What Does a Baby Look Like at 6 Weeks

This week, your baby is starting to look more like, well, a baby — your little one's head is taking shape, while the cheeks, chin and jaws are also beginning to form.

In week 6 of pregnancy, you may be feeling well and truly pregnant too, thanks to symptoms like heartburn, nausea and frequent urination.

Your Baby at Week 6

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It's week six and your little sweet pea is the size of…a sweet pea. Still tadpole (or prawn) shaped, that baby shrimp won't be a shrimp much longer…in fact, he or she is growing quickly, measuring one-sixth of an inch from crown to rump this week.

Why do we measure from head to tail? Right now, your baby's body is curved over into a C-shape, and eventually, when those tiny legs start to form, your little one's knees will be bent and tucked up under the chin. And that makes it tough to measure the head to toe length of the body. Instead, doctors measure from cute crown to just-as-cute rump until baby hits the 27-week mark, when a head-to-toe measurement takes over.

Incredibly, your baby is starting to gain those features that hint at the adorable little one to come — you know, human stuff like a head and the beginnings of the facial features you'll soon cover with kisses — the mouth, eyes, jaw, and chin. See those little indentations where you think those pinchable cheeks will be? Nope, those aren't dimples — they're ear buds.

Talking about budding buds, check out the limb buds that are starting to sprout from the trunk. They'll grow into arms and legs. And very soon, nodules will develop at the ends of these limb buds and eventually become small hands and tiny feet.

And that's just what's happening on the outside. There's plenty of activity on the inside as well. Major organs are taking shape, including the kidneys, liver, and lungs. And that brand new heart is already beating an impressive 80 to 100 times per minute, a rate that's rising every day.

Fueling all this growth is the yolk sac — a balloon-like structure attached to the embryo. But the early placenta — known as the chorionic villi — has started to develop and form blood vessels, gearing up to take over and bring nutrition to the fetus when the yolk sac disappears by the end of the first trimester.

At a Glance

Smile!

Your little one's face is taking shape this week, with cheeks, chin and jaws beginning to form.

Baby's heart is beating!

Your baby's heart has started to beat sometime between week 5 and now. You may even be able to see the tell-tale thump-thump on an ultrasound this week.

Fetal position

It's not called the fetal position for nothing: Your baby-to-be, who looks like a tiny tadpole complete with teeny "tail," is curled up with the leg buds tucked in toward the torso. No plans to move soon!

6 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 6 weeks pregnant, you're in month 2 of your pregnancy. Only 7 months left to go! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 6 weeks?

When you're 6 weeks pregnant, your baby's crown-to-rump measurement (more on this below) is anywhere from a fifth to a quarter of an inch and growing — making it the size of a nailhead or a sweet pea (your little sweet pea!).

Baby's head takes shape

You might be coping with full-blown pregnancy symptoms, but there's plenty of good news too. The folds of tissue in the prominent bump on top — the head — are developing into your baby's jaw, cheeks and chin, which will eventually become one adorable face.

And are those little indentations on both sides of the head the sweet dimples you always hoped your baby would inherit from your mom's side of the family? No, they're ear canals in the making. Small dots on the face will form the eyes and button nose in a few weeks.

Also taking shape this week: your baby's kidneys, liver and lungs, along with his little heart, which is now beating about 110 times a minute (and getting faster every day).

Measuring your embryo

During embryo and fetal development, practitioners measure babies as small as yours from precious little crown to cute little rump. That's because as your baby grows, her legs will be bent, making it hard to get an accurate read on the full length of the body.

Your Body at Week 6

Frequent urination

Your body may not yet have changed on the outside, but you'll be reminded you're 6 weeks pregnant every time you feel queasy or bloated or dive head-first into your sixth grapefruit of the day — funny, because you never craved grapefruit before.

Another clue? You're in the bathroom more than you're out of it. Frequent urination is a symptom no pregnant woman enjoys, especially when it breaks up the sleep you really need right now, but it's one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy, especially early on.

