At 6 weeks
At 6 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of a lentil (masoor), around 6 mm long, and looks a little like a tadpole with a small tail. Arm and leg buds are forming, along with the liver, brain and skeleton. Morning sickness and tiredness are common, and nausea can strike at any time of day.
Your Baby at 6 Weeks
This is a week of very fast growth: your baby will double in size and still resembles a tadpole, with a large head and a tail. Inside, organs are starting to form, the jaw and eyes are developing, and vertebrae are appearing along the back (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby).
The arms and legs begin as limb buds, and there are tiny dents where the ears will be. A bump marks the heart and another bulge the head, and the embryo is covered in a thin layer of transparent skin (NHS).
The liver, brain and musculoskeletal system are developing as well, and your baby gets everything needed for this from you. The heartbeat can sometimes be picked up on a vaginal ultrasound scan, although you are unlikely to be offered one unless you've had IVF (NHS).
Your Body This Week
Morning sickness can come at any time of day, though it is usually worse when you first wake up. The NHS suggests keeping a snack by your bed, eating 6 small meals a day, resting and drinking plenty of water (NHS).
Tender breasts, tiredness and nausea or even vomiting are common now. Not everyone gets morning sickness, and for most who do it usually clears up by about 3 months into pregnancy (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby).
When to call your midwife or doctor: Talk to your midwife or doctor if you cannot keep food down, or if you have severe vomiting that doesn't stop. See your doctor if you notice any bleeding.
Garbh Sanskar This Week
A small daily practice for this stage, from Mamta’s 1:1 sessions. It is tradition and gentle self-care, not medical advice, so keep every check-up and follow your doctor or midwife first.
- Mantra: The Mahamrityunjaya mantra from the Rig Veda honours the three-eyed one as the giver of nourishment and asks, like a ripe cucumber freed from its stem, to be released from death. Chant it slowly and softly for a few minutes in the calmer part of your day; see Garbh Sanskar mantras for the full text.
- Music: On queasy days, quiet music can be a kinder companion than a busy screen. Choose a bhajan or soft instrumental you love and listen while you rest.
- Gentle movement: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby notes that gentle exercise such as walking or swimming may help when you feel sick and tired. Mamta's teaching is to keep it short and easy, a slow walk with relaxed breathing, and only with your doctor's or midwife's clearance.
- Food: Traditionally, Charaka's second month is built around milk; if it suits your stomach, a small cup alongside light, frequent vegetarian meals is enough, alongside the iron, calcium and folic acid your doctor recommends.
- Garbh samvad (a line to say to your baby): Grow gently, little one. I'm resting for both of us.
Questions About Week 6
Can a scan show the heartbeat at 6 weeks?
Sometimes. If you have an ultrasound in week 6 you may be able to see the heart beating, but the NHS says you are unlikely to be offered a vaginal scan this early unless you've had IVF.
Does morning sickness only happen in the morning?
No. It can happen at any time of day, although it is often worse when you first wake up, and it usually clears up by about 3 months into pregnancy. If you cannot keep food down or the vomiting is severe, talk to your midwife or doctor.
Is it safe to exercise at 6 weeks pregnant?
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says gentle exercise such as walking or swimming may help you feel better when you're sick and tired. The NHS recommends building towards 150 minutes a week, starting with as little as 10 minutes a day and listening to your body.
Practise With Mamta, Wherever You Are
Mamta guides expecting mothers through private 1:1 Garbh Sanskar sessions online, scheduled in your own time zone, from the first trimester to the last week. Start with a free conversation on WhatsApp or read how sessions work.
Sources
Mamta is not a doctor. Medical points on this page come from the sources below, checked in October 2026. Sizes are approximate and babies vary; your scan report is what matters.