At week 7 of pregnancy, the foetus is nearly 1000 times larger than the mass of cells when it first reached the uterus. It is an exciting week as the baby moves beyond the gestational period of 6 weeks and connects with its lifeline, the umbilical cord.
While the baby’s growth is at a rapid pace, the to-be mother gets more involved with the pregnancy symptoms pushing her into the second half of the first trimester by week 7. And the baby bump is still to be profoundly seen.
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In this Article
How is the baby @ Week 7 of Pregnancy?
At week 7, the baby has eventually lost its predominant tadpole-like appearance and tail. Starting to emerge is a webbed feet-like ending gearing to develop hands and legs. The face has taken shape with eyes getting in place, ears, nostrils, lips, and teeth buds carving themselves. Let’s get into the details of the baby’s development for this week. Your baby would have these grown to the length of 0.50in and weight of 1.13g
Multiplying brain cells and umbilical cord connection
This week most of the growth and development is taking place in the brain, where the brain cells are constantly multiplying at the rate of 100 cells a minute. The umbilical cord from the placenta connects itself with the baby forming a channel for nutrients and blood flow and assuring waste elimination through the mother’s bloodstream.
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Emerging limbs
The sprouting foetus starts developing clear limbs in the form of webbed feet, eventually developing the tiny little toes and fingers. The shoulders, neck, knee, ankle demarcations are also seen. More or less, the baby is getting its external features ready.
Other organ developments
The baby’s mouth and tongue form this week while the brain, limbs, and other external organs get structured. The kidneys also are formed and get ready to eliminate wastes.
Mom to-be @ Week 7 of pregnancy
Inside the mother-to-be, at week 7, the mucus plug blocks itself, sealing the cervix and womb against any leakage or infections. The stomach does not look bulged, but the pregnancy symptoms may be commanding you. You may observe a reduction in weight because of the food aversions, nauseating feelings, and vomiting. Some of the other common signs mostly seen this week are:
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- Morning sickness extended throughout the day.
- Swollen, enlarged breasts with darker areola (the pigmented area around the nipples) and sprouting blue veins.
- Frequent urination due to increased hCG and blood flow in the pelvic region.
- Exhaustiveness or fatigue
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Weird food cravings or aversions
- Excess saliva in the mouth
Can there an ultrasound or prenatal consultation be scheduled this week?
An ultrasound and a prenatal check-up are scheduled anytime, between week 6 and week 8 of pregnancy. So, there is a likelihood of having an ultrasound where you can observe the baby’s first heartbeats of around 0.64 cm big.
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What should I expect during the first prenatal consultation?
During the first consultation, your doctor is likely to conduct a physical examination. The doctor will review your medical history to determine the possible due date, and a pap smear test if required, can be considered to identify the pregnancy risks.
Are there any pregnancy risks involved?
Mothers with associated conditions such as PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, diabetes, hypertension, etc., will need regular check-ups. Immediately contact the doctor if you have symptoms such as,
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Sudden dizziness, fainting
- Low blood pressure
- Acute pelvic pain
Ectopic pregnancy- a condition where the embryo implants itself outside the uterus, and a miscarriage are the possible risks observed in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Things to consider at Week 7 pregnancy
While the mother moves into week 7 of pregnancy, it is entirely normal if she has started to gain slight weight or have unusual food cravings for foods she hates the most. Stomach cramping with dizziness, vaginal discharge, neck, and shoulder pain are the usual pregnancy symptoms requiring rest. Things to be taken care of by the mother for this week are:
- Consider having multi-colored fruits in your diet: melons, berries, oranges, grapes, etc., not only have deep colours but are rich in essential vitamins.
- Do not hold back your fluid intake even though you urinate frequently. You and your baby need a continuous supply of liquids. But, cut down on diuretics like coffee.
- Having healthy mini-meals more often can help fight fatigue, uneasy stomach issues, sugar problems and maintain good energy levels.
- Always look for healthy food cravings. If the food cravings do not include healthy versions, you can satiate your food cravings once in a while.
- Cater to the food aversions, and avoid foods causing nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, bloating, etc.
- Skin problems from oily, acne skin to dry flaky skin can crop up during pregnancy. Melasma is a common hyperpigmentation of the skin. Use mild and prescribed medications or skincare products.
- Do not involve in activities having any bending, weight-lifting, twisting, holding of breath, or jerky movements. Do not over-exercise and tire yourself with strenuous workouts.
- To avoid excess saliva production in the mouth, keep chewing sugarless gummies or candies.
- Consumption of raw, uncooked, and unprocessed food or meat is a strict no as it may invite infections like toxoplasmosis (from cat faeces) and food poisoning chances.
Conclusion/ Take-Away
At week 7, there is a lot of action happening with the baby’s initial external features taking shape. The mother will need to refrain from exercises as the body prepares to nourish the baby. Incorporate pregnancy yoga, walking, swimming, and watch out for skin issues like melasma. Healthy dietary practises while eating small servings more often and having plenty of fluids are key. Consult your doctor on medications and exercise regimes to be followed.
References
Overview | NHS
