By the 6th week of pregnancy, most of the structures of your baby would have been developed or in the process of developing. Your doctor may be able to give you a visual of it through an ultrasound. Even though it is the early phase of your pregnancy, you may undergo a series of hormonal changes during this period. In this post, we help you understand everything about week six, including the changes in your body and the developments in the baby. We also give you a few tips on ensuring a smooth pregnancy.
How Many Months Pregnant Are You At Six Weeks?
During the sixth week, you are in your second month of pregnancy. The second month is a part of the first trimester. The first trimester is between conception to 13 weeks (1).
How Big Is Your Baby At Six Weeks?
The fetus during the sixth week is around ¼ inch long (2). It is visible through the ultrasound scan when the doctor can evaluate the fetal size.
What Is The Baby Development At Six Weeks?
At this stage, the baby continues to develop at a faster rate. Most of the organs have begun to form by now.
1. Brain development
By the sixth week of pregnancy, the fetus develops the cerebral cortex, a part of the brain. The neurons also start to grow and form connections known as synapses. These connections enable communication between the neurons and, at a later stage, allow the fetus to make movements (3).
2. Heart development
The heart develops between the third and the sixth week. During the sixth week, cardiac activity develops, and you can hear the fetal heart sound during an ultrasound (4).
3. Other notable developments
Some other developing features of the fetus in the sixth week of pregnancy include (2) (3):
The ears begin to take shape, and the ear opening is visible. The salivary glands form in the mouth. The diaphragm, one of the main muscles that help to breathe, is now formed. Eyes start to develop. The limb buds begin to develop. Fingers form at this stage. The endocrine system continues to develop this week. The parathyroid hormone starts to secrete this week, which controls the calcium levels in the fetus’ blood. The kidneys start to function, and the stomach also produces digestive juices.
What Are The Symptoms During The Sixth Week Of Pregnancy?
Besides nausea and discomfort, there are some other symptoms that you may start to experience in week six of pregnancy.
What Body Changes Occur During The Sixth Week?
You are likely to notice the following body changes during the sixth week of pregnancy (7).
Changes in breasts, including breast soreness Darkening of skin on the face and brown skin patches Increased hair thickness
Changes in taste, including a metallic taste in the mouth You may also develop a change in the sense of smell and food likes and dislikes
What Is Checked During The Six-Week Ultrasound?
The first scan of the first trimester is ideally scheduled in the sixth week. This ultrasound helps with the early assessment of the fetus and detection of any abnormalities.
Can Twin Development Be Known At Week Six?
During an ultrasound at week six, you will not only know if you’re carrying twins, but you might also know if the twins would be identical. You will have identical twins if the ultrasound shows one placenta and two amniotic sacs (10). The development of the twins would be similar to that of a single baby until the third trimester (11).
Are There Tips To Remember In Week Six Of Pregnancy?
What Is The Pregnancy Checklist For Week Six Of Pregnancy?
When To See A Doctor?
Consult a doctor if you notice any of the following signs (12):
Vaginal bleeding or discharge Fever and chills Headache Trouble breathing Pain while urinating Dizziness Weight loss
