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What your baby looks like at 6 weeks


First trimester weeks, symptoms, and pregnancy checklist

A lot happens in the first trimester – the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Most importantly, you find out that you're pregnant! You'll be choosing a doctor or midwife to care for you during pregnancy and going to your first prenatal appointments. For many expecting moms, the first trimester is when pregnancy symptoms like fatigue, nausea, insomnia, and headaches are at their worst. Get help from your provider and use this first-trimester pregnancy checklist to stay organized, healthy, and informed.

What is the first trimester?

The first trimester is the first of three phases (or trimesters) of pregnancy. It's a critical stage in your pregnancy journey and your baby's development. While your baby bump may or may not be showing, a lot is happening for both you and your baby.

Your baby is growing rapidly – developing a brain and heart, forming facial features, and even growing tiny little feet, hands, fingernails, and toenails. In the first trimester, all of your baby's major organs and systems form. Because of this, your baby is the most vulnerable now to harm from alcohol, drugs, tobacco, some medications, and toxic substances. For more on your baby's development, see our images of fetal development by week.

At the same time, your body is changing and flooding with the pregnancy hormones hCG, estrogen, and progesterone. Hormonal changes may bring on unpleasant symptoms that are common during the first trimester, like nausea, vomiting, headaches, and extreme tiredness. Home remedies may help a bit, but if your symptoms are unbearable, let your provider know.

You'll choose a doctor or midwife to care for you and your baby, and you'll make several trips to see your provider. Each prenatal visit during the first trimester involves a similar routine: your provider will check your weight and blood pressure; answer your questions; order tests; take a urine sample; and either listen to your baby's heartbeat or see it on an ultrasound.

How long is the first trimester?

The first trimester begins at conception and lasts for 13 weeks, or three months. Month one spans from week one to week four of pregnancy; month two begins at week five and lasts until week eight; and the third and final month of the first trimester spans week nine through 13.

A funny thing about the first trimester is that you'll be a third of the way in before you even know you're pregnant. Because of the way pregnancy weeks are counted, conception happens when you're 2 weeks pregnant. By the time you take a home pregnancy test, you may be 4 or 5 weeks pregnant.

If you're not sure, visit our Pregnancy Due Date Calculator to check how many weeks pregnant you are.

First trimester symptoms

While some women have no pregnancy symptoms or mild symptoms during the first trimester, most experience some or all of the symptoms below.

Spotting and bleeding during the first trimester

You may notice spots of blood or light bleeding during the first few days or weeks of pregnancy. This is common, but it's a good idea to tell your provider so they can check that everything's okay.

Diarrhea in the first trimester

Loose or watery stools may arise during early pregnancy. They're usually not concerning, but persistent diarrhea can leave you dehydrated.

Headache in the first trimester

Hormonal changes may be responsible for first-trimester pregnancy headaches. They can also be brought on by stress, congestion, allergies, lack of sleep, or dehydration.

Cramping during the first trimester

You may not have expected cramping during pregnancy – just when you thought cramps were over! The usual culprit in early pregnancy is implantation, when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. Also, your uterus is expanding and adjusting to being pregnant, which can cause cramping early in pregnancy.

Back pain in the first trimester

Back pain tends to show up more in the second and third trimesters, but it's not uncommon to feel it during the first trimester.

First-trimester bloating

Burping and passing gas a lot more than usual? Gas and bloating is common during pregnancy because progesterone relaxes muscles throughout your body, including your digestive tract. This hormone slows the progress of food through your gut, giving healthy gut bacteria more time to produce gas from any given meal.

First-trimester insomnia

Some women have trouble falling asleep or wake frequently at night. Insomnia can start in early pregnancy and last until delivery, but a few adjustments can help you get better sleep.

First-trimester fatigue

You may be more exhausted than you ever imagined you could be. In early pregnancy, extreme fatigue is likely due to a dramatic rise in progesterone. Find out more about pregnancy fatigue, and learn the basics of good sleep during pregnancy.

Morning sickness

Unfortunately, "morning sickness" can last all day – and it strikes about three-quarters of pregnant women during the first trimester. If you have a mild case, some relatively simple measures can help. But if you're still suffering, talk with your provider about safe medications for morning sickness.

