Seven week pregnant symptoms
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
7 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and Baby Development
7 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby's Development
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 throughout your pregnancy that allows nutrients and oxygen to flow between you and also eliminates your baby's waste.
If you have a prenatal checkup scheduled for this week or sometime soon, and have an ultrasound exam, you may have an opportunity to see and hear something amazing: a heartbeat! Don’t worry if this isn’t in your healthcare provider's plans quite yet.
In the meantime, you can get an idea of when you'll meet your little one by using our Due Date Calculator.
The Size of the Embryo at 7 Weeks Pregnant
Your little one is growing fast! At seven weeks, the embryo is about the size of a small blueberry, about 0.3 inch long. For a visual idea of how things are developing inside your uterus this week, check out this illustration:
Mom's 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 you're just a few weeks away from your second trimester, when many of these symptoms may subside.
One symptom you may be experiencing around this week of pregnancy is 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 10 cups of fluids per day.
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 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 seven 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 for many women.
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? 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 any non-food items, like dirt or chalk, talk to your healthcare provider right away.
Nausea. Of all of this week’s symptoms, morning sickness can be the worst. It’s often in full effect at this stage, and it can make you feel absolutely miserable. Luckily, for many women it’s likely to disappear during the second trimester.
Diarrhea. As if you needed another trip to the bathroom! At seven weeks, diarrhea is usually nothing to worry about. It may be one of the gastrointestinal symptoms (like constipation or indigestion) that you might experience due to fluctuating hormones.
Try adding foods like applesauce, oatmeal, and bananas to your diet to help absorb any excess water, and stay hydrated, as diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
Spotting. Light spotting at seven weeks pregnant is considered normal, especially after sex. If you notice heavier bleeding, call your healthcare provider.
Cramping. If you feel mild cramps, 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, or if you feel pain other than cramping, call your healthcare provider.
Fatigue. You may continue to feel exhausted this week. Your levels of the hormone 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.
Read our A to Z on pregnancy aches and pains so that you feel more prepared for what you may experience during the coming months.
7 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider
You may want to 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 both 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 plant-protein stand-ins (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!), so you'll want to try to keep your skin clean and free of excess oil to help prevent clogged pores and pimples.
Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser, keep your hair out of your face, and make sure you choose makeup and skincare products that are oil-free to avoid clogging your pores.
If your pregnancy symptoms have you feeling down, keep in mind that you're just over a month away from your second trimester, when many of these pesky first trimester symptoms start to subside. Even better news: many moms-to-be report an uptick in their energy levels in the next trimester. Still, if your mood swings seem particularly severe or if you have a mental health condition you need help with, chat with your healthcare provider. They will have good strategies for how it can be managed throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
Start a month-by-month baby bump photoshoot using our free downloadable bump to baby monthly milestone cards. Stand in the same spot each month, wearing the same clothes, and hold one of our printable cards. 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 to social media or email them to loved ones.
7 Weeks Pregnant: Ask Your Doctor
Your prenatal visits are usually scheduled about once a month until the last two months of your pregnancy, when they will become more frequent. These regular checkups give you the perfect opportunity to ask questions and bring up concerns.
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
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.
Sign up for even more pregnancy tips here:
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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A woman's pregnancy is still barely noticeable, but it happens that a woman unconsciously strokes her tummy. The body continues to adapt to new conditions. The uterus at this time increases to the size of an orange.
The seventh week of pregnancy: signs and sensations
This period is often associated with a deterioration in the well-being of a pregnant woman. Most often, these are mood swings, disturbances in appetite and sleep.
Here are the most common complaints of women and their feelings during the seventh week of pregnancy:
- Sleep problems, restlessness.
- Incomprehensible and prolonged fatigue, apathetic state.
- Morning sleepiness - especially characteristic of the seventh week of pregnancy.
- Women begin to complain about a change in the condition of the skin: it can become loose, oily, or, conversely, dry and flaky. But the hair most often acquire a healthy look, gain volume. However, hormonal failure in some cases leads to hair loss.
- Nausea, vomiting in the morning. Provided that vomiting does not stop for a long time, this can threaten the health of the mother and child. Sometimes even hospitalization is required.
What are the physiological changes in the body at the seventh week of pregnancy?
In a woman:
During this period, mucus forms in the cervix. She will clog it and the so-called cork before childbirth will come out. Gynecological examination is not recommended this week.
