6th Week of Pregnancy: Baby Changes, Symptoms, Foods & Self Care

6^th Week of Pregnancy: What to expect

Congratulations! You are just 7 months away from starting the most special journey of your lifetime! Over these 6 weeks, you have experienced a lot of changes in your body. You don’t have a baby bump yet but there are a lot of changes taking place which you should be aware of. Your emotions are on a roller coaster ride right now, but just sit back and relax for a while.

With pregnancy comes a lot of responsibilities and it is better to have a thorough knowledge of what you will be experiencing during this week.

6th Week of Pregnancy: Baby Changes, Symptoms, Foods to Eat

But, before we start, you should know what your baby looks like right now. Your baby right now is as small as a pea or a pomegranate seed. Your fetus is in its developing stage too and the exciting part is that a fetal heartbeat can be detected by vaginal ultrasound during this stage. Isn’t it exciting!

Development of your Baby

Your baby is growing rapidly with each passing week. During this week, your baby is undergoing these changes:

The arm and leg are forming. They are in their budding state right now.
The tissue that forms the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and spine, which is also known as the neural tube is forming.
The head larger than the body
Eyes, nose, jaw, cheeks, chin, and inner ears are gradually forming.
Internal organs like the kidneys, liver, lungs, the pituitary gland, trachea, larynx, and bronchi are branching out.
The heart has already divided itself into form chambers and has started pumping blood.

Symptoms

Some symptoms are also going to occur at this stage. It is significant that you understand these symptoms so that you know when to give a tour to your doctor’s clinic.

Sore Breasts

During this period, your breasts may lose their firmness and become tender. This generally happens because of an increase in blood flow. This is natural at this point in time as your body is adapting to breastfeeding.

Nausea

More than 80 percent of pregnant women experience nausea during this period which is also called the ‘the first trimester of pregnancy.’ The reason behind feeling nauseatic is because of hCG, the pregnancy hormone which is released after implantation. This is natural during this period but you can bear with it, if you follow these:

Do not each much in a single meal. Have several meals throughout the day.
Having spicy and oily food now is a big NO.
Stay away from strong odors which you can’t handle
Keep yourself hydrated. Keep a track of your water intake as your body might get dehydrated because of vomiting.
Don’t go to bed immediately after taking a meal.

Constipation

An increase in the secretion of progesterone reduces your rate of digestion, so you may experience constipation during this time. It can also be because of the iron content in your prenatal vitamins. You can overcome this issue by:

Drinking plenty of fluids. The key point is not dehydrating yourself.
Increasing the intake of fibrous vegetables, fruits and having bread, beans, cereals, and nuts
Exercise is very important this week. Daily exercise will help your digestive system function properly and ease you from constipation.

Fatigue

Experiencing fatigue during your pregnancy is normal. We recommend you to take naps and try and relax, maintain a healthy sleep cycle, avoid caffeine, and have more fruit juices.

Frequent Urination

Due to the secretion of hCG, the blood flow increases and it exerts pressure on your kidney to get rid of the waste in your body. Your uterus is growing with each passing week, so that puts pressure on your bladder.

Mood Swings & Irritable

These are normal for you when you are in your periods. The changes taking place in your body is beyond your control. Your lifestyle has changed during your pregnancy and you are still trying to fit in. Listen to soft music and watch light-hearted movies and videos which can act as a mood booster.

Darker areolas around the nipples

Your mammary glands are developing and preparing for breastfeeding. This happens due to the hormonal changes that are taking place in your body.

Cramps

Just bear with it. Your uterus and the surrounding tissues are expanding and making space for your baby. But, if your pain becomes intolerable, consult your doctor immediately.

This is the time when you will come to know whether you are pregnant with multiple babies or not. If the situation is so, there are chances of having pregnancy complications. Talk with your doctor about it and set up a diet and accordingly.

In the case of twin pregnancy, there will be certain changes in your treatment. Visiting the doctor needs to be regular. You will gain more weight than usual. Having a proper diet during twin pregnancy is required for both the mother and the babies.

Ultrasonography

The moment that you had been waiting for the last 6 weeks has now arrived. Your baby is small enough to be seen by with traditional abdominal ultrasound. You will be undergoing a transvaginal ultrasound instead, which will help you detect the fetus. Your 6^th-week ultrasound will determine the location of the embryo, the number of fetuses (in case you are going to be a mother of twins, or more!)

You might just get lucky to detect your baby’s heartbeat! Though there is a negligible chance of detecting one so early. But there is no need to freak out as it is natural. It is preferable for you to drink a glass of water 45 mins prior to your ultrasound appointment. A full bladder makes it easier to see what is inside the uterus.

Precautions and tips for this week to have a healthy pregnancy

Certain important precautions are absolutely necessary at this time. Consider the list of tips that needs to be positively followed.

Sleep wearing a supportive bra to help with tender breasts.
A prenatal appointment during this week is an absolute must. Make sure you visit your doctor now
Keep a check on your multivitamins’ intake. Multivitamins contain a good amount of vitamins and minerals which will nourish both you and your baby.
No matter how much stressed you feel, constrain yourself from smoking. Smoking increases the risk of a miscarriage. Not only that, but it also becomes a threat to your baby’s health and may lead to complications.
Having alcohol now is not a good idea. Uncontrolled drinking can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD can affect the baby a lot which may cause abnormal facial features, learning disabilities, and other major health issues.
Do not bathe in hot water, because it may lead to miscarriage.
Follow a healthy diet filled with rich fibers and nutrients. Have leafy vegetables and fruits. Keeping your health in mind, have those foods that you like. Having something that you don’t like will trigger your nausea.
Keep yourself hydrated. Have plenty of fluids as you the rate of urination is high during this time.
Stack up snacks that you like to eat to deal with nausea. It may be salted crackers, biscuits, or anything.
Have small meals at regular intervals.

Emergency cases to call up the doctor

It is unnatural for you to bleed now. If you are having vaginal bleeding, call up the doctor. Other situations when you should call the doctor include:

Experiencing severe pelvic pain
If your body temperature rises more than 100°F
Swelling of the hands, face, and fingers
A burning sensation in your urinal canal.

Takeaway

This week is vital for both the mother and the baby. The baby has started to undergo rapid changes and it is visible through the symptoms that are being experienced by the mother. Taking good care of the mother is essential. This entire journey from the day of conceiving to the day of the delivery is thrilling, exciting, scary.

Stressing about irrelevant stuff or being too excited can take a toll on the baby’s health. Taking a few precautionary methods can make this period a bearable and happy one. The 6^th week is a milestone in this long 36-week journey. Congratulations! Welcome to the beautiful world of Motherhood!