Pregnancy Calendar : Week 6

Pregnancy Week 6

How big is your baby?

The crown to rump length of your baby now measures around 0.08-016 inches, which is 2-4mm. The crown to rump is the distance from the top your baby's head to it's rump.

Your baby's development

Your babys heart should start beating this week and with the proper equipment, such as an ultrasound, you may be able to see your baby's heart beating. Initial circulation starts off in the mesoderm, yolk sac and the linning of the placenta. By the middle of this week the aorta will have started to form in your babys heart.

Another major development this week is that your baby's eyes will also begin to form as well as the surface layer of skin. This should compete development over the course of this month.

During this week your baby's head and brain will also undergo some rapid development. There are a few things which you can do to this development:

Ensure that your are getting Omega 3 in your diet as this plays an important part in helping brain development.
Ensure you are taking in folic acid in your diet, which you can get from eating green leafy vegetables and walnuts as example sources.
If you are still smoking, stop!
Limit your caffeine intake.

Another awesome development which is taking place is that your baby's tongue and nasal pits would have started to form, as well as "flippers" - these will later develop into your babys arms.

Did you know that leg development always lags slightly to arm development until the third year of your baby's life?

Your first doctor visit
What can you expect from your first visit to your healthcare provider as a pregnant woman:

You may discuss your medical history, which may include birth control methods and your menstrual cycle.
Miscarriage or abortion history.
Medication which you may be currently on or recently have taken.
Physical exam, which should include a pap smear and pelvic exam.
You may also have some laboratory tests done, or they may be done at a later visit. You can read more about some of the possible tests you can expect to have carried out in the pregnancy tests section.

*Info from Pregnancy Calendar