7 Weeks Pregnant
Your 7th week begins
- Development Organs such as the liver, intestines, and stomach begin to form and the heart beats stronger and faster.
- Schedule If you have your first ultrasound, you can already hear the little heartbeat.
- How many months is 7 weeks? 7 weeks pregnant is 2 months. With the 7th week of pregnancy, you are in the third week of the second month of your pregnancy.
IMPORTANT: At 7 weeks, nausea and morning sickness are very intense. Routine habits, such as brushing your teeth, may become difficult at this stage, not to mention aversion to perfumes, foods, and even the scent of your partner or family members.
- Your baby is already about 18mm long and the little fingers are starting to appear on the hands and feet. Fetal development is faster than ever and what was cartilage is turning into bone.
- Organs such as the liver, intestines, and stomach start to enlarge and, due to lack of space, move into the umbilical vesicle.
- Brain cells are working at full speed and multiplying rapidly, just like neurons.
- The woman’s body is already showing signs of change. Those with a thin waist start getting a little belly.
- A pregnant woman may feel extremely aroused, with libido much higher than expected. However, a certain caution is needed with sexual activity at this stage.
More information about 7 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby is already about 18mm long and the little fingers are starting to appear on the hands and feet. Fetal development is faster than ever and what was cartilage until now begins to turn into little bones, strengthening the developing skeleton1. Organs such as the liver, intestines, and stomach begin to enlarge, and due to lack of space, move into the umbilical vesicle, returning to their place in the 11th week.
The highlight of this week in terms of fetal development is the heart. Now with four chambers, it beats strong and fast. Most fetuses have a heartbeat over 150 at this stage. However, don’t be alarmed if your ultrasound shows a lower rate; it could just mean mom needs to eat!
Baby Development
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), from not eating for more than 3 hours, can greatly influence the heart rate. This week, the formation of another essential organ also begins: the lung2! In addition, brain cells are working at full speed and multiply rapidly, just like neurons. Now, the baby is about the size of a lemon seed, approximately 5 to 8 millimeters!
You can already see the baby’s movements on ultrasound. The baby may jump and move gracefully, delighting mom and dad during the examination. Many mothers report being emotional over these images, after all, it’s a clear sign that the miracle of life is happening!
Some women only fully realize they’re pregnant when they see the baby in the scan. It’s also possible to detect a multiple pregnancy in this first ultrasound, with two gestational sacs or, if they’re identical twins, two babies in the same amniotic sac.
How Mom Is Feeling…
The woman’s body is already showing signs of change. Those with narrow waists gain a few extra pounds and even a small belly. However, it’s still all about hormones.
The nipples start to darken and from here, all symptoms truly intensify. This happens because of the high amount of HCG hormone produced by the developing placenta, which is a very good sign!
This means your pregnancy has enough of the hormones vital to maintain a healthy gestation. I personally lost quite a few pounds due to nausea … I couldn’t eat anything but sour foods. Grapes, oranges, and kiwis were my favorites at this stage, as it seemed to lessen the nausea. Honestly, to this day, I don’t know how I survived eating only those things for weeks! Eat whatever you prefer, just avoid sweets in large quantities.
Mom’s Discomforts
At 7 weeks pregnant, nausea is the highlight, as is uncontrollable sleepiness, which usually affects expecting mothers3. You may also experience irritability that seems to come out of nowhere! Truly, a pregnant woman can become quite moody from one moment to the next! Plus, all the world’s smells seem stronger, and you may even find your favorite perfume unbearably stinky!
Don’t worry, these feelings will get much better after the 12th week. Meanwhile, try to avoid perfumes in the morning and very strong toothpastes. Stay away from anything that triggers your nausea. Eating plain crackers on an empty stomach also helps when nausea is very intense. Some medications can be helpful too, but it’s important to talk to your obstetrician to find out which ones are suitable for pregnant women.
At 7 weeks pregnant, you might be bothered by the smell of some people, including your partner! That old story about women feeling disgusted by their men? It’s true. That’s because of the pheromones he emits. The scent that used to attract you, now repels you! But the opposite can also happen … a pregnant woman may become extremely aroused and more libidinous than expected. However, be careful with sexual activity during this phase. If you experience any bleeding, talk to your doctor to check the cause.
External Factors…
Another possibility at 7 weeks pregnant is you might become a real drama queen. Like a true actress straight from a Mexican soap opera! Drama over anything and everything, and tears that come easily. Hormonal changes can radically change your body and mind. It’s up to your family, friends, and coworkers to understand these changes and deal kindly with the mood swings of the new mom-to-be.
From Dr. Malu Frade and Patricia Amorim for Famivita