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The Pregnancy Hub

6 weeks pregnant

Get to know your growing baby and the changes you may be feeling.

Choose your week

Week 6

Know your due date?

Enter the due date from your care team to find your estimated week today. Your date stays in this browser tab.

Illustration of a pea

First trimester

About the size of

a pea

Approximate length

0.24 in / 0.6 cm Head to bottom

Your baby

Small buds mark where the arms and legs will grow. The head and developing heart are prominent, and early structures of the ears are appearing. Ultrasound findings depend on accurate dating and the type of scan. A weekly guide cannot predict what must be visible on an individual scan; your clinician can explain the findings and whether follow-up is needed.

Your body

Nausea can happen at any time, not just in the morning. Smells, an empty stomach or particular foods may make it worse. Small, frequent meals and foods you can tolerate may be easier than large meals. Try taking fluids in small sips. There is no need to force a particular food if it makes you feel sick, and you do not have to manage persistent symptoms alone.

This week

Finding help for nausea

Tell your care team how often you are vomiting and whether you can keep fluids down. Ask about pregnancy-appropriate treatment rather than adding a supplement or medicine yourself. Seek prompt medical care if you cannot keep fluids down, have signs of dehydration, or have severe or worsening symptoms. For the next visit, jot down which foods and drinks you tolerate and what you have already tried. This gives your clinician useful detail when helping you find a manageable plan.

Explore prenatal care

Looking ahead

A question for your next visit

What can I try for nausea, and which symptoms mean I need help right away?

Browse pregnancy weeks

A little context for these comparisons

These are approximate sizes for each week, not measurements of your baby. Babies and produce both come in different sizes, and the illustrations are not shown to scale.

Before week 20, length is measured from head to bottom. From week 20, it includes the legs, from head to heel. That change explains the jump in length between weeks 19 and 20.

When to get help

Seek medical care right away for warning signs such as a severe or persistent headache, vision changes, chest pain, trouble breathing, severe belly pain, vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. These are examples, not a complete list. If you cannot reach your care team, seek urgent medical care. Call 911 for a medical emergency.

Read the CDC urgent maternal warning signs (opens in a new tab)
About this guide

Approximate measurements and development information draw on the NHS weekly guides. Linked US health resources support care and preparation topics. The topics are suggestions for discussion, not a schedule of required appointments or tests. Your own care plan may differ.

Every pregnancy is different. Your care team can help you understand your baby’s growth and any symptoms you’re experiencing.