7 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and What to Expect
Your Growing Embryo at 7 Weeks
Your baby is now 0.31”. That’s the size of Sweethearts candy. Be My Baby!
- This little powerhouse of an embryo is now twice the size it was last week.
- Arms and legs are more defined as baby begins forming joints in the elbows and legs. The arms fold at the elbow and cross the chest. By the end of the week, the skeleton will be fully formed though it will still be soft and flexible. This embryo is now covered in tiny little hairs (villi) which will now connect to mom’s bloodstream bringing baby nutrients and oxygen.
- Baby’s ears are forming, the beginnings of what will be the center of balance and the beginnings of the center of balance and spatial relation. Internally, a set of kidneys are appearing.
The complexity of the brain is increasing as a myriad new brain cells are made every minute. While baby’s brain is growing it is forming a neural network and the basic connections that will soon become the nervous system.
Baby’s heart is also forming new intricacies at this point. It is interesting to note that, as an adult, the circuitry in the brain that controls emotion will be intertwined with the those that control blood pressure, heart rate and adrenaline. It is no wonder that these two organs are developing simultaneously as they are so closely related and interdependent.
Do Twins run in your family? At 7 weeks there will be visual evidence of a twin pregnancy during an ultrasound where more than one gestational sac could be seen. Other symptoms of multiples could already be apparent. Baby bumps may appear earlier; higher levels of hCG could be seen in a pregnancy blood test; some women have more severe or earlier morning sickness when carrying twins.
Pregnancy Superfood for Week 7
Olive Oil is a great source of the essential fatty acids needed to maintain your own body and to help with the extraordinary work it’s doing. While there’s a lot of discussion about different sources of olive oil and how to use it, the best thing you can do for yourself and baby is to find a good Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). This is a high quality oil that is not highly processed to maintain nutritional value. Use and store it as advised and it’s a great addition to your diet
EVOO is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, oleocanthal, and oleic acid.
Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the develop of the brain as well as helping to build a strong immune system. Olive oil provides an ample supply of Vitamin A which is important in development of the eyes. Studies show that when mom’s have a diet high in olive oil their babies have better postnatal development in weight gain and early growth stages. i
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is great for mom’s health, too!. EVOO also has anti-inflammatory properties which helps with the pains of achy joints and stretched tissues due to a compound known as oleocanthal.
The oleic acid aids in the function of both the stomach and pancreas which maintains a balance of insulin the body and prevents diabetes. Oleic acid also increases the body’s ability to absorb calcium and other minerals needed to maintain mom’s bones and to provide baby with the necessary building blocks for heart tissues and the cartilage that will form joints, strong bones and skin.
Heat and light damage oils so store EVOO in darker bottles in a dark, cool area. If you want to use olive oil in cooking it is better to use virgin olive oil instead of EVOO and cook at low heat. Use EVOO on cold dishes and buy in smaller amounts to ensure that you can use it within a year since Vitamin E disappears completely and Vitamin A drops off by 40%.
Serves 4-6
- 450g brussels sprouts
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 3½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½-1 tsp whole black peppercorns, crushed
- 115g pecorino cheese, grated or shaved
- 1 Rinse the sprouts, then pat dry with kitchen roll. Remove any discoloured outer leaves, then cut the sprouts in half, lengthways. Very thinly slice them the sprouts crossways, transferring to a large, shallow serving bowl as you go.
- 2 Drizzle the oil over the sprouts, sprinkle with salt and toss well.
- Add the lemon juice and pepper and toss again.
- Lay the cheese on the top of the salad and serve immediately.
Top Tip for Week Seven
If you’re not already taking baby vitamins this is a good time to either discuss it with your doctor at your first visit and take a prescribed formulation or supplement your diet by eating and drinking micronutrients in smoothies
Inspirational Message of the Week from Already Moms
“Pregnancy is a process that invites you to surrender to the unseen force behind all life.”
Judy Ford
Big Efforts from your Co Creator
Now is a great time to pay careful attention to what mom is craving and what makes her stomach turn. If there’s a smell she can’t stand or a food that makes her sick, make it disappear! Find snacks she likes and keep them everywhere. Make ginger tea or ginger candies readily available and remember that morning sickness doesn’t last forever.
This Art of Allowing
Craving and cringing. For whatever reason mother nature gives us a strange pair wrestle around this time. Morning sickness can make you sensitive to smells and tastes, allow yourself to get up and walk away or throw things out. If you crave it, eat it. No judgements! Be amazed and amused and relax. This phase will pass!
Pregnancy Symptoms
Morning sickness: Nausea and vomiting can appear at any time of day. If the very thought of some food makes you sick allow yourself to avoid it no matter how healthy it’s supposed to be.
