Baby is the size of a lentil
👶 Baby's development
The tiny heart begins to beat — 80–110 beats per minute! Arm and leg buds appear.
💛 How mom feels
Morning sickness may intensify. Frequent urination — the growing uterus presses the bladder.
📖 Tip of the week
A heartbeat can already be seen on ultrasound — about 100 beats per minute, which is a great sign! The limbs still look like tiny buds, but tiny fingers are beginning to form. If nausea is severe, talk to your doctor — there are safe ways to manage it.
🔬 Detailed baby development
- The heartbeat is now detectable via transvaginal ultrasound, beating at about 100-120 beats per minute
- Facial features begin to form: dark spots for eyes and small openings for the mouth and nostrils
- The brain is developing rapidly into distinct regions (forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain)
- Small buds that will become arms and legs are growing longer and show slight paddle shapes
- The embryo is about 4-6 mm long, approximately the size of a lentil
- The digestive system begins forming, with the intestines starting to develop from the gut tube
🤱 What mom may feel
- Nausea and vomiting may intensify as hCG levels continue to climb
- Bloating and gas due to progesterone slowing digestion
- Breast tenderness increases with visible vein patterns on the breasts
- Emotional sensitivity and frequent mood changes
- Food aversions — previously enjoyed foods may now seem repulsive
- Mild headaches from hormonal changes and increased blood volume
🏥 Tests and check-ups
A transvaginal ultrasound may be performed this week to confirm fetal viability and detect the heartbeat. The gestational sac and yolk sac should be clearly visible. If there is any bleeding or pain, your doctor may check hCG levels via blood draw to ensure they are doubling appropriately.
💡 Tips for this week
- Try ginger tea, ginger candy, or vitamin B6 supplements to relieve nausea (consult your provider first)
- Wear a Sea-Band acupressure wristband, which some women find helps with nausea
- Eat protein-rich snacks before bed to stabilize blood sugar overnight
- Begin documenting your pregnancy symptoms and questions for your healthcare provider
- Avoid cleaning cat litter to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis infection
❓ Frequently asked questions
What if no heartbeat is detected at 6 weeks?
Dates may be slightly off, and a heartbeat may appear a few days later. Your doctor will likely schedule a follow-up ultrasound in 1-2 weeks before drawing any conclusions. A heartbeat is expected by 6.5-7 weeks.
Is it normal to not feel pregnant at 6 weeks?
Yes. Some women have very mild or no symptoms in early pregnancy and go on to have perfectly healthy pregnancies. Symptom intensity varies greatly between women.
Can I dye my hair during pregnancy?
Most research suggests that hair dye is likely safe during pregnancy, especially after the first trimester. If concerned, opt for highlights or vegetable-based dyes that have less scalp contact.
Why am I so tired?
Extreme fatigue in early pregnancy is primarily caused by surging progesterone levels, increased blood production, and the metabolic demands of building the placenta. This usually improves in the second trimester.
📝 Week 6 of pregnancy: detailed guide
At week 6, the embryo measures approximately 4–6 mm — about the size of a lentil. This week brings one of the most significant milestones of early pregnancy: the heart begins to beat at a rate of 100–120 beats per minute, roughly twice as fast as an adult’s heart. On an early ultrasound, this flickering heartbeat is visible and is often one of the most emotionally powerful moments for expectant parents. Tiny paddle-like limb buds are forming on either side of the body, and the brain is developing into five distinct regions. The face is beginning to take shape, with optic vesicles (the future eyes) and the earliest hints of a nose and mouth visible at a microscopic level.
For most women, weeks 6–8 represent the peak of morning sickness. Nausea may be near-constant, triggered by smells, hunger, or simply changing position. Some women experience vomiting several times a day. If you are vomiting more than three or four times daily and struggling to keep food or fluid down, you may have hyperemesis gravidarum — a severe form of pregnancy sickness that requires medical treatment to prevent dehydration. Contact your GP or midwife if this is the case; anti-nausea medication that is safe in pregnancy is available. Watch for signs of dehydration: dark urine, dizziness, and inability to keep down even water.
Your GP or midwife may arrange an early viability scan at this stage if there has been previous pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, or symptoms of concern such as pain or bleeding. The scan confirms that the pregnancy is intrauterine (not ectopic) and checks for a heartbeat. If you haven’t already, contact your GP to be referred to antenatal care — your booking appointment should include a comprehensive health history, blood group and rhesus factor testing, full blood count, and screening for infections including rubella, hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis.
Even if your appetite is poor, try to prioritise hydration and simple, digestible foods. Plain rice, boiled potatoes, bananas, toast, and soup are good options when everything else seems unpalatable. Don’t worry if your diet is not perfect right now — surviving nausea is the priority. Ensure you are still taking folic acid and vitamin D. Avoid lying flat immediately after eating, as this can worsen reflux. The room temperature and ventilation can also have a big impact — a cool, well-aired environment often reduces the intensity of nausea.
⚠️ When to see a doctor
- Heavy bleeding or spotting
- Severe abdominal pain or pain on one side
- Severe nausea and vomiting (unable to eat or drink)
- Fever above 38°C (100.4°F)
- Pain or burning during urination
- Dizziness or fainting
Sources
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care (2016)
- ACOG Practice Bulletins
- Williams Obstetrics, 26th Edition
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