Pregnancy week 6

Trimester 1 · Baby is about a lentil

Facial features, arm and leg buds begin to appear. The heartbeat can often be seen on an early scan.

How your body may feel

  • Morning sickness may peak in intensity.
  • Food smells can suddenly feel overwhelming.
  • Mood swings are normal as hormones rise.

Self-care this week

  • Keep dry crackers by the bed for early nausea.
  • Sip fluids through the day rather than large glasses.
  • Tell your clinic if you cannot keep fluids down.

Milestone

An early dating scan may be offered around now.

Seek care urgently if you notice

  • Heavy bleeding, or bleeding with clots
  • Severe pain on one side of the lower abdomen or shoulder tip pain
  • Fever above 38°C
  • Vomiting so much you cannot keep fluids down for 24 hours
  • Fainting or severe dizziness

Related resources

Related articles

Related FAQs

Related warning signs

  • Heavy bleeding — Soaking a pad in under an hour, or passing large clots
  • Severe headache that won't ease — Especially with blurred vision or sudden swelling
  • Difficulty breathing — Breathlessness at rest or when lying down
  • Chest pain or a racing heart — Pressure, tightness or fluttering that doesn't settle
Read the full warning signs guide

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