At six weeks pregnant, everything still feels new. You may have just found out you’re pregnant. Or you may still be processing it. Inside your body, something extraordinary is happening, your baby’s heart has begun to beat.
This week is quiet on the outside, but incredibly active within. Growth is rapid. Hormones are rising. And emotionally, you may feel anything from excitement to anxiety to deep fatigue. All of it is normal.
Your baby is now about 4–6 millimeters long. Still tiny, but rapidly developing.
This is the week when the neural tube continues forming, which will become the brain and spinal cord. The brain is growing at an astonishing rate.
Most remarkably, the heart begins to beat. At this stage, it may beat between 90–110 times per minute, gradually increasing over the coming weeks.
Other developments include:
Even though you can’t feel these changes, your body is working nonstop to support them.
At six weeks, hormones are surging, especially hCG and progesterone.
This hormonal rise supports the pregnancy but also explains many of the symptoms you may be experiencing:
Your blood volume is beginning to increase. Your uterus is expanding. Your metabolism is shifting.
You may not “look” pregnant yet. But internally, your body is in full production mode.
This is often the week when emotions intensify.
The combination of hormonal shifts, physical discomfort, and the reality of pregnancy can create:
From a nervous system perspective, early pregnancy can feel destabilizing. Your body is adjusting rapidly. Sleep may be disrupted. You may feel both exhausted and wired.
If you feel more reactive or tearful than usual, it is not weakness. It is biology.
Your nervous system is recalibrating to support new life.
1. Protect Your Energy
Fatigue is not laziness. It is your body prioritizing development. Reduce unnecessary commitments when possible.
2. Nourish Gently
If nausea is present, small frequent meals often help. Simple foods may feel safer. Listen to your body.
3. Lower Stress Where You Can
Early pregnancy can feel uncertain. Limiting overstimulation and creating small moments of calm supports both you and your baby.
Try this 2-minute nervous system reset:
Place one hand on your heart and one on your lower belly.
Inhale slowly for four.
Exhale slowly for six.
As you exhale, imagine sending warmth to your womb.
You do not need to feel anything dramatic. Simply practice being present with your body.
Consistency matters more than intensity.
Next week, your baby’s brain development accelerates even more. Limb buds lengthen. Facial features become slightly more defined.
You may also notice symptoms increasing before they stabilize.
Growth is fast right now, inside and out.
At six weeks pregnant, your baby’s heart begins to beat. In this episode, we explore what’s happening inside your body, why symptoms may intensify, and how to stay grounded during early pregnancy.
Early pregnancy can bring unexpected waves of anxiety.
Inside the MamaZen app, you’ll find short, guided Mindpower Sessions® designed to help calm your nervous system, ease overwhelm, and support emotional balance during pregnancy.
Sometimes the most powerful support is simply learning how to regulate your body gently.
6 Weeks Pregnant: When the Heart Begins to Beat
Not usually with a Doppler. But an early ultrasound may detect a flicker.
Mild cramping can be normal as the uterus expands. Severe pain should always be discussed with your provider.
Rising hCG levels are strongly associated with nausea in early pregnancy.
Yes. Early pregnancy carries uncertainty. Emotional fluctuation is common.
At six weeks pregnant, your baby’s heart begins to beat, even if you cannot yet hear it.
Your body is doing something extraordinary.
Go gently this week.
Quiet growth is still powerful growth.
Founder of MamaZen
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with questions about your pregnancy.
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