Your baby is about a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil during week 6 of your pregnancy. So much is happening! Your baby’s face is beginning to form, with optic vesicles in place for the eyes and passageways for the inner ear that will eventually lead to the outer ears. There are small folds which will form your baby’s jaw line, vocal cords, and neck. By the beginning of this week, the neural tube along the back has closed and is connected to the brain which is growing quickly within the enlarged and now formed head. The brain is also forming its specific regions for functions. The arms and legs now have their places marked by little buds resembling paddles at this point. Within the chest, your baby’s heart is pumping around 130 beats per minute while blood begins to circulate throughout the body. The digestive and respiratory systems are beginning to form as intestines and lung tissue move into place. Muscles, bones, and connective tissue also are rapidly growing to encompass your baby’s new organs. If you had an ultrasound this week it would appear similar to week 5, but larger in size. You would see a fetal pole with the enlarged head at one end curved around to a tail-like point at the bottom, which is the spine. The yolk sac is also still present providing nutrients to the baby until the placenta can take over in a few another month or so.
How You May Be Feeling
By now your pregnancy symptoms may be in full force. While others may not know you are pregnant yet by looking at you, you certainly feel it! Continue to take care of yourself, cutting out any lifestyle habits such as drinking or smoking that will harm both of you. Take steps to feel your best while handing morning sickness, such as eating enough protein throughout the day to prevent your blood sugar from dropping which may contribute to nausea. You may be nodding off at your desk during the day and are ready for bed by 7 pm, which is very normal! Try to get as much rest as you can, including naps if possible. Many women find coffee distasteful in the 1st trimester, but if you do turn to sources of caffeine to help make it through the day, doctors recommend only 1 cup or can of caffeinated beverage per day.