7 weeks pregnant symptoms cramps
7 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and Baby Development
At 7 weeks pregnant, you might notice common pregnancy symptoms such as bloating, nausea, and fatigue. It's also possible and normal to feel no symptoms at all, as everyone and every pregnancy is different. Read on for more information about what happens at 7 weeks pregnant, what to expect in terms of signs and symptoms, and questions you may wish to ask your healthcare provider.
Highlights at 7 Weeks Pregnant
Here are a few key highlights and things to look forward to now that you’re 7 weeks pregnant:
If you’ve missed your period and taken a pregnancy test, you might want to confirm your pregnancy with your healthcare provider.
Your baby's brain, lungs, digestive system, limbs, and facial features continue to develop.
Cue the pregnancy cravings—this is when you might start to notice them a bit more. Feel free to indulge a little as long as you’re maintaining a balanced diet.
Your Pregnancy at 7 Weeks
At 7 weeks pregnant, you have probably taken a home pregnancy test after missing your period. If you receive a negative result at 7 weeks, you can test again or go ahead and make an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm your pregnancy. If I’m 7 weeks pregnant, what is my due date? It's natural to wonder about this, as you’re probably excited to meet your baby. Your provider can help you determine your due date, but in the meantime, you can get an idea by using our Due Date Calculator.
How Many Months Is 7 Weeks Pregnant?
What stage is 7 weeks pregnant? Your healthcare provider will mostly refer to your pregnancy in weeks, but you might notice others mentioning months. At 7 weeks pregnant, you’re in your second month of pregnancy, even if you haven’t noticed any belly bump or symptoms!
7 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby's Development
You might be surprised by how much is going on with your baby’s development this week! At 7 weeks, foundations are being set for major organs, systems, and features.
Although your baby’s brain development will continue long after birth, the basic sections have formed.
As the week progresses, the digestive system and lungs are also developing.
Tiny facial features are also starting to take shape, and each little arm now has a paddle-shaped hand attached to it.
Another important development this week is the formation of the umbilical cord. This cord creates a connection between you and your developing baby during your pregnancy, eliminating your baby’s waste and allowing nutrients and oxygen to flow between the two of you.
If you have a prenatal checkup scheduled at 7 weeks pregnant, or sometime thereafter, the provider may be able to detect cardiac activity (though not a true heartbeat yet) via ultrasound. Don’t worry if the first ultrasound scan happens later in your pregnancy, which is quite common
How Big Is a Baby at 7 Weeks Pregnant?
Your little one is growing fast! At seven weeks, the embryo is about the size of a small blueberry, about 1/3 of an inch long.
Your Baby: What Does 7 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?
To get an idea of how things are developing inside your uterus this week, check out this illustration:
Your Body at 7 Weeks Pregnant
The pregnancy signs and symptoms you may have experienced in the past weeks will probably continue, and some of them may become more pronounced this week. Although these symptoms can be tiring and annoying, keep in mind that many may subside in your second trimester, which is just a few weeks away.
Healthy habits should take center stage now. Your healthcare provider may caution you about the risks of contracting toxoplasmosis, an infection that’s passed through raw or undercooked meat and through cat feces. To avoid coming into contact with the germ, order your meat well done, wash your hands thoroughly after preparing meat, and take yourself off kitty litter duty for the rest of your pregnancy, if you haven’t already done so.
7 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms
At 7 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:
Excess salivation. You may notice more saliva than usual, often accompanying the nausea and vomiting of morning sickness. It may feel weird, but this is just another strange, yet normal part of pregnancy.
Food cravings or aversions. Feel like pickles and chocolate for dinner? Can’t stand the smell of eggs even though it never used to bother you? At 7 weeks pregnant, you might always be hungry or feel like you can’t eat anything at all. Your food preferences and tolerance for odors may change during this time, and these changes are most likely caused by hormones. If you find yourself craving nonfood items like dirt or chalk, talk to your healthcare provider immediately.
Nausea. Of all the symptoms at 7 weeks pregnant, morning sickness can be the worst.
It’s often in full effect at this stage. Hang in there—it typically doesn’t last much longer than the first trimester!
