6th week of pregnancy: what happens this week?

The sixth week of pregnancy according to obstetric calculation is the fourth embryonic week. This means that about 28 days have passed since conception. At this stage, most women no longer just guess about their new status, but have official confirmation in the form of a positive pregnancy test and/or a gynecologist’s report. But this is not enough for the expectant mother. It is important for her to know what to do, what is happening to her body, how the baby is developing and what changes to expect during this period.

Body changes and new sensations for women

Most expectant mothers who did not feel any changes before will now probably encounter new sensations.
The fact is that week 6 is characterized by dramatic hormonal changes. At this time, the level of the hormone progesterone increases significantly. On the one hand, this is very good. It strengthens the mucous walls of the uterus, isolates it from the penetration of various infections from the vagina, and also inhibits muscle contractions, which is necessary to prevent miscarriages. On the other hand, excess progesterone negatively affects the digestive system and can cause nausea (usually in the morning) and even vomiting. Toxicosis during pregnancy is a very unpleasant phenomenon. But you should not despair, since morning vomiting, as a rule, is temporary. In addition to toxicosis, at the beginning of pregnancy some women's taste preferences change and sensitivity to various odors increases.
Pregnant women notice darkening of their nipples, enlarged and sore breasts, they are worried about weakness in the body, dizziness and headaches. Some people experience whitish discharge in the form of flakes. There is no need to worry too much about this either - this happens due to an increase in the activity of the vaginal microflora. However, heavy discharge during pregnancy often indicates the development of candidiasis (thrush).

Alarming symptoms

Periodic nausea, fatigue and nervousness are not the most pleasant, but completely harmless symptoms of pregnancy. They do not require consultation with a doctor, but rather serve as an indicator that the woman needs rest.

But there are also warning signs that may arise during this period. And if they appear, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Uncontrollable vomiting

As a result of severe toxicosis, vomiting may occur too often. Vomiting that occurs after every meal or more than six times a day is considered uncontrollable. This condition is dangerous because a woman rapidly loses nutrients, water, and mineral salts. And this creates risks both for the baby developing inside and for the expectant mother.

As a rule, it is not possible to replenish the loss of fluids, minerals and stop uncontrollable vomiting at home. In this case, an urgent consultation with a doctor and hospitalization in a hospital is necessary.

Temperature increase

The temperature can rise against the background of an infectious disease, and any infection now poses a threat to the development of the child and the life of the mother. Therefore, you need to see a doctor, even if you suspect a common cold.

Changing the type of selections

During the sixth week of pregnancy, there may be more discharge. If they are light and odorless, this is normal and does not pose a threat to the development of the baby. You need to be wary if the discharge becomes different. For example, curdled, too abundant or causing itching. In these cases, we may be talking about an infection, the development of which can only be stopped with timely therapy.

Scarlet discharge is another alarming signal. Since menstruation is impossible after conception, they may indicate a risk of miscarriage or pathologies. But brown discharge in the sixth week of pregnancy, although it worries women, is not so dangerous. But even if they occur, you should consult a doctor to make sure that the pregnancy is progressing normally.

Stomach ache

If your stomach hurts in the sixth week of pregnancy, you need to sort out your feelings. Discomfort may be caused by bloating, and if so, it is not dangerous. A nagging sensation similar to menstrual pain should be a warning sign for an expectant mother.

“Ideally, there should be no nagging pain,” says obstetrician-gynecologist Maria Prokhorova. “But sometimes this week there are nagging pains in the lower abdomen. In this case, you can try drinking magnesium, but only if the woman is not prone to fainting and a sharp decrease in blood pressure. If the pain does not go away, you need to see a doctor.”

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Nutrition at 6 weeks of pregnancy

During pregnancy, all a woman’s efforts are aimed at maintaining the vitality of the baby. This also applies to nutrition, which should be balanced and enriched with nutrients and microelements. Don’t forget about fermented milk products, vegetables and fruits, give up junk food (for example, fast food) and limit the consumption of fatty and fried foods, as well as sweets (especially for those who suffer from attacks of nausea and other symptoms of toxicosis). How else to alleviate toxicosis during pregnancy? Green tea with lemon, cranberry juice, rosehip infusion, as well as cookies or nuts eaten on an empty stomach help well.

What studies are carried out, what does the ultrasound show?

Most often, it is by the 6th week that the expectant mother visits the doctor, where she learns about her new condition. To reduce the likelihood of complications, the gynecologist refers the patient to a consultation with a therapist, ophthalmologist, dentist and otolaryngologist. Examinations by specialists make it possible to promptly identify foci of inflammation and hidden pathologies and resolve the issue of choosing a method of delivery.

What studies are needed to determine pregnancy management tactics? This:

• general blood and urine tests, including determination of group and Rh factor;
• blood test for hCG - human chorionic gonadotropin, the level of which can be used to judge the normal or pathological course of pregnancy;
• blood test for sexually transmitted diseases;
• vaginal smear.

Due to its low information content, ultrasound is not included in the list of planned procedures at week 6. An ultrasound will determine the fact and exact duration of pregnancy, show abnormalities in the development of the embryo, and the location of the fertilized egg in the uterus. The study is mandatory for IVF, suspected fetal pathology, ectopic or frozen pregnancy, or threat of miscarriage.

Ultrasound and other diagnostic procedures

In most cases, laboratory tests are not necessary at this stage. It is worth noting that a woman who is unsure of her pregnancy can use the traditional method of confirming it. Considering the fairly high level of hCG in the blood (20-50 thousand mU/ml), even the cheapest test in a pharmacy can confirm the “interesting situation”.

