The sixth week is a period of rapid growth that marks more development of both internal and external embryo features. Women move from the anxiety stage because the pregnancy has been confirmed and a new chapter with very many things is opened. Well, while the time when you were trying to conceive might have been an ecstatic moment characterized by all the good sweet words and things between you and your partner, reality that you are pregnant shifts the goal to understanding pregnancy and ensuring that you go through the session successfully. It is no doubt exploratory especially for first-time mothers.
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Baby’s growth and development in week six
The sixth week is a continuation of rapid development from week five. First, the brain’s cerebral cortex starts emerging, and neurons (nerve cells) in the spinal cord begin forming special connections. These are very critical because the embryo starts becoming semi-independent by making decisions and relaying them to other parts of the body through synapses (communication between nerve cells).
Blood formation intensifies by close of the week which is made evident from the liver’s deep red color. The liver also starts making lymphocytes that help strengthen the immune system. This means that by the close of the week, the embryo will be able to fight against some simple infections. However, this will not happen until birth or unprecedented infections because the mother provides all the immunity.
The embryo’s hand plates start emerging as simple nubs with specialized cells that will later develop into hands and legs. By mid of the 6th week, the embryo starts making some movement. These are reflexive and spontaneous with the head and lower part of the tail making minor moves that resemble waves running from the upper part to the bottom.
By the close of the 6th week, a small intestine is seen protruding slightly outside the abdominal cavity and extends into the umbilical cord. This process is very important because it allows the embryo to continue feeding through the umbilical cord while giving other organs ample space to develop in the abdominal cavity. Other very important developments during the 7th week include the endocrine system that will be very useful in guiding developments in the subsequent trimesters.
Size of Baby at 6 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby is about the size of a lentil.
Changes to expect in Mom’s body during week 6
This is a week of reckoning, a period of reflecting, and a perfect moment to redefine the pregnancy. By now, you will have started experiencing morning sickness and very intensive moods. Many mothers develop very strong food aversions and craving. The main reason for developing high craving is because the body is missing a specific mineral or nutrient. For example, some mothers develop a special craving for fruits, rocks, or even special type of meat that has minerals that the body needs. Remember that if you develop an aversion to some foods, it is just temporary.
During the sixth week, the intensifying HCG hormone brings about intensive blood activity in the mother’s body and embryo developments. Notably, the intensive activities cause a lot of wastes that require removal through the bladder. As blood keeps rushing to the kidney for cleaning, you will experience regular urination. Well, this often turns out to be less controllable, and even a small sneeze makes you feel like urinating.
One notable change in the mother’s body is regular constipation. As more pregnancy hormones flood the body, the common digestive hormones could be compromised and result in constipation. It is important to take foods in small meals and consume a lot of fibers.
Other changes to expect include:
- Fainting
- Headache
- Soreness of the breasts
- Moodiness
- Food aversions
- Food craving
Things to do during the 6th week
The previous confirmation that you are pregnancy should pop up myriads of activities that run through the remaining pregnancy period and beyond. Unlike during the first 4 weeks when you only thought and imagined being pregnant, it a reality and things have to happen and follow the right track.
- Continue taking your daily dose of 400 mg of folic acid to support the internal organs of the baby that are still developing.
- Have all the essential tests conducted by a physician to get appropriate support and medication where necessary. For example, you need to have the blood group tested, Rhesus factor established, iron levels, and other infections checked to ensure that your baby gets the best start.
- Hold a comprehensive session with your doctor to discuss innate issues about your pregnancy. If it is your first kid, you need to discuss the following;
- Important things to expect during the remaining part of the pregnancy.
- Get a breakdown of all the tests that need to be carried out at various visits for regular checkups. For example, the doctor will tell you when the urine test, blood pressure, diabetes, weight and others will be required.
- Agree with the doctor about the regular prenatal visits so that the progress of the pregnancy is followed and any issue identified and remedied.
- Visit your nutritionist to come up with an appropriate diet plan to keep the body supplied with all the necessary nutrients. For example, you need to agree on the right meals that have all the necessary proteins, vitamins, and minerals. If the body requires extra vitamins, work with the nutritionist to identify the right vegetables, fruits, and supplements.
- Make sure to work on a fitness plan that factors changing the status of the pregnancy in subsequent weeks. A good way is joining a professional maternity fitness club and work with the experts on a regular basis.
- Join a group of other expectant mothers in the same week and of pregnancy and stick with them all along until you deliver. Here, you will learn some practical ways of addressing some issues that affect mothers in every trimester. In fact, you might find this group more useful than any other party because you share most of the issues. Besides, if it is an online group, you could feel more comfortable discussing key issues that people find shy talking with doctors or even spouses.
- Make communication with your spouse a top priority. This is critical especially at the seventh week because HCG takes control of almost everything. For example, you need to keep them updated on the doctor’s report on the status of the pregnancy and where possible have the spouse accompany you for such check-ups.
