7 Weeks Pregnant
Congratulations! Weeks four through seven are when most women discover they are pregnant. This week-by-week newsletter will keep you informed about what to expect for you and your developing baby during your pregnancy. If you have just found out that you are pregnant, you may want to read the previous articles. Get the Fetal Life App for Apple and Android endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association.
How is pregnancy calculated?
This is just a reminder that pregnancy is calculated from the first date of your last menstrual period (LMP) and not when you conceived.
What changes are occurring to your body when you are 7 weeks pregnant?
During pregnancy, your body will experience gradual changes. It is not likely that the people around you can even tell that you are pregnant at this point. You may have gained a couple of pounds, but you also may have lost weight if you are experiencing morning sickness. Losing weight this early is not uncommon, and in a few weeks, things will begin to shift in the other direction. You may also be experiencing other early pregnancy symptoms.
What is happening with your baby during the 7th week of pregnancy?
At this point, every essential organ has begun to form in the embryo’s tiny body. The hair and nipple follicles are forming, and the eyelids and tongue have begun developing. The elbows and toes are more visible as the trunk begins to straighten out.
How big is your baby during the 7th week of pregnancy?
Your baby is approximately an inch (2.54 centimeters) long by the end of this week and weighs less than an aspirin.
What should you plan for the 7th week of pregnancy?
If you have not chosen a doctor or midwife at this point, it is time to choose one. Read our information on choosing a health care provider and what to expect at your first prenatal visit. At this point, you are well into your first trimester and may be suffering from morning sickness. Seventy to eighty percent of all pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness, which is caused by the increased amount of hormones in your body. If morning sickness is so severe that you are constantly throwing up and not keeping anything down, consult your doctor about the possibility of having hyperemesis gravidarum.
Tips for making your pregnancy better
Here are a few helpful hints on your quest to surviving morning sickness:
- Eat small meals often.
- Eat soda crackers or dry cereal 15 minutes before getting up in the morning.
- Get plenty of rest, and nap during the day.
- Sniff lemons or ginger, drink lemonade or eat watermelon to relieve nausea.
- Ginger chews can help with nausea.
- Eat salty potato chips. They have been found to settle stomachs enough to allow you to eat a meal.
- Do not skip meals or lie down after eating.
- Do not cook or eat spicy food.
- Take Vitamin B6 (50mg) daily.
- Ask your doctor about supplements that could help alleviate morning sickness.
Tips for mom’s partner
Talk with your partner about which prenatal appointments she would like you to attend with her. Many couples like to attend every appointment together, while others only attend major appointments like sonograms together. Begin making plans to attend some or all of the appointments, and do not forget to mark them on your calendar. Being supportive and making plans together is extremely important to mom and for baby.
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