7 Weeks

I’m a little behind, but it’s been kind of hectic, and i’m now getting caught up…How your baby’s growing: Your baby still appears to have a small tail (actually, it’s an extension of his tailbone), which will disappear in the next few weeks. But that’s the only thing getting smaller. Now almost half an inch long — roughly the size of a raspberry — he has elbow joints and distinct, slightly webbed fingers and toes. In his oversized head, both hemispheres of his brain are developing. His teeth and the inside of his mouth are forming, and his ears continue to develop. Eyelid folds partially cover his tiny peepers, which already have some color, and the tip of that nose you’ll be tweaking someday is emerging. His skin is paper-thin and his veins are clearly visible.

Your little one also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. His liver is busy producing red blood cells, and a loop of your baby’s growing intestines is bulging into his umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from his tiny body. You can’t feel his gyrations yet, but your baby is like a little jumping bean, moving in fits and starts around his watery home.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby’s development.

How your life’s changing:

  You’re in the throes of the first trimester, when many women suffer from common pregnancy woes. Keeping food down may be next to impossible, thanks to morning (noon, and night) sickness, caused in part by the pregnancy hormones coursing through your body. Stash a box of crackers next to your bed, and eat a few to curb the nausea before getting up. (Not all pregnant women have morning sickness, so don’t worry if you’ve been spared — you’re one of the lucky few!) You may also need to use the bathroom a lot more often than usual — your blood volume increases dramatically when you get pregnant, which leads to a lot of extra fluid getting processed through your kidneys and ending up in your bladder. The nausea should fade as your pregnancy continues, though you may continue to make frequent trips to the bathroom.

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to choose an ob-gyn or midwife. Most practitioners won’t want to see you right away unless you have a serious medical condition or you’re having problems like vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or severe nausea and vomiting. They’ll probably schedule you to come in once you’re between eight and 12 weeks pregnant. At your first visit, your doctor or midwife will go over your family health history, do some routine blood tests, and answer any questions you might have.

Quelling nausea "For a natural morning sickness remedy, try nibbling on cucumbers soaked in water. Trust me, it does help." — Kimm

3 Questions About… Prenatal checkups

Between now and 12 weeks is the perfect time to see your healthcare provider for your first prenatal visit. Getting good prenatal care is the single best thing you can do to give your baby a healthy start in life.

Q1. How should I prepare for my first appointment?
The best thing you can do is write down all of your questions and bring them with you so you can use your time effectively and get the professional advice you’re hungry for. Mention everything you’re feeling or wondering about, no matter how small. Also:

• Bring a list of all your medications (prescription and over-the-counter) so your caregiver can assess whether they’re safe to take now.

• Look back over your calendar and try to figure out the first day of your last period. Your doctor or midwife will use this date to estimate your baby’s due date.

• Take some time to review your family medical history and your partner’s. (You may want to ask parents and siblings to fill you in on chronic diseases and potential genetic abnormalities.) Your caregiver will ask you about these things to help guide her prenatal testing recommendations.

• Bring a bottle of water and a snack — waits in ob-gyn and midwife offices can be notoriously long. In addition to seeing pregnant patients, these caregivers are delivering babies and they don’t all come on schedule!

Q2. What are the signs of a good healthcare provider?

• She looks you in the eye and makes you feel comfortable.

• She welcomes your questions and answers them thoroughly.

• She provides expert advice but respects that you have a say in your care.

• She or a trained member of her staff returns your calls in a timely manner.

Q3. Should your partner go with you?
That’s up to you, but most couples find that they both benefit from going to prenatal appointments together — especially the biggies like the first visit, the ultrasound exam, and any time test results will be revealed. Here’s what other BabyCenter couples do: 57% of pregnant women say they always want their partners to attend appointments with them. 37% of partners say they go to every prenatal appointment.

If you’re nothappy with your caregiver, look for another. The average woman has ten to 18 checkups before her baby is born, so it’s important to choose someone you like and trust. For more information, see How to choose a prenatal caregiver and What to expect at prenatal appointments

• Some dads-to-be faithfully turn up for every appointment, while others never show their face. How does your partner’s prenatal attendance measure up — and how do you feel about it?

This Week’s Activity:
Take a photo of your belly. Have someone take a picture of you this week, before your pregnancy starts showing. Then keep taking photos once a month until your baby arrives. It’s a great way to track your progress and you’ll love having the keepsake. Tips for a great shot: Consider wearing the same outfit, standing in the same spot, and striking the same pose (profiles work best) for each photo. Black-and-white shots and nudes or semi-nudes can also be beautiful.