7th Week Pregnancy - Symptoms, Baby Development, Tips And Body Changes

Entered your 7th week of pregnancy? Congratulations, you are moving past the first half of your 1st trimester. This might be the best time to go for an ultrasound scan and announce to the world about the good news. But some couples prefer to declare the grand event to friends and family at the earliest, whereas others wait till the end of the first trimester. It’s completely your choice!

Even if you don’t, more often the pregnancy symptoms like frequent urination and morning sickness will let the cat out of the bag. If you are eager to have a look at some external signs of pregnancy showing on your tummy, get ready to be disappointed. There is nothing much happening on that front as yet. Though your uterus has doubled up in its size by week 7, you cannot see any signs of growing uterus or baby from outside. All you can do is stand in front of the mirror and puff your tummy a bit to see how it will look in another few months time.

7th Week Pregnancy Ultrasound Scans: An Overview

When you are 7 weeks pregnant, having a scan is very essential. Check out our guide for your Ultrasound Scans:

Facing complications during pregnancy? Get ready help from Gynecologists on Lybrate now.

1. Right Time for Ultrasound Scan:

The 7th week is considered to be an ideal time for getting your first ultrasound scan. The sonographer can do an accurate assessment of your pregnancy to predict gestational age of the embryo growing in your womb. At this stage the embryo is going through the defining characteristics of development which is unique to the specific week.

At fetal stage, it is not that easy to guess the gestational age of the fetus since by then, individual genetics would have taken over the growth which may differ from one individual to other. The early dating scan can get you the most accurate gestational period of your pregnancy. Apart from predicting the due date, a scan in 7th week of pregnancy can reveal certain things about your pregnancy which you should know. An ultrasound scan in early stage of pregnancy can

• Confirm your pregnancy
• Accurately predict the gestational age of the embryo
• Can identify source of blood loss in case it is present
• Confirms that your uterus , ovaries and fallopian tubes are in good shape
• Rules out ectopic pregnancy
• Checks out whether the embryo is having proper development and growth
• Allows you to see the heartbeat of your baby with high-resolution ultrasound scan where it is seen as a regular flutter in the embryo

Don’t let your expectations and hope run high, as there is very little you can see during the first early stages of pregnancy. The embryo and the pregnancy sac are too tiny to make any sense to your unprofessional eye.

2. Types of Ultrasound Scan:

There are two types of ultrasound scan you can choose from at this stage. One is Transabdominal Ultrasound (TAU) and the other is Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVU).

Transabdominal ultrasound provides a panoramic and wide view of the abdomen and pelvis region. It is a noninvasive procedure which will be carried on by placing the sensor on your abdomen when your bladder is full.

On the other hand Transvaginal ultrasound provides a more limited but very accurate pelvic view as it is done through an insertion of a probe into the vagina. The heartbeat is more audible through this scan.

3. When Should You Opt For Dating Scan:

Some women may need a dating scan to predict their due date, though the accuracy of its prediction is always questionable. Only 5% of women deliver on their due dates. You should opt for a dating scan in case you face any of the following issues

• You have irregularity in your menstrual cycle.
• You cannot recall the exact date of your last normal menstrual period (LNMP).
• If you have conceived when you were breast feeding your first baby and hence not menstruating during that period.
• If you have stopped on birth control methods recently after planning for pregnancy.
• If you have conceived soon after a miscarriage.
• If there is any discrepancies in the date of your LMNP and the growth of your embryo.

Again this is the week when the early pregnancy symptoms occupy your mind most of the time. In the 6th week you have definitely experienced symptoms like

• Increased frequency of urination
• Congestion
• Fainting spells or dizziness
• Mood swings
• Concerns about your body
• Morning sickness
• This week we can have a look at some more symptoms of early pregnancy which last through the first trimester this week.

Check out what changes that occur in your body and 7 weeks pregnant symptoms and tips below:

a) Changes in Your Body:

You may have already finished your prenatal checkup which will rule out any abnormalities in your pregnancy or presence of STDs, anemia or rubella immunity to rule out any problems you may face in future.

It is also important to know your blood type and blood count, as pregnancy is a delicate period for you and this will come handy in emergencies.

Though on the outward you cannot see the changes, internally there is a lot that’s happening to your body. Your uterus has doubled in size by the 7th week. The one major change which will strike you is the growth of your breasts. The pregnancy hormones allow your breast to reach their maximum size.

Unfortunately they also make your breasts tender and sensitive. Your body cannot wait to breast-feed your baby; hence it is increasing the blood flow and building of fat in your breasts so that they will be ready for the little hungry mouth in 8 months time.

b) Nausea and Vomiting:

Many pregnant women tend to throw up constantly in the early stages of pregnancy, though there are some lucky ones who are not bothered by nausea and vomiting at all. Even though this is an obvious sign of pregnancy, the doctors will usually do the necessary check-up to rule out any other causes for it.

