7 weeks pregnant

Welcome to the seventh week of pregnancy dearest mommy! A lot of changes await you this week, as your little one is growing too fast. At 7 weeks pregnant, your embryo is about the size of a small blueberry of about 0.3 inches. Read on for more information on how things are progressing within your belly this week.

7 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby's Development

Brainy baby

Brain development continues even after birth, but the basic brain structure has already formed. Later in the upcoming weeks, your baby's brain will divide into fore-brain, mid-brain, and hind-brain. While the fore-brain is responsible for forming and retaining memories, reasoning, and problem-solving, the mid-brain relays electrical signals to the respective destinations within the brain. The hind-brain is responsible for breathing, heart rate and muscle movement.

The Baby's arms and legs start developing

Your baby is sprouting out limb buds that will grow stronger and longer, dividing into arms, shoulder segments, hands, legs, knees, and foot segments.

Kidneys are in place

Your baby's kidneys will now begin working and managing the waste, as your little one will start producing urine soon.

What's more in development

• Your baby’s mouth, nostrils, ears, and eyes are starting to look more and more defined.

• Your baby's eyelids and tongue are also starting to form.

• The umbilical cord has been taking shape while it connects the baby to the placenta. It is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood and nutrients to your baby and taking away the waste.

• Babies go through three stages of kidney development in the womb, and your little one is likely on the second stage.

7 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Although some of the symptoms from the past weeks continue, here is what you may be experiencing:

• Excess salivation - Although drooling may feel weird, it is just another symptom of being pregnant. You may feel more saliva in your mouth than usual, mostly accompanying morning sickness.

• Food cravings or aversions - Your food choices and tolerance for aromas/odours may change due to hormones during the seventh week of pregnancy. It is normal if you can't stand the smell of a particular food item at this stage that you enjoyed eating before pregnancy. However, if you are craving any non-food items, like clay or chalk, speak to your doctor for advice.

• Nausea - Morning sickness can be in full swing at this stage, making you feel absolutely miserable. But, hey, it's only a matter of few weeks, and it will mostly disappear during the second trimester.

• Frequent urination - Increased blood volume and hormones lead to the production of excess fluid, so you may find yourself going to the bathroom more often. But, don't let this symptom drive you away from staying hydrated; you need to drink extra water throughout your pregnancy.

• Diarrhoea - At this stage, your diarrhoea may be one of the gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation or indigestion. You might be experiencing this due to fluctuating hormones. Include foods like applesauce, oatmeal, and bananas in your diet.

• Cramping - As your uterus expands, you may experience some discomfort in the form of mild cramps, and it is quite normal. But, if the pain becomes severe or lasts for a longer duration, consult your doctor without delay.

• Fatigue - As your levels of progesterone are increasing fast, it can make you feel sleepy and tired. Take good care of yourself by resting as much as you can.

We understand that these symptoms can be tiring and annoying, but just a few weeks more, and you will be in your second trimester. Many of these symptoms may subside by then, making you feel better.

Ultrasound at 7th Week of Pregnancy

Major development is happening within your belly, and you can get a glimpse of it at your 7-weeks pregnant ultrasound. You will see that your foetus has developed major organs like the liver, pancreas, and appendix. His or her ears, eyes, nose, mouth, fingers, and toes have developed.

Things to Consider at 7th Week of Pregnancy

As you near the end of the first trimester, here are certain things you must consider for a safe, healthy, and comfortable pregnancy:

7 week pregnancy belly

Although your baby bump may not be that much visible, you may want to buy a few pieces of stretchy clothes to wear. A great for staying comfortable is to wear stretchy clothes that fit you a bit loose and are made with soft and natural fabrics. Opt for the right bra size and choose underwear and clothes made from cotton or other natural materials to stay cool and comfortable.

Take vital vitamins

Ensure that you and your baby are getting the necessary nutrients. Avoid spicy and fried foods that can cause heartburn. If you're vegetarian or vegan, help balance your diet with plant-protein stand-ins like grains and legumes. Talk to your doctor about options for supplements like vitamin B12 that is found only in animal products.

