The first pregnancy is a special time in the life of every woman. All changes in the body are felt quite sharply, which is sometimes unexpected for future parents. We do not encourage meticulous study of all medical guides or watch a video about childbirth right after you see two bars on the test. However, showing little interest is still worth it.
Pregnancy calendars are today on almost every women's portal. In our review you will find all the useful information on the topic “6th week of pregnancy from conception”. What happens, how the fetus develops, what are the necessary medical studies and recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle, you will learn from this article.
Gestational age
In medicine, there are such concepts as obstetric (40 weeks) and embryonic (38 weeks) gestational age. The difference between them is approximately 12-14 days. Thus, it turns out that the 6th week of pregnancy from conception corresponds to the eighth obstetric week.
The embryonic period is also called true, but it is very difficult to reliably determine on which day the egg and sperm joined. The benchmark is the date of ovulation or proximity between partners.
Most often, gynecologists are limited to calculating the obstetric period of pregnancy, for which you need to know only one date - the first day of the last menstruation. There are two ways to do this:
- Subtract three months from the known date and add seven days.
“Add nine months and seven days to a known date.”
It is worth noting that not a single specialist will tell you the exact date of birth. The duration of pregnancy is individual for each woman and depends on the hormonal background, weight and gender of the baby, as well as possible diseases of the mother and child. After 37 obstetric weeks, the fetus is considered full-term and ready for independent life.
Misconceptions
It is a mistake to believe that an ultrasound specialist will establish reliably 6 weeks of pregnancy from conception. This study has a completely different goal - to find out how the fetus develops and which obstetric week corresponds to its size.
Another unverified method is the sensation of the baby moving, but the 6th week of pregnancy from conception cannot be determined in any way. All sensations depend on the sensitivity threshold of the future mother, but most often the baby begins to feel at the age of 18-22 obstetric weeks.
First calls
So, we decided, the 8th obstetric week is the 6th week of pregnancy from conception. What happens to the female body?
Symptoms of pregnancy continue to worsen. Drowsiness and tearfulness, as well as frequent changes in mood, indicate an increase in hormone levels. Progesterone has a sedative effect, so pregnant women often complain of fatigue and a constant desire to sleep. Doctors advise listening to your body and not resisting.
The period of 6 weeks of pregnancy after conception is characterized by an increase in the size of the uterus. For a future mother, this is not so noticeable, but for internal organs it causes a certain discomfort. The occurrence of constipation and frequent urination are the norm. Discharges, sometimes brown, also fit into the overall picture. If this process does not accompany itching, poor health and lower back pain, then everything is in order.
Toxicosis
The morning sickness characteristic of the first trimester is accompanied by nausea and weakness. Most pregnant women experience toxicosis in the early stages .
Aversion to food, excessive salivation and vomiting interfere with normal nutrition, so 6 weeks of pregnancy from conception may not give the most pleasant sensations, but there is no cause for concern. However, if vomiting is repeated more than five times a day, it is best to notify the obstetrician-gynecologist.
Fetal development
A small step from the embryo to the fetus - this is characterized by 6 weeks from the conception of pregnancy. The size of the fruit is more like a grape: weight - 3 grams, height - 1.5-2 cm.
It is amazing how such a large-scale process can take place in such a tiny body. The head, arms and legs are already clearly visible, the face is drawn. From this time on, the fetus receives nutrition through the umbilical cord.
Internal organs and systems are developing:
- there are kidneys, branching of the bronchi in the lungs,
- the heart becomes four-chamber,
- genitals appear (in girls - ovaries, in boys - testes),
- the nervous system is improving.
The kid is actively moving, tumbling, squeezing and unclenching the handles, this is clearly visible on an ultrasound scan, but because of the small size, the mother does not yet feel movements. This week, all organs are finally formed. Over the next months, they will improve, the fetus will continue to gain weight and grow.
Women's consultation
If you have not registered with the antenatal clinic, then the 6th week of pregnancy from conception is the best time to visit a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, give recommendations, select vitamins and prescribe all the necessary tests and studies. It is necessary to report on existing chronic diseases. In addition to the gynecologist, expectant mothers must visit a venereologist, dentist and therapist.
In the early stages, the attending physician prescribes an ultrasound examination, for which the 6th week of pregnancy from conception is best suited. A photo after an ultrasound will be the first in the life of your crumbs. You may not yet have a clear tummy, toxicosis, or other signs of an interesting position, but the picture will be the best reminder of that.
Proper nutrition
Expectant mother needs to revise the diet in advance. In addition, during the period of toxicosis, the body itself tells you which products you should refrain from.
General recommendations:
- We prefer natural products. Refuse from any semi-finished products, canned food, sausages and sausages, as well as packaged juices.
- The diet must necessarily have fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and sour-milk products, as well as fish and boiled lean meat.
- It is advisable to replace fried foods with stewed or baked ones.
- In case of early toxicosis, eat in small portions every 1.5-2 hours.
Lifestyle
Many pregnant women work before maternity leave. Of course, pregnancy is not a disease or a reason to stay at home, but your lifestyle also needs some adjustments.
First, try to spend as much time as possible in the fresh air. Useful walks in the park and trips out of town - away from the noisy city and highways breathe freely and easily. It is very important to maintain a positive attitude, even when because of hormones you want to cry and be offended by the whole world.
Secondly, keep fit. In the absence of contraindications, light physical exertion will only benefit, and special sets of exercises for pregnant women will help the body quickly accept changes.
Thirdly, avoid crowds in order to avoid infection. Even treatment for a common cold should be supervised by a doctor.
Fourth, reduce any negative impacts. Drinking alcohol, smoking, contact with agricultural chemicals and household chemicals can affect the formation of the fetus.
Fashion style
For your own comfort and health, review your wardrobe. 6 weeks of pregnancy from conception is not a reason to run to a specialized store for loose dresses or jeans with an elastic belt. However, this is the best time to give up high heels and stilettos.
Wrong shoes don't just break the blood supply. Due to the unnatural position of the feet, the center of gravity shifts, which, in turn, negatively affects the uterus. High heels can lead to a miscarriage.
Genetics Consultation
From the 8th (6th week from conception) to the 12th week of pregnancy, gynecologists recommend genetic studies. To date, specialists in this field know about five thousand genetic diseases, but only three hundred of them can be diagnosed.
Biochemical screening is prescribed to all pregnant women. Using a blood test using special markers, the biomaterial is tested for a special type of protein, this allows us to draw conclusions about possible chromosomal abnormalities. Screening is carried out in conjunction with ultrasound, so that the obstetrician-gynecologist has a complete picture.
In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, tests for genetic diseases and fetal development disorders are also prescribed.
Waiting for the results makes future mothers very nervous, so experts advise paying attention to early prenatal diagnosis. Before conceiving a child, a man and a woman can undergo medical genetic testing and be confident in the health of the baby.