Diarrhea. At 7 weeks pregnant, gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion are usually nothing to worry about. They typically occur due to fluctuating hormones. To combat diarrhea, try adding foods like applesauce, oatmeal, and bananas to your diet, and stay hydrated, as diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
Spotting. When wiping, you might notice light spotting at 7 weeks pregnant. Heavier bleeding would be considered a warning sign, so consult your healthcare provider if bleeding occurs.
Cramping. If you feel mild cramping and lower back pain at 7 weeks pregnant, what you’re experiencing is quite normal. Your uterus is expanding, so some discomfort is to be expected. If the cramping is severe or long-lasting, consult your healthcare provider.
Fatigue.
You may continue to feel exhausted this week. Your levels of progesterone are quickly increasing, and it's this hormone that can make you feel sleepy. So, try to take good care of yourself by resting as often as you can. At 7 weeks pregnant (or anytime during your pregnancy), fatigue can accompany headaches. If you experience severe headaches, consult your healthcare provider.
Frequent urination. Hormonal changes and increased blood volume are to blame for this. Now that there's more fluid in your system, it means more for your kidneys to process, and as a result, more urine is produced. Instead of cutting back on your fluid intake, stay hydrated by drinking more water than you did before you were pregnant. Experts recommend about 8 to 12 cups of fluids per day.
Discharge. Vaginal discharge is common at any time, especially during pregnancy, so noticing it at 7 weeks is normal.
Check out our A to Z guide to pregnancy aches and pains to feel more prepared for what you may experience during the coming months.
How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 7 Weeks?
Can you start showing at 7 weeks? You probably won’t see any difference in your pregnant belly at 7 weeks, even with twins, as your baby (or babies) is only the size of a small blueberry! Still, slight bloating around your abdomen may accompany your pregnancy at seven weeks, giving you what appears to be a small belly bump showing. Just know that a baby bump usually doesn’t show until around weeks 12 to 16, when your uterus starts to move outside your pelvis area.
What Does 7 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?
To get a better idea of what your belly might look like around 7 weeks pregnant, when you’re in your second month of pregnancy, check out the image below.
7 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider
It’s still early in your pregnancy journey, but there’s much to think about.
From adapting your diet to restocking your closet, check out our list below.
Buy a few pieces of clothing to wear as you grow. Stretchy clothes are great for staying comfortable, but also think about the fit and material. For example, make sure you get fitted for the right bra size throughout your pregnancy, and look for underwear and clothes made from cotton or other natural fibers to help keep you cool and comfortable.
Make sure you and your little one are getting the nutrients you need. Think about ditching spicy or fried foods, as they can cause heartburn. Also, if you're vegetarian or vegan, you can find protein sources (like grains and legumes) that will help balance your diet. Ask your healthcare provider whether you need to take any supplements, like vitamin B12, which is found only in animal products.
Take good care of your skin. You may get acne around this time (thanks, hormones!). It’s a normal part of pregnancy and nothing to worry about, but oil-free products may help keep breakouts in check.
Learn how to cope with physical and emotional symptoms. If your pregnancy symptoms have you feeling down, remind yourself that you're just over a month away from your second trimester, when many of your current symptoms may start to subside. Even better news: Many moms-to-be report an uptick in their energy levels in the second trimester. Your healthcare provider will have good strategies for managing physical and emotional symptoms throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
Start bump to baby monthly photos! Stand in the same spot each month, wearing the same clothes, and hold a handmade or printable monthly card. The keepsake will bring a smile to your face in the years to come, and the pictures also make a beautifully shareable memento should you want to post them on social media or email them to loved ones.
7 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider
After seeing your healthcare provider for the initial appointment, you'll typically have prenatal checkups about once per month until the last two months of your pregnancy, when the visits will become more frequent.
These appointments give you the perfect opportunity to ask questions and bring up concerns. Some questions you might want to ask include:
What's the best way to manage weight gain while pregnant?
Are there any special precautions to take at work during pregnancy?
What plans are in place for labor and delivery? Talk with your healthcare provider about possible labor complications and other challenges that may come up in the delivery room, and how they'll be handled if the time comes.
