You sit at the breakfast table, the scent of coffee filling the air – and suddenly your stomach turns. At the same time, you feel as if you haven’t slept at all. Welcome to the 6th week of pregnancy, a time full of invisible wonders and very palpable changes. While your body is achieving remarkable feats, something wonderful is growing inside you: a tiny being with a heart that already beats for both of you.

Soft watercolor illustration in warm peachy-pink and golden tones showing a close-up view of a tiny translucent embryo resembling a delicate tadpole shape, floating peacefully in gentle amniotic fluid with subtle light rays filtering through, creating a dreamy ethereal atmosphere, painted with flowing brushstrokes and soft color gradients, evoking wonder and tenderness, viewed from a slightly angled perspective as if looking into a precious secret world

Your Baby in Week 6: Tiny as a Kernel of Corn, Big in Development

Imagine this: your baby is now about 4 millimeters long and weighs just 0.1 grams. That’s roughly the size of a kernel of corn. But don’t be deceived by this tiny size – this week, your baby will double in size, and the developmental milestones are breathtaking.

The tiny body still has the characteristic C-shape of a tadpole. Perhaps you’ve already had an ultrasound and could see the tiny head in the gestational sac? Where there was just a dark spot in week 5, the first details are now beginning to emerge: the umbilical cord, perhaps even the rudimentary eyes and ears.

The Heart Beats – Twice as Fast as Yours

The most moving event in the 6th week of pregnancy: your baby’s tiny heart is already beating with about 150 beats per minute. That’s almost twice as fast as your own heart! With a bit of luck and a good ultrasound device, your doctor may already be able to make this heartbeat visible.

If the heartbeat is not yet visible, don’t worry. Sometimes the baby is positioned in such a way that the heartbeat won’t be visible until a week later. Every pregnancy progresses at its own pace.

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Head, Face, and Limbs Taking Shape

Your baby’s head now makes up about half of its entire body and is slightly tilted forward toward the chest. The brain is developing rapidly: the structures for the forebrain, cerebellum, and cerebrum begin to form this week.

You can also see the first facial features emerging. The beginnings of the eyes, nose, and mouth are recognizable – even though they are still tiny. Arms and legs are forming as little buds from which hands and feet will later develop. And yes, your baby even has a small tail that will regress in the coming weeks.

Organs in Fast Forward

After the heart, other vital organs are now beginning to develop:

  • Stomach and intestines are establishing their basic structures
  • Liver and pancreas are forming
  • Lungs begin to take shape
  • Neural tube closes towards the end of week 6 – this will later become the spine and spinal cord
  • Skeleton begins its development with the notochord and skeletal buds

Taking folic acid supports the development of the neural tube in particular. If you are not yet taking a folic acid supplement, talk to your doctor about it.

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Your Body in Week 6: Invisible Changes, Noticeable Symptoms

From the outside, there’s nothing to see – your baby bump is still waiting to reveal itself. But inside your body, a hormonal fireworks display is taking place. The pregnancy hormone hCG continues to rise, throwing your entire organism into a tailspin. This can manifest in various ways.

Typical Complaints in the 6th Week of Pregnancy

  • Nausea: Especially in the morning, but sometimes throughout the day. Some women suddenly become sensitive to certain smells or foods.
  • Extreme fatigue: Your body is currently performing at peak levels. It’s no wonder you feel exhausted even if you’re getting enough sleep.
  • Mood swings: From elation to tears – hormones are going haywire, and that’s completely normal.
  • Sensitive breasts: Your breasts are already preparing for breastfeeding and may feel tense or painful.
  • Frequent urination: The growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder.

Not every woman experiences all of these symptoms. Some have hardly any complaints, while others struggle daily. Both are normal and do not indicate anything about the health of your baby.

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Gentle Help for Pregnancy Discomfort: Our Midwife Tip

Especially for nausea and fatigue, small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference. Here are some tried-and-true strategies that many pregnant women find helpful:

Naturally Relieve Morning Sickness

Ginger tea instead of coffee: Start your day with a hot ginger tea. Ginger naturally soothes the stomach while also giving you a gentle boost of energy. Simply slice a few thin pieces of fresh ginger, pour hot water over them, and let the tea steep for five minutes.

Caffeine-free alternatives: If you love coffee, try grain or lupin coffee. They taste similar but don’t burden you or your baby with caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee is also an option but should be consumed in moderation.

More Helpful Strategies

  • Small, frequent meals: Instead of three large meals, spread five to six small ones throughout the day to keep your blood sugar levels stable.
  • Dry biscuits in the morning: Keep some toast or crackers by your bedside and eat them before getting up.
  • Fresh air: A short walk can work wonders – against nausea and fatigue.
  • Allow for rest: Listen to your body. If it demands rest, then rest. Your baby is growing, and that takes energy.
  • Stay hydrated: At least 2 liters of water or unsweetened teas daily help prevent circulatory issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Week 6 of Pregnancy

When exactly am I in the 6th week?

The 6th week of pregnancy runs from 5+0 to 5+6. This means: you are 5 weeks and 0 to 6 days pregnant. You are in the 2nd month and the 1st trimester of your pregnancy.

Do I need to see the heartbeat by the 6th week?

No, not necessarily. With a bit of luck and a good ultrasound device, the heartbeat may already be visible. For some women, however, it may take another week or two. This depends on the position of the baby, the quality of the device, and the exact timing of fertilization. Your doctor will be able to reassure you.

Is it normal for me to feel so exhausted?

Absolutely! Your body is currently doing incredible work. The baby is doubling its size, organs are being formed, and your blood volume is increasing. This extreme fatigue is a sign that your body is working hard. Allow yourself breaks whenever possible.

What can I do if the nausea is very strong?

If you are frequently throwing up, can't keep anything down, or are losing a lot of weight, be sure to talk to your doctor. You could be experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum, a treatable form of pregnancy nausea. In milder cases, the tips mentioned above often help a lot.

Can I exercise in the 6th week?

If your pregnancy is normal and your doctor doesn't say otherwise, you are allowed to move. Gentle exercises like swimming, yoga, walking, or pregnancy gymnastics are ideal. However, listen to your body and don't overdo it. Now is not the time for extremes.

You Are Not Alone on This Journey

The 6th week of pregnancy is a time of extremes: while a little miracle is growing inside you, you might feel anything but wonderful. That’s completely okay. Your body is performing an incredible feat – it is creating new life, cell by cell, heartbeat by heartbeat.

Be gentle with yourself. Rest when you’re tired. Eat what feels good to you. And remember: this phase will pass. Most women feel significantly better starting in the second trimester. Until then: one day at a time, one ginger tea at a time, one loving thought for the little kernel of corn in your belly at a time.

You are doing great – even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.