Week 6 of pregnancy is when most expecting mothers say they really start to feel pregnant. This may be because of the bodily changes she could be experiencing. Week 6 also signifies that the females are halfway through the first trimester.
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How to prepare for 6 week pregnancy scan
A 6 week pregnancy ultrasound scan does not require any specific preparations. However, the doctor will advise you to drink a lot of water before the pregnancy ultrasound. This is done because the bladder needs to be full for the doctor to obtain clear images of the baby. The female’s reproductive organs should also be clearly visible. Drinking 4 or 5 glasses of water around an hour before the pregnancy scan is advisable so that the bladder is full at the right time. The female can urinate after the scan is completed.
How long does a 6-week ultrasound take?
A 6-week pregnancy ultrasound process does not take a lot of time. The entire process usually takes over within a few minutes and rarely takes more than 30 minutes.
6 Weeks Pregnant Belly
The baby during the 6-week pregnancy is the size of a pea (or pomegranate seed). Now the baby would look more like a tadpole with a tail and its curved shape.
Why is a 6-week pregnancy ultrasound scan needed?
There are various reasons why an ultrasound scan is required in the 6th week of pregnancy, including-
- To confirm that the pregnancy sac is located inside the uterus and rule out an ectopic pregnancy
- To check if the heart of the developing baby is beating
- To calculate the accurate number of weeks of pregnancy or gestation period that has passed
- To detect any bleeding or spotting in the internal organs
- To check if the female is having one baby or multiples
- To confirm if there are complications in the pregnancy
- To check the pelvic organs
What to expect from 6 weeks of pregnancy ultrasound
If the female’s abominable ultrasound does not produce a clearer picture of the baby, the doctor might perform a vaginal ultrasound to look at the baby’s growth. Vaginal ultrasound is done by inserting a wand-shaped instrument in the vagina to have a clearer image of the womb.
During 6 weeks of pregnancy ultrasound, the doctor will be able to check if the baby is rightly placed in the womb or not. The female would also be able to see the size and shape of the embryo. The baby’s shape would be rough of a pea or pomegranate seed. Though a 6 weeks baby in the womb would look like a blob on the screen, the doctor would measure its size from the crown to rump.
Baby during a 6-week pregnancy ultrasound
Facial features of the baby continue to develop during this week. Tiny pits start forming where the ears will eventually be. You can also see the baby’s nostril openings and dark spots where the baby’s eyes will begin to appear.
The buds for arms and legs that began to form in the 5th week of pregnancy are still growing in week 6, while muscle and bone tissues are developing within them.
The baby’s brain is developing at an extraordinary pace as the pituitary gland (the gland responsible for producing and controlling hormones) takes its shape.
The pituitary gland helps the female’s breasts to prepare for breastfeeding while supporting other hormone-related matters throughout the pregnancy.
The baby’s heart at week 6 has two ventricles and is beating twice as fast as the mother.
What are some common symptoms of 6-week pregnancy
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating and gas
- Frequent urination
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Breast tenderness and changes
6 weeks pregnancy is how many months?
If you are 6 weeks pregnant, you are in the 2nd month of your pregnancy. The female is still in the first trimester at 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Precautions and tips for week 6 of pregnancy
- To help with breast tenderness, wear a supportive bra, even at night, if needed
- To avoid constipation in pregnancy, drink plenty of water, eat fiber-rich foods, and exercise regularly during pregnancy
- Regulate and prevent morning sickness with smaller meals, herbal tea, or ice packs
- Avoid laying down after eating
- Avoid spicy and oily food
- Avoid unprescribed medications as this stage is crucial for the child’s development and changes
- Avoid caffeine and increase the intake of pregnancy-friendly juices and fluids
- Take enough rest
- Take folic acid and iron supplements through the complete pregnancy
In case you have worries or concerns, get in touch with a doctor right away. You can consult a doctor right from your home with our online consultation. Click here to consult a gynecologist online in just a few minutes.
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