You have recently discovered that you are pregnant and should be very happy. At week 7, you should be experiencing pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, nausea, and more, but you don`t look fully pregnant yet. Your baby is growing rapidly inside your body. This is the period of major developmental changes for both you and your baby. Your body will begin to prepare itself to nurture the growing fetus. Read on to learn how your baby is developing and the changes you can expect in your body this week.

Baby Growth

By this time, your baby`s legs and arms will begin to emerge. Your baby will have a small tail, more like an extension of the tailbone. However, this will disappear as the pregnancy progresses. In the past week, the fetus has nearly doubled in size. Your baby will experience rapid developmental changes. Now both hemispheres of the brain will begin to form. The small liver will begin to function by creating red blood cells until the bone marrow is formed. Digestive organs such as the pancreas and appendix also begin to form. At this stage, your baby may technically be called an embryo.

Baby Size

Your baby is approximately the size of a blueberry by this time. 7 weeks pregnant baby size is almost 0.9 cm. It has been a tremendous improvement since the first time you got pregnant as your baby has grown so much and will continue to grow and develop as it should. Currently, growth is mostly concentrated in the formation of brain cells.

Common Body Changes

You may not look pregnant, however, there are several changes occurring inside your body. You can expect the following changes around week 7 of your pregnancy.

1. Nausea and aversion to food: You may experience nausea and food aversion by this time. Certain smells or foods can trigger nausea. On the other hand, you may find yourself craving food like pickles.

1. Excessive saliva formation: You may notice excessive saliva formation in your mouth. Try chewing sugarless gum to prevent excess saliva from accumulating in your mouth.

1. Changes in breasts: Your breast size may increase this week. This is because of the increase in blood flow and the accumulation of fat around your chest.

1. More frequent bathroom visits: There is an increase in blood flow in your pelvic area due to the hormone hCG, which causes frequent urination.

1. Skin cracks or acne: You may also notice acne on your face. This is due to hormonal changes occurring in your body.

Pregnancy Symptoms

At 7-week pregnancy, you may not have obvious physical symptoms, but this week you may notice the following symptoms:

1. You may start to feel sick in the morning (nausea and vomiting). You may also experience headaches and other pains. Fatigue and lethargy may also be noticed.

1. Your breasts may become tender and nipples darker than normal.

1. You may crave certain foods and develop an aversion to others.

1. You may not fit your favorite trousers or jeans very well. This is due to bloating, not weight gain.

1. You may also experience mild pelvic cramps. There may also be occasional spotting.

1. One of the important developments in your body during this time is the development of your mucus plug. The mucus plug helps seal the cervix and maintains the uterine opening until the birth of your baby.

1. You may find yourself struggling with changing moods. This is due to changing hormones in the body.

Abdomen

Ultrasound

By week 7, you can be ready for your first ultrasound scan. Your doctor will ask about your medical history. The first prenatal checkup may be one of the longest you`ll do during pregnancy. If you planned and went to the doctor before you got pregnant, you may have discussed some issues beforehand, but there are many topics to cover at the first appointment. Be sure to clarify in which ways and at what times of the day you can communicate with your doctor throughout the process. It will be good for you to constantly share your thoughts, feelings, physical condition, symptoms and get ideas. So, what does your doctor want to know at the first check-up?

1. Your doctor will want to listen to your medical history, especially your gynecological history, at the first examination. These are to determine if there are any problems that could cause the birth.

1. It will ask about your menstrual periods and the birth control methods you have used recently.

1. If you have had a miscarriage, abortion, surgery or a hospitalization because of other reasons, you must inform.

1. You should tell about the drugs you take or the drugs you are allergic to.

1. It will also want to know if you have a history of diabetes or other chronic diseases.

1. In addition to the tests to determine the blood group, it will also request tests to determine whether the vaccinations you have had in the past (measles, chickenpox, hepatitis, etc.) still provide protection. With the same blood sample, tests that measure immunity to diseases such as HIV, toxoplasma and mumps can also be performed.

1. It may also request a urine sample. Urinalysis is done to detect if there is inflammation in the gallbladder or kidneys.

Ultrasound will help the doctor take various measurements of your baby and determine the development of the fetus. Even though your baby is too small to detect on an ultrasound scan, the embryo is producing nearly a hundred brain cells per minute. The embryo is developing its heart, kidneys, arms and leg joints. You can also hear the heartbeat at the 7th week of pregnancy. If you didn`t hear it the previous week, prepare yourself this week! If there is no heartbeat at the 7th week of pregnancy, don`t worry, you can wait until the 10th week. The 7-week gestational sac is also growing with the baby, and it can be seen clearly on examination. If you are carrying twins, two gestational sacs will show up on an ultrasound scan. You will also need to provide urine and blood samples for various tests.

Blood samples from a mother carrying twins or more than one baby may show high levels of the hormone hCG, these increased hormone levels can cause morning sickness.

What to Eat?

It is very important for you to have a healthy and balanced diet during pregnancy. Your 7th week pregnancy meal should include:

1. A healthy mix of green, red, yellow and orange vegetables should be included in the pregnancy diet. Eat 3 to 5 servings of vegetables a day. Spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, red peppers, zucchini, carrots, yellow peppers and corn are some of the fresh vegetables you can include in your diet.

1. It is recommended to choose fresh fruit over preserved or canned food, as preserved food may contain harmful bacteria that can be harmful to you and the baby. You should have 3-4 servings of fresh fruit a day.

1. Consume milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products to meet your body`s calcium needs. About 3 servings per day are recommended.

1. You should include 2 to 3 servings of protein in your diet in the form of eggs, meat and poultry. Lentils, beans, seeds and nuts are excellent sources of protein for vegetarian mothers.

1. You should prefer whole grains instead of refined food products. Whole grains provide your body with fiber. It is recommended to consume 3 servings of whole grain foods per day.

Tips and Care

Morning sickness and nausea can cause you serious discomfort during this time. Here are some do`s and don`ts for a healthy pregnancy:

1. Eat light foods and eat often as they are easier to digest.

1. Drink plenty of healthy fluids.

1. Drink lemonade or eat watermelon to relieve nausea.

1. Get enough rest throughout the day.

1. Wear a good bra to relieve chest pain.

1. Take prescription vitamin supplements.

Don’ts

1. Avoid spicy foods.

1. Definitely skip alcohol and cigarettes.

1. Avoid skipping meals.

Shopping

7. gebelik haftasındaki alışveriş listeniz aşağıdakileri içermelidir:

1. A pregnancy diary: To jot down your experiences and feelings during pregnancy.

1. Good lotions: You can buy good lotions or oils to moisturize your skin as it may be drier than before.

1. Comfortable bra: Now that your breasts are tender and swollen, wearing a comfortable bra can help.

1. Comfortable underwear: We can say that it is a must. It is recommended to choose flexible fabrics as your size will constantly change in the coming months.

1. Good pregnancy books: You can buy good pregnancy books to learn more about pregnancy.