Pregnancy at week 7
4-minute read
Your baby
Your baby is now about 1 cm long. The brain is developing rapidly, and the head is much bigger than the body. They have large eyes, a wide forehead and 'buds' where the ears are going to form. They also have nostrils and lips, while the brain, spinal cord and internal organs are developing, including the stomach, kidneys and lungs.
The baby is lying inside an amniotic sac, a bag formed of membranes filled with fluid. A placenta is starting to form and attaching to the inside of your womb (uterus) so that it can deliver nutrients and oxygen from your blood stream to your baby.
The baby’s heart is now beating at 150-180 beats per minute.
Your baby at 7 weeks
| Length: | 1cm |
Your body
Your hormone levels are still different from normal and this might be making you quite emotional, irritable and moody. You may still be feeling tired and less energetic, but this is quite normal.
Your breasts may still be swollen and tender. The areola, the dark area around the nipple, may be darker. You may also have little bumps on the areola and the nipples may be larger. If your breasts are uncomfortable, now might be the time to consider a maternity bra.
Some women have problems with constipation at this stage. It can help if you drink more water and eat foods that contain a lot of fibre, like vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Things to remember
Make sure you get plenty of rest – try to put your feet up at lunch time, go to bed early and ask for help if you need it, especially if you have other children.
Doing some exercise will help you feel better. Aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week, or 30 minutes on most days.
If you haven’t seen a doctor yet, it’s a good idea to make an appointment now. You will have a number of regular antenatal visits throughout your pregnancy with your doctor, midwife or obstetrician. At your first visit, your doctor will confirm you are pregnant, calculate your due date (you may need an ultrasound to do this), check your overall health and order a blood test.
Read next
Your pregnancy at 8 weeks
Learn about your pregnancy journey and what is happening to you and your baby.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
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Last reviewed: August 2020