If there are any disturbances in the normal course of pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe a test to determine the amount of progesterone in the blood. If there is a deficiency, it is necessary to carry out appropriate treatment and subsequent monitoring of this indicator.

Ultrasound can already accurately determine the location of embryo fixation in the uterus. This is especially useful for early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. However, most gynecologists do not recommend examination at such an early stage. It will be possible to see the basic structures of the embryo only with the help of a powerful scanner, which not all clinics have.

Recommendations and advice for expectant mothers

At the 6th week of pregnancy, the following tips will be relevant for expectant mothers:

• The calorie content of the diet should be increased, but only by 10%, which will be quite enough to meet the nutritional needs of the fetus.
• Food should be as varied as possible.

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  If the work of the expectant mother is associated with a possible risk for the unborn baby, for example, lifting heavy objects or frequent business trips is required, it is recommended to register as early as possible and obtain the appropriate certificate in order to take advantage of the rights and reduce the level of workload.

• Those women who have problems with the thyroid gland urgently need to take a blood test to determine the level of hormones and, if necessary, select the appropriate drug. Lack of thyroxine production in a woman’s body can dramatically slow down the development of the fetus.
• You should protect yourself from colds and other possible infections and reduce contact with other people, especially during epidemics of influenza and other diseases.

• On the advice of a doctor, you can take medications that compensate for the deficiency of certain vitamins and microelements, for example, Magnelis, which contains a sufficient amount of magnesium. But self-prescription of any medications is unacceptable, as this can provoke negative changes in the development of the fetus. Also, before taking it, you need to read the description of the drug and possible contraindications. And also don’t forget about taking folic acid!

What changes occur in a pregnant woman's body?

At week 6, many pregnant women begin to suffer from a headache, which may appear due to a decrease in vascular tone and a decrease in blood pressure. To bear a child, changes occur in the mother's body. So, to make it easier to bear the baby’s weight, the ligaments that support the sacrum are softened in the abdomen. In this case, nagging pain in the lumbar region is a sign of pregnancy, not illness. Such pain can last up to 20 weeks.

If pain in the back or lower back becomes intense and radiates to the stomach, you should urgently seek medical help. They can be a sign of serious pathological changes and an incipient miscarriage. You should not take medications without consulting your doctor.

Not only can this harm the baby, but it can also make diagnosis difficult, which can lead to inappropriate treatment.

Back pain, excluding the lumbar region, is not typical for the 6th week of pregnancy; your doctor will tell you the cause and treatment. Low-intensity chest pain serves as an indicator that the mammary gland has begun preparing for feeding. This is a completely normal process. It starts and ends spontaneously. But the absence of such pain should not be a cause for concern.

Important!

If the pain is significant, you should consult a doctor. Particular concern during pregnancy is the appearance of abdominal pain accompanied by bloody discharge. With such a combination of complaints or if pain of moderate and high intensity occurs, you need to lie down, call an ambulance and undergo hospital treatment, if the visiting doctor insists on it.

Fetus

The formation and development of the fetus at the 6th week of pregnancy continues very actively, the formation of the most important organs and life support systems of the future baby continues. This means that the influence of any negative factors for him can be not just harmful, but even destructive.

Despite the fact that the fetus at the 6th week of pregnancy is tiny - with a length of 4-9 mm, it weighs 4-4.5 g - its heart is already beating very quickly: 2 times faster than that of the mother. It’s just that it hasn’t fully formed yet - the baby’s heart will split into atria over time.

During the 6th week of pregnancy, the embryo first forms two tubercles in the place of future arms, then two more, in the place of which legs will form in the future. At the same time, the formation of cartilage tissue also begins - bones, tendons, and muscles are formed from it over time, and the formation of the baby’s chest also begins.

The fetus at the 6th week of pregnancy also changes in its “face”: the jaw, mouth, and nose of the unborn child emerge, the auricles, and the rudiments of baby teeth are formed. Meanwhile, the eyes, located in the form of rudiments on both sides of the embryo's head, are moving closer to each other, but still look very large in comparison with other organs.

At this stage, three similar intestinal tubes of the fetus are developing at a rapid pace: the intestines, digestive, excretory, and respiratory systems are about to begin to form from it. There is also active formation and development of the liver, stomach and pancreas, and lungs; One of the most important organs of the immune system is formed - the thymus, or thymus gland.

What you should pay special attention to is the fact that it is at the 6th week of pregnancy that the neural tube of the fetus is completely covered with tissue, from which the baby’s brain begins to form. Already now, convolutions and depressions are forming on the brain, and the heart and muscles of the fetus come under its control. At the same time, active division of nerve cells occurs. And therefore, careful attitude towards one’s own health and mental state, the exclusion of any negative factors, and the mandatory intake of folic acid become decisive in the further development of the fetus.

Interestingly, at the 6th week of pregnancy, the placenta is attached to the inner wall of the uterus: from this moment it will begin to actively develop, and, while still very small, by the end of pregnancy it will reach a weight of about 800 g. The umbilical cord departs from the placenta, through which the fetus receives food from the mother through the vessels of the umbilical cord oxygen and nutrients. In addition, attached to the umbilical cord, the baby is able to swim freely in the amniotic fluid that fills the amniotic sac.

6 week pregnancy video

6 week pregnancy photo