Pregnancy at 6 Weeks What to Expect

After seeing a positive pregnancy test, you may have gone through a roller coaster of emotions and still have hundreds of questions, right? And that’s totally normal, especially if it’s your first pregnancy!

So, you are at 6 weeks pregnant and want to know what to expect. Keep reading our post! It’s packed with plenty of useful information, from symptoms of pregnancy to how your sweetpea is developing. You’ll also find here well-tried tips on having a healthy pregnancy. Early pregnancy is a very emotional period, full of new-to-you feelings and hormonal surges that bring various pregnancy symptoms. So, let’s talk about what happens to you at 6 weeks pregnant and what to expect.

Pregnancy at 6 Weeks What to Expect

The Symptoms of Pregnancy at 6 Weeks

Since you’ve conceived not long ago, you may not experience any symptoms at this stage of pregnancy. However, it all depends! Some women feel almost nothing while others are terribly nauseous. The same goes for a belly - at 6 weeks you likely don’t look pregnant at all, especially if you’re a skinny pregnant woman. But if you have twins inside, the belly will expand sooner; anyway, you can enjoy your secret for a while.

Here are the most common symptoms of pregnancy by week 6:

Mood swings - hormone levels are affected in the body during pregnancy. This contributes to many pregnancy symptoms, including your mood and affectivity. Due to suddenly raging hormones, you can find yourself unable to control your feelings. But keep in mind that mood swings are a normal side effect of developing a mini-human inside you.

Fatigue - during the first 12 weeks, you may feel drained all the time, no matter how much sleep you get. That’s because your body is still getting used to the changing hormone levels.

Nausea - studies have shown that up to 75% of all pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting that can hit at any time of the day or night. Probably, it’s one of the most unpleasant complications of pregnancy, but it’s normal, especially if you’re expecting twins. However, do make sure to eat and drink enough so that you don’t lose weight. It would be wise to find foods that can settle your stomach and always keep them on hand since hunger can trigger bouts and nausea.

Gas and bloating - the pregnancy hormone progesterone may contribute to stomach troubles. Eat fiber-rich products and drink lots of water to avoid constipation that causes bloating.

Pregnancy indigestion - this condition is also called acid reflux or heartburn and it’s common in pregnancy. It can be caused by hormonal shifts or your growing little one pressing against your belly. You can ease this issue by making changes to your diet and lifestyle, there are also medicines safe for you and your mini-human.

Sore breasts - your body is starting to prepare to breastfeed your baby, that’s why your breasts may be sore, even at just the 6th week.

Frequent urination - the pregnancy hormone hCG directs extra blood flow to your pelvic, making you head to the bathroom more often. But if you have an urge to go but can’t or you have painful urination, you must see your doctor.

Cramping and spotting - in early pregnancy, cramping and spotting are common. However, if the abdominal pain is severe, or/and bleeding is heavy like a period, call your doctor immediately.

What About your Baby?

At week 6 your baby is teeny-tiny - about the size of rice grain or pomegranate seed. It looks like a tadpole with a tail - that’s a future spinal column. Tiny buds on the body will become ears, arms, and legs. The brain, heart, lungs, and other organs are developing as well. Your baby’s facial features are unfolding, it already has a thin layer of skin and teeth. Vaginal ultrasound can detect a baby’s heartbeat - about 150-160 beats per minute, about twice as fast as your heart.

What to Do This Week for a Healthy Pregnancy?

Schedule a prenatal visit - some doctors recommend starting prenatal care at the 6th week of pregnancy, others at week 8 or even 12. Anyway, you should get it on the books.

Take prenatal vitamins - ideally, a woman should start taking them in the year before she conceives. If you haven’t done it yet, a doctor at your first prenatal appointment will prescribe supplements containing vitamins and minerals necessary for you and your baby throughout pregnancy.

Go alcohol- and tobacco-free - alcohol, and smoking increase the risk of miscarriage and other complications. Smoking contributes to various health problems in babies, including low birth weight. Drinking causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which may affect learning disabilities, cause abnormal facial features, and other health issues. Remember, there’s no safe amount of cigarettes or alcohol while pregnant.

Avoid hot tub, sauna, and other activities that elevate your body temperature - they all increase the risk of miscarriage and fetal abnormalities.

Consider creating a pregnancy meal plan - take care of your little one by consuming healthy foods, just make sure they sound good to you and don’t make you sick.

Stay hydrated - pregnant women should drink 8-12 glasses of water a day. Keep in mind that dehydration can cause pregnancy complications. If you suffer from nausea, add a squeeze of lemon to water, it reduces sickness in pregnant women.

Rest and relax - if your pregnancy runs smoothly, it’s recommended to do gentle exercise, e.g., prenatal yoga. On the other hand, you may feel tired almost all the time, especially during the first trimester - your body works extra hard to grow your baby. So, take it easy and give yourself time to recharge. In short, keep the balance!

Get a Medical Help If:

● Fever - 100.4°F (38°C)

● Fluid leaking from the vagina

● Vaginal bleeding

● Dizziness and loss of consciousness

● Severe headache

● Blurred vision

● Severe pelvic or abdominal pain

● Painful urination

● Sudden or severe swelling of face, hands, or fingers.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is an exciting time! But it’s also full of nervousness and worries. So, just remember, no question is silly now! Ask your doctor, midwife, your more experienced friends, and, of course, write to us! We are always here to help you!

We hope that our post was helpful!

Happy pregnancy!