Why? For one thing, the pregnancy hormone hCG is causing an increase of blood flow to your pelvic area — good for increased sexual pleasure, not so good when you're one hour into a two-hour movie at the theater.

What's more, your kidneys are becoming more efficient at ridding your body of waste. Add to that the fact that your growing uterus is beginning to push down on your bladder, leaving less storage space for urine, and you've got a perfect (pee) storm. Luckily, this pressure is often relieved once the uterus rises into the abdominal cavity in the second trimester.

Here's a quick tip: Lean forward when you pee to ensure that your bladder is completely emptied each time. Then, when you think you're done, pee again. This way, you might need fewer trips to the bathroom. But don't be tempted to cut back on liquids — your body needs a steady supply of fluids.

Heartburn and indigestion

Here's the not-so-great news — the chances of getting through the next nine months heartburn-free are nearly zero. That's because the band of muscle at the top of the stomach that usually prevents digestive juices from backing up relaxes.

But here's better news: You can minimize the symptoms if you avoid foods like citruses and tomatoes — and yes, that includes pizza and pasta sauce — steer clear of greasy and spicy foods, don't rush through your meals and avoid clothes that constrict your belly. It's also a good idea to finish dinner at least four hours before going to bed and keeping your head elevated on a pillow while you sleep.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 6

Breast tenderness and changes

No, it's not your imagination — your breasts are getting bigger and your nipples are sticking out more than usual. They may be tender, too, so definitely warn your partner about what feels good to the touch and what doesn't. Why the new look and size these days? Your body is gearing up to breastfeed and the darker areolas, the skin around the nipples, turn your breasts into a bull's-eye for your newborn, making it easier to latch on. Read More

Fatigue

Building that baby — and the life support your growing fetus needs — is hard work, so it's no wonder you feel exhausted! Listen to your body. If it's screaming out at you to take a break, then take five! But do fit in some exercise: Take a walk or a yoga class; the endorphins you release will lift your mood and help you sleep better. Just don't overdo it! Read More

Nausea and vomiting

Whether you're just experiencing slight queasiness or hurling breakfast, lunch or dinner (or all three), look on the bright side. Though admittedly, it's hard to look on the bright side when your view is the porcelain goddess! Morning sickness is one of the most common signs of a normal pregnancy, especially from week 6 on. Fight nausea by eating small snacks that combine protein and complex carbs — cheese and multigrain crackers, yogurt and granola. Whatever your stomach can stomach! Read More

Bloating and gas

Blame the progesterone that's coursing through your body — this delightful hormone is essential for maintaining a healthy pregnancy, but it's also responsible for your puffy mommy-to-be look. Eat lots of fiber and drink plenty of water to avoid getting constipated, which can aggravate bloating. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Don't skip all seafood

For the pregnant set, not all fish is created equal. While you should avoid high-mercury fish like tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, shark, swordfish, orange roughy, bigeye tuna, marlin and king mackerel, don't steer clear of all good-for-you seafood.

Fish is one of the best sources of DHA (a healthy omega-3 fatty acid), so try to eat two to three servings of well-cooked shellfish, canned light tuna, salmon (wild-caught is best) or cod a week.

Look out for UTI symptoms

If it hurts to pee or if you gotta go but nothing comes, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Talk to your doctor to find out for sure.

If you do have a UTI, you'll likely be prescribed a baby-safe antibiotic. You're at a higher risk of getting this kind of infection after week 6 of pregnancy.

Go bland

Still suffering from morning sickness? Sadly, it isn't limited to the mornings at all — unless you count mornings in every time zone.

If you feel like screaming whenever you look at a saltine, don't panic. You have more options than you might think.

Dry and bland are still the key here, but that describes more than a cracker. Dry cereal, pretzels, rice cakes, well-toasted bread and bread sticks are all suitable to stash in your purse or keep on the bedside table.

Get your steps in

It's one thing to make the commitment to exercise — it's another thing to make time for it, particularly if you're often feeling nauseous.

The best strategy is to block out a specific time in your day for working out — rather than waiting until you find half an hour to get around to it (hint: You never will).

