Week 6 - Our sweet pea(nut)

Our little sweet pea(nut) is 6.5 weeks now. It's little eyes and nose is now starting to form. So far I've been feeling pretty good! I get brief spells during the day that last 20-30 mintues where I feel crappy - but so far no getting sick. Let's hope it stays that way!

How Big is the Baby at Six Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby is growing! During pregnancy week 6 your physician will measure your baby with ultrasound, in increments referred to as "crown-rump length" which is basically the distance from the top of your baby's head to his buttocks. Your baby at 6 weeks may be anywhere from 2 to 5mm long at this point in time or roughly the size of half a baby pea. Not very big, but bigger than last week!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is starting to look more and more like a little organic (albeit not quite human) being during pregnancy week 6. Dark spots should be forming where the eyes and nostrils will eventually take shape. There should also be small pits on the sides of the head where the ears will develop, and tiny buds that will form into the arms and legs at roughly 6 weeks pregnant. For several weeks the hands and feet will be connected by a layer of webbing between the fingers and toes. Your baby will start responding to sensory input and start moving all on his own in these next few weeks.

At 6 weeks of pregnancy the heart should now be beating at about 100 to 140 beats per minute and blood will start circulating throughout your baby's body. Your healthcare practitioner may be able to see the beating of the heartbeat during pregnancy week 6 using ultrasound, though it may still be a few weeks before the heartbeat is detectable via a Doppler device.

Did you know that your baby would actually be able to display reflexes in response to touch even by pregnancy 6 weeks? This is because the central nervous system is already developing and linking the muscles in the body with the limbs. You'll learn even more amazing facts as you follow your pregnancy week by week.