Is “pregnancy brain fog” a real thing?
What are the signs of hyperemesis gravidarum?
7 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist
Yes, it’s early, but it’s also an exciting moment! As you anticipate your new pregnancy, consider the following to-dos:
Make sure you're getting enough folic acid and other essential nutrients in the form of a prenatal vitamin.
Read up on what you may experience in the next few weeks of your pregnancy in our go-to Pregnancy Guide.
Get a flu shot early in flu season.
Read up on prenatal care so you know what appointments and tests are likely to happen over the coming months.
Play around with our Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator to get an estimate of healthy weight gain based on your pre-pregnancy weight.
7 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy
When you're pregnant, you have lots of questions. Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is packed with lots of useful information. From what's happening inside your body, to how your baby is developing, and tips and advice on having a healthy pregnancy – this is your one-stop pregnancy guide!
- 1st trimester
- 2nd trimester
- 3rd trimester
Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is full of essential information. From early pregnancy symptoms to how your baby is growing and developing, you'll find it all here.
- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Week 7
- Week 8
- Week 9
- Week 10
- Week 11
- Week 12
Have you started to share the news yet? When you start telling friends and family is entirely up to you. Legally you do not have to tell your employer until the 15th week before the baby is due, which is about 4 months away. Maternity Action explains more about your maternity rights.
What's happening in my body?
There's more blood pumping around your body than there was 7 weeks ago. As you go through your pregnancy, the volume will increase by up to 50%. The extra blood will feed your uterus (womb) with all the oxygen and nutrients that your baby needs. This can make you feel thirstier than usual. Try to drink 8 medium glasses of fluid a day (such as water, fruit tea, fruit juice, skimmed or semi skimmed milk).
Meanwhile, your womb is now about the size of a lemon, while your baby is the size of a grape and growing very quickly.
If it's your first pregnancy, you may not start looking pregnant until around week 12. If you have had a baby before, you may look pregnant earlier than you did last time, as your womb and stomach muscles will be more stretched.
Early pregnancy symptoms (at 7 weeks)
Being 7 weeks' pregnant can feel quite challenging if you are feeling sick, tired and experiencing mood swings. Your symptoms could also include:
- a metallic taste in your mouth
- sore breasts
- headaches
- new food and drink likes and dislikes
- a heightened sense of smell
- a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina
- light spotting (see your doctor if you get bleeding in pregnancy)
- cramping, a bit like period pains
- darkened skin on your face or brown patches - this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
- thicker and shinier hair
- bloating (read about bloating on week 16's page)
See week 6 for morning sickness remedies.
Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.
Don't ignore any strange symptoms, like feeling itchy all over. The chances are that those aches or pains are just signs of a normal pregnancy, but talk to your midwife or doctor, just in case.
What does my baby look like?
Your baby, or embryo, is around 10mm long from head to bottom, which is about the size of a grape. The brain is growing faster than the rest of the body, so they have a large forehead. There are small dimples where the nose and ears will be. The eyelids are beginning to grow and cover the eyes.
The little limb buds are starting to form cartilage which will make the bones for the arms and legs. The arm buds are getting longer, and the flattened ends will soon become tiny hands.
The baby's brain and spinal cord are taking shape at a fast pace. Your embryo is generating around 100 new brain cells every minute. Remember to take your folic acid as it can help prevent defects in your baby's development.
Action stations
Share the news with your GP or ask for an appointment with a midwife at your doctors' surgery. Alternatively you can refer yourself to your local hospital – look for contact details on their website.
You'll need to arrange a booking appointment. This usually takes place between weeks 8 and 12 and takes around an hour. You can talk about the options for your pregnancy and the birth. You will also be offered screening tests for infectious diseases, and conditions such as Down's syndrome. You could ask about the Maternity Transformation Programme and how it could benefit you.
You will be offered your first dating scan at 8 to 14 weeks.
If it's your first pregnancy you will probably have around 10 appointments and 2 scans in total.
Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.
Antenatal classes will give you the chance to meet other people and prepare you for parenthood.
The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.
