Pregnancy › Week by Week › Week 6
At 6 weeks your baby is about the size of a sweet pea. Symptoms often ramp up now, the heart is beginning to beat, and your first prenatal visit is usually just around the corner.
Size
A sweet pea
crown to rump
Length
0.25 in
about 0.6 cm
Weight
Under 0.04 oz
under 1 g
Your baby at 6 weeks
The heart is starting to beat and the neural tube is closing. A lot is happening in a very tiny space.
Your baby is growing fast this week, curled into a C shape and still called an embryo. The neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, is closing, which is exactly why folate matters so much right now.
The heart. A simple heart tube has formed and is beginning to beat. On an early ultrasound this flicker can sometimes be seen and heard around now, but not always, and a little later does not mean anything is wrong. Dating is often a week or so off this early.
Buds and features. Small buds that will become the arms and legs are appearing, and dark spots mark where the eyes and nostrils will form. The digestive system and lungs are just beginning to develop.
How big is your baby at 6 weeks?
About a quarter of an inch long.
Length this early is measured crown to rump, from the top of the head to the bottom, and your baby is around 0.25 inches. Tiny, but growing quickly, adding about a millimeter a day this stretch.
Your body at 6 weeks
This is often when symptoms arrive in force, and strong symptoms are usually a reassuring sign.
Rising levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG drive most of what you feel now: nausea (which can hit any time of day, not just morning), sore and swollen breasts, deep tiredness, a heightened sense of smell, food aversions, and needing the bathroom more often. It can feel like a lot for something no one can see yet.
Symptoms that come and go are normal, and so is a quieter week. If you want to get ahead of the queasy stretch, a few simple early comforts help, and it is worth reading up on what is and is not safe to take or use.
What is normal, and when to call your provider
Light spotting and mild cramps can be normal now, but some symptoms need a same-day call, and a few need urgent care. An ectopic pregnancy is the main early concern:
- Sharp or severe pain on one side of your lower belly or pelvis
- Pain at the tip of your shoulder, especially with belly pain
- Heavy bleeding, or bleeding with clots or tissue
- Feeling faint, dizzy, or very lightheaded
- Severe vomiting where you cannot keep any fluids down, or a fever
Your week 6 checklist
- Book your first prenatal visit, usually scheduled for around 8 to 10 weeks
- Take a prenatal vitamin with folate every day if you have not started
- Note the first day of your last period, your provider will ask for it
- Check what is safe before you take any medicine, supplement, or skincare, including how much coffee is safe
- Rest when you can, and eat little and often if nausea has arrived
Appointments and tests around 6 weeks
Most first prenatal visits are booked for 8 to 10 weeks, so this week is mainly about getting on the calendar.
An early ultrasound at 6 weeks is not routine. It is usually done for a specific reason, such as bleeding, pain, uncertainty about dates, or a pregnancy conceived through IVF. If you do have one, do not be surprised if the heartbeat is not visible yet, it is still very early and often shows up a little later. Your first full prenatal appointment, with bloodwork and a proper history, usually comes in the next couple of weeks.
A few things worth having on hand now
A note for your partner
Six weeks is often when symptoms land hard while there is nothing to show for it yet, which can be a strange, tiring place to be. Taking on cooking (especially around smells that suddenly turn the stomach), keeping snacks and water close, and being patient with the exhaustion all help more than you might think.
You are not alone this week
The early weeks can feel like a secret you are carrying while running on empty. Whether your symptoms are intense or barely there, both are normal, and either way you are in very good company.
6 weeks pregnant, common questions
Will I see a heartbeat at 6 weeks?
Sometimes. A heartbeat can often be seen on an early ultrasound around 6 weeks, but not always, and seeing it a little later is common and usually fine. Dating is frequently off by several days this early.
Are strong symptoms a good sign?
Generally, yes. Nausea and sore breasts are driven by rising pregnancy hormones. That said, symptoms vary hugely, and a lighter week does not mean something is wrong. Sudden loss of all symptoms with bleeding or pain is worth a call.
When is my first prenatal appointment?
Most practices book the first full visit for around 8 to 10 weeks. Call to get on the schedule as soon as you have a positive test, since spots fill up.
What are the warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy?
Sharp one-sided pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, heavy bleeding, or feeling faint. An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency, so if you have these, seek care right away.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), early pregnancy and first-trimester care guidance.
- Mayo Clinic, Fetal development: the 1st trimester.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH), Fetal development and prenatal care.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for information and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. Always follow the guidance of your doctor, midwife, or qualified provider, and contact them with any concerns.