Pregnancy Journal | First Trimester Guide
6 Weeks Pregnant – Symptoms, Signs & Baby’s Development
First and foremost, congratulations.
Many women discover they are pregnant at around 5 to 6 weeks gestation (dated from the first day of your last period). At 6 weeks pregnant, your baby is tiny – about the size of a pea – but the hormonal changes in your body can feel anything but small.
This is often when early pregnancy symptoms begin to appear, and emotions can run high as everything starts to feel very real.
Signs and Symptoms at 6 Weeks Pregnant
Pregnancy looks different for everyone. Some women feel intense symptoms at 6 weeks pregnant, while others feel almost nothing at all.
Both are completely normal.
As your hCG levels rise rapidly, you may experience:
- Nausea or morning sickness
- Extreme fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Mild cramping
- Tender breasts
- Bloating
- Heightened sense of smell
- Emotional sensitivity
Some women worry if they have no symptoms at 6 weeks pregnant. Symptoms can fluctuate, and their presence (or absence) does not automatically indicate how your pregnancy is progressing.
If you are feeling anxious in these early weeks, you may find comfort in reading 6 Weeks Pregnant – Miscarriage Anxiety, a personal diary entry from this stage.
Baby’s Development at 6 Weeks
At 6 weeks gestation, your embryo measures roughly half a centimetre long – about the size of a small pea.
This is a period of rapid development:
- The heart is beating at around 150–160 beats per minute
- The brain and spinal cord are forming
- Kidneys, liver and intestines are developing
- Small buds are forming that will become arms and legs
- Facial features are beginning to take shape
The head is still large compared to the body, and on ultrasound your baby may resemble a tiny tadpole rather than a “baby” just yet.
6 Week Ultrasound & Dating Scan
Your midwife or Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) may recommend a dating scan at around 6–8 weeks.
This scan can:
- Confirm the pregnancy
- Detect a heartbeat
- Estimate your due date
- Confirm whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy
Do not be alarmed if your due date shifts. Early scans are often more accurate than calculations based on your last period, and many women find their pregnancy is “moved” forward or backwards.
Seeing the flicker of a heartbeat at 6 weeks can be incredibly reassuring.
Finding a Midwife or Obstetrician
At this stage, you may wish to secure your midwife or obstetrician as your Lead Maternity Carer.
In New Zealand, midwives provide the majority of pregnancy care and continue supporting you for six weeks after birth. It is a personal decision whether to choose a midwife or obstetrician, so don’t hesitate to speak with more than one before deciding.
If you are newly pregnant, you may also wish to read What To Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant.
Tips for 6 Weeks Pregnant
1. Eliminate Alcohol, Smoking and Drugs
Your baby’s organs are forming rapidly at this stage. Removing alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs is one of the most important steps you can take.
2. Start or Continue Folic Acid
Folic acid is essential in early pregnancy to support neural tube development.
3. Review Foods to Avoid
Some foods carry higher risks of bacteria. While there is no need to panic if you have already eaten something on the “avoid” list, now is a good time to review food safety guidelines.
4. Begin Documenting Your Journey
These early weeks can feel fragile and emotional. Writing down your thoughts can help process anxiety and preserve this fleeting season.
Our guided Pregnancy Journal includes dedicated prompts from pre-conception through to birth and beyond, so you can record every milestone – even the tiny pea-sized ones.
Reassurance for 6 Weeks Pregnant
The first trimester can feel uncertain. You may feel excited one moment and anxious the next. That is entirely normal.
At 6 weeks pregnant, your baby is working hard behind the scenes — and so are you.
Rest when you need to. Eat what you can tolerate. And take this one week at a time.