7 Weeks Pregnant How You Know Baby Is Safe

Here's a fun fact: At 7 weeks pregnant, your embryo is now 10,000 times bigger than it was when it arrived in your uterus! Your baby is growing rapidly and generating new brain cells at a rate of 100 per minute.

As you head into the second half of your first trimester, it's common to experience symptoms like morning sickness, tender breasts and food aversions.

Your Baby at Week 7

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Things are full speed ahead inside your still-flat tummy. It's only been five weeks since conception but your embryo is 10,000 times bigger now than it was when it arrived in your uterus. Of course it's still pretty small — around a quarter of an inch or the size of a blueberry.

Happily, that reptilian tail has all but vanished by now and your little cutie is starting to look a little cuter — with dark spots that'll become eyes, two holes that will turn into nostrils, the beginnings of lips and, believe it or not, the early beginnings of tooth buds. But it's the brain that's getting all the attention now. Baby's noggin wins the prize for biggest growth spurt this week as that busy brain-cell factory cranks out 100 cells per minute.

Your little sprout is sprouting in other places, too. The limb buds are elongating and will soon become defined shoulders, arms, legs, and knees gearing up to kick you within another month or two. The little paddles at the ends are becoming more distinct and will soon develop into ten kissable fingers and ten kissable toes.

Baby's liver is in the early stages of formation and will soon begin producing red blood cells. And hot off the production line are baby's permanent kidneys that are standing by, ready to produce pee in the next few weeks. No need for diapers just yet, though. The embryo's urine flow will become part of the amniotic fluid it ingests and excretes continuously over the next seven months.

At a Glance

Baby's lifeline

Umbilical cord, welcome to the womb! This tube joins baby and placenta, delivering oxygen and nutrients and even eliminating waste into your bloodstream.

The mucus plug develops

Your mucus plug debuts at the week's close, settling into the opening of your cervix. This natural cork seals and protects your womb from bacteria.

Webbed hands and feet

Your baby-to-be has developed web-like hand and feet stubs. Soon enough, hands will grow and change to have fingers and toes, but right now, they look like little paddles.

7 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 7 weeks pregnant, you're in month 2 of your pregnancy. Only 7 months left to go! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 7 weeks?

Your baby's approximately a quarter of an inch in length now — about the size of a blueberry. Sounds pretty tiny still? Consider this for a little perspective: Your baby is 10,000 times bigger now than she was at conception a month ago.

New brain cells form rapidly

At 7 weeks pregnant, most of that growth is concentrated in the head (the better to store all those smarts) as new brain cells are generated at the rate of 100 per minute. How's that for a budding genius?

Baby's arms and legs start developing

And talking about buds, your baby is going out on a limb this week. Her arm and leg buds begin to sprout and grow longer and stronger, dividing into hand, arm and shoulder segments and leg, knee and foot segments — though the limb buds look more like paddles than hands or feet at this early stage.

Baby's got kidneys

Also forming this week are your baby's mouth and tongue. The kidneys are in place now, too, and are poised to begin their important work of waste management. Soon, your baby will start producing urine. Lucky for you, there's no need for diapers yet.

Your Body at Week 7

Know the signs

Even if you're not telling anyone you're pregnant yet, your baby's certainly telling you. Not in so many words, but in so many pregnancy symptoms. Like that nagging pregnancy nausea that follows you around day and night or all that excess saliva pooling in your mouth (am I drooling?).

Then there's that other early pregnancy sign you certainly can't miss, especially when you struggle to button your blouse over your ever-growing breasts (are these really mine?).

Your swollen breasts

Though your baby is the size of a blueberry, your breasts probably look more like melons. Some women have grown a full cup size at 7 weeks pregnant — which might be welcome news if those boobs weren't so uncomfortably tender, tingly and achy. The culprit? Those naughty-but-necessary pregnancy hormones again, estrogen and progesterone.

