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6 Weeks Pregnant
Changes in Your Baby at 6 Weeks Pregnant
At 6 weeks pregnant you would be amazed at the growth your baby is making. During 6 weeks pregnant your Physician may perform an ultrasound to measure the baby from the head to the buttocks which is called the "crown-rump length". At 6 weeks pregnant your baby is about 5 mm long which is about the size of a baby pea. That doesn't sound very big, but it is still larger than the week before and a lot larger than the fertilized egg just a few weeks ago.
Although ultrasound pictures of your baby may be alien-looking to you, your baby is looking more and more like a miniature person. It is during the six week of pregnancy that dark spots should begin forming where the eyes and nostrils will eventually take shape and small pits on the sides of the head will form where the ears will be. At six weeks pregnant tiny buds will form into arms and legs with the hands and feet connected by a layer of webbing between the digits. During the next several weeks your baby will start responding to sensory input and will begin moving all on its own.
As the heart rate reaches a count from 100 to 140 beats per minute during 6th Week of Pregnancy, the heart will be circulating blood throughout its body. During the ultrasound to measure the "crown-rump length" your physician should also be able to see the beating of the heart. However, it will be several more weeks before you can actually hear the heartbeat with the use of a Doppler device.
Even at six weeks pregnant your baby should be able to display reflexes since the central nervous system is already developing and the muscles are linking with the limbs in your baby's body. More and more amazing facts about the baby's development will reveal themselves in the weeks ahead
Changes in Your Body at 6 Weeks Pregnant
You knew the day would come and during the 6th week of pregnancy you should begin to show some weight gain. The majority of women normally gain about 5 pounds during the first trimester, but some women will gain more. There are some occasions during the first trimester when women will not show any weight gain due to nausea and vomiting called morning sickness. It is not uncommon to lose some weight during this period.
After week 6 the uterus will begin changing in size and will continue to enlarge at an unbelievable rate during the rest of your pregnancy. Your waist will begin to bloat and feel uncomfortable with the increasing waist size.
Also you may or may not experience spotting during the early weeks. Spotting is normally nothing to worry about, but if you have unusual bleeding contact your healthcare provider immediately because this is a sign of impending miscarriage or other problems.
By six weeks pregnant many women are experiencing a normal occurrence of morning sickness. However there is a severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum which is characterized by severe nausea and frequent vomiting. Hyperemesis gravidarum may require hospitalization. The side effects include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and weight loss. No exact cause for this condition is known, though it is associated with younger maternal age, obesity, and a first time pregnancy. Hospitalization is necessary to help replace lost fluids and electrolytes. When treated properly this condition normally has no ill effects on you or the baby.
Your uterus is about the size of a plum at 6 weeks pregnant and your breasts are probably starting to become quite tender. You have not started showing yet, but your jeans fit tighter than before. You may resist buying maternity clothes and just buy everything one size bigger than your normal size. Before you know, it will be time to purchase your first set of maternity clothes.
Read next about your baby's growth, as well as the changes in your body at 7 weeks pregnant.