Discharge in the first trimester

You may notice an increase in vaginal discharge during the first trimester due to an increase in estrogen. It's usually harmless, but talk to your provider if you have pain, itching, or discharge that smells bad or looks unusual.

Sore breasts in the first trimester

Breast changes, including tender breasts and sore nipples, are usually one of the first signs of pregnancy. Thankfully, your breast will likely feel less sore by the end of the first trimester.

Constipation in the first trimester

Because progesterone slows movement in the digestive tract, things can get a little backed up. This can lead to constipation – try these tips to prevent and ease it.

Shortness of breath in the first trimester

During pregnancy, you need more oxygen – and this can lead to feeling out of breath. In the first trimester, shortness of breath may appear as a heightened awareness of the need to breathe. 

So many aches, pains, and strange feelings arise during pregnancy that it can be hard to decide what's normal and what's not. To complicate matters further, some symptoms may be more or less problematic depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in your pregnancy. But if you have any of these pregnancy symptoms, call your doctor or midwife immediately.

Weight gain in the first trimester

Gaining weight is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Experts say it's normal to gain between one and five pounds in the first three months of pregnancy – though some women may gain more or less, or even lose weight during the first trimester due to morning sickness or other reasons.

Your provider will monitor your pregnancy weight to make sure you're in a healthy range and gaining at an appropriate pace. You can also use our Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator to stay on track.

Don't worry if you can't eat a well-rounded diet in your first trimester – nausea and food aversions can make this feel impossible. Just do the best you can. Many women feel better eating small, frequent, carbohydrate-heavy snacks.

When you're able, make your pantry, fridge, and freezer pregnancy-friendly by filling them with healthy eats like nuts, fresh and dried fruit, multigrain pasta, and yogurt. Get a shopping list of healthy pregnancy foods.

During pregnancy it's especially important to avoid foods that could contain bacteria, parasites, or toxins – including undercooked meat, unpasteurized soft cheeses, anything that contains raw eggs, sushi made with raw fish, raw oysters, and fish that's high in mercury. Find out more about foods to avoid during pregnancy.

Sex during the first trimester

In your first trimester, you may feel too tired, moody, or nauseated to make love. But if you're feeling amorous (and you don't have any complications that may make sex dangerous), go ahead – you won't hurt the baby. The amniotic sac and the strong muscles of the uterus protect your baby, and the thick mucus plug that seals the cervix helps guard against infection.

Find out more about having sex during pregnancy.

First trimester pregnancy checklist

Use this list to keep track of all your first-trimester tasks, from making your first prenatal appointment to taking belly photos.

Take a prenatal vitamin

If you haven't started taking a prenatal vitamin yet, now's the time to start. It's particularly critical to get enough folic acid while trying to conceive and during your first trimester. Folic acid greatly reduces your baby's risk of developing neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.

Investigate health insurance

Make sure you know what your health insurance plan covers as far as your prenatal care and delivery costs, as well as care for your new baby. Get answers to these questions by calling your health insurance company or talking to your company's benefits department. Or, find out what to do if you're pregnant and don't have health insurance.

Choose a doctor or midwife

If you already have a doctor or midwife you love, you're set. If not, you've got some homework to do. Talk to friends and relatives, ask one of your other providers to recommend someone, check out the preferred providers under your health insurance plan, or search online. Find out more about what to consider when choosing a doctor or midwife.

Make a prenatal appointment

To prepare for your first prenatal visit, jot down the first day of your last period and start making a list of any questions that arise. Talk to relatives on both sides about your families' medical histories. Your provider will want to know whether any chronic conditions or genetic abnormalities run in either of your families.

Get ready to see or hear your baby

At a prenatal visit around 9 to 12 weeks, you may get to hear your baby's heartbeat with the help of a Doppler fetal monitor. Many women say it sounds like galloping horses.

Some women have an ultrasound in the first trimester (though you may have to wait until between 16 and 20 weeks). If you do get to see your baby in the first trimester, don't be surprised if they look like a gummy bear or lima bean with a tiny, flickering heart.

Check your medications

Many medicines aren't safe during pregnancy – even some over-the-counter ones. If you take any medications, don't stop cold turkey. But do call your provider to find out if your medications are pregnancy-safe. Mention everything, even vitamins, supplements, and herbs.

