7th week of pregnancy: Info & tips

The baby's development in the 7th week of pregnancy

Facial features form: In the 7th week of pregnancy, the embryo's head develops rapidly. This is related to the fast development of the nervous system. In particular the face begins to take shape: Eye cups and optic vesicles as well as the nose and ear pits are formed.

Muscles form: In week 7, the first muscle fibers of your baby. It already moves in the womb – still uncontrolled, but the muscle contractions are an important coordination exercise.

Internal organs develop: The primordia for the most important organs such as the liver, lungs, and kidneys as well as the internal sexual organs are already present in week 7. In the coming weeks they will continue to develop and grow. In particular the sexual organs progressively differentiate. Until now the embryo had both sexual organs formed, even though it could already be determined biologically whether you are expecting a boy or a girl.

Nervous system and brain develop: The first primordia for the nervous system and the brain emerge – already within a few weeks all of the baby's nerve cells will be fully present. However, the complex nervous system of a child is not fully developed until several years after birth. The fundamental 'blueprint' for the brain is also defined. During week 7 the organ develops into forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.

Spine stabilizes: From the notochord, the spine slowly develops in week 7. The spinal cord closes completely. At the same time the rudiments for arms and legs become more discernible – your baby develops gradually more human-like forms.

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

The baby grows rapidly – by about one millimeter per day. And so the size of the embryo in the 7th week of pregnancy is usually between 5 and 10 millimeters. In principle, the size varies depending on whether you are at the beginning or end of the pregnancy week. At 5 millimeters the baby is only about the size of a blueberry or peanut. Even though the embryo now has a more human-like body shape it still doesn't show much on the ultrasound. Apart from the first body parts you only see small black dots on the head or face where the eyes will be. In addition the nostrils and the mouth can be made out. Overall the head still appears large compared to the body. From the 7th week of pregnancy your gynecologist now also measures the crown–rump length (CRL), which is recorded in your maternity record to document growth.

Symptoms in week 7 of pregnancy: Physical changes in the mother

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In the 7th week of pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms usually do not subside. For many women they even intensify. However, this is a good sign for the development of the embryo. Because the strong symptoms prove that your body is increasingly focused on protecting your baby. The following Pregnancy complaints may now become noticeable:

Nausea: From week 7 many women experience nausea or vomiting. You can hardly avoid the nausea, but it usually eases after the first trimester. It is important that despite feeling unwell, you eat small portions regularly and drink enough. Many pregnant women find that something sweet, for example a cookie, helps against morning sickness.

Loss of appetite: Some women suffer from loss of appetite at the start of pregnancy or are very sensitive to certain smells or tastes. As a result, they may lose rather than gain weight in the first weeks.

Fatigue: The pregnancy hormone progesterone makes you tired and the body craves rest. Many women still sleep poorly at night in the first months because of the "hormone surge" or frequent urination. As a remedy, if possible, several naps or rest breaks can help to give the body enough time to recharge.

Pulling in the abdomen: With the growing uterus the stabilizers, the so-called round ligaments, stretch. This can lead to harmless but unpleasant pain in the lower abdomen. To make the pulling more bearable and ideally completely relieve the pain, apply a hot water bottle and rest.

Weakened immune system: In early pregnancy the mother's immune system works at a reduced level to protect the embryo. Many women are now particularly susceptible to infections and should therefore give themselves extra rest. A cold is usually no problem, but gastrointestinal infections can, in the worst case, cause a miscarriage—so caution is advised.

Dizziness and circulatory problems: So that the embryo can be supplied with enough blood, the mother's blood vessels widen and relax. The resting pulse therefore rises to about 80 beats per minute – roughly 10 beats more than normal. Additionally, blood volume increases by 30 percent and the blood becomes thinner to flow better into the baby's small vessels. The heart therefore works harder, which in some women triggers dizziness spells or circulatory problems. To counteract this, it's helpful to get fresh air and avoid standing for long periods or getting up too quickly. Contrast showers can also be helpful.

High blood pressure: If high blood pressure worries you, have it professionally checked at the pharmacy or preferably by your doctor. If you already suffered from high blood pressure before pregnancy, a visit to the doctor is even more advisable to rule out possible illnesses of the mother and the child.

Frequent urination: Due to the hormone surplus and increased blood flow, the expectant mother's body produces more fluids. In addition, the growing uterus presses on the bladder. All of this can lead to increased need to urinate.

Tips: What's important in the 7th week of pregnancy

If you have already had the first prenatal check-up with the doctor, the expectant mother in week 7 can fully focus on herself and her health and allow herself as much rest as possible.

Balanced diet: During pregnancy a balanced, nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fiber is recommended. With the development of your baby's nervous system in week 7, folic acid and iron become particularly important. Folic acid is, for example, found in green leafy vegetables and nuts. At least in the first trimester you should also take a folic acid supplement or a combined supplement with folic acid and iron from the pharmacy.
Regular exercise: If your condition allows in the first months of pregnancy, it helps to get regular fresh air. Especially in case of nausea and fatigue, fresh air is a tried-and-tested aid. If you are unsure about your favorite sport, you can ask your doctor whether there are risks for the baby. If you plan to take a special pregnancy exercise class, it's best to find out about the offerings now and register if necessary, because spots are often limited and the courses fill up quickly.
Take rest breaks: Especially in the first trimester it is important that you, as expectant mothers, allow rest breaks, avoid stress and occasionally give in to tiredness in order to get enough sleep. This gives your body the opportunity to build up strength for the baby's growth.
Find a midwife: A trusted midwife is an important contact person for many parents before, during and after birth. Experienced midwives are in high demand and only care for a small number of women at a time. Therefore look for a midwife near you early and arrange a first meeting.

For the 8th week of pregnancy