Your Baby's Development
By week 6, your baby's brain and nervous system are developing at a
rapid pace. Optic vesicles, which later form the eyes, begin to
develop this week on the sides of the head, as do the passageways
that will make up the inner ear.
Your baby's heart will begin to beat around this time, and
it may even be detected on ultrasound examination. And the
beginnings of the digestive and respiratory systems are forming,
too. Small buds that will grow into your baby's arms and legs
also appear this week.
Because their legs are curled up against the torso for much of
the pregnancy, making a full-length measurement difficult, babies
often are measured from the crown to rump rather than from head to
toe. This week, your baby only measures 0.08 to 0.2 inches (2 to 5
millimeters) from crown to rump!
Your Body
Common pregnancy complaints may hit in full force this week. You
may feel extreme fatigue as your body adjusts to the demands of
pregnancy. And tender, aching breasts and nausea and vomiting
(morning sickness) may leave you feeling less than great. Despite
its name, morning sickness can occur at any hour or all day, so
don't be surprised if your queasy stomach doesn't pass by
noon. Nausea isn't the only thing that has you running to the
toilet, though - hormonal changes and other factors, such as your
kidneys working extra hard to flush wastes out of your body, cause
you to urinate more frequently, too.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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