Take prenatal vitamins. You're advised to take 400 micrograms of folic acid, every day, until at least week 12. This helps your baby's nervous system to form and offers some protection from conditions such as spina bifida.
To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.
Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website. You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.
Do you think you or your partner could have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? If so, get checked out, as this could affect your baby's development.
Talk to your midwife or GP, or visit a sexual health clinic.
It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.
There's no need to eat for 2. If you pile on the pounds, you could put you and your baby at risk of health problems such as high blood pressure. Eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.
If you have a long-term health condition, then let your specialist or GP know that you're pregnant as soon as possible. Do not stop taking any regular medication without discussing it first with your doctor.
How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor who can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need.
You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.
You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live. Don't keep it to yourself. It's important that you ask for help if you need it.
You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19):
To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:
Want to know when the baby's due?
Use the NHS's pregnancy due date calculator. You'll get a more accurate date from your doctor or midwife when you have a dating scan (usually at 8 to 14 weeks).
Go back to week 6
Go to week 8
Learn all about the seventh week of pregnancy on the Nutricia club website
It's been almost two months since you became a future mother. We are sure that you have many questions about the course and features of the 7th week of pregnancy. We have collected the most common questions and prepared answers to them. Let's take a closer look at what changes the seventh week of pregnancy has prepared for us and what will change in the near future.
Article structure
Feelings characteristic of the 7th week of pregnancy
Absence of menstruation
The pituitary gland, which controls various substances in your body, has reduced the production of hormones that regulate menstrual function. And due to pregnancy, new eggs are not prepared for fertilization. But the mere absence of menstruation will not be enough to make sure that you are pregnant. This is just one of the manifestations, which can be caused by various reasons.
Morning sickness
Quite a typical manifestation of the first trimester of pregnancy is a feeling of nausea, which occurs most often in the morning. It is important that this does not cause a violation of a balanced diet and does not spoil your mood! Fresh air and switching attention to something pleasant will help overcome episodes of morning sickness. As soon as it passes - go with the baby for breakfast.
Weakness and dizziness
At this stage, your body spends a lot of energy on ensuring the growth and development of the baby. Episodes of mild dizziness and a desire to sleep are quite normal. Rest more and gain strength - things can wait. If you feel dizzy all the time, be sure to consult a gynecologist.
Mood swings and emotionality
Hormonal changes occur during the 7th week of pregnancy. These changes affect almost every organ system, as well as your mood. It's okay if you feel like crying or, conversely, laughing, or both at the same time.
Don't be afraid of your emotions and give them freedom.
Weight gain
Perhaps this is what almost all women are afraid of. Sometimes it happens that the forms increase and stretch marks may appear. But if you follow all the recommendations (which will be given in the article), this can be avoided. And after giving birth, the weight will return to your usual limits.
Endocrine system
At the seventh week of pregnancy, the metabolic processes are restructured, as well as the endocrine system. During this period, the thyroid gland may slightly increase, which is a normal physiological process. But regularly undergo examination by a gynecologist and an endocrinologist, your safety is now the main thing in the family.
Arms and legs
Cartilage gave rise to the musculoskeletal system. The legs now look like short fins, and the arms have already divided into the shoulder and forearm. Carpal membranes appeared at the ends of the arms and legs, it is from them that the baby's fingers will soon form.
He will be able to squeeze his fist and lightly knock on you - say hello to mom!
This is an organ that develops throughout life, from the embryonic period until after birth. During this period, its basic structures were formed. Brain development continues over time, even after birth. But its basic structures have already been formed. During the 7th week of pregnancy, it will separate into an anterior, middle, and posterior sections. The front will be responsible for the thinking of your future genius and the performance of logical tasks, form and store memories. Medium - for the transmission of nerve signals in the body. And the back will control breathing and pulse.
Respiratory system
During this period, the lungs actively develop. The rudiments of the bronchi appear in them and the trachea continues to form.
Reproductive system
Precisely at the stage of pregnancy, 7 weeks, ovaries in girls or testicles in boys begin to form and develop.
A little more, and you can arrange a Gender Reveal Party - a party about determining the sex of the unborn child!
Characteristic signs for 7 weeks:
The condition of the skin and hair may worsen
The appearance of pigmentation or enlarged pores indicates a lack of nutrients, vitamins and minerals for the mother.
