Welcome to the second half of your first trimester. By the time you’re 6 weeks pregnant, your body has gone through dramatic internal changes. At 7 weeks pregnant, your baby has grown 10,000 times bigger than they were at conception! They’re now the size of a small blueberry – about 1/4-inch long.

Pregnancy Symptoms

When you’re seven weeks pregnant, you’re probably feeling pregnant, even if you don’t look like you’re expecting. Your body is undergoing a dramatic transformation to accommodate your baby’s development in your womb, and your uterus expands to the size of a lemon around weeks 7 and 8.

Heartburn and Indigestion During Pregnancy

Acid reflux and heartburn often accompany changes in body shape (due to your uterus getting bigger) and hormones. More than half of all pregnant women experience extreme heartburn. Lifestyle and diet changes – like eating yogurt or drinking warm milk with a tablespoon of honey stirred in – can provide some relief, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Tender Breasts

During pregnancy, your body is flooded with hormones, your blood flow increases, and you start retaining fluids. Your breasts begin to expand and feel swollen, sore, and sensitive as estrogen and progesterone prepare your breasts for lactation. By now, your breasts may have grown a full cup size. This is completely natural, but it can be quite uncomfortable! At 7 weeks pregnant, it may be time to buy maternity bras featuring soft fabrics that won’t irritate your sensitive nipples and tender breasts.

Too Much Saliva?

Besides food cravings and aversions, it may also seem like your mouth won't stop watering. Hyper-salivation or ptyalism is an unexpected symptom in the first trimester. It won’t harm you or your baby, but it’s certainly bothersome. Since the bitter taste of excess saliva can bring on nausea and vomiting, you might want to carry paper towels or a small cup to spit out all the saliva that can accumulate (up to 2 quarts a day!).

Pregnancy Fatigue – The Struggle is REAL!

Does it seem like you can’t get enough sleep? Even though you may be sleeping more than ever, you may often feel tired when you’re expecting. You’re building a baby, and that takes a lot of energy – like a 9-month endurance race without a single day off. We encourage you to listen to your body and rest when you feel fatigued.

Pickles and Ice Cream?

Food aversions and food cravings during pregnancy are other side effects of hormone surges. Clichés in movies and TV shows may be cute, but fierce hunger and sudden nausea are not. Try to go with the flow and don’t stress yourself out. If you’re struggling with eating vegetables, try making smoothies with spinach in them instead of your usual steamed veggies. 
 

When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go. OFTEN!

Going to the bathroom more than ever is a very common symptom when you’re expecting. That’s because pregnancy hormones, fluid retention, and increased blood flow below the waist trigger the kidneys and the urge to pee. Stay hydrated but consider cutting back on diuretic beverages with caffeine like coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

Baby on Board

Under Construction: Brain Power

This week, as 100 brain cells are generated each minute, your baby’s head begins to develop. Their face also evolves with depressions appearing as placeholders for nostrils, and their mouth, tongue, and eyes begin to form. 

Under Construction: Arms and Legs

The legs that will soon be kicking your belly and the arms that will hug you like no one else begin their initial development, surfacing as buds that will blossom into arms, hands, fingers, legs, ankles, and toes in the coming weeks.

Under Construction: Vital Organs (Liver and Kidneys)

The human body stays healthy through detoxification. The primary detox organs are the liver and kidneys, which begin forming at 7 weeks pregnant. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the liver is responsible for more than 500 vital functions! Soon, the liver will begin generating red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout your baby’s developing system. 

The kidneys also begin to develop this week, a process that will continue for another 7 weeks to their next milestone when they’re ready to eliminate waste. Yes, your baby’s kidneys will produce urine in utero! But you won’t need to change diapers for another 33 weeks!

What to Wear This Week

If you’re still adjusting to your “new normal,” you’re not alone. Some women go with the flow while others worry their lives – and their bodies – will never be the same. There’s usually no need to completely abandon your routines and interests. Instead, find ways to adapt them to your pregnancy. 

For example, if you’re committed to exercising (exercise during pregnancy can work wonders!), it may be time to consider some premium maternity leggings specifically engineered to support your growing baby bump and hug your curves. We highly recommend treating yourself to the Louisa Maternity & Postpartum Support Leggings. We’ll warn you now that these very light compression leggings are so comfy and supportive that you may never want to take them off.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please reach out to your health care team with any questions.