- There are no rules as long as you continue to eat a healthy diet. Sometimes it’s a smell or a taste that suddenly turns bad but it can also come out of the blue without any prompting at all.
- This may be nature’s way of keeping you away from foods that would not be beneficial. If you know what it is that brings it on, of course you can avoid it but some women find that there are some things that lessen the effects or stop it altogether.
- Nausea can increase the flow of saliva. Eating small meals more often can be helpful and it’s best not to lie down right after eating.
Frequent urination: You need to drink lots of water during pregnancy but, as the embryo grows your bladder is being pushed aside increasing the need to urinate more frequently but don’t let this stop you from properly hydrating. Baby construction requires a lot of nutrients to process and the result is waste that must be swept away. Plenty of water is needed to help your kidneys clean up the blood supply to keep things in good working order.
Cravings: If a dish of pickled ginger, peanut butter and sauerkraut appeals then go for it! We can assume the body has a pretty good idea about what it needs. Women often crave ice cream during pregnancy, a decent source of calcium. No combination of odd choices should be off the menu as long as it isn’t a too sugary, coma-inducing or likely to cause gastrointestinal distress.
- Cravings are likely to be driven by a nutritional need like protein or a vitamin but sometimes it’s just a taste. Poisonous foods are often bitter so you may find a strong dislike for these. The other strong tastes might be fueling your cravings.
Salt – potato chips, pickles, saltine crackers. - It’s possible that the increased blood volume your body needs to support the embryo may require more sodium for blood production.
- Sour – pickles and lemons, other fruits with tart tastes like sour cherries can fulfill this craving and provide some extra vitamins. This is what your body wants right now. It could all change tomorrow.
Gas/Bloating: All of this will probably add to the gas and bloating you are already bound to experience due to hormonal changes. It’s part of the natural process.
Cramping: It’s not at all unusual to experience some cramping and “pulling” at this time, the uterus is going through rapid changes and the entire pelvis can be making adjustments. The cervix can also be more sensitive during early pregnancy and there may be spotting after sex at this point.
Mood swings: Maintaining an even temperament can be tricky just now. You’re happy, you’re sad, you’re fussy and suddenly perfectly serene. The hormones are rising and falling but you are also reacting to your own ideas about what it means to be pregnant and if things aren’t the way you thought they’d be it might be a reason to cry or maybe even laugh.
We all have ideas about how we should be treated and how we’d like to react to things but the reality is we have very little control over any of these things. The very idea of pregnancy is a big change and we need a little time to get used to it. Meanwhile, the usual things go wrong in life and on top of it we discover new and unexpected aspects of our personality.
Acne: Because of the hormonal changes there is sometimes an outbreak of acne. As with all stages of life, a good coverup and a great sense of humor is the best defense.
Your Body will Change and It’s Necessary
Even though baby weighs very little right now your joints may be telling you that they are experiencing some extra stress. These aches and pains are likely a result of stretching connective tissues as the body makes adjustments to accommodate the new life you are creating. These changes are preparing for the weight to come.
If you think you see a baby bump starting it’s much more likely to be bloating. Don’t be alarmed. The bump will be a baby soon enough and the bloating is absolutely normal.
Our Recommended Remedy for Week 7
- You might find some relief for gas and bloating in either ginger or peppermint teas.
- Acne spot of honey on your spot can work wonders.
- Raspberry leaf tea and ginger tea often bring relief for morning sickness. Ginger chews and candies are easy to carry around in case of sudden nausea. Taking Vitamin B6, acupressure wristbands and eating saltines have also been known to be helpful.
- Drink lots and lots of water.
- Omega-3s support good joint health while calcium and magnesium nourish the muscles and prevent cramping. If you enjoy it and your body doesn’t object then turmeric can be very useful in helping with both of these, too.
Soothing The Uncomfortable
We tend to associate relaxation with a nice bath surrounded by frothy bubbles and all the right smells. The luxury of a tub full of water and gentle lighting can terrific but adding Epsom Salts helps you absorb a soothing dose of magnesium. If you don’t have time for a bath you can use Epsom Salts cream and apply it topically for the same reason.
Preparation for Motherhood Checklist
- Your feet will probably find your favorite shoes a little snug so this is also a good time to go through your collection and find the ones that are most comfortable.
- We want to be pretty and stylish but comfort is paramount. Figure out which colors make your skin glow, which fabrics make you happiest to wear.
- Time to make a few wardrobe changes to help you enjoy your new body without feeling like you’re giving up fashion. Let’s look ahead and concentrate on which neckline makes your face look best and how you like to accessorize around it.
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