor or hospital straight away for bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, severe headache or vision changes.
Questions about 6 weeks pregnant
What should the heart rate be at 6 weeks?
At around 6 weeks, an embryo's heart usually beats at around 100 to 120 times a minute. It speeds up to around 140 to 170 beats a minute by 9 weeks, then settles slightly. Your sonographer or doctor will tell you if anything needs checking.
Is spotting normal at 6 weeks pregnant?
Light spotting is common in early pregnancy, and many women who have it go on to have healthy pregnancies. But you should always tell your doctor or early pregnancy unit about any bleeding, so they can decide whether you need a scan.
Why do I feel so sick?
Morning sickness is linked to the rising pregnancy hormone hCG, which peaks around weeks 8 to 11. For most women it eases between 12 and 14 weeks. Around 1 to 3 in 100 women get a severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum, which needs medical treatment.