Take good care of your skin

Don't be surprised to find acne on your face at this stage (thanks to the hormones!). Try keeping your skin clean and oil-free to prevent clogged pores and pimples. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser twice daily and choose oil-free makeup and skincare products to avoid clogging your pores.

Nausea and vomiting

About 70 to 80 % of expecting mothers experience normal nausea accompanied by vomiting. Although severe nausea and vomiting are very rare, they can be dangerous for an expecting mother and developing baby. Such a condition of severe nausea and vomiting is called hyperemesis gravidarum. It affects up to 2.3% of pregnancies.

In this condition, prolonged, severe nausea with uncontrollable vomiting leads to dehydration and weight loss. Typically, the symptoms appear early in pregnancy, increase around week 9, and subside by week 20. If you have any concerns about hyperemesis gravidarum, it is best to clarify it with your doctor.

Precautions & Tips at 7th Week of Pregnancy

As you near the beginning of the second trimester, here are some tips and precautions you can follow:

The right weight

You may not look pregnant, as your baby bump isn't out yet. However, you may have put on some weight, and that’s okay! Doctors suggest that women with an average BMI of 18.5-24.9 should gain about 11 to 16 kgs during pregnancy. If you're experiencing morning sickness, chances are that you might not gain any weight, or you might have lost a little. It is fine! Your appetite will pick up, and you can make up for those kgs in your second trimester.

Cramping is usually normal

Although cramping is normal during the first trimester, if it is accompanied by shoulder or neck pain, contractions, dizziness, or discharge, call your doctor right away.

Manage skin problems safely

Thanks to the pregnancy hormones, you may experience some pretty wacky complexion complexities –from acne to blotchiness, from excessive oiliness to excessive dryness or both at the same time, or a patchy skin discolouration called chloasma.

Wash your face thoroughly two to three times a day with a gentle cleanser. Also, gently exfoliate once a week and use an oil-free moisturiser after it.

Workout no-no’s

If you have been working out, here are some don'ts to keep in mind:

• After the first trimester, avoid exercising while lying on your back

• Don't hold your breath while exercising

• Avoid using jerky or twisting movements

• Never challenge your sense of balance

• Avoid any trauma to your abdomen

• Don't exercise when you feel exhausted

• Avoid practising Bikram or hot yoga.

Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables brighter in colour on the inside are more nutritious than the brighter ones on the outside. For example, the melon may be pale on the outside compared to a bright red apple, but the deeply-hued flesh of the melon contains vitamins A and C and other nutrients more than the white-fleshed apple. So, choose your fruits and vegetables with brighter colours on the inside when shopping to get enough nutrients.

Give into healthy cravings

If you're craving fruits or vegetables, you can give in easily. However, what about food that isn't that nutritious? Resist your cravings if they're pulling you toward a bowl of sugar-frosted cereal or kettle-cooked potato chips. Instead, eat crackers or cheerios topped with fresh fruit with a drizzle of honey, or attack a bag of soy chips. If your heart calls out to food that you shouldn't be having in your pregnancy, substitute it with something close to it. Contact your doctor if you crave anything that isn't food - clay, ashes, laundry starch or chalk.

Cater to your aversions

Keep your food choices bland and boring and try substitutes for foods that you can't stand. For example, you can't stand veggies, try fruit with the same nutritional benefits.

Manage constipation

Ease the bloating and discomfort by drinking plenty of water, exercising a little, and eating more insoluble fibre - whole wheat, flax, fruit with skins, vegetables, brown rice, and lentils.

Ask Your Doctor

In the first two trimesters, your prenatal visits will be scheduled about once a month. You can expect them to become more frequent in the last two months of your pregnancy. Prenatal check-ups provide you with the perfect opportunity to bring up concerns and ask questions to your doctor. Here are some of the questions that might help you make up your list:

• How can I manage weight gain during pregnancy?

• What special precautions do I need to take at work during pregnancy?

• Are there any plans are in place for labour and delivery?

• What are the possible labour complications and other challenges that may come up in the delivery room? How will they be handled?

• What is pregnancy brain fog?

• What are the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum?

Remember it's totally normal to feel what you're feeling during pregnancy, and it's always okay to call your doctor to clarify any doubts and concerns. As you bid goodbye to week 7, know that week 8 awaits you with new surprises about your baby's development.