The heartbeat becomes real
By this month, the embryo's heart has started beating, often visible on an early ultrasound as a small flicker. Tiny limb buds appear, sketching out where arms and legs will grow, and facial features like eyes and ears begin forming as faint folds. Morning sickness, fatigue, and breast changes tend to peak now as hormone levels climb, even though the baby itself is still smaller than a fingernail.
Baby this month: about 1.6 cm — crown to rump, roughly the size of a raspberry · about 1 g
≈ 1.6 cm — about the size of a raspberry
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
What's developing right now
Begins beating around week 6, often the first thing visible on an early ultrasound.
Small buds appear that will grow into arms and legs over the coming weeks.
Grows rapidly, and by the end of the month accounts for a large share of body size.
Eye and ear structures start as shallow folds and pits on the sides of the head.
A simple tube begins forming that will later divide into stomach and intestines.
What your body is doing
- Nausea, sometimes called morning sickness, often peaks during this month and isn't limited to mornings.
- Fatigue can be significant as the body adjusts to rising hormone levels.
- Breasts may feel tender, heavier, or more sensitive.
- Frequent urination can start even though the uterus is still small.
Eating for this month
Steady, small meals matter more than perfect ones this month, especially if nausea makes eating unpredictable. Folate remains important as neural development continues, and staying hydrated helps with both nausea and fatigue. It's fine if variety takes a back seat for a few weeks — consistency matters more than perfection.
Checkups commonly done this month
- An early scan may be offered if there is pain, bleeding or uncertain dates; the routine dating scan is usually at about 11–14 weeks
- Initial blood tests to check blood type, iron levels, and immunity to certain infections
- A review of personal and family medical history with a doctor or midwife
Warning signs and what to do
Heavy bleeding that soaks a pad soon after putting it on, or bleeding with severe cramping: call emergency services now or go to an emergency department now
Sudden, severe pain on one side of the tummy, pain in the tip of your shoulder, or feeling faint: call emergency services now or go to an emergency department now
Vomiting so often that you cannot keep food or fluids down, very dark urine, or feeling dizzy: contact your doctor or maternity unit today, without waiting for your next appointment
Fever along with pelvic pain: contact your doctor or maternity unit today
Questions people ask
Why can't I see much on an ultrasound yet?
At this stage the embryo is only a few centimeters long, so an ultrasound mainly confirms the pregnancy's location, checks for a heartbeat, and estimates dating. Detailed anatomy isn't visible until the baby is larger, usually a couple of months from now.
Is it normal for nausea to come and go throughout the day?
Yes, despite the name, morning sickness can strike at any hour and fluctuate unpredictably. It's driven by rising pregnancy hormones and tends to ease for most people by the end of the first trimester, though the timeline varies quite a bit from person to person.
Sizes and milestones are typical ranges — every pregnancy runs on its own clock. Educational content; your prenatal care team's guidance always comes first.