6 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Development, Symptoms & Signs

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0.2 - 0.25 in0.5 - 0.6 cm

34Weeks to go!

by Catherine Donaldson-Evans reviewed mark

Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Our Medical Review Board includes OB/GYNs, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, doulas, lactation counselors, endocrinologists, fertility specialists and more.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. | July 29, 2025 Latest update: See more Explore Pregnancy Week 6

Baby development
Body changes
Common symptoms
Tips for you
Recommended products
Birth month group discussions

This week, your baby is starting to look more like, well, a baby — your little one’s head is taking shape, while the cheeks, chin, and jaws are also beginning to form.

In week 6 of pregnancy, you may be feeling well and truly pregnant too, thanks to symptoms like heartburn, nausea, and frequent urination.

Your Baby at Week 6

At a Glance

Smile!Your little one’s face is taking shape this week, with cheeks, chin, and jaws beginning to form.

Baby's heart is gearing up!The cluster of cells that will become your baby's heart starts to pulse sometime after week 5. From week 6 of pregnancy or later, you may be able to see (and/or hear) cardiac activity for the first time on an ultrasound, though the exact timing of when it can be detected varies a little.

Fetal positionIt’s not called the fetal position for nothing: Your baby-to-be, who looks like a tiny tadpole complete with teeny "tail," is curled up with the leg buds tucked in toward the torso. No plans to move soon!

6 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 6 weeks pregnant, you're in month 2 of your pregnancy. Only 7 months left to go! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months, and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 6 weeks?

When you're 6 weeks pregnant, your baby's crown-to-rump measurement (more on this below) is anywhere from a fifth to a quarter of an inch and growing — making it the size of a nailhead or a sweet pea (your little sweet pea!).

Baby's head takes shape

You might be coping with full-blown pregnancy symptoms, but there's plenty of good news too. The folds of tissue in the prominent bump on top — the head — are developing into your baby's jaw, cheeks, and chin, which will eventually become one adorable face.

And are those little indentations on both sides of the head the sweet dimples you always hoped your baby would inherit from your mom's side of the family? No, they're ear canals in the making. Small dots on the face will form the eyes and button nose in a few weeks.

Also taking shape this week: your baby's kidneys, liver, and lungs, along with his little heart. See your baby's development each week on the What to Expect app.

Measuring your embryo

During embryo and fetal development, practitioners measure babies as small as yours from precious little crown to cute little rump. That's because as your baby grows, his legs will be bent, making it hard to get an accurate read on the full length of the body.

Your Body at Week 6

Frequent urination

Your body may not yet have changed on the outside, but you'll be reminded you're 6 weeks pregnant every time you feel queasy or bloated or dive head-first into your sixth grapefruit of the day — funny, because you never craved grapefruit before.

Another clue? You're in the bathroom more than you're out of it. Frequent urination is a symptom no pregnant woman enjoys, especially when it breaks up the sleep you really need right now, but it's one of the most common signs of pregnancy, especially early on.

Why? For one thing, the pregnancy hormone hCG is causing an increase of blood flow to your pelvic area — good for increased sexual pleasure, not so good when you're 10 minutes into a two-hour movie at the theater.

What's more, your kidneys are becoming more efficient at ridding your body of waste. Add to that the fact that your growing uterus is beginning to push down on your bladder, leaving less storage space for urine, and you've got a perfect (pee) storm. Luckily, this pressure is often relieved once the uterus rises into the abdominal cavity in the second trimester.

Here's a quick tip: Lean forward when you pee to ensure that your bladder is completely emptied each time. Then, when you think you’re done, pee again. This way, you might need fewer trips to the bathroom. But don't be tempted to cut back on liquids — your body needs a steady supply of fluids.

Heartburn and indigestion

Here’s the not-so-great news — the chances of getting through the next nine months heartburn-free are nearly zero. That’s because the band of muscle at the top of the stomach that usually prevents digestive juices from backing up relaxes.

