6th Week of Pregnancy
How is pregnancy calculated?
There is always a lot of confusion when discussing the way in which pregnancy is calculated. Since most women do not know when they conceived, pregnancy is always determined from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Given that this is the way pregnancy is calculated, your pregnancy will last around 40 weeks. For more information on how pregnancy is measured, please see our information on calculating your dates.
What changes are occurring with your body?
You may notice that you have gained a few pounds, while other pregnant women may have actually lost weight. You may begin noticing changes in your breasts including tenderness, darkening of the areola, and swelling.
You may also begin experiencing heartburn, which is a common complaint during pregnancy.
Some women experience bleeding during pregnancy that may not be a sign of any problem. This spotting (finding spots of blood in your underwear or on toilet paper after using the restroom) may be accompanied by light cramping. You would want to consult with your health care provider if the bleeding becomes heavy like a normal period or if the cramps are worse than normal period cramps. This could be a sign of a miscarriage.*
What is happening with your baby?
The formations of the lungs, jaw, nose, and palate have begun. The hand and feet buds have webbed-like structures that will become the fingers and toes. The brain is continuing to form into its complex parts. A vaginal ultrasound could detect an audible heartbeat at this time.*
How big is your baby?
Your baby is about a ½ inch in length.*
What should you plan for this week?
Knowing your blood type and your partner's blood type is important during pregnancy. Each person’s blood is one of four major types: A, B, AB, or O. Blood types are determined by the types of antigens on the blood cells. Antigens are proteins on the surface of blood cells that can cause a response from the immune system.
The Rh factor is a type of protein on the surface of red blood cells. Most people who have the Rh factor are Rh-positive. Those who do not have the Rh factor are Rh-negative.
Tips for making your pregnancy better:
Some women complain that their prenatal vitamins make them sick to their stomachs. If this is happening to you, then you may want to take them with food or take them at night before going to bed.
If you continue to have problems tolerating your prenatal vitamins, consult your health care provider before stopping them completely.
Tips for mom’s partner:
Your partner may be struggling with morning sickness, and you may feel completely helpless. However, you can help mom cope with the nausea and vomiting that are common during the first trimester. Some things that you could do that could be helpful include:
- Doing the cooking (or ordering takeout!)
- Helping with the kitchen clean-up
- Doing the grocery shopping
* The information that the American Pregnancy Association provides is used as a general guide for healthy pregnancy development, although development may vary due to the mother’s health or a miscalculation of ovulation. Each woman and pregnancy is unique and may be experienced differently. Remember that babies develop at different rates, even before they are born. The purpose of this developmental information is to give you a general idea of how your baby is growing, and you must remember that your baby’s growth may vary from that which is outlined.