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1st Trimester (weeks 1-13)

Week 7

About You

Week 7 is the seventh week of the 1st trimester. Your uterus has doubled in size in the past 5 weeks and you will probably be urinating more frequently due to your increased blood volume and the extra fluid being processed through your kidneys. Get used to this frequency of urination, as it will only increase! At this stage, you already have about 10% more blood in your body than you did before you were pregnant (and by the end of pregnancy you'll have about 40-45% more blood in your body to meet the demands of baby).

Morning sickness is probably evident by now (but don't worry if you don't have it, but rather count your blessings!). The good news is that by about weeks 14-18, this should disappear. Your clothes are getting tight or just not fitting like they should. While you don't have to buy a maternity wardrobe just yet, try using belly bands or belly belts to extend your existing wardrobe. Also take a second look at your existing wrap around dresses and stretchy tops.

About Baby

The embryo is now about 1.25 centimetres long, doubled in size since last week, and is the size of a blueberry. It has distinct, slightly webbed fingers and toes, and is starting to move sporadically. The embryo also has a small tail, which is an extension of the tail bone, and this will disappear within a few weeks. The liver is producing large amounts of red blood cells until the bone marrow forms and takes over this role. Eyelid folds partially cover the eyes (which already have some colour), and both hemisphere of the brain are growing. Also present is the appendix and pancreas (which will produce the hormone insulin to aid digestion). A loop in the growing intestines is protruding outwards into the umbilical cord, which at this stage has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen to and from the body.

This week's activities for the pregnancy to-do list

✔ Schedule and prepare for your first prenatal visit, which should happen between 8 and 12 weeks

✔ Compile a list of questions for your first doctor's appointment.

✔ Clear your beauty cabinet of any chemical-laden products like DEET-filled insect repellent.

✔ Buy a belly band to extend the life of your pants.

✔ Take a photo of your belly for a before and after shot. Have someone take a profile picture of you this week before your pregnancy starts showing. Then take one at the end of your pregnancy (you will look back and realise how big you were and how beautiful you looked!) The last photo also makes a great keepsake to add to the beginning of your first baby photo book.

Note that this article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.

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