You’re six weeks pregnant and already halfway through your first trimester! Your body’s working overtime to get baby up to speed for birth so expect to feel a little drained for a while yet.
Your baby’s development
This week your baby is the size of a… lemon pip.
By now a foetal heartbeat should register on a vaginal ultrasound, however it is often still too early to register on an abdominal scan so sit tight. There are also loads of other developments going on to your little one, including:
· Closure of the neural tube between brain and spinal cord
· Tiny facial features beginning to take shape
· Arm buds will have formed in preparation for development into limbs
· Space is being made for the internal organs that are already beginning to form
· His heart is beating but it’s still far too faint to be heard
Your physical pregnancy changes
You’ll probably be experiencing much of the same pregnancy symptoms as in your fifth week.
Morning sickness and nausea could mean you’re not eating as regularly and some women lose weight as a result. Don’t worry about this too much because the nausea should wear off. Just make sure you keep eating small, regular portions packed full of nutrients.
Your health and fitness during pregnancy
Most women will be feeling pretty tired at this stage and many describe it as a tiredness like no other. You may find it hard to lift your head off your pillow. It’s important to listen to what your body is telling you – if you’re weary then try to take it easy and don’t push yourself. Overdoing it isn’t good for you or your baby.
Your week 6 pregnancy checklist
· If you’re showing symptoms and haven’t yet taken a pregnancy test, now is the time
· Book an appointment with your GP (especially if your test is positive!)
· Relax and take things easy
· If you’re suffering from morning sickness, take a plastic bag or container with you in case you need to be sick
· Have dry snacks on hand for when you’re feeling queasy
· Book in a celebration with your partner – a meal may be off the table if you’re feeling unwell, so be creative!
· Some women breeze through the early stages of pregnancy with no physical or emotional signs that they’ve entered into their first trimester. Others experience hormone-triggered symptoms that can’t be avoided, and may indicate there’s a baby on board. Here are some of the most common signs and some of the funny little things you may be feeling in your first few weeks of pregnancy.
· I’m a real-life Sleeping Beauty
· After you conceive, your metabolism is kick-started in order to support you and your growing embryo. At the same time, there’s a surge in the sedating hormone progesterone, which explains the unusual levels of fatigue and why you feel like you could sleep forever.
· That’s not my body!
· Have you noticed your nipples have darkened in colour? Or your breasts feel tender and sore – almost as they would when you’re pre-menstrual? This, confusingly, is one of the most common signs of pregnancy.
· I’ve got cramps and a bit of spotting
· Light spotting (that looks less red and more pink than your normal period) can occur around eight days after conception. This implantation bleeding occurs as your embryo implants itself in your uterus lining.
· I can’t stand strong smells
· Pregnancy hormones in your saliva can affect your sense of taste and, together with a heightened sense of smell, may trigger nausea. If your friend’s perfume (which you used to like) makes you feel off colour, or your morning coffee, that used to smell so inviting, doesn’t do it for your tastebuds all of a sudden, that’s probably why.
· Please pass the sick bag
· Most women experience some form of morning sickness (which, ironically, can strike at any time of day) at some point during pregnancy. It’s usually worse in the first trimester and may be one of the first signs that you’re pregnant.
· Where’s the toilet?
· Around a week after conception the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) starts to be released into your body. This causes more blood flow to the pelvic region, which may stimulate your bladder into more action.
· Chocolate and peas please
· Just as some smells and tastes make you feel sick, you may suddenly feel inexplicably drawn to others. This is thought to be your body craving the minerals and vitamins it’s deficient in. And may be just enough to justify your need for another chocolate bar.
· I feel like Little Miss Moody
· You’ll be pleased to know sudden mood swings, irritability and irrational outbursts are completely normal in the early days of pregnancy. Just blame it on all those new hormones raging through your body.
· My period is late
· If your period is normally regular, and you aren’t experiencing any unusual levels of stress or illness, missing one is the ultimate sign that you might be pregnant.
· If you’re experiencing four or more of these signs or symptoms and you think you might be pregnant, now is probably a good time to head to your pharmacy and buy a pregnancy test.
· Want to find out more about prenatal care or how to bond with your bump?