It’s hard to believe you’re already in the 6th week of pregnancy. This week, many women experience their first pregnancy symptoms—especially the infamous morning sickness. Your baby is making big strides in development and is starting to resemble a tiny human. Find out what else changes this week and what can help ease pregnancy-related discomforts.

How big is your baby in week 6 of pregnancy?

In week 6 of pregnancy, your embryo doubles in size. At about five millimeters, it’s now roughly the size of a pea. On an ultrasound, it may already be visible as a small dot.

6th W: What's changing for you

This week, the concentration of the hormone hCG, which supports pregnancy, continues to rise. In addition, your body produces more progesterone, which relaxes muscles and connective tissue so the embryo can grow freely. At the same time, your cervix firms up to protect the pregnancy and is now barely movable. Your blood vessels dilate, and your entire body is supplied with more blood.

Relieve morning sickness and other symptoms

The hormone cocktail in your body is gradually but surely making itself known. Most expectant mothers notice their first pregnancy symptoms by now, such as fatigue, exhaustion, more frequent urination, and tender breasts. These complaints are completely normal, but they don’t occur in every pregnant woman. Try to pay attention to your needs and take breaks throughout the day whenever possible. Another common issue is bloating and constipation. These digestive problems are caused by the hormone progesterone, which slows bowel activity. A healthy, balanced diet rich in fiber and regular exercise can help get your digestion back on track. You can find out which foods are particularly suitable—and which ones you should avoid when you’re experiencing digestive issues—in the article “”.

Many women also struggle with the notorious morning sickness at this stage. The nausea, which often occurs in the morning and may be accompanied by vomiting, is an unpleasant side effect of the hormone hCG. But don’t worry: as uncomfortable as it is, nausea is a good sign of healthy pregnancy development and usually subsides on its own by the end of the first trimester. Only if you have to vomit repeatedly every day and can keep very little food down should you contact your doctor. Otherwise, the following tips can help with morning sickness:

• Eat many small meals instead of a few large ones. This way, your stomach won't be overwhelmed with
  too much food.

• Many women find it helpful to eat a dry crispbread or a
  cracker immediately after waking up.

• Eat only what tastes good to you and does not cause nausea – most of the time, these are rather low-fat
  foods.

• Drink plenty of fluids, preferably low-carbonation or non-carbonated beverages.

• Consuming ginger can generally help: the root has antiemetic effects, meaning it reduces nausea. Ginger brewed as tea can also help with nausea.

• When used appropriately, acupuncture can reduce your nausea.

If you’d like more information about morning sickness, its causes, and remedies, check out the article "".

Weight fluctuations

You won’t see a round baby bump yet, and in general, weight gain in the first trimester is usually limited. However, you may already notice that your pants are starting to feel tight—for many women, this doesn’t first become noticeable in the belly, but rather at the hips. Still, it will be a little while before you need to buy maternity clothes. Some pregnant women even lose weight at first due to nausea and loss of appetite. This is also quite normal in this early phase of pregnancy and, as long as the weight loss is minimal, it’s harmless.

6th week of pregnancy: Development of your baby

The embryo undergoes impressive development this week. It still has a small tail, resembling a tadpole, but it is gradually regressing. The head of the embryo is as large as the rest of the body this week and is bent forward toward the chest. In the 6th week of pregnancy, the first beginnings of arms and legs form, and the foundations for the eyes, ears, and nose are established. This means your baby is already developing its first individual facial features this week. In addition, its heart begins to beat at 150 beats per minute—twice as fast as your own. On the ultrasound, the heartbeat may still not be easy to see, depending on the position of the embryo. Other organs also start to develop: the foundations for the stomach, intestines, and liver are forming, as well as the central nervous system and the first structures of the brain.

But that's not all. The foundations for the spine, ribs, and spinal cord are also beginning to form, along with the skeleton. The placenta is not yet fully developed in the 6th week of pregnancy, so the yolk sac initially continues to supply the embryo and provide it with nutrients.

This is now important

• If you notice bleeding, it could be a sign of a progesterone deficiency. Contact your gynecologist immediately to determine whether
  the administration of additional hormones might be necessary.

• Try to have several small meals spread throughout the day. This helps maintain
  your blood sugar levels and counteracts several pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, digestive issues, and circulatory problems.

• Even daily exercise outdoors and a moderate sports program are good for you, stimulate circulation, and help with fatigue.

• Equally important now is getting enough rest. Try to pause from time to time and incorporate breaks into your daily routine.

• Now it is time to schedule your first prenatal appointment with your gynecologist/your
  gynecologist if you haven't already done so.

With our pregnancy calendar, we want to accompany you through this exciting time and provide you with relevant information, which is also created in exchange with our
LILLYDOO experts. Nevertheless, the information listed here can
never replace personal consultation with your doctor or midwife. Always contact your healthcare professional with questions and for professional care.