Quit unsafe habits

Smoking during pregnancy, drinking alcohol, and using drugs like opioids and marijuana isn't safe for you or your baby during pregnancy. Talk to your provider and ask for help quitting if you need it. Also, some activities, jobs, and hobbies can be hazardous to you and your developing baby. Talk to your provider about what your daily routine involves, so you can come up with ways to avoid or eliminate hazards in your home and workplace.

Cut down on caffeine

It's a good idea to cut back on caffeine during pregnancy as much as you can, because it could affect your baby. Experts advise expectant moms to limit their caffeine during pregnancy to less than 200 mg per day (that's about one 11-ounce cup of coffee).

Consider your options for prenatal testing

During your first trimester, your provider will offer you various prenatal tests to check on the well-being of you and your growing baby. Some are routine and recommended for everyone, while others are left to your discretion. Genetic screening tests can give you information about your baby's risk for Down syndrome as well as other chromosomal problems and birth defects. NIPT (noninvasive prenatal testing) is available beginning at 10 weeks of pregnancy, and the nuchal translucency test (NT scan) can be done between 11 and 14 weeks.

Think about when and how you'll announce your pregnancy

Some expecting parents spill the beans to friends, family, and co-workers right away. Others wait to announce pregnancy until they're in their second trimester, when their pregnancy is well established and the risk of miscarriage has declined significantly.

Start taking belly photos

Have someone take a picture of you every week, or take your own picture using your reflection in a mirror. It's a great way to see your progress, and you'll love having the keepsake. Tips for a great shot: Consider wearing the same outfit, standing in the same spot, and striking the same pose (profiles work best) for each photo. For inspiration, check out our pregnant bellies photo gallery.

Follow your baby's development

Sign up for BabyCenter's free email newsletters and each week you'll learn exactly what's going on with both your pregnancy and your baby.

Join your Birth Club

Nobody understands what you're going through as well as other expecting moms in the same stage of pregnancy. Connect with women due the same month as you in your BabyCenter Birth Club.

Learn more:

  • I'm pregnant: What do I do now?
  • Pregnancy sneak peek: An overview of the next 9 months
  • Second trimester guide and pregnancy checklist
  • Third trimester guide and pregnancy checklist

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Foods to avoid: What not to eat during pregnancy

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Can pregnant women eat hot dogs? What about goat cheese, oysters, or sushi? The rules on foods to avoid while pregnant can seem confusing, but there are just a few important takeaways to keep you and your baby safe. Don't eat raw or undercooked meat, poultry, shellfish, fish, or eggs. Avoid unpasteurized foods like raw-milk cheeses and fresh-squeezed juice. Wash or peel fruits and veggies, and reheat refrigerated meats and fish (like cold cuts, lox, and hot dogs) and leftovers until they're steaming hot. Avoid cold deli salads, high-mercury fish, alcohol, and excessive caffeine.

Photo credit: Thinkstock

Why you should avoid certain foods during pregnancy

Some foods and beverages are best avoided during pregnancy because they can be harmful to you and your baby. You've probably had food poisoning or foodborne illness at some point in your life, but during pregnancy you're more at risk – and the consequences can be more serious.

During pregnancy, your immune system is weaker than usual, so you're more likely to get food poisoning. And having food poisoning while pregnant can cause serious issues for you and your baby, including – in the worst-case scenario – premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

Dangerous bacteria and parasites like Listeria, Toxoplasma, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter, and E. coli can lurk in improperly prepared, cooked, and stored foods. A few of these can cross your placenta and affect your baby even if you never feel symptoms of illness yourself.

Serious problems due to foodborne illness in pregnancy are rare – listeriosis affects fewer than 400 babies a year in the U.S., and toxoplasmosis affects between 400 and 4,000. You don't need to worry too much, or second-guess every food choice, but it's important to know which foods are safe for pregnancy and which aren't.

Foods to avoid when pregnant

During pregnancy, it's wise to avoid some foods completely (we're looking at you, deli egg salad). But many other foods that are otherwise unsafe for pregnancy are actually fine if you take a few precautions, like cooking them thoroughly. You'll want to steer clear of raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and shellfish, as well as unpasteurized dairy products and juice. But go ahead and enjoy fresh-baked cookies and a hot dog that's been heated to steaming hot. Here's more specific guidance on foods to avoid or eat with caution when pregnant:

Fish

DON'T EAT

  • Raw or undercooked fish or shellfish (such as oysters and clams)
  • Fish with high levels of mercury, including shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish (golden or white snapper)
  • Refrigerated smoked or pickled fish that's unpasteurized, unless heated until steaming (165° F)
  • More than 6 ounces (one serving) a week of canned "solid white" or albacore tuna

TIPS FOR SAFE EATING

  • Cook fish to 145° Fahrenheit or until opaque in the center.
  • Eat up to 12 ounces (two servings) a week of low-mercury fish, such as salmon, shrimp, pollock, tilapia, or trout.

