6 weeks pregnant what should i be doing

Do be sure to choose vitamin supplements specifically tailored for pregnancy. Protein is also an essential part of a healthy pregnancy diet because it transports nutrients around the body, to get them to baby. Remember to take special care when preparing meals to avoid the risk of food poisoning. Thoroughly cook your meat and wash your hands before cooking.

Always give your fruit and veg a good scrub too, and clean the fridge regularly. Plus, avoid eating leftovers as bacteria might have had a chance to grow. Just remember, a little caution will keep you and baby healthy and happy. At 10 weeks or before, you usually have your first midwife appointment.

You might also have a couple of standard blood tests, so this first visit could take an hour or more. Sorry, Live Chat is unavailable at the moment. We're always around for a call though on 0 81 81 80 in the UK or in Ireland. Or you can email us. We also recognize that breastfeeding is not always an option for parents. You left smababy It's also normal to run to the bathroom more often than usual — especially at night. Read up on frequent urination during pregnancy to help you get a handle on this symptom.

Mood swings. Are you feeling emotional? Or different to how you thought you would? Know that there is no right or wrong answer to how you should be feeling at six weeks pregnant. Mood swings are common during pregnancy but if your feelings are affecting your ability to do your daily tasks, speak to your midwife.

If you have a pre-existing mental health problem, it's a good idea to tell your doctor about your pregnancy and find out whether any treatment you're getting needs to be adjusted in light of this. Check what healthcare services are available. You can go to nhs. Your midwife and doctor can also point you in the right direction. A healthy diet during pregnancy is important.

Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods including lots of fruit, vegetables and protein. Read up on how much weight to gain during pregnancy for more advice on this topic. Read up on the foods you should avoid during pregnancy. You might like to make a list that you can take with you when you go shopping, or think about substitutions you can make.

If your mind is racing, write down your thoughts in a pregnancy journal — it might help you feel a little better. You could also make a list of questions for your doctor.

Download our Pregnancy Guide , which has more information to help you navigate the first trimester of your pregnancy and beyond. Take a look at your closet.

Do you have some stretchy or roomy clothing to wear during the coming weeks as your body starts to grow? Don't forget to increase your bra size when needed for your comfort. Around this time, you may also want to start a week-by-week photo journal or a pregnancy scrapbook full of your notes, photos, and mementos, as a nice way to celebrate your pregnancy.

If you can, plan time to rest. Should you be taking prenatal vitamins, like folic acid? Where will you give birth, and what should you know in advance about the facility and its procedures? The liver, brain and musculoskeletal system are also coming along nicely. To achieve this dramatic transformation, the baby gets everything he or she needs from you. No wonder you feel so exhausted that you can't get off the sofa!

Morning sickness can strike at any time of day, although it's usually at its worst when you first wake up. It might help to keep a snack by your bed and tuck in before you peel back the duvet. Experiment with eating six small meals a day, get lots of rest, and follow a balanced, healthy diet with lots of water try sparkling water. Here are some healthy eating tips. Some women find that ginger helps in ginger tea, ginger ale, crystallised ginger, and ginger biscuits. Others swear by sucking ice cubes and wearing travel acupressure wristbands.

If you can't keep food down, talk to your midwife or doctor. Many women find it really tough being 6 weeks' pregnant. You may be battling morning sickness and tiredness, along with other early signs of pregnancy. Your symptoms could also include:. There's more too! Tommy's, the baby charity, has a list of 10 common pregnancy complaints with advice on how to manage them.

Rest as much as you can this week, and remember that you won't feel like this forever. Most women start to feel better after the first trimester after 12 weeks. Remember that there's lots of support available to you. Talk to your midwife or doctor about anything that's worrying you. Get more tips and advice on your pregnancy, baby and parenting sent to your inbox. Subscribe to Start4Life pregnancy, baby and toddler emails What does my baby look like? Your baby, or embryo, is around 6mm long, which is about the size of a baked bean.

It looks like a bit like a baked bean too, due to its curved shape. Some people think it resembles a tadpole with its little tail. There's a bump where the heart is and another bulge where the head will be. Sometimes the heart beat can be picked up by a vaginal ultrasound scan, but you're unlikely to be offered one, unless you've had IVF. The little arms and legs are starting to form and are known as limb buds.

There are tiny dents where the ears will be. The embryo is covered with a thin layer of transparent skin. The advice for week 6 is the same as for the earlier weeks. Take your foot off the accelerator and look after yourself. Share the news with your GP, or ask for an appointment with a midwife at your doctors' surgery. Alternatively you can refer yourself to your local hospital — look for contact details on their website.

You'll need to arrange a 'booking appointment'. This usually takes place between weeks 8 and 12 and takes around an hour. You can talk about the options for your pregnancy and the birth. Plus you'll be offered screening tests for infectious diseases, and conditions such as Down's syndrome. You could ask about the Maternity Transformation Programme and how it could benefit you.

You will be offered your first dating scan at 8 to 14 weeks.