Overview

In the 7th week of your pregnancy there may still be little changes with your external body even though you are right in the middle of the first trimester. Although you are quite anxious to tell everybody about your pregnancy it is not as obvious to others unless you tell them you are pregnant. The size of the baby is the size of a pea at this stage. The internal changes with the fetus are however very rapid and you need to take care at this stage with your diet and exercise, also to avoid any medications for longer than 48 hours without consultation and not to lift heavy things which might cause internal strain or injury. At this stage there are gender tests which tell you the sex of the baby however it is an illegal procedure especially if the parents are contemplating at this stage whether to have the baby or not depending on the gender. If by this stage you have not enrolled with an obstetrician it is high time to do so. The location and reputation of the obstetrician matters especially if you have had complicated pregnancies in the past. Being comfortable with your doctor goes a long way in making your period of pregnancy and delivery easier. You can think about stitching maternity clothes which will be useful later as the weight starts increasing.

Baby’s Development

There is tremendous growth in the baby this week. In the beginning of the 7th week the crown to rump length of your baby is .16 to .2 inches which doubles by the end of the week to 0.44 or 0.52 inches. This is the stage where all the essential organs are beginning to form within the embryo such as the hair, nipple follicles, the eyelids and the tongue. The elbows and toes become more visible after the trunk starts becoming straight. The baby is about the weight of a pea or an Asprin tablet. The placenta begins to show after this week and the head is larger than the other body parts. The internal organs have already formed and the heart has begun beating from the end of the 4th week. The baby is floating in the amniotic sac and the buds for the arms and legs have emerged in the 5th week and in the 7th week the buds for the fingers and toes also start appearing. The umbilical cord is growing in length and will continue to grow giving the baby freedom to move in the stomach. The embryo has now grown fully into a fetus. If you calculate this period as the 7th week of pregnancy from conception the muscles and nerves start functioning. The baby develops reflexes and can move. The abdomen and thorax are fully formed and the lungs have started developing. The heart which is now in the thoracic cavity beats strongly and the head becomes more outstanding as it starts leaning towards the body. The mouth can be opened and the eyes can be seen behind the closed membranes. You can even notice fingers, ears and the vestibular system developing.

Changes with your body

The changes in your body are gradual and continuous at this stage. People around you may not be able to tell you that you are pregnant at this stage. Some women however gain a few pounds and there are some who even tend to lose weight if they are experiencing morning sickness at this stage. Losing weight is quite common at this stage as there are no hunger pangs as yet and the feelings of nausea and vomiting might be stronger at this time as the body starts adjusting to the new life growing within your body. In a few weeks the body weight will however tend to increase as there is rapid growth of the embryo after this. The other symptoms which you can experience now are swelling and tenderness of the breasts with changes in the color of the areolas due to hormonal changes. The other common symptoms which is experienced by most women is fatigue, tiredness, nausea or morning sickness, headaches, mood swings, frequent urination, indigestion, constipation and a dull lower back ache which might not be so profound yet but can advance with the pregnancy. Other aspects such as food aversions or cravings generally disappear by this time as the body has adjusted to deal with the pregnancy. You might develop food cravings for some particular food unless the morning sickness is still quite prominent. Drinking a lot of water is useful to prevent constipation and dehydration at this time.

What to expect

There are some women who are continuing with the morning sickness and are finding ways to deal with them or have already started dealing with them. 70% to 80% women experience some form of morning sickness at this stage mainly due to the rising hormones. To reduce the uneasiness in your body you can follow a few tips such as eating small and frequent meals, eating a toast or soda cracker on a empty stomach first thing in the morning, sniffing lemons or eating watermelons to relieve nausea, avoiding spicy or fried food, avoid skipping or lying down immediately after meals, eating salty potato chips, getting plenty of rest and naps during the day and taking vitamin B6 tablets on a daily basis. If your morning sickness becomes more severe and you are constantly throwing up and not retaining any food you might need to consult a doctor as there is a possibility that you have Hyperemesis Gravidarum. This is a condition characterized by severe vomiting, weight loss and electrolyte disturbance. Mild cases can be cured with dietary changes, rest and antacids however in severe cases one needs to be hospitalized. This is a condition which cannot be avoided by some women but can be managed by bed rest, acupressure, herbs intake and homeopathic medicines in milder cases. In the severe cases medication, intravenous fluid intake and tube feeding might be required to restore hydration, vitamins, nutrients and electrolytes in the body.