7 Weeks Pregnant : What to Expect
At 7 weeks pregnant a lot of things are happening with you and your baby. You’re midway through your first trimester and everything is moving quite quickly. If you haven’t looked into getting an OB/GYN, now is probably a good time to do so, as critical tests and check-ups should be done from now on until the birth of your baby.
Symptoms and Body Changes at 7 Weeks
Although you’re probably not showing much at this stage, you are more than likely feeling very pregnant and bloated. Some women begin to show a small pooch in their lower abdomen, however in most cases the baby is too small to be causing this, and it’s more than likely due to the bloated feeling. Your favorite pair of jeans might not fit as comfortably as your baggy sweatpants, so maybe during the 7th week it’s best to begin looking into maternity clothes.
Pregnancy symptoms are still around. These include the pregnancy aches and pains, headaches, fatigue, morning sickness, tender breasts and cravings. Food cravings are beginning to take hold of your life. You might find yourself craving foods that you once thought were disgusting. This is normal, and as long as it’s healthy for your baby, it’s okay to divulge. One of the major changes in your body occurring during the 7th week is your mucous plug is developing. Your cervix is forming a plug in the opening of the cervical canal to seal off the uterus for protection. You’ll eventually lose this plug when labor and childbirth are close.
Baby’s Development
Your baby is growing rapidly in the 7th week and is close to the size of a blueberry, or up to 13mm in length. The facial features are really beginning to come into focus, as the mouth and tongue are forming. The eyes begin to form too, and the retina and lens have attached themselves. During this week your baby is developing their own blood type. The muscles, bones and organs continue to grow, and the intestines and appendix are fully formed, but are still growing. The liver has begun to produce red blood cells. Your baby’s toes and fingers begin webbing and can be seen in an ultrasound. The teeth are forming inside of the mouth too, however the teeth and the tongue are not yet visible.
Pregnancy Week 7 Tips
Talk to your doctor, and if you don’t have one, get one. Make sure you’re taking in the correct foods, medications and nutrients. Everything you put in your mouth from this week on has a significant effect on your baby. It might also be a good idea to look into a support group at this point, as hormones only continue to ‘rage’. Having others around who understand and know what you’re going through is good for a mother’s soul. Next is pregnancy at 8 weeks
