6 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Update

Deep inside your womb, your baby has begun to move! You won’t be able to feel her kicking and swimming for months…but she may look like a jumping bean during an ultrasound! She now has a distinct head and body and the cute little features of her face are developing, starting with her itty-bitty nose.

Webbed, paddle-like hands and feet are emerging at the ends of her small arm and leg buds. The lizard-like tail she was sporting a mere 2 weeks ago is shortening. Her lungs are forming, and her trusty heart is beginning to pump blood.

Big news: You may now be able to see those early heartbeats on an ultrasound—how exciting!

6 Weeks Pregnant: About Your Body

Ah, one of the most dreaded symptoms of pregnancy: Morning sickness. Up to 90% of women experience nausea and/or vomiting during their pregnancy. And, around now is when it usually starts to kick in.

No one’s quite sure why pregnant women feel so ill. Some believe morning sickness is nature’s way to make sure your diet stays so bland and boring that you don’t accidentally eat something toxic. Other people say that nausea is connected to the massive flood of pregnancy hormones. Whatever the cause, the good news is that researchers have found that women with morning sickness are up to 75% less likely to have a miscarriage.

A tiny number of women (<2%) fall victim of very severe morning sickness, called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). HG is defined as throwing up more than 3 times a day, with resulting health issues such as dehydration and weight loss. In some cases, women with HG need to be hospitalized for treatment. (You may have read about celebs like Amy Schumer and Princess Kate suffering from this condition.)

If your symptoms don’t improve with simple remedies—like crackers, crystalized ginger, or sea bands—or if you are throwing up constantly, talk to your doctor about prescription medications.

A To-Do List for Your 6th Week of Pregnancy

  • Cut back on coffee: Sometimes pregnancy can feel like a stream of endless no’s: No alcohol, no soft cheeses, no hot tubs. Do you have to give up your daily signature Starbucks order, too? The short answer: No, you don’t have to quit cold turkey. However, your care provider will recommend not consuming more than about 1.5 cups of coffee (about 200 mg. of caffeine). And, don’t just track your coffee and cola intake…remember teas and chocolate contain caffeine-like stimulants, too. (Learn more about caffeine consumption during pregnancy.)

  • Get plenty of sleep: During this early stage, you might find you need to sleep a lot more—up to 12-14 hours a night. The high level of progesterone is sleep-inducing. So, don’t feel like a wuss if you find yourself needing a mid-day nap and falling asleep right after dinner.

  • Stay hydrated: If getting enough liquids feels like a challenge or plain water turns your stomach, try flavoring it with lemon or mint. Instead of gulping down a large glass, take small sips throughout the day. If your stomach is really sensitive, try munching on ice chips or no-added sugar popsicles.

Myth or Fact?

You can’t eat sushi while pregnant.

Sushi is on many pregnancy “no, no” lists, but there is some confusion around whether it is safe or not.

The fear around sushi has to do with potential bacteria, parasites and mercury in raw fish. The FDA and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advise pregnant mamas to only eat fully cooked fish. So, no raw sushi, but a shrimp tempura, a crab roll, or other cooked choices are fine.

In fact, a new study links regular consumption of fish during pregnancy to higher cognitive scores of children. That’s why the FDA and ACOG recommend eating 8-12 oz of fish weekly. But, make sure that they are low in mercury. So, you want to skip high mercury fish like, tuna, shark and swordfish. Here, more info on fish to avoid.

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About Dr. Harvey Karp

Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the 5 S’s for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.