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6 Months Pregnant: Pregnancy Month by Month

Updated September 25, 2018
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2 min read

At six months pregnant, you're at the tail end of the second trimester. This means you'll usually have a few more weeks before your tummy gets so big that your energy levels dip.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms at Six Months Pregnant

At around the six month mark, you might experience some of these pregnancy symptoms. All of these symptoms are common during pregnancy, but you may not experience all of them:

  • Heartburn

  • Puffiness or swelling in hands, feet, or face

  • Feeling unsteady on your feet

  • Itchy skin around your tummy, breasts, buttocks, and thighs

  • Backache

  • Constipation

  • Indigestion

  • Increased appetite

  • Snoring

  • Dizziness

  • Insomnia

  • Varicose veins

  • Leg cramps

Six Months Pregnant: Changes Inside and Out

Your Baby's Development: Your baby's eyelids will open this month, and he will be able to respond to loud noises. Your baby's taste buds will also be able to taste, through the amniotic fluid, the different flavors of what you're eating. That's why you might notice a more active baby after eating spicy foods. Your baby's heartbeat is loud enough to be heard through a stethoscope now, and your partner may even pick up these tiny beats by holding an ear against your belly.

Changes to Your Body: By month six, you will have gained quite a bit of weight as your baby grows. This will make spending prolonged stretches of time on your feet more uncomfortable, so put your feet up throughout the day whenever you can. Your size might also make finding a comfortable sleeping position more difficult; try using plenty of pillows to support you as you rest. The itchy skin you might feel as your skin stretches can be helped by applying moisturizer.

You might also experience swelling of your feet, ankles, hands, and face — call your doctor right away if the swelling is sudden or severe.

Get Creative and Organized

Use this time to do productive things like setting up your baby registry, helping your baby shower host plan the baby shower, decorating and preparing the nursery, and choosing a baby name. You can also shop for essentials that your newborn will need, like baby clothes, a stroller, and plenty of diapers.

Start Babyproofing Your Home and Car

Now's the time to think about, and make, safety preparations. This month, you can get a jump on babyproofing your home by setting up a safe nursery and tackling other big jobs as well. Once you have brought your baby home, you'll have even less time, so now is a good time to install baby gates and childproof locks, put dangerous items out of reach, and anchor furniture (like drawers and dressers) to the wall.

It's also important to babyproof your car. First and foremost, you'll need to shop for an age-appropriate car seat. Once you choose one, get professional help installing it, so it's all set for bringing your newborn home from the hospital.

Sixth Month of Pregnancy Quick List

  • Think about your birth plan: Start discussions about your birth plan with your doctor or midwife. Remember, not every factor can be planned for (especially if there’s an emergency), but it helps to think about your preferences and know your options before you’re in active labor. Birthing plans include things like what position you’d like to be in during labor, what your pain management preferences are, what comfort measures you’d like (such as music), and what you’d like to happen straight after your baby is born (for example, who should cut the umbilical cord).

  • Start babyproofing: Babyproof your home and car, and start to prepare your nursery so that you can get these big jobs out of the way before your tummy gets bigger in the third trimester.

  • Enjoy your baby shower: At six months pregnant, a friend or family member might start thinking about planning your baby shower. This is a chance for loved ones to celebrate your new baby. There can be a theme and some fun games where guests can help with baby name ideas. Consider revealing the gender of your baby at this party.

  • Read up on childbirth: Even after you attend prenatal classes, you may still have questions or concerns about the birth experience. Read up about childbirth and speak to moms about their experiences.

  • Relax as much as you can: Although you might feel you have much to organize and do, you should also set aside plenty of time to rest and relax.

  • Sign up for even more pregnancy tips.

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