But here's better news: You can minimize the symptoms if you avoid foods like citruses and tomatoes — and yes, that includes pizza and pasta sauce — steer clear of greasy and spicy foods, don't rush through your meals, and avoid clothes that constrict your belly. It's also a good idea to finish dinner at least four hours before going to bed and keep your head elevated on a pillow while you sleep.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 6

Fatigue Building that baby — and the life support your growing fetus needs — is hard work, so it’s no wonder you're tired. Listen to your body. If it’s telling you to take a break, then take five! But do fit in some exercise. It can lift your mood and help you sleep better. Read More

Nausea and vomiting Whether you're just slightly queasy or having trouble keeping food down, know you're not alone: Morning sickness is one of the most common signs of pregnancy, especially from week 6 on. Eat smaller meals that combine protein and complex carbs, like cheese and crackers or yogurt and granola. Read More

Bloating and gas The progesterone that’s coursing through your body is essential for a healthy pregnancy, but it's also responsible for that bloated tummy and extra gas. Try to eat fiber-rich foods and drink plenty of water to avoid getting constipated, which can aggravate bloating. Read More

Breast tenderness and changes No, it’s not your imagination — your breasts may be getting bigger. Why the new look these days? Your body is gearing up to breastfeed and the darker areolas, the skin around the nipples, turn your breasts into bull’s-eyes for your newborn, making it easier to latch on. Read MoreTrack your symptoms with the My Journal tool in our free app

Tips for You This Week

Choose the right pregnancy doctor for you

There’s more than one type of pregnancy practitioner, but only you can decide which one is the best fit for your situation.

While more than 90% of women choose an OB/GYN, a physician with a medical degree and training in women’s reproductive and general health, you can also opt for a midwife, a family practice doctor, or a maternal fetal medicine specialist (MFM).

To narrow down your decision, ask yourself if you’re at risk for any complications, where you would like to deliver, and whether you’d like a natural birth. The answers will help you find the right fit.Go bland for morning sickness

Suffering from morning sickness? Sadly, it isn't limited to the mornings at all — unless you count mornings in every time zone.

If you feel like screaming whenever you look at a saltine, don't panic. You have more options than you might think.

Dry and bland are still the key here, but that describes more than a cracker. Dry cereal, pretzels, rice cakes, well-toasted bread, and bread sticks are all suitable for stashing in your purse or keeping on the bedside table.Prepare for your first prenatal visit

Sure, you already got the news from your home pregnancy test — but it doesn't hurt to hear it confirmed by a doctor, which is one reason you're probably looking forward to your very first prenatal doctor's appointment. Expect this checkup to be exciting … and long.

Once you arrive, you'll have a thorough physical, including a pelvic exam, Pap smear, and initial blood tests to determine your blood type, Rh factor, whether you're iron-deficient, and whether your baby is at risk for chromosomal abnormalities.

You'll also be tested for sexually transmitted infections, immunity to rubella (German measles), and ethnic-specific genetic diseases. And you'll need to pee into a cup so your urine can be tested for glucose, protein, red and white blood cells, and bacteria.

Be prepared to answer lots of questions — health histories can take a while — but more importantly, bring a list of some of your own.

Wondering whether you and Joe (aka your beloved extra-foamy mocha cappuccino) will have to part ways now that you're expecting? Why your skin suddenly resembles a map of an interstate highway? If having sex can hurt your baby? Just ask!Start a pregnancy journal

Pregnancy can be a wild ride — a 40-week journey that, for many women, is over before they know it.

To keep track of all the special memories you made along the way — like the moment you first learned you were pregnant to the time you learned your baby’s sex — use the My Journal feature in our app.

My Journal lets you record your pregnancy experiences, as well as your symptoms, weight, medications, baby kick counts, and more. Best of all, you’ll have a keepsake of all the memories you made throughout your pregnancy journey — and something to share with your little one for years to come.Learn about the different kinds of twins

Contrary to popular belief, twins aren’t born exactly alike. Fraternal twins develop when two sperm fertilize two eggs separately, and as a result, don’t share identical DNA. That’s why they can be opposite sexes and look much different from each other.

Even identical twins, who develop from a single fertilized egg, can look slightly different from each other, thanks to environmental factors like their placement in the womb (their heads may not be shaped in the same way, for example).Hold off on hair coloring

When it comes to hair coloring, experts agree that safe is better than sorry. So wait until your second trimester (i.e., after week 14 of pregnancy) before getting a touch-up.

When you do go back to the salon, stick to highlights instead of root lightening or root-to-tip color changes (this way, the chemicals won't touch your scalp) and request a gentler coloring option, like an ammonia-free base.

And be aware that hormonal changes can make your hair react differently, so you might not get exactly what you expect, even from your regular formula. Before you do your whole head, see about trying a test strand to be sure.Be aware of UTI symptoms

If it hurts to pee or if you gotta go but nothing comes, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Talk to your doctor to find out for sure.

If you do have a UTI, you'll likely be prescribed a baby-safe antibiotic. You're at a higher risk of getting this kind of infection after week 6 of pregnancy. Medical Reviewed Reviewed July 29, 2025

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.View Sources

What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
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