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Meat and poultry

DON'T EAT

  • Raw or undercooked meat or poultry
  • Refrigerated meat of any kind (including ham, turkey, roast beef, hot dogs, bologna, prosciutto, and pâté) unless heated until steaming (165° F)
  • Dry, uncooked sausages (such as salami and pepperoni) unless heated until steaming

TIPS FOR SAFE EATING

  • Use a food thermometer. Cook beef, veal, and lamb to 145° F. Cook pork and all ground meats to 160° F. Cook poultry to 165° F.

Eggs

DON'T EAT

  • Runny or undercooked eggs
  • Raw cookie dough or cake batter that contains raw eggs
  • Homemade desserts or sauces that contain raw eggs (such as eggnog, ice cream, custard, chocolate mousse, hollandaise sauce, béarnaise sauce, mayonnaise, and Caesar salad dressing)

TIPS FOR SAFE EATING

  • Cook eggs until yolks are firm. Cook other dishes containing eggs to 160° F.
  • Use pasteurized eggs or a pasteurized egg product when making food that calls for uncooked eggs.

Cheese

DON'T EAT

  • Unpasteurized or "raw milk" soft cheese. Nearly all cheeses in the United States are pasteurized. Just make sure the label says so, particularly on soft cheese. Don't eat any uncooked food made from raw, unpasteurized milk.

TIPS FOR SAFE EATING

  • Check the label when buying soft cheese to be sure it says "made with pasteurized milk. "

Other foods

DON'T EAT

  • Prepared salads from the deli (especially if they contain eggs, chicken, ham, or seafood)
  • Buffet or picnic food that's been sitting out for longer than two hours (one hour on a hot day)
  • Stuffing cooked inside a bird, unless heated to 165° F
  • Raw sprouts or any unwashed produce, especially lettuce and cabbage

TIPS FOR SAFE EATING

  • Reheat previously cooked leftovers until steaming (165° F).
  • Keep cold buffet food on ice and hot buffet food heated to 140° F, or roughly the temperature of a hot cup of coffee.
  • Peel fruits and vegetables or wash them well. Keep cut fruits and vegetables refrigerated or on ice.

Beverages to avoid when pregnant

The big no-no during pregnancy is alcoholic drinks. You may have heard that it's okay to have an occasional drink during pregnancy, but the truth is that there is no known "safe" amount of alcohol when you're pregnant – and that's why many experts say to skip it completely. It's also important to limit your caffeine intake and avoid raw or unpasteurized milk or juice.

DON'T DRINK

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Unpasteurized (raw) milk
  • Unpasteurized or "fresh squeezed" juice from a juice bar or grocery store
  • More than 200 mg of caffeine per day (12 ounces of coffee)

TIPS FOR CAFFEINE & FRESH-SQUEEZED JUICE

  • Be aware of how much caffeine is in tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate, and coffee ice cream.
  • Wash fruit thoroughly before squeezing it for fresh juice. (Making your own fresh juice at home is safer than buying fresh squeezed juice from a juice bar or grocery store because you can't be sure how safely fruit has been handled in a retail setting.)

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Kate Marple

Kate Marple is a writer and editor who specializes in health, pregnancy, and parenting content. She's passionate about translating complicated medical information into helpful pregnancy and parenting advice that's easy to understand. She lives in San Francisco with her family.

My pregnancy week by week

Child development by week | Regional Perinatal Center

Expectant mothers are always curious about how the fetus develops at a time when it is awaited with such impatience. Let's talk and look at the photos and pictures of how the fetus grows and develops week by week.

What does the puffer do for 9 whole months in mom's tummy? What does he feel, see and hear?

Let's start the story about the development of the fetus by weeks from the very beginning - from the moment of fertilization. A fetus up to 8 weeks old is called embryo , this occurs before the formation of all organ systems.

