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🌱First Trimester•Weeks 1-13
Week 6 of Pregnancy
Your baby is the size of lentil
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Length
0.25 inches
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Weight
Less than 1 gram
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Size Comparison
Lentil
👶 Baby Development
- •Facial features begin forming with dark spots marking where eyes and nostrils will develop
- •The heart beats 100-160 times per minute and can be detected on an ultrasound
- •Arm and leg buds are growing and beginning to show small paddles for hands and feet
- •The lungs, liver, and kidneys begin their development, though they won't function for many weeks
- •The neural tube closes completely, and the brain continues rapid development
- •Small indentations appear on the sides of the head where ears will form
- •The digestive and respiratory systems are starting to form
💭 Common Symptoms
- •Morning sickness intensifies for most women, with nausea peaking around weeks 6-12
- •Frequent urination continues as your uterus grows and presses on your bladder
- •Mood swings become more pronounced as progesterone and estrogen surge
- •Bloating and gas increase due to slowed digestion from progesterone
- •Heightened sense of smell that can trigger nausea and food aversions
- •Excessive saliva production (ptyalism) in some women
- •Possible light-headedness or dizziness from changing blood pressure
🥗 Nutrition Tips
- •Eat vitamin B6-rich foods like bananas, avocados, chicken, salmon, and fortified cereals to help reduce nausea
- •Eat 5-6 small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals
- •Avoid strong-smelling, greasy, or spicy foods that may trigger nausea
- •Stay hydrated by sipping water throughout the day, even if you're vomiting
- •Try cold or room-temperature foods which often smell less than hot foods
- •Eat protein with every snack and meal to stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea
- •Consider vitamin B6 supplements (25-50mg) if food sources aren't helping nausea
✅ To-Do This Week
- •Schedule your first prenatal appointment for 8-10 weeks if you haven't already
- •Discuss prenatal testing options like cell-free DNA screening and first-trimester screening with your provider
- •Start documenting your pregnancy journey with photos, journal entries, or a pregnancy app
- •Rest whenever you feel fatigued - your body is working hard
- •Prepare a list of questions and concerns to discuss at your first prenatal visit
- •Consider telling close family members or friends who can support you
- •Research your insurance coverage for prenatal care and delivery
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Did You Know?
By week 6, your baby's heart is beating about 110-160 times per minute - nearly twice as fast as yours! This rapid heartbeat is essential for delivering oxygen to all the rapidly developing cells.