Baby at 6 weeks
In certain cases it is necessary to confirm a pregnancy
at the early stage. So an ultra sound scan may be given but may
not be able to detect the embryo at less than 8 weeks. Instead
you may be offered a trans vaginal ultra sound scan where a
probe is placed into the vagina. This may just be able to show
the flickering of baby's heart.
Development
Your baby's
embryonic heart is now beating, but it only has two chambers
because the circulation is not yet completely developed. The
most advanced system at this stage is the central nervous
system: the neural tube has now closed over and the brain is
developing at one end. The liver begins to develop before the
rest of the digestive system.
Appearance
Developing baby now resembles a tiny seahorse. This is because
the tissue at the tail end grows faster than at the front end.
Baby is floating in a bubble of fluid which will eventually
develop into the amniotic sac. At this stage it is known as
yolk sac, it provides your baby with oxygen and nutrients until
the placenta is formed.
The growth of brain and head is rapid at this early stage of
development. Limb buds have appeared at the base of the head,
there are folds that will develop into facial features, such as
eyes and ears.
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