Weeks 6 to 10: Your Baby's First Heartbeat and Early Growth

Weeks 6 to 10 are full of firsts. Your baby is growing quickly, the heart has started beating, and for many parents a first heartbeat ultrasound is the moment everything suddenly feels real. It is also a time full of questions, and that is completely natural.

In this article we walk through what is generally happening in these early weeks, what you may be feeling, and what to expect from an early elective scan. It is one part of our larger pregnancy week by week guide, and as always, your OB or midwife is the best person to answer medical questions about your own pregnancy.

What Is Happening With Your Baby

In these weeks, the baby (still called an embryo for part of this time) is forming the foundations of every major system. The heart begins to beat very early, and on ultrasound it often appears as a quick, steady flicker. Tiny buds that will become arms and legs appear, and the head is large compared to the rest of the body.

By the end of this window, the baby is officially called a fetus and begins to look more recognizable, with a curved body, a rounder head and small limbs that may even wiggle on screen. You will not feel any of this movement yet, but it is a wonderful thing to watch.

What You May Be Feeling

Early pregnancy can be a rollercoaster. Many moms notice tiredness, nausea, food aversions, a heightened sense of smell or tender breasts. Others feel almost nothing, which can be its own kind of worry. Both experiences can be completely normal.

Because there is not much to see from the outside, many parents feel a strong wish for reassurance in these weeks. That is one of the most common reasons families visit us early on. If symptoms worry you, or you notice pain or bleeding, contact your healthcare provider right away.

• Rest when you can; the first trimester is often more tiring than people expect.
• Keep your provider's number handy and write down questions between visits.
• Ask your OB or midwife before starting any new supplement, medication or exercise routine.

When Can You See the Heartbeat on Ultrasound

The heartbeat can often be seen on ultrasound from around 6 to 7 weeks, although exact timing varies with your dates and the equipment used. Early in pregnancy, weeks are counted from your last period, so if ovulation happened later than average, the baby may simply be a little younger than the calendar suggests.

Our First Peek package starts at 7 weeks. We choose that starting point because it gives families a better chance of a clear first look at the heartbeat, while still being early enough to calm those first-trimester nerves.

What an Early 2D Scan Looks Like

At this stage, 2D is the right tool. The baby is very small, so detailed 3D or 5D face images are not possible yet. A 2D view shows the shape of the baby, the flicker of the heart and, depending on timing, small movements.

During a First Peek session at our studio, you can hear or see the heartbeat, take home printed pictures and see the baby's growth, weeks and due date. The session lasts up to 10 minutes. Remember that this is an elective, non-diagnostic scan: it does not check for medical concerns and does not replace the early ultrasound your provider may order.

Thinking About Gender Already?

Plenty of parents start dreaming about boy or girl in these weeks. Ultrasound cannot reliably show gender this early, but a blood test can. Our SneakPeek Gender DNA Test is available from 8 weeks, takes about 15 minutes and is cash only.

If you would rather wait and see it on screen, our article on weeks 15 to 18 and finding out boy or girl explains when an ultrasound usually can show it. You can also read how to plan the big moment in planning a gender reveal your family will remember.

Looking Ahead to the End of the First Trimester

After week 10, the baby keeps changing fast, and many moms start to feel a little more like themselves. We describe that transition in weeks 11 to 14, closing out the first trimester, including the screening conversations your provider may bring up around that time.

The Right Package for Weeks 6 to 10

If you are at least 7 weeks, our First Peek / Peace of Mind package ($59, 2D, 7 to 40 weeks) is designed for exactly this stage: a gentle, short visit focused on the heartbeat and your very first printed pictures. From 8 weeks, the SneakPeek Gender DNA Test ($150) is also an option.

When you feel ready, you can book your First Peek appointment at our Charlotte studio. There is no deposit, and family is welcome to share the moment with you.