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6 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby, Your Body and What to Do
The heart is beating, and tiny buds that will become arms and legs are appearing.
Before you use this guide: Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period. Sizes are rough averages, and healthy babies vary. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor or midwife.
How your baby is growing
The heart is now beating, at around 100 to 120 beats a minute, and the rate rises quickly over the next few weeks. On a very early scan it may be possible to see a flicker of the heartbeat.
Limb buds are starting to appear, and the face is taking shape, with small dark spots where the eyes and nostrils will be. The neural tube has closed along its length.
How you may be feeling
Morning sickness often begins around now, and it can happen at any time of day. You may also notice food aversions, a metallic taste, extra saliva, bloating and constipation as progesterone slows your digestion. Mood can feel up and down.
Your to-do list for week 6
- Eat what you can tolerate. Dry toast or crackers before getting up, ginger and small snacks can help.
- Drink plenty of fluids and keep taking folic acid.
- Avoid raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurised dairy and high-mercury fish.
- Wear a comfortable, supportive bra if your breasts are tender.
When to ask for help
If you cannot keep food or drink down, are losing weight, or feel dizzy and are passing very little dark urine, contact your doctor. This can be severe pregnancy sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum), which is treatable.
For heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache with vision changes, or a baby who is moving less than usual, do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Our guide to pregnancy warning signs has more detail.
Not sure which week you are in? Use the due-date calculator to estimate your due date and current week.
Useful at this stage: conception date calculator and pregnancy test calculator.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- NHS: Pregnancy — Pregnancy care, common symptoms, screening and complications.
- NHS: Week-by-week pregnancy guide — Pregnancy development and care by week.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.