Fat is also building up in your breasts and blood flow to the area is increasing. Your nipples may be sticking out a little more than usual, but they're so sensitive and tender that they may hurt to the touch.

The areola, the dark area around the nipple, has already gotten darker and larger — and will continue to grow and deepen in color over the months to come.

You'll also notice little goose-bump-like spots on the areola. These bumps, called Montgomery's tubercles, are sebaceous glands that supply lubrication to the areola.

And in case you're wondering why all these changes are taking place, here's your answer: They're all essential to the important task of breastfeeding your newborn in about 33 weeks!

Coping with food aversions

If one look at a chicken breast is sending you flying out the door these days — or if the smell of Swiss cheese is making your digestive tract yodel with anguish — you're in good company. Pregnancy food aversions are not only very common, they are also quite confusing, especially when your once-favorite food suddenly leaves you cold — and feeling nauseous.

The best advice: Cater to your new tastes, by all means. Keep your meals bland and boring, find substitutes for foods you have an aversion to — think quinoa for protein if you can't stand the sight or smell of meat — and rejoice if your aversions are to foods that you're supposed to be avoiding anyway.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 7

Frequent urination

Between the nausea and the need to pee, you're still spending a lot of time in the bathroom these days. The pregnancy hormone hCG is increasing the blood flow to your pelvic area — good news if you're up for having sex — and that in turn affects that other flow. Don't cut back on your liquid intake in general, although you may want to drink less coffee, which is a diuretic. Both your body and your baby need a steady supply of fluids during pregnancy. Read More

Breast tenderness and changes

Are your breasts sprouting blue veins that are beginning to make them look like an interstate highway map? In fact, these veins do act like highways: They transport the nutrients and fluids from you to your baby after birth. To minimize sagging and stretch marks later on, invest in a good bra now — maybe even a maternity one that will give you more support. Read More

Fatigue

Of course you're tired — you're still engaged in the Herculean task of manufacturing the placenta, your baby's life-support system, as well as getting used to all those conflicting emotions you're experiencing. One way to fight fatigue is by eating smaller meals more often. Plus, it'll help your queasy stomach, too. Eating six mini-meals will keep your blood sugar on an even keel and that in turn will help your energy level. Just make most of those mini meals healthy ones! Read More

Food cravings and aversions

Stuck eating the same thing night after night because very few foods appeal to your picky palate now? Don't worry — you're not robbing your baby of precious nutrients by eating the same healthy thing over and over. If cravings are driving you crazy, give in to them once in a while — then eat well for the rest of the day. Read More

Heartburn and indigestion

If you've got a burning sensation from the depths of your stomach to your mouth after you eat, then you've got pregnancy-induced indigestion and heartburn. Avoid heartburn triggers like spicy or fatty foods and caffeinated drinks and ask your doctor about pregnancy-safe heartburn remedies.. Read More

Excessive saliva

As if feeling queasy wasn't enough, you may also be contending with extra saliva pooling in your mouth. It should pass by the end of your first trimester — only six more weeks to go! — but until it does, chew lots of sugarless gum. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Know how much you've gained or lost

You can't see a baby bump yet, but you may have gained a few pounds. That's completely fine. Women with a normal BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 will likely gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy, while women with higher or lower BMIs have a slightly different pregnancy weight range to keep in mind.

During your first trimester, your baby is still tiny, which means you may not gain more than a total of two to four pounds.

However, if you're suffering from morning sickness, you might not gain an ounce — or might even lose a little. That's okay too, as long as your appetite picks up and you make up for those pounds in the second trimester.

Cramping is usually normal

If you experience abdominal cramps while you're expecting, it's not necessarily cause for concern. Cramping is normal during the first trimester, but if it occurs with shoulder or neck pain or if it's accompanied by contractions, dizziness or discharge, call the doctor. Also call if your abdominal pain feels like more than just cramps and is more severe.