Vomiting can be a sign of viral infection, food poisoning, and intolerance to certain medications, gastro-intestinal disorders and many more which are unrelated to your pregnancy.

Facing complications during pregnancy? Get ready help from Gynecologists on Lybrate now.

Typically, the doctors will not prescribe medications for you during your pregnancy as they come with certain side-effects. It is only if you are having tough time keeping anything you eat down at all that the doctor will prescribe some anti-emetic medicine for you. You can try natural remedies like, lemon water, ginger ale or peppermint which can help you to a great extent.

Have smaller meals more often which helps you get enough nourishment for self and your growing baby.

c) Shortness of Breath:

It is fairly common for pregnant women to complain about shortness of breath during the first trimester and in some cases the later stages of pregnancy as well. Though the hormonal changes could also be responsible for the condition, the main culprit is seen to the bodily changes that elevate the diaphragm, which restricts it downward movement.

Hence it is difficult for you to expand your lungs fully, leading to shortness of breath. This should not be a matter of concern to you, as you fine and able to breathe, though you may feel otherwise. Just relax and take few breaths. If you panic the condition may worsen. If you suffer from any pulmonary tract diseases or asthma, then you should take precaution to control them. This could be the time when they will be exacerbated, hence be ready for them.

d) Heartburn:

First thing to know about heartburn is that it has nothing to do with your heart. It is all about the food you eat and indigestion you may have in your tummy. Though you may have faced the problems earlier, heartburn and indigestion becomes a regular feature during your pregnancy.

Keep an eye on what and when you eat. Soon, you will know what food is worsening your condition and you can avoid the food that gives you heartburn. Typically, it is the food that increases the gastric acid production that will lead to this uncomfortable in your body. Avoid eating heavy meals or spicy food just before hitting bed or having a daytime nap. Even if you don’t like it, try to eat bland and healthy food for some time. And drink plenty of the magic potions called plain water.

e) Your Baby:

There are almost 100 new brain cells generated per minute the growing embryo at this stage. No wonder there is amazing growth seen in the head of your baby. Along with the brain, the baby’s heart is now performing more complex functions and developing at a faster rate.

The arms and legs sprout out as little buds on the torso whereas the tiny mouth will take shape with a tongue taking form inside it. This is also the time when the joints of your baby’s limbs develop. Your baby is getting ready to pee as the kidneys are almost ready to get going with their job. This is just the beginning of stage of the hundreds of diapers you are going to change.

The eyelids have partially formed and cover those would be gorgeous eyes now which show some signs of color. The tiny tip of nose is also showing up proudly. At present the liver performs the duty of bone marrow to produce red-blood cells. The appendix and pancreas are developing so that they can produce insulin to aid in her digestion. The umbilical cord which will supply nutrients and oxygen to the baby until her birth is also starting to show up now.

Overall, you can say this is an amazing development taking place in your baby. If you just stop to ponder over and give it a thought of how fast things have developed in your baby, you will know this is nothing short of miracle.

f) Size Of Your Baby:

At this stage, the limbs and yolk sac are included in the measurement of your baby. It is measured from the top of its head to the bottom where the tail is fast disappearing now. The CRL measurement of your baby in the 7th week is somewhere between 5 -12mm or about ½ an inch which is the size of a blueberry. Your baby may weigh less than a gram at this stage, but know that she is now nearly about 10,000 times the size she was at conception.

Care and Tips:

The food aversions and nausea can start taking toll on your health. You should take care not to be malnourished now, because your health is important not just for your safety but also for the safety of your baby. Make your food boring for a while. Not a good advice, but eating simple and bland food will keep heartburn away, and also it is not that bad to throw it up once in a while. On the other hand spicy food can be tormenting when you throw it out.

Keep yourself well hydrated by taking plenty of fruit juices and water. Avoid alcohol, coffee or other harmful drinks though.

Wear a good supporting bra to help the tenderness and swelling in your breasts. Now that you are aware of 7 weeks pregnancy symptoms and tips, now here are some tips for dad.

For Dad to Be:

It must be tormenting for you to watch your partner retching and throwing up most of the time. She will be tired and moody during this period. Bring out the best in you and support her as best as you can. Try to keep your home safe and hygienic. Take up the task of cleaning and using harsh chemicals around your home, for this could be harmful to your would be baby and pregnant wife.

Being there and listening to your wife of how miserable she is feeling will help her in dealing with the havoc the hormones are creating in her body.

If you fear the idea of being a dad, don’t worry that it is sign of bad parent. Most of the men go through the fear of being a responsible parent, but once the baby arrives, you will learn the skills. Just wait and watch.

Hope these 7th week of pregnancy symptoms will meet your need. Happy pregnancy!