Can you believe that you are almost 2 months pregnant..?
At 7 weeks pregnant your body is going through all kinds of changes as your baby is growing and developing. This article will discuss is happening to both you and your baby during your seventh week of pregnancy.
Your baby at 7 weeks pregnant
Your baby is about a quarter of an inch now and roughly the size of a blueberry. This may seem pretty small still, but in the grand scheme of things, your baby is 10,000 times bigger than it was when he/she was first conceived. Your baby is starting to form eyelid folds which partially cover the eyes, which already have some color, though the actual color may change several times before birth. The retina and lens have attached themselves by this time. The tip of the nose is starting to form and tiny veins are now visible through a very thin veil of skin. Your baby will start to sprout nostrils, a mouth, tongue and eye lenses.
Your baby’s limbs are continuing to develop as the tiny buds are now starting to resemble paddles that now contain hands, arms and shoulders, as well as knees and ankles which are in proportion to the size of your baby’s body. Tiny toenails are also starting to form on your baby’s petite little feet.
Believe it or not, your baby has been through three sets of kidneys by week seven, but this week the final set will start to form. The appendix and pancreas have also formed and the intestines are starting to develop. As blood is starting to be produced, your baby’s blood type is now determined. Both hemispheres of the brain are now starting to develop as brain cells are developing at an alarming rate.
Your body at 7 weeks pregnant
At seven weeks pregnant your body is starting to experience many if not all, of the early pregnancy symptoms. Your breasts may be so swollen that you may have even gone up a full cup size. You may notice that your nipples are protruding and the areola is getting a bit darker. The mucus in your cervix is thickening and forming a plug that will seal your uterus until it is time for delivery. And even though you do not have a “baby bump” yet, you may notice that your waistline is starting to expand due to bloating. It might be time to start wearing a clothes that are a little loser for comfort.
You might also be experiencing some breakouts of adult acne thanks to the influx of pregnancy hormones. You might also notice a funny taste in your mouth as well as excess saliva. And those pregnancy hormones are going to cause mood swings so don’t be surprised if you experience a wide array of emotions in a matter of moments. You may be happy and carefree one moment and weepy the next. Consult your doctor if you experience prolonged bouts of anxiety or depression.
Your will start to feel the need to urinate quite frequently now due to the increase in blood volume and extra fluid in your kidneys. As your baby grows and your uterus expands and put pressure on your bladder, you will feel the need to urinate even more frequently. This is a part of pregnancy that will become routine, so get used to making repeated trips to the restroom.
Other pregnancy symptoms
Other pregnancy symptoms you may experience at this time include constipation, bloating, gas, headaches, fatigue, dizzy spells, muscle cramps, dry and itchy skin, food cravings, heightened senses, aversion to certain foods and blurred vision. If you any of these symptoms are excessive or severe, or if you experience anything out of the ordinary, you need to contact your doctor immediately!
Morning sickness may be in full gear now. This should soon pass, although some women experience morning sickness throughout their entire pregnancy. And don’t let the name “morning sickness” fool you. You can experience the symptoms any time of day…or night. Here are some hints to help relieve morning sickness, to some extent at least.
- eat small meals throughout the day
- keep healthy snacks nearby
- take small sips of ginger ale or lemonade for bouts of nausea
- keep dry crackers handy for cause as well
- get as much rest as possible as nap when you can
- sniff ginger or lemons to help relieve nausea
- eat small amounts of watermelon to help relieve nausea
- Take 50mg of Vitamin B6 every day
- do not skip meals or lie down after eating
- avoid spicy food and foods that “trigger” nausea
It is still safe to exercise at this time in your pregnancy and a lot of doctors recommend thirty minutes of light to moderate exercise a day. This will help prepare you for the birthing process.
You can work out with lighter weights to tone your buttocks, shoulders, lower back and hamstrings to help prepare those muscles for labor and delivery. Swimming, yoga and walking are recommended, but you should avoid extreme sports and contact sports.
Commonsense
Continue to eat healthy and avoid smoking, alcohol consumption, recreational drug use and caffeine. These are detrimental to the baby’s growth and development. Make sure you are eating a diet that consists of an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables and only consume meats that are lean and thoroughly cooked. You should include a healthy amount of grains, leafy greens and dairy in your daily intake. Avoid seafood that is high in mercury, soft cheeses, raw and undercooked meats and seafood, processed foods and meat such as lunch meat. Check with your doctor to see what prenatal vitamins and supplements you should be taking. This can vary from patient to patient as it varies by weight and other health concerns.
You should definitely have had or be in the process of scheduling your first prenatal appointment. This is where the doctor will test administer a pap smear, STD tests, urine and blood tests and conduct a thorough exam, including a pelvic exam. Any questions and concerns you have should be addressed at that time and the doctor will ask for a detailed medical history including any past medical conditions or surgeries, family history and any other issues. It is important that you be as honest and accurate as possible when talking with your doctor or midwife. You also need to strictly adhere to everything your doctor tells you and keep your scheduled appointments. You need to communicate regularly with your prenatal care physician and call if there are any questions, concerns or complications that arise during your pregnancy.
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