A major milestone happens this week: the tiny heart starts beating. It is still a simple tube pumping blood, but it is already beating around 100 to 120 times per minute. The embryo is growing at an incredible pace. Use our Due Date Calculator to find your estimated delivery date.
Key Takeaways
- The embryo's heart is now beating at 100 to 120 beats per minute — a major developmental milestone at just 4 mm in size (lentil).
- Facial features are beginning to form: dark spots for eyes, nostril openings, and ear pits are visible.
- Morning sickness often peaks around weeks 6 to 8; ginger and vitamin B6 are evidence-backed remedies (ACOG, 2023).
- Moderate exercise — such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga — is safe and recommended for most healthy pregnancies.
Your Baby This Week
Size: Lentil (about 4 mm)
The embryo is curled in a C-shape. Key developments this week:
- Heart: Now beating and circulating blood through primitive vessels
- Face: Dark spots where the eyes will be, small openings for the nostrils, and pits where ears will form
- Limbs: Tiny buds appear where arms and legs will grow
- Brain: Dividing into three main sections (forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain)
- Kidneys and liver: Beginning to develop
The embryo is surrounded by amniotic fluid and connected to the yolk sac, which is still providing most of its nutrition. Track your baby's growth with our Milestone Tracker.
Your Body
Symptoms may intensify this week:
- Morning sickness at its most challenging for many people. Our morning sickness remedies can help.
- Bloating and gas as progesterone slows digestion
- Mood swings driven by hormonal changes
- Heightened sense of smell that can trigger nausea
- Breast tenderness continuing
Your uterus is growing but still hidden behind the pelvic bone. No one can tell from the outside yet.
What to Do This Week
- Try ginger or vitamin B6 for nausea. Studies show both can help reduce morning sickness (ACOG, 2023). Talk to your provider about the right dose.
- Get enough rest. Fatigue in the first trimester is real. Listen to your body.
- Choose a prenatal provider if you have not already. OB-GYN, midwife, or family physician? Consider your preferences for labor and delivery.
Common Questions
What if I cannot keep food down?
Mild nausea is common, but if you are vomiting multiple times a day, cannot keep fluids down, or are losing weight, contact your provider. This could be hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness that may need treatment.
Is it safe to exercise?
Yes. For most healthy pregnancies, moderate exercise is safe and recommended. Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are excellent choices. Avoid contact sports and activities with a high fall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the heartbeat be detected at 6 weeks?
Yes. A heartbeat is often detectable on a transvaginal ultrasound at 6 weeks, beating at around 100 to 120 beats per minute. If an ultrasound is done early in the week and no heartbeat is found, a follow-up scan a week or two later is typically recommended before drawing conclusions.
What can I do to relieve morning sickness at 6 weeks?
Eating small, frequent meals, staying hydrated, and avoiding strong smells can help. Ginger (tea, chews, or supplements) and vitamin B6 (10 to 25 mg three times a day) have been shown to reduce nausea in clinical studies (ACOG, 2023). Talk to your provider before starting any supplement.
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of pregnancy nausea characterized by vomiting multiple times daily, inability to keep fluids down, significant weight loss, and dehydration. It affects about 1 to 2% of pregnant people and usually requires medical treatment, including IV fluids or medication.
Is it safe to exercise at 6 weeks pregnant?
For most healthy pregnancies, yes. ACOG recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week during pregnancy. Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are excellent choices. Avoid contact sports and activities with high fall risk.
Related Articles
- Pregnancy Week-by-Week Overview — see the full timeline
- Pregnancy Week 7: Growing Fast — what comes next
- Nausea Relief in Pregnancy, practical tips for managing morning sickness
Sources
🔧 Helpful Tools
- Due Date Calculator — Calculate your estimated due date
- Contraction Timer — Track your contractions during labor
- All Baby Tools — Browse all free tools for pregnancy and baby care
