Week 7 of Pregnancy

At 7 weeks pregnant, your baby is growing very quickly. Your baby is currently known as an embryo and is roughly 10mm from head to bottom, the size of a blueberry!

Their head is quite large compared to the rest of their body as the brain is growing quickly. There are little buds forming which will soon become arms and legs. Your baby’s ears, nose, eyes and mouth are starting to develop. Your baby may not look much like a baby yet, but it soon will.

How might you be feeling at 7 weeks pregnant?

Pregnancy symptoms will be ramping up this week. Although every pregnancy is different, what one experiences, another may not. Symptoms include:

• Fatigue - more than just your usual tiredness
• Morning sickness - this can vary from mild nausea to extreme sickness
• Tender breasts
• Needing to wee more frequently
• Bloating
• Reflux
• Mild Cramping - if cramping becomes severe or accompanied by bleeding, please see your midwife or GP
• Mood changes - as those hormones are ramping up, you might find those mood swings kicking in

Tips for morning sickness

Morning sickness is a term for the sickness experienced during pregnancy, although as many will know, it doesn’t just happen in the morning! Eating regularly and in small amounts can help reduce the nausea. Things like ginger biscuits, rich tea biscuits, crackers, etc. can help if eaten before you get out of bed. If you are struggling to keep fluids and food down, please contact your midwife or GP, there are various medications you can try, don’t suffer alone.

Don’t forget to keep taking your 400micrograms of folic acid until you’re 12 weeks pregnant. It is also recommended to take a daily vitamin D supplement too. If you are unsure what is best, please contact your local pharmacist.

Your first midwife appointment

If you haven’t already, now is a great time to contact your local midwifery team or your GP. Your first appointment, also called the booking appointment, is a longer appointment where they will go through your family history; they may do blood tests and discuss pregnancy and your plans for the 9 months.

It’s worth noting down all your questions before you go so you don’t forget them at the time of the appointment, as it can be very overwhelming.

You should then receive a date for your first scan. This is usually around 10-14 weeks pregnant but is also known as the 12 week scan.

Notes for this week:

• The baby is the size of a blueberry
• You may feel tired, so rest when you need to
• Keep taking your folic acid
• Write down questions for your booking appointment with your midwife
• Keep hydrated, especially if you're being sick
• Contact your GP to arrange maternity care if you haven't already

Next: Week 8 pregnant – Your baby’s tiny features are taking place

The Allaboutthebump Pregnancy Week by Week series is intended as a general guide and should not replace individual medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. If you experience symptoms that concern you, pain, bleeding, severe sickness or have questions about your pregnancy, contact your midwife, GP, maternity unit or NHS 111 as appropriate.