The sixth week of your pregnancy
Your changing body
Many physiological changes take place during pregnancy. The sudden increase in the levels of hormones estrogen, Progesterone and pregnancy hormone- human chorionic gonadotropin Hormone (hCG) could contribute to ‘’ morning sickness’’ or nausea. This feeling could intensify around this time, subsiding gradually by the end of the first Trimester. However, many women may continue to wake up feeling queasy at least once, even until the delivery.
As a result, your appetite may go down and you would resist eating leading to some amount of weight loss. Your doctor will ask you to monitor your weight throughout pregnancy.
At the end of this week, you may notice some weight gain especially around the waist, legs and breasts. A noticeable change in the size of your Uterus can also be observed during pelvic examination.
Your growing baby
By around this week, your baby develops an oversized head, resembles a small tadpole, and is the size of a lentil.
The eyes and nostrils that will take shape later appear as small dark spots. Buds protruding from the body can be observed that will later turn into your baby’s arms and legs. Hands and feet haven’t grown yet and at around this stage they resemble a ‘paddle’ or are webbed.
At week 6, your baby’s heart starts beating at a rate of about 100 to 160 times a minute, pumping blood that courses throughout his body. The pituitary gland, intestines, brain, muscles and bones begin to develop.
The lungs will be formed from buds that have now come into existence.
Tips for the sixth week of pregnancy
Beat Morning sickness through healthy modifications in your eating regime. Eat small meals, well spaced, at regular intervals throughout the day. Limit the intake of greasy and spicy foodstuffs and those with odors that aggravate your queasiness. Hydrate yourself well with plenty of fluids.
Stop consuming alcohol and quit smoking; both of these activities have detrimental effects on the health of your baby. Restrict the intake of caffeine, as it can cross the Placenta (developed during the earlier weeks of pregnancy) and affect the heart rate and respiration of your growing baby.
Some research studies also state that increased Caffeine consumption could increase the risk of Miscarriage during the first Trimester.
Activities for the sixth week of pregnancy
Adapt to a new diet plan. Now that you can confirm your pregnancy, try to incorporate a well balanced diet plan into your schedule. Include lots of fruits, whole-grain cereals, eggs, lean meats and fresh vegetables in your diet. Have small, evenly placed meals frequently. Drink plenty of fluids and water (avoid pineapple juice). Avoid fatty and spicy meals.
Supplements to be taken during the sixth week of pregnancy
Folic acid supplements, iron and calcium.
Common problems in the sixth week of pregnancy
Fluctuating mood. Baby bump is yet not visible but you may begin experiencing problems of heart burn and bloating in the abdomen, commonly observed around this period. Problems of Miscarriage also hover and around this time till about 12 weeks in many women.
It is true that many a times some symptoms seen in the earlier weeks of pregnancy may mimic those observed in a miscarriage, but it is wise to be alert. Seek immediate help from your healthcare provider if you begin to feel intense abdominal cramps with pain, heavy bleeding with appearance of grayish or pinkish tissue or blood clots.
Other problems that some women have during this time are excessive vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum), ectopic and molar pregnancy (although very rare) are other serious complications during the first Trimester.
Common tests in the sixth week of pregnancy
Ultrasonography performed by the obstetrician during your Prenatal visits will help to confirm a normal pregnancy (i.e. implantation of the fertilized egg in the cavity of the uterus) and also help in the early diagnosis of abnormal pregnancies such as ectopic or molar pregnancies, if any.
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