Embryo development: 1st week

The egg is fertilized and begins to actively split. The ovum travels to the uterus, getting rid of the membrane along the way.

On the 6th-8th days, implantation of eggs is carried out - implantation into the uterus. The egg settles on the surface of the uterine mucosa and, using the chorionic villi, attaches to the uterine mucosa.

Embryo development: 2-3 weeks


Picture of embryo development at 3 weeks.

The embryo is actively developing, starting to separate from the membranes. At this stage, the beginnings of the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems are formed. Therefore, this period of pregnancy is considered important.

Embryo development: 4–7 weeks


Fetal development by week in pictures: week 4


Fetal development by week photo: week 4




Photo of an embryo before the 6th week of pregnancy.

The heart, head, arms, legs and tail are formed in the embryo :) . Gill slit is defined. The length of the embryo at the fifth week reaches 6 mm.


Fetal development by week photo: week 5

At the 7th week, the rudiments of the eyes, stomach and chest are determined, and fingers appear on the handles. The baby already has a sense organ - the vestibular apparatus. The length of the embryo is up to 12 mm. nine0003

Fetal development: 8th week


Fetal development by week photo: week 7-8

The face of the fetus can be identified, the mouth, nose, and auricles can be distinguished. The head of the embryo is large and its length corresponds to the length of the body; the fetal body is formed. All significant, but not yet fully formed, elements of the baby's body already exist. The nervous system, muscles, skeleton continue to improve.



Fetal development in the photo already sensitive arms and legs: week 8

The fetus developed skin sensitivity in the mouth (preparation for the sucking reflex), and later in the face and palms.

At this stage of pregnancy, the genitals are already visible. Gill slits die. The fruit reaches 20 mm in length.

Fetal development: 9–10 weeks


Fetal development by week photo: week 9

Fingers and toes already with nails. The fetus begins to move in the pregnant woman's stomach, but the mother does not feel it yet. With a special stethoscope, you can hear the baby's heartbeat. Muscles continue to develop. nine0003


Weekly development of the fetus photo: week 10

The entire surface of the fetal body is sensitive and the baby develops tactile sensations with pleasure, touching his own body, the walls of the fetal bladder and the umbilical cord. It is very curious to observe this on ultrasound. By the way, the baby first moves away from the ultrasound sensor (of course, because it is cold and unusual!), And then puts his hands and heels trying to touch the sensor.

It's amazing when a mother puts her hand to her stomach, the baby tries to master the world and tries to touch with his pen "from the back". nine0115

The development of the fetus: 11–14 weeks


Development of the fetus in the photo of the legs: weeks 11

The baby, legs and eyelids are formed, and the genitals become distinguishable (you can find out the gender (you can find out the gender child). The fetus begins to swallow, and if something is not to its taste, for example, if something bitter got into the amniotic fluid (mother ate something), then the baby will begin to frown and stick out his tongue, making less swallowing movements. nine0003

Fruit skin appears translucent.

Fruit development: Week 12


Photo of the fetus 12 weeks per 3D Uzi


Development of the fetus for weeks: Week 14 9000 9000

buds are responsible for production for production urine. Blood forms inside the bones. And hairs begin to grow on the head. Moves more coordinated.

Fetal development: 15-18 weeks


Fetal development by weeks photo: week 15

The skin turns pink, the ears and other parts of the body, including the face, are already visible. Imagine, a child can already open his mouth and blink, as well as make grasping movements. The fetus begins to actively push in the mother's tummy. The sex of the fetus can be determined by ultrasound.

Fetal development: 19-23 weeks


Fetal development by week photo: week 19

Baby sucks his thumb, becomes more energetic. Pseudo-feces are formed in the intestines of the fetus - meconium , kidneys begin to work. During this period, the brain develops very actively.


Fetal development by weeks photo: week 20

The auditory ossicles become stiff and now they are able to conduct sounds, the baby hears his mother - heartbeat, breathing, voice. The fetus intensively gains weight, fat deposits are formed. The weight of the fetus reaches 650 g, and the length is 300 mm.

The lungs at this stage of fetal development are so developed that the baby can survive in the artificial conditions of the intensive care unit. nine0003

Fetal development: 24-27 weeks

Lungs continue to develop. Now the baby is already falling asleep and waking up. Downy hairs appear on the skin, the skin becomes wrinkled and covered with grease. The cartilage of the ears and nose is still soft.