Choose healthy treats

For every sweet or salty junk food you're craving now, there's a healthier choice that, coupled with some willpower, can keep your taste buds — and your baby — happy.

Substitute soy chips or baked chips for the greasy varieties. Or munch your way through some air-popped popcorn (tossed with some Parmesan for that salty kick you crave), rice cakes or pretzels.

If your inner chocoholic is clamoring to come out, satisfy it with a cup of hot chocolate or a single-serving Fudgsicle instead of that king-sized Snickers bar.

Screaming for ice cream? Fall for frozen yogurt instead — and top yours with fresh berries to score nutritional brownie points.

Pamper yourself

Relax — it's perfectly safe to paint your nails. Take advantage now, since pregnancy hormones can make them grow faster and stronger than ever.

As for acrylics, there's no proof that the chemicals are harmful to you or your fetus, but to be absolutely safe, you might want to forgo those tips until your baby arrives.

Non-toxic and water-based ingredients in polish might also be a good idea, as is a well-ventilated salon (this is true whether you're pregnant or not).

If your hormones didn't get the memo and you find that your nails have become weak or brittle, try a clear nail hardener and reapply often (plus make sure you're getting enough calcium).

Prepare for your first prenatal visit

Sure, you already got the news from your home pregnancy test — but it doesn't hurt to hear it confirmed by a doctor, which is one reason you're probably looking forward to your very first prenatal doctor's appointment. Expect this checkup to be exciting…and long.

Ask your practitioner whether there are any COVID-19 rules you should know about and follow before coming in for your appointment.

Once you arrive, you'll have a thorough physical, including a pelvic exam, Pap smear and initial blood tests to determine your blood type, Rh factor, whether you're iron-deficient and whether your baby is at risk for chromosomal abnormalities.

You'll also be tested for sexually transmitted infections, immunity to rubella (German measles) and ethnic-specific genetic diseases. And you'll need to pee into a cup so your urine can be tested for glucose, protein, red and white blood cells, and bacteria.

Be prepared to answer lots of questions — health histories can take a while — but more importantly, bring a list of some of your own. Wondering whether you and Joe (aka your beloved extra-foamy mocha cappuccino) will have to part ways now that you're expecting? Why your chest suddenly resembles a map of an interstate highway? If having sex can hurt your baby? Don't just sit there — ask!

Remember, no question is silly now. While you're at it, talk to your doctor about whether you should get noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) — a screening for chromosomal abnormalities recommended for some at-risk moms that's given as early as week 10 of pregnancy.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

• What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
• WhatToExpect.com, Eating Fish During Pregnancy: What Varieties Are Safe?, June 2020.
• WhatToExpect.com, What to Do If You Get a UTI During Pregnancy, February 2021.
• WhatToExpect.com, Manicures and Pedicures During Pregnancy, March 2021.
• WhatToExpect.com, Pap Smears During Pregnancy, March 2021.
• WhatToExpect.com, Rh Factor Testing and Pregnancy, March 2021.
• WhatToExpect.com, Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), December 2020.
• Cleveland Clinic, Fetal Development: Stages of Growth, April 2020.
• Mayo Clinic, Fetal Development: The 1st Trimester, June 2020.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Fetal Development, June 2021.
• KidsHealth From Nemours, Week 6, 2021.
• March of Dimes, Common Discomforts of Pregnancy, May 2016.
• Stanford Children's Health, Pregnancy and Heartburn, 2021.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Prenatal Care in Your First Trimester, June 2021.
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• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Routine Tests During Pregnancy, 2020.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, What Is Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) and What Disorders Can It Screen For? May 2021.
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• Johns Hopkins Medicine, Normal Breast Development and Changes, 2021.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy, May 2020.
• Food and Drug Administration, Advice About Eating Fish, December 2020.
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• Food and Drug Administration, Nail Care Products, August 2020.
• U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Health Hazards in Nail Salons.

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What Does a Baby Look Like at 6 Weeks

Source: https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-6.aspx

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