Fruit is your friend

Not only does nature's sweetest bounty contain essential nutrients that are good for you and your baby, but fruit also plays a starring role in keeping you regular.

A good nutritional rule of thumb: When you're looking to "eat a rainbow" of fruit colors, look to the inside of the fruit as much as (if not more than) the outside.

For example, a cantaloupe might have a lighter-colored skin on the outside, but the deep orange flesh of the melon inside is packed with vitamins A and C, plus some important minerals.

Know your workout no-no's

Here's a quick list of some things to avoid during your pregnancy workouts:

• Don't exercise on your back after the first trimester.
• Try not to hold your breath while you work out.
• Steer clear of jerky or twisting motions, which could add insult to your already stressed-out joints.
• Be careful about moves that challenge your sense of balance or risk any sort of trauma to your abdomen.

You'll soon have less oxygen available for exercise, so stop when you get tired and avoid getting overheated. Now isn't the time to do bikram or "hot" yoga.

Safely manage skin problems

Pregnancy can cause some pretty wacky complexion complexities (thank you, hormones!) — from excessive oiliness to excessive dryness (or both at the same time), from acne to blotchiness, and most strangely, melasma, a patchy skin discoloration.

If pimples are the problem, wash your face two to three times a day with a thorough but gentle cleanser — harsh ones will only leave skin more open to irritation.

Exfoliate very gently too, around once a week, and finish off with an oil-free moisturizer. Overly stripped skin is more prone to breakouts.

Indulge healthy cravings

What should you do when cravings strike? That depends. Give in, if you're lucky enough to be craving fruits or vegetables. Try to vary things a bit if you can, but don't worry if your taste buds won't take the bait.

But try to resist your cravings if they're sending you to a bowl of sugar-frosted cereal or a bag of kettle-cooked potato chips. Eat Cheerios topped with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey, or dive into a bag of soy crisps, which are packed with protein.

If your cravings are for something you shouldn't have now that you're expecting — like unpasteurized soft cheese or sashimi — sub something that comes as close as possible to the object of your affections, like pasteurized feta and teriyaki salmon.

If you find yourself craving substances that aren't food, like clay, ashes or laundry starch, contact your practitioner. Such cravings could indicate a condition called pica, which is triggered by a nutritional deficiency.

Cater to your aversions

If you can't stomach the thought of eating a chicken breast, you're not alone. Pregnancy aversions are very common.

Just do what works. Keep your choices bland and boring, find substitutes for foods you can no longer stomach — think fruit if you can't stand the sight of veggies — and rejoice if your aversions are to foods that you're supposed to be avoiding anyway (sushi aversion, anyone?).

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

• What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
• WhatToExpect.com, Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy), April 2021.
• WhatToExpect.com, Cramping During Pregnancy: Normal or Something More?, November 2020.
• WhatToExpect.com, How Much Weight Should You Gain During Pregnancy, October 2020.
• WhatToExpect.com, Food Cravings and Aversions During Pregnancy, April 2021.
• WhatToExpect.com, Exercises to Avoid During Pregnancy, December 2019.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Fetal Development, June 2021.
• KidsHealth From Nemours, Week 7, 2021.
• Society for Endocrinology, Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, March 2018.
• Johns Hopkins Medicine, Normal Breast Development and Changes, 2021.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, How Milk Gets From Breast to Baby, 2009.
• KidsHealth From Nemours, How Can I Deal with Heartburn During Pregnancy? August 2019.
• American Dental Association, Chewing Gum, July 2019.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Weight Gain During Pregnancy, May 2021.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Weight Gain During Pregnancy, 2020.
• Mayo Clinic, Pregnancy Weight Gain: What's Healthy?  January 2020.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, June 2020.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Exercise During Pregnancy, July 2019
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy, May 2020.
• UpToDate, Pica in Pregnancy, May 2021.

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7 Weeks Pregnant How You Know Baby Is Safe

Source: https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-7.aspx

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