7th Week of Pregnancy
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 with your body?
Changes within your body are gradually continuing. It is not likely that the people around you can even tell that you are pregnant. You may have gained a couple of pounds, but you also may have actually lost weight if you are experiencing morning sickness at this point. 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?
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 formation. The elbows and toes are more visible as the trunk begins to straighten out.*
How big is your baby?
Your baby is approximately ¾ of an inch long by the end of this week and weighs less than an aspirin.*
What should you plan for this week?
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 with your first prenatal visit.
At this point you are well into your first trimester and may begin 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 with 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 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.
- 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,
- Talk with your doctor about supplements.
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. Go ahead and begin making plans to attend certain or all of the appointments, and do not forget to mark your calendar.
* The information that the American Pregnancy Association provides is used as a general guide for healthy pregnancy development, although development may vary due to the mother’s health or a miscalculation of ovulation. Each woman and pregnancy is unique and may be experienced differently. Remember that babies develop at different rates, even before they are born. The purpose of this developmental information is to give you a general idea of how your baby is growing, and you must remember that your baby’s growth may vary from that which is outlined.