What the baby looks like at 7 weeks

You and your baby at 7 weeks pregnant

Your baby at 7 weeks

By 7 weeks, the embryo has grown to about 10mm long from head to bottom. This measurement is called the crown-rump length.

The brain is growing rapidly and this results in the head growing faster than the rest of the body. The embryo has a large forehead, and the eyes and ears continue to develop.

The inner ears start to develop, but the outer ears on the sides of the head will not appear for a couple more weeks.

The limb buds start to form cartilage, which will develop into the bones of the legs and arms. The arm buds get longer and the ends flatten out – these will become the hands.

Nerve cells continue to multiply and develop as the brain and spinal cord (the nervous system) starts to take shape.

You at 7 weeks

Your womb has grown to the size of a lemon by the time you're around 7 or 8 weeks pregnant.

You're probably feeling tired. Your breasts might feel sore and enlarged, and you may need to pee more often than usual.

You may start to feel sick or tired, or have other minor pregnancy problems for a few weeks around this time.

In most cases, feelings of nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) start to improve after around 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Some infections can harm a pregnancy. It's important to let your doctor or midwife know if you think you may have an infection so they can give you the right care as early as possible.

Find out about infections that may cause problems in pregnancy

You may have bleeding or sore gums when you're pregnant. Good mouth hygiene and regular dental care, to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible, is the best way to avoid or care for gum problems.

Dental care is free during pregnancy and until 1 year after your due date. Ask your midwife or doctor about how to apply for free dental care.

Things to think about

find out about midwives, obstetricians and other healthcare professionals who may provide your pregnancy (antenatal) care
what to expect from your NHS pregnancy journey
your first midwife appointment

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Video: What will happen to my body during pregnancy?

In this video, mothers talk about how they dealt with some of the physical changes during pregnancy.

Media last reviewed: 20 March 2017
Media review due: 20 March 2020

Page last reviewed: 12 October 2021
Next review due: 12 October 2024

Pregnancy recipes for healthy pregnancy meals

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

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U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2016. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables. https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/gfnd/gfhnrc/docs/news-2013/dark-green-leafy-vegetables/

Mayo Clinic. 2021. Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983

Mayo Clinic. 2019. Nuts and your heart: Eating nuts for heart health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/nuts/art-20046635

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7 weeks pregnant after conception

Fetal development. 7 weeks pregnant

Compared to last week, the embryo has grown twice, and in the coming weeks the growth rate will only increase! Starting from the seventh obstetric week, he becomes like a man, the tail decreases, and the body grows, although the head is still disproportionately large. The baby's arms and legs lengthen, feet and palms appear. Eyes can already be distinguished on the head, lips and even teeth are beginning to form. The brain and spine are actively developing. The digestive system also develops: it is at the 7th week of pregnancy that the esophagus, the anterior wall of the abdomen and the pancreas are formed, and the small intestine is laid. The intestinal tube forms the rectum, bladder and appendix. Your baby is already moving in the womb, but you can’t feel the movements yet - the embryo is too small. nine0005

7 weeks. Development of pregnancy

By the seventh obstetric week of pregnancy, your uterus has doubled its normal size and your blood volume has increased by 10%. You may be urinating more often than before. Most likely, the increased urge to urinate will haunt you until the end of pregnancy, and even increase in the third trimester.

7 weeks pregnant: a critical period for the development of the placenta. It is very important to be more attentive to yourself at this stage of pregnancy, since the placenta is still very sensitive to adverse external factors. nine0006

Toxicosis at 7 weeks pregnant

According to statistics, about 50% of pregnant women are subject to toxicosis. If you are unfortunate enough to be one of them, then by the seventh week the symptoms will develop in full force. If you experience drowsiness or slight dizziness for a period of 7 weeks, be aware that they can also be signs of toxicosis, such as a change in taste preferences.

If you experience nausea and vomiting more than five times a day, or if you experience it every day, at any time of the day, be sure to contact your doctor. He will tell you what steps to take to avoid dehydration. If the situation is not critical, try to eat something immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed, eat small portions, get plenty of rest, drink enough water. nine0006

If you experience drowsiness or slight dizziness at 7 weeks of pregnancy, know that these can also be signs of toxicosis, such as a change in taste preferences.

When using any materials from the site nutriclub.ru, a link to the site is required.

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Learn all about the seventh week of pregnancy on the Nutricia club website

It's been almost two months since you became a mother-to-be. 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. nine0006

Article structure

7 week pregnancy sensations

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. nine0006

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. nine0006

Mood swings and emotionality

During the 7th week of pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the body. 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. nine0006

Endocrine system

At the seventh week of pregnancy, metabolic processes and the endocrine system are restructured. 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! nine0006

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 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. nine0006

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, the ovaries in girls or the 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. nine0006