6 weeks pregnant

During the sixth week of pregnancy your baby is beginning to set up a circulatory system that will help with brain development. Also his or her vascular system and heart is a single tube that runs in an up and down direction throughout his or her body. Baby’s heart will begin to beat for the very first time. This is when the umbilical cord develops.

As the week does on a thickening of the tube where your baby’s head area is will give rise to his or her heart and where the tail end is located it will give way to the ventricular portion of his or her circulatory system.

Not only are the beginnings of a circulatory system developing but also so are other parts of your baby’s body. He or she will be developing small air sacs with in the lungs. These air sacs are of course filled with water and not air during this stage of your baby’s development. Of course you can also notice that his or her nervous system is continuing to develop.

Now your baby is around a quarter inch long (8 mm). Your baby’s growth is getting very exciting: her brain is growing fast now. There are three parts: the forebrain, where all the thinking and memories occur, the midbrain, which acts as a relay center from the brain to the body, and the hindbrain, which controls breathing and the muscle coordination. Your baby’s eyes are now forming. Her organs are budding too: lungs, and intestines, arms and legs.

Mother

Your body on the other hand will feel like it is in mutiny. The hormonal changes that occur at this time will cause intensified cravings for certain foods, aversions to others and send your emotions on a roller coaster ride. This week tends to bring on the nausea: over 80% of moms-to-be experience nausea. This is when morning sickness can become a constant companion, often lasting throughout the day and into the evenings. You may even have dry heaves during this time.

You’ll hear it again and again: you’re eating for two, and this time in your pregnancy is very important. Make sure you’re getting the vitamins you need. “Morning sickness” can happen any time of day, but usually you’ll find one part of the day when you’re not vomiting. So take your daily vitamin at that point to ensure the best digestion.

Your pregnancy symptoms will be strong this week. The dreaded morning sickness will rear its ugly head. Maybe this is nature’s way of protecting the baby from unwanted toxic items like smoking, alcohol and other chemicals that could easily make you feel very nauseous. Fatigue, breast tenderness, and frequent urination are new “friends” that will keep you company in your pregnancy.

Pregnancy diet at 6 weeks

Your diet can be a significant part of controlling your morning sickness. It is important to try and eat at least six small meals a day. When you wake up in the morning eat a few crackers. Keep them by your bed along with a juice or flat decaffeinated soda. The best thing to do is make friends with water and crackers – don’t leave home without them.

For breakfast you may want to eat foods that contain a high carbohydrate count such as breads, oatmeal, cereal, and bananas. Try to avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee and soda. Try to drink chamomile tea or peppermint tea; these will soothe your stomach. Keep away from strong odors like cigarettes; avoid fatty and spicy foods. If you could not tolerate dairy products before your pregnancy do not eat them now.

Since this is a very important time in your baby’s organ development, avoid alcohol, drugs and treatments like perms, hair coloring, and manicures. These things are adding chemicals to your body, which may be transferred to your baby. If you are in doubt about what to do your should contact your healthcare provider about these matters. He may also change your prescription medication when you are pregnant. This is the time you should make your prenatal appointment if you have not done so already.

Twins

Of course, if you are pregnant with more than one baby your symptoms will be a little more intensified. Please be sure to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. Morning sickness will be quite severe. Do not be afraid to mention any and all of this to your healthcare professional. It is important to your relationship that you feel comfortable with him or her.

As you have seen, there are many developments that are occurring during your baby’s first few weeks of life. That is why it is so important that you make sure you keep your prenatal visits as well as eat sensibly, exercise, and do not ingest alcohol or smoke cigarettes.