7 Weeks Pregnant

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.

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 0.7 centimeters 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.

• 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.