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You’re 6 weeks pregnant! You may look the same on the outside, but a lot of exciting changes are happening inside this week. Here’s a look.
How Big is Baby?
This week, teeny baby is just about one-tenth of an inch.
What’s New with Baby?
At week 6, that itty-bitty babe has the beginnings of a little tiny spine! Already, baby’s spinal cord is starting to form, along with what will become their eyes and ears.
What’s New with Mom?
You may be feeling extra tired, or notice your breasts feel full and sore. Fatigue, tender or swollen breasts, and nausea or vomiting are common symptoms this week.
Fun Fact
This week, baby’s length is measured from crown to rump—the top of their head to the end of their bottom. They’ll be measured this way until week 20, when it changes to crown to heel.
How to Choose Your Healthcare Provider for Pregnancy
Choosing the healthcare provider who will care for you and your baby throughout your pregnancy might feel like a big decision—and that’s because it is! You want to find someone you trust, feel comfortable with and whose approach and philosophy aligns with the type of pregnancy, labor and delivery you envision.
The first thing to think about, says Dr. Joanna Forbes, an Ob/Gyn at UT Southwestern Medical Center, is where the provider delivers. Ask if the hospital has in-house OB coverage, which can save valuable time in the case of an emergency c-section. “In case of an emergency, the guidelines say that we have 30 minutes to perform a cesarean section. However, if there is in-house coverage, then we can usually get the baby out in less than 10 minutes,” she says.
Joanna Forbes, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in all aspects of general Ob/Gyn, including well-woman exams and minimally invasive Ob/Gyn surgery.
And if you want an epidural (or you’re even just considering it), ask if the hospital has 24/7 anesthesia coverage. “Most people don’t want to wait for their epidural once they decide that they want one,” Forbes says.
Another consideration when it comes to the hospital you’ll deliver at: NICU support. Babies may need care from a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for a variety of reasons—from premature birth to respiratory distress—and though when planning for birth you likely don’t imagine a stay in the NICU, it could happen. “Everyone hopes to have a healthy pregnancy, but sometimes there are emergencies and it’s nice to know that your hospital is equipped to deal with those emergencies,” says Forbes.
“That being said, it’s not unreasonable to consider how far away the hospital is from your home once you go into delivery because if for some reason your baby needs to stay in the NICU then you don’t necessarily want to have to be driving a long distance in the immediate postpartum period.”
You might also want to ask about whether the provider delivers their own patients, or if an on-call provider does instead. Many private practice Ob/Gyns deliver at specific hospitals on a rotating schedule. While it used to be typical that you’d see one Ob/Gyn throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, it is more common now that healthcare organizations have a team-based care model. This way, every physician on the team is responsible for your care.
Of course you’ll want to consider other questions like whether your chosen provider takes your health insurance, is comfortable with forceps or vacuum extraction if needed, or if the hospital allows VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section) deliveries. But ultimately, trust your gut, Mom.
“I like to remind patients that we are humans taking care of other humans,” says Forbes. “We love what we do and want for you to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby but much of obstetric care is standardized and so it’s important for you to find someone who you trust and get along well with.”
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This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The above article was written by DFWChild editor Amanda Collins Bernier with information provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of their sponsored content.
