6 Weeks - Pregnancy

Baby

This is an exciting week for your pregnancy, as your little bean develops a heartbeat. Although it is still too faint for a stethoscope to hear, it is furiously beating at about 115 beats per minute. The heart has also divided into 2 chambers, as blood begins to circulate throughout her body.

She is in fact the size of a bean, about 4-5 millimeters long, tripling in size this week to about a quarter of an inch long. Her head makes up most of her size, as the arms and legs are stretching out from their buds. Little webbed fingers and toes begin to form from their buds. Her brain is starting to grow neurons, which are stretching to make new connections every day. On her face are dark spots where her eyes, nose, and ears will soon be.

Your baby’s internal digestive system is developing as well. The pancreas is starting to function to break down insulin, and your baby's intestines begin to grow within the umbilical cord, before they move into her body.

Halfway through this week, your baby will begin to move her limbs in reflexive movements. Although you will not feel your baby move until the second trimester, rest assured that your little one is practicing using her muscles already.

And, if you want to know what baby is up to every day, check out the ExpectantSee Screensaver.

Mom

Do you find yourself getting weepy over greeting card commercials? Are you snapping at your husband more than often? You can blame all this on the massive amounts of hormones pumping through your body. As your body prepares its “nest”, which is the placenta and amniotic sac, your hormones are basically guiding the process along. With all the growth and development your baby is going through, it’s no wonder you are feeling the effects in your mood.

Along with mood swings, you may be feeling extremely tired. Many women report feeling bleary eyed all day long. If you have the opportunity, try to catch a nap here and there throughout the day.

With the increase in progesterone, your body’s digestive system slows, so you may be feeling some nausea and/or constipation. Try to eat easily digestible, high fiber foods. Lots of fruits and vegetables are key. Soon, you may be feeling full-fledged morning sickness. Don’t let that term full you. Many women call it morning, noon, and night sickness. For now, try and eat regularly. If you can, get your spouse to bring you something to nibble on before you even get out of bed. Ginger ale is good for settling your stomach as well.

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ExpectantSee Screensaver: CD ROM

PLEASE NOTE

This should be used as a general guideline and is for general information and educational purposes only. Please remember that all pregnancies develop at different rates. If you have questions about your baby's development, please contact your doctor or midwife.