Your Guide to Being 7 Weeks Pregnant:
How your baby is growing
Your baby starts a growth spurt, which sees a rapid expansion and development of all the vital organs, features and limbs. The brain divides into different sections. Two separate tubes grow in the throat, forming the esophagus (gullet) and trachea (windpipe). Buds appear which will become your baby’s teeth, and the palate and eyelids start to form.
Eyes and ears undergo significant change, with the lenses of the eyes appearing. Fingers and toes begin to sprout, and they are initially webbed. Bends form in your baby’s arms and legs, as elbows and knees start to appear.
What’s happening to you
You may be experiencing spells of overwhelming tiredness as your body works flat-out to create and sustain the new life inside you, while adapting to significant metabolic changes. Pregnancy hormones, progesterone in particular, have a slackening effect on muscles and ligaments, and you may find your digestive system becomes sluggish, causing heartburn, indigestion, constipation or a feeling of bloatedness.
Normal niggle:
Exhaustion. Don’t fight it. It’s your body telling you it needs a rest, so put your feet up when you can. Make sure your diet is energy-rich, with plenty of iron, protein and carbohydrates.
When to check it out:
If it continues beyond the first trimester it could signify an iron deficiency and you may need to take supplements.
‘To do’ this week
Check out your rights and conditions at work. You don’t have to tell your boss that you’re pregnant until 15 weeks before your baby’s due but you may want to discuss it earlier, particularly if your work might put you or your baby at risk – for example if your job involves heavy lifting or working with hazardous materials. And if you’re coping with pregnancy ailments, such as tiredness and sickness, it may help to discuss it with your employer. You can find out your employer’s parental leave policy by reading your contract or asking the human resources department for details.