Fetal development by week photo: week 27

Lips and mouth become more sensitive. The eyes develop, open slightly and can perceive light and squint from direct sunlight. In girls, the labia majora do not yet cover the small ones, and in boys, the testicles have not yet descended into the scrotum. Fetal weight reaches 900–1200 g, and the length is 350 mm.

9 out of 10 children born at this term survive.

Fetal development: 28-32 weeks

The lungs are now adapted to breathe normal air. Breathing is rhythmic and body temperature is controlled by the CNS. The baby can cry and responds to external sounds.

Child opens eyes while awake and closes during sleep.

The skin becomes thicker, smoother and pinkish. Starting from this period, the fetus will actively gain weight and grow rapidly. Almost all babies born prematurely at this time are viable. The weight of the fetus reaches 2500 g, and the length is 450 mm. nine0003

Fetal development: 33-37 weeks


Fetal development by week photo: week 36

The fetus reacts to a light source. Muscle tone increases and the baby can turn and raise his head. On which, the hairs become silky. The child develops a grasping reflex. The lungs are fully developed.

Fetal development: 38-42 weeks

The fetus is quite developed, prepared for birth and considered mature. The baby has mastered over 70 different reflex movements. Due to the subcutaneous fatty tissue, the baby's skin is pale pink. The head is covered with hairs up to 3 cm.


Fetal development by weeks photo: week 40

The baby perfectly mastered the movements of his mother , knows when she is calm, excited, upset and reacts to this with her movements. During the intrauterine period, the fetus gets used to moving in space, which is why babies love it so much when they are carried in their arms or rolled in a stroller. For a baby, this is a completely natural state, so he will calm down and fall asleep when he is rocked.

The nails protrude beyond the tips of the fingers, the cartilages of the ears and nose are elastic. In boys, the testicles have descended into the scrotum, and in girls, the large labia cover the small ones. The weight of the fetus reaches 3200-3600 g, and the length is 480-520 mm. nine0003

After the birth, the baby longs for touching his body, because at first he cannot feel himself - the arms and legs do not obey the child as confidently as it was in the amniotic fluid. Therefore, so that your baby does not feel lonely, it is advisable to carry him in your arms, press him to you while stroking his body.

And one more thing, the baby remembers the rhythm and sound of your heart very well . Therefore, you can comfort the baby in this way - take him in your arms, put him on the left side and your miracle will calm down, stop crying and fall asleep. And for you, finally, the time of bliss will come :) . nine0003

6th week of pregnancy - what happens, sensations and signs at the sixth week of pregnancy, abdomen and fetal development, ultrasound

WHAT'S HAPPENING

At the 6th week of pregnancy, the neural tube of the embryo closes, the brain begins to form from its thickened part, and nerve cells divide. The head is formed (so far it is too big, but in time everything will fall into place), the rudiments of the eyes, nose, mouth, auricles and inner ear.

At this stage, the embryo looks like a tadpole. It has slits on its body that resemble gills, and the rudiments of arms and legs can be compared to fins. Also, the crumbs have a small tail, which is then converted into a coccyx.

The baby's heart is actively beating, and on the ultrasound machine it is already possible to determine the frequency of its contractions. For all children, it is different (from 100 to 160 beats per minute), but on average it is almost twice as high as that of the mother. With the launch of the heart, a very important process for the body begins - blood circulation. nine0003

At the 6th week of pregnancy, the placenta develops rapidly: very soon it will take over the function of the yolk sac and begin to independently supply the embryo with oxygen and nutrients. The amount of amniotic fluid increases.

The umbilical stalk has transformed into a cord, and your baby can already move. So far, his movements are chaotic, but over time they will become coordinated.

For a period of 6 weeks, muscle and cartilage tissue develops, the rudiments of the bone marrow, spleen and thymus (an endocrine gland that is essential for the formation of immunity) are formed, the liver, lungs, stomach and pancreas are formed and developed. The intestine lengthens and forms three loops. Not fitting in a tiny tummy, it extends beyond the abdominal cavity and is partially located in the umbilical cord. By the end of the first trimester, the intestine will take its place in the peritoneum. nine0003

While your baby does not hear anything, but already reacts to external stimuli. The fetus is still quite tiny - from 4 to 9 mm in length, and its weight is approximately 0.9 - 1.3 g. The genitals are in their infancy, so the sex of your unborn child at this time is not yet clear.