The amount of calcium in the blood decreases due to the formation of bones in the child.
It is necessary that this trace element is enough in the pregnant woman's menu. May aggravate hemorrhoids.
Increased progesterone relaxes the intestines, leading to constipation and bloating.
In the fetus:
The fetus has the rudiments of almost all organs and resembles a little man with a tail. It is impossible to distinguish a boy from a girl, since the genitals are rollers that look the same.
- The skeletal system is actively developing.
- Teeth are laid.
- The most important thing happens in the endocrine system. The thymus gland begins to work, so T-lymphocytes appear in the blood of the fetus. Their life activity can last for decades, and sometimes for a lifetime.
- The adrenal medulla begins to develop.
The baby begins to distinguish between emotions and stress. Therefore, it is very important for the mother to remain calm.
Fruit size 11-13 cm. Weight approximately one gram.
Symptoms at the seventh week of pregnancy
Vaginal discharge during the seventh week of pregnancy should be especially noted.
Any color and consistency is an abnormal sign. Also abnormal itching, irritation, pain in the vagina. Do not delay with a consultation with a doctor if you find yourself with the above symptoms.
Here are some other changes in the body: frequent urination, excessive salivation, difficulty in digestion, discoloration of the labia.
In some cases, skin pigmentation changes: nipple halos darken or a stripe appears on the abdomen.
Some women notice a slight increase in temperature - this is how the body reacts to the changes that have occurred.
7th week of pregnancy: the belly can not only grow, but also hurt a little. Light tingling and tolerable pain should not cause alarm. This is due to the enlargement of the uterus, so the abdominal muscles are stretched. But if the stomach hurts a lot, high fever and brown discharge - this is the reason to immediately respond and consult a doctor.
Seventh week of pregnancy: tests
Having passed tests at the time of admission to the antenatal clinic, tests are necessary, so you can take a break from them for a while.
Only on the condition that the previous results were not very good or there are genetic features in the family, the gynecologist will suggest consulting with other specialists.
If a woman decided to register this week, here is a list of required tests:
- general analysis of urine, blood;
- blood test for group, Rh factor, sugar;
- test for syphilis, toxoplasmosis, antibodies to herpes, cytomegalovirus;
- tests for HIV, hepatitis;
- coagulogram;
- necessarily, in order to detect infections of the genital tract, the gynecologist takes a sample of vaginal discharge.
Seventh week of pregnancy: examinations
This week is often the first ultrasound. An ultrasound photo at the seventh week of pregnancy will show the following:
- Confirm that you have a child.
- Make sure there is no ectopic pregnancy.
- Assess the condition of the fetus, uterus and corpus luteum.
- It is possible to identify pathologies that will prevent carrying a child.
Week 7 Nutrition
- Increase your daily calorie intake from 300 to 800 kcal. Lots of lean meats, vegetables, fish and dairy products.
- Drink plenty of clean water, don't forget about fresh fruits - it is advisable to eat apples every day.
- Avoid allergenic foods, especially if the pregnant woman has a reaction to them.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Preservatives, dyes may adversely affect the health of the baby in the future.
- Excessively spicy, salty food is not recommended for consumption.
- There may be a lack of calcium due to the beginning of the growth of bones and teeth in the fetus. If food cannot replenish the vitamin supply, add vitamin D supplements.
7th week of pregnancy: complications
The seventh week of pregnancy after conception is not without problems. According to statistics, it is often during this period that fetal fading can occur. So listen carefully to your body.
This anomaly is diagnosed by the level of hCG in dynamics. A woman should know the following signs:
- Termination of toxicosis.
- Reduced sensitivity of the breast, its "falling off".
- Disappearance of other symptoms of pregnancy.
Also, the 7th week of pregnancy is dangerous because of threats of termination of pregnancy. Signs:
- Drawing pains in the abdomen.
- Bloody discharge.
Tips and advice for future mothers
- Sexual life can continue if there is no threat of miscarriage.
- Get more rest, walk in the fresh air. However, refrain from heavy physical activity.
- Pay attention to the chest - it is worth starting to use special products that will help keep it tender and prevent it from stretching.
- Self-medication is contraindicated. Treat any ailments only after consulting a gynecologist.
- Give up alcohol, cigarettes.
- Less contact with household chemicals.
