When you’re 7 weeks pregnant, you’re just a week short of completing your second month pregnant. In this timespan, both you and the baby have undergone some changes, which we’ll cover below.
By the seventh week, your baby is about 1.2 cm, which is as big as a blueberry. Your tummy still looks normal at this point, and you probably won’t notice a big change in your weight. What is going on inside you, though, is a whole other story.
Here’s an image that you can use as a visual reference for what a 7-week embryo looks like.
Your baby at 7 weeks
By the 7th week of pregnancy, the embryo is developing brain cells every second, and the heart and brain are starting to form. The brain grows faster than other parts of the body, so they generally have a large forehead.
Right behind the brain are its limbs, with arm and leg buds developing cartilage that eventually become the arms and legs. The fetus will also start forming a mouth and tongue, with tiny dimples in place of where the nose and ears will be.
If you go for an ultrasound, your doctor will be able to confirm the progress of your baby’s development. Expect to see cute paddle-like figures where the hands and feet will be.
Internally, the embryo starts developing kidneys at 7 weeks, meaning it will start producing urine. Therefore, your gynae might ask you for urine and blood samples, among other samples and tests. All these are used to help them make an accurate determination of your and your baby’s health. There will be many more such tests as your pregnancy progresses.
How your body changes when carrying a 7-week fetus
Here are some of the things you can expect to notice about yourself:
- Nausea and vomiting: Morning sickness is common in the first trimester of pregnancy. Nausea can be managed by eating smaller snacks during the day, dry crackers, and ginger (a lot of moms swear by ginger tea too). However, no home remedy will work 100% of the time, and different women will find different remedies effective. Vitamin B6 supplements are also good for nausea. The good news is that as you approach the second trimester, nausea and vomiting will likely disappear.
- Cravings: As your hormones heighten, you will start having cravings for particular foods. It is not uncommon to crave weird foods throughout the day, sometimes even in the middle of the night.
- Food aversions: On the opposite side of cravings, you can expect to experience food aversions during your 7-week pregnancy. When the smell or sight of certain delicacies makes you nauseous, try finding substitutes for foods you really like.
- Mood swings: You might be getting angry at the slightest provocation or emotional over more “trivial” things. These are all part of the expected changes at this stage of your pregnancy.
- Acne: Breakouts on the skin are also to be expected at this stage. Your hormones are all over the place, and your body is still adjusting to the changes it is experiencing. Before you start using any creams and beauty regimens to solve this issue, consult your doctor and ensure that they are safe for you and your baby.
- Cramps: Cramping is normal when you are pregnant – your body is simply preparing itself for the contractions that will be coming in a few months. However, if you have severe abdominal pain, make sure that you see your doctor immediately.
- Swollen breasts: Although a fetus at 7 weeks is the size of a grape, many women have seen their breasts grow as large as melons. The areola also grows, develops some spots, and becomes darker, which is all necessary for breastfeeding.
- Excess saliva production: Nausea is usually accompanied by the production of saliva in your mouth during pregnancy. It can also be a side effect of the hormones. You can mask the taste of saliva in your mouth by having a calcium chew or any hard candy.
Other reported but not as common symptoms when seven weeks pregnant include frequent urination, fatigue, bleeding or sore gums, and heartburn and indigestion.
However, you should note that not everyone experiences these symptoms. You might get all or none of these symptoms at all during this stage of pregnancy. Therefore, do not worry about others’ stories and symptoms—everyone has a different pregnancy.
Taking care of yourself during 7 weeks of pregnancy
Now that you know what to expect at 7 weeks pregnant, you need to learn how to take good care of your body during this stage. Your baby is developing rapidly and you need to do everything you can to enhance this development. Here are a few ideas:
- Eat foods rich in calcium, iron, protein, and folic acid.
- Talk to your doctor about other vitamin supplements you can use.
- Avoid carrying heavy objects.
- Do not smoke, drink alcohol, take illicit drugs or any toxic substances.
- Eat healthy food and do exercises that are safe for you and your baby.
- Drink more water/hydrate.
- If you have a pet cat, you now have the perfect excuse to avoid litter-box duty, as cat poop can carry an infectious parasite that causes toxoplasmosis.
7 weeks pregnant FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about what to expect during the 7th week of pregnancy.
Can you feel anything in your stomach at 7 weeks pregnant?
While you won’t feel your baby move, you’ll definitely feel plenty of mild cramping and pulling.
Where is the baby located at 7 weeks pregnant?
A baby at 7 weeks in the womb typically lies inside an amniotic sac, which protects the baby and supports their development.
Most antenatal classes focus on improving your skills and confidence as well as preparing you for a positive birth experience.