YOUR FEELING

The abdomen has not yet begun to grow, despite the fact that the uterus has become larger. Sometimes bloating, which is associated with digestive problems, is mistaken for an increase in the abdomen. This nuisance is due to an increase in progesterone levels. In addition, during pregnancy, the stomach muscles relax, making it harder for food to leave the stomach. To reduce discomfort, eat small meals, eat more fiber (fresh vegetables, fruits and dried fruits), drink at least two liters of water per day and do not wear clothes that squeeze the epigastric region. nine0003

In the 6th week of pregnancy, you may feel nauseous (especially in the morning) and sometimes suffer from vomiting. You will develop strange eating habits and become more sensitive to smells. These are all signs that your body is being rebuilt to meet the needs of the little man that is growing inside of you. Early toxicosis will recede when the formation of the placenta ends (approximately at the 14th - 16th week of pregnancy).

During this period, as in the past week, you will quickly get tired and feel sleepy. Due to changes in hormonal levels, headaches, dizziness and even fainting are possible. Another unpleasant moment is an increase in sebum production, which can lead to acne. nine0003

You will also notice that the nipples have become very sensitive, and the halos around them have darkened. In the future, their more saturated color will serve as a guide for the baby, which will help to get to mother's milk, because in the first months of life, the eyesight of newborns is still weak.

RISK FACTORS

In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman's immunity decreases, so the expectant mother becomes more susceptible to various diseases. Monitor your condition. If your stomach is pulling, this may mean a threatened miscarriage. Sometimes pain in the lower back and abdomen is associated with a sprain of the ligaments of the uterus, but to be safe, it is better to consult a doctor. nine0003

If at the 6th week of pregnancy you have pain in your stomach, back, and they are joined by smearing brown discharge or blood spots, go to the hospital immediately. Colds, fever, uncontrolled intake of medications are just some of the reasons that cause spontaneous abortion.

By the way, now you need to especially carefully monitor the nature of the discharge. If they are yellow, green or gray-green in color, have a sharp unpleasant odor, are accompanied by itching, burning and swelling of the external genitalia, we are talking about genital infections that require urgent treatment. nine0003

MEDICAL SUPERVISION

At the 6th week of pregnancy, women are registered in the antenatal clinic. During this period, you will need to pass urine and blood tests, according to the results of which the gynecologist will determine how the pregnancy is proceeding. Perhaps the doctor will send you for an ultrasound for the first time, and this session will become your acquaintance with the baby. Now on the monitor you can see a small speck that looks like a bean. This is your future child.

During an ultrasound examination, the specialist will confirm the presence of pregnancy, determine whether it is “normal” or multiple, and monitor the fetal heartbeat. If it turns out that you are expecting twins, in the future you will have to undergo ultrasound more often, because when carrying several babies, the risks increase proportionally. nine0003

RECOMMENDATIONS

Every second, remember that your baby is sensitive to any external influence. Do not take any medication without your doctor's permission, try to avoid stress, get plenty of rest and eat well.

It is best if you eat fractionally (eat often, but in small portions). At 6 weeks pregnant, you need to include complex carbohydrates in your diet, which are good for the digestive system. To do this, eat legumes, cereals, pasta, garden greens, zucchini, cabbage, bell peppers, apples, peaches, grapefruits, cherries. Give up all edible "harmful things", but do not forget to consume foods that contain calcium (milk, cheese, cottage cheese, kefir, etc.). nine0003

Continue to take your vitamin-mineral complex (if you vomit, take your vitamins when you feel least sick). Weigh yourself regularly and monitor the pressure: if it is slightly lower, you should not worry, but if it is increased, this is a reason to be wary. By the way, not only various diseases, but also nervous experiences can increase pressure, so you need to learn how to calm down and relax.

Pregnancy and childbirth nine0010 Pregnancy management

What tests to take during pregnancy, what examinations to undergo, examinations and screenings, visits to doctors.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Eating Right During Pregnancy

How to create a healthy diet for a pregnant woman, what vitamins should be present in the diet, how much liquid should be drunk, what drinks to prefer and what to avoid, what foods are considered harmful for pregnant women and how to keep weight under control while staying in a good mood.

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