Week 6: Your Baby's Heart Starts Beating

Your baby's heart, now a simple looped tube, typically starts beating around this week — often at a rate of 100 to 160 beats per minute, faster than an adult's.

Facial features are beginning to form: small dark spots mark where the eyes will be, and the structures that will become the ears and nose are starting to develop. The arm and leg buds from last week are growing longer.

Your baby's brain is developing rapidly, and the basic structure of the digestive and respiratory systems continues to take shape.

Many women have their first prenatal appointment around this time, where a heartbeat may be detectable on an early ultrasound.

Hormonal changes are in full swing, and this is often when morning sickness peaks for those who experience it. Your sense of smell may feel almost overwhelming, even to foods or scents you previously enjoyed.

At 6 weeks, you might notice:

• Morning sickness, which can happen any time of day
• Excessive saliva (a less commonly discussed but real symptom)
• Fatigue
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating
• Mild spotting in some cases (always mention this to your doctor)
• Increased vaginal discharge

Ginger tea, ginger candies, or even flat ginger ale can help with nausea for many women. Vitamin B6 has also been shown to ease morning sickness for some — ask your doctor before adding any supplement.

Try to eat something small before getting out of bed in the morning, like a plain cracker, to help settle your stomach before the day starts.

If nausea is severe, even gentle movement can feel like too much some days, and that's okay. On days you feel better, short walks or prenatal yoga stretches can help with circulation and mood.

Key things to do this week:

• Attend your first prenatal appointment if scheduled
• Ask your doctor about any genetic screening options available to you
• Continue your prenatal vitamins
• Report any unusual spotting or cramping to your provider promptly

If this is your first appointment, your doctor will likely confirm your pregnancy, estimate your due date, check your blood pressure and weight, and may order baseline blood work. This is also the time to discuss your full medical history, including any past pregnancies, surgeries, or chronic conditions.