Enlargement of the uterus
This process takes place in order to make the growing baby feel comfortable. At the seventh week of pregnancy, the uterus is comparable in size to an orange. Due to the increase, it can put pressure on surrounding organs. This is why you feel the urge to urinate frequently.
The breasts increase in size and the areolas darken
Venous mesh may appear on the mammary glands. This period is characterized by soreness and unpleasant tingling in the breasts. Tell your husband about it - he will understand.
Hormonal changes
Most of the changes in your body are caused by estrogen and progesterone.
They affect the uterus, promote its growth and improve blood circulation. It is progesterone that prevents the uterus from contracting excessively, because the fetus is inside it.
General weakness and constant desire to sleep
These are typical manifestations of pregnancy, between which there are often mood and emotional swings.
Nausea and indigestion
Nausea, which occurs more often in the morning or under the influence of strong odors. Also, some women experience digestive disorders and can pull the lower abdomen. If these symptoms are pronounced, you should definitely contact your gynecologist.
Timely and regular examinations, in turn, contribute to the timely detection and treatment of complications that can occur at the 7th week of pregnancy.
It is strictly necessary to stop drinking alcohol and smoking, as this can lead to the development of intrauterine pathologies and abortion.
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Third trimester of pregnancy (from 28 to 40 weeks)
At 30 weeks pregnant, it is time for you to go on maternity leave.
In the case of twins, prenatal leave is from 28 weeks. Active work, physical and mental overload during this period can provoke premature birth.
It's time to put on the bandage - it will help your baby stay in the right position and you in good shape after childbirth.
The child still needs a lot of nutrients, vitamins, mineral salts. Use your vacation to relax, but don't lie around all day. We hope that hiking in the fresh air has become a habit for you.
Do not forget to keep track of the ratio of drunk and excreted liquids. Accumulating in the body, the fluid disrupts the functioning of the kidneys, increases the load on the heart, which causes an increase in blood pressure. As a result, the child suffers: he lacks nutrients, oxygen.
A sharp headache, flashing flies before the eyes, convulsions are signs of eclampsia, a severe complication of pregnancy that poses a threat to the life of the mother and child. Urgently call the ambulance.
At this time, the uterus becomes very sensitive to the pushes and movements of the child, its muscles periodically tighten.
It's like she's doing gymnastics. If this rarely happens and you do not feel pain, then everything is in order and there is no cause for concern. But if the uterus tenses often, pain appears - call an ambulance. If spotting appears, amniotic fluid is pouring out, do not wait for contractions - immediately to the hospital!
Sex life from 32-33 weeks is not recommended.
At 32 weeks, another scheduled ultrasound examination is scheduled to assess the correct functioning of the placenta, if necessary, the study of fetal heart sounds.
The last month is the most difficult. The load on the body has increased to the maximum. You are already tired of the long wait. Approximately two weeks before delivery, a mucous plug will come off the cervix, which is a lump, sometimes slightly stained with blood.
Do not forget to make up for the lack of calcium in the body - until the last day of intrauterine existence, the child intensively stores minerals. Eat fully and properly - the fetus eagerly takes everything valuable for the formation of the body.
He needs protein now. Be sure to take a prenatal multivitamin. Rest during the day. Lie on your side, slightly raise your legs.
Many women suffer from constipation at this time. Only a rational diet will help. Eliminate grapes, fresh cabbage, peas and other legumes, fresh milk, muffins, sweets. Useful: curdled milk, fermented baked milk, kefir. Steamed dried fruits normalize bowel function well. Don't take laxatives. In the last trimester of pregnancy, they can provoke uterine contractions and cause premature birth.
Sometimes, if the fetus is very large, the navel turns outward. Don't be scared and don't try to push it back. After giving birth, everything will return to normal.
By the last weeks of pregnancy, the mammary glands are greatly enlarged. The appearance of colostrum is another harbinger of close childbirth. The bra should be tight, with wide straps, always cotton.
Be prepared for contractions to start at any moment. Trim your fingernails and toenails short, and shave your pubic hair.
