What pregnancy week 6 means
Early heartbeat on ultrasound. “6 weeks pregnant” means 6 weeks have passed since the first day of the last menstrual period — the standard way pregnancy is dated. Conception usually happened about two weeks after that date, so the baby’s own age (fetal age) is roughly 4 weeks. Week 6 runs from 6 weeks 0 days to 6 weeks 6 days; on the following day the pregnancy is 7 weeks.
Your baby at 6 weeks
The heart is beating in a regular rhythm, and on a transvaginal ultrasound this cardiac activity can often be seen as a flicker from around 6 weeks. Small bumps are appearing where the ears and eyes will develop, and the beginnings of the jaw and cheeks are forming.
A common way to picture it: the baby is now about the size of a lentil — roughly about 4–6 mm. These are averages; babies grow at different rates, and ultrasound measurements vary.
Your body at 6 weeks
Nausea and vomiting — often called morning sickness, although it can happen at any time of day — commonly start or become stronger around 6 weeks. Smell sensitivity, food aversions and bloating are also common.
Care and appointments around week 6
If nausea makes it hard to keep food or fluids down, tell your provider; there are safe options to help. Severe, persistent vomiting needs prompt medical attention.
The timing of tests and appointments differs between countries and care providers. If anything worries you — such as bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, fever — contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away rather than waiting for your next appointment.
Week 6 in your pregnancy timeline
Week 6 is in the first trimester (weeks 1–13) and in pregnancy month 2, which covers roughly weeks 5–8. The second trimester begins in 8 weeks.
| Pregnancy start (first day of last period) | |
|---|---|
| Estimated conception | |
| Second trimester begins (14 weeks) | |
| Third trimester begins (28 weeks) | |
| Full term (39 weeks) | |
| Estimated due date (40 weeks) |
Dates assume you are exactly 6 weeks 0 days today. For dates based on your own last period, use the calculator above or the main Pregnancy Calculator.
6 weeks pregnant in days and months
6 weeks is 42 days of pregnancy — 15% of a 40-week pregnancy. Counted in calendar months, 6 weeks is about 1.4 months, which is usually described as month 2 of pregnancy. Months are only a rough grouping; healthcare professionals almost always talk in weeks and days because they are more precise. See Pregnancy Month Calculator for how weeks map to months.