First trimester · 6 weeks pregnant
Week 6: a heartbeat on the screen
Limb buds appear and the heart beats fast enough to see on ultrasound.
The embryo is curled like a comma. Its heart beats around 100 to 160 times a minute and can often be seen on an early scan. Facial features and limbs are starting to form.
Size and weight
About the size of
a lentil
Length
4–6 mm
Weight
—
Averages from standard growth charts. Measured crown to rump until week 20 and head to heel afterwards.
How your baby is developing
- The heart beats regularly and may be seen on a transvaginal ultrasound.
- The neural tube closes; the brain divides into its main regions.
- Small buds for arms and legs appear, and dark spots mark where the eyes will be.
- The beginnings of the ears, jaw and digestive tract are forming.
How you may feel
- Morning sickness that may last all day
- Bloating and mild cramps
- Breast soreness
- Heartburn
- Emotional ups and downs
Spotting happens in up to a quarter of early pregnancies and often settles, but always mention it to your care provider.
What's next
Tests and appointments
- An early scan is sometimes offered to confirm the heartbeat and location, especially after IVF, bleeding or a previous ectopic pregnancy.
What to do this week
- Try vitamin B6 or ginger for nausea after checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Choose foods you can keep down; perfect nutrition can wait until you feel better.
- Gentle walks help both mood and digestion.
Call your doctor or maternity hospital if
- Severe vomiting with weight loss or very dark urine may be hyperemesis gravidarum and needs treatment.
- Bleeding that is heavier than light spotting, or bleeding with cramps
- Severe pain on one side of your lower abdomen, or pain with dizziness or fainting
- Vomiting so often that you cannot keep fluids down for 24 hours
- A temperature of 38 °C or higher, or pain when you pass urine
If something feels wrong, trust yourself and call 103 or your maternity hospital. You will never be wasting anyone's time.
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