What happens during the 7th week of pregnancy?

The 7th week of pregnancy indicates that the embryo is actively developing inside the female body. Its weight is approximately 0.8 grams, and its height is about 8-10 millimeters. At this stage of embryonic development, the future baby's limbs, bronchi and lungs, digestive system, pancreas are formed, the hemispheres of the brain are growing and facial features are beginning to appear.

What happens to a woman's body during the 7th week of pregnancy? Many women may not notice anything, but for some, significant changes begin during this period, which manifest themselves both on the physical and psycho-emotional levels. A slight weight gain is possible, or, conversely, weight loss due to severe toxicosis. In addition, changes in taste qualities and a negative reaction to certain smells may be observed. Pregnant women often suffer from morning sickness, which can be quite severe ‒ with nausea and vomiting.

At the physiological level, it is necessary to note the increase in the size of the uterus, which is noticeable during a gynecological examination. A mucous "plug" is formed in its cervix, which performs protective functions and prevents pathogenic microorganisms and infections from getting inside. A woman may notice swelling of the mammary glands, which is natural for the development of pregnancy.

It is worth noting a possible increase in appetite, which is associated with the need of the pregnant body for more energy. At the same time, it is important to evaluate the benefits of proper nutrition in order not to gain excess weight in the future. It is recommended to include more vitamins (vegetables, fruits, berries, natural juices), dairy products, fish and meat in the diet.

Belly at 7 weeks of pregnancy

The 7th week of pregnancy is a very important period in the life of the expectant mother. Her body undergoes a number of changes, new sensations and symptoms appear. Some women feel that their belly is visually enlarged at this stage of bearing a baby, and interpret this as one of the signs of pregnancy.

The belly at 7 weeks of pregnancy is not actually growing yet, since the uterus is quite small. Naturally, it will increase with each week in accordance with the growth of the fetus, as well as the increase in the volume of amniotic fluid, and in the 4-5th month the "pregnant" belly will become noticeable. The increase ("bloating") of the abdomen is most often associated with a decrease in its muscle tone and a violation of the activity of intestinal peristalsis under the influence of progesterone - the so-called "pregnancy hormone". Sometimes a woman may be bothered by intestinal colic, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, heartburn. Often there are problems with stool (intestinal upset or, conversely, constipation). All these symptoms are also directly related to the "tricks" of the hormone progesterone. If problems with digestion and toxicosis bother the expectant mother greatly, she needs to consult a medical specialist.

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Belly size at 7 weeks of pregnancy

The 7th week of pregnancy is characterized by significant changes in the woman's body. First of all, it is necessary to note hormonal changes, an increase in the volume of circulating blood, a gradual growth of the uterus, active development of the fetus, as well as an increase in amniotic fluid and, as a result, the size of the abdomen.

The size of the abdomen at 7 weeks of pregnancy usually remains the same, despite the fact that the uterus has increased in size by 2 times since conception. In general, several factors influence the growth of the abdomen during the period of bearing a child: the intrauterine development of the fetus and its gradual increase in size, which, accordingly, affects the volume of the uterine cavity and the amount of amniotic fluid.

The growth of a pregnant woman's abdomen should strictly correspond to the rate of growth of the uterus and development of the fetus, since this is considered the main indicator of a healthy pregnancy. In the early stages (the first 10 weeks), when the uterus is still difficult to feel through the abdominal wall, the discrepancy between its size and the expected week of pregnancy may indicate an ectopic pregnancy, when the development of the ovum occurs in the fallopian tube.

The size of the abdomen, exceeding the gestational age, may indicate multiple pregnancy. In this case, already in the 7th week, the woman notices a significantly increased size of the abdomen. It should be noted that multiple pregnancy is characterized by a number of possible risks and complications.

Uterus at 7 weeks of pregnancy

The 7th week of pregnancy is a short period, but it is during this period that there are many threats to carrying a baby. The expectant mother begins to notice changes in her appearance and faces many new sensations. What is happening inside her body? First of all, it is necessary to note the strongest changes in the hormonal system. Naturally, the main organ - the uterus - is now constantly increasing in size and by the end of pregnancy will exceed its original size hundreds of times!

The uterus at 7 weeks of pregnancy is enlarged almost 2-3 times and takes the shape of a large orange (in its original form, the uterus is pear-shaped). Visually, the pregnant woman's tummy remains unchanged (it will become noticeable only from the 12th week of pregnancy), but during a gynecological examination, it is already possible to clearly detect pregnancy in a woman and determine its duration.

It should be noted that in the first weeks, asymmetry of the uterus may occur. Thus, during a bimanual examination, the gynecologist palpates the protrusion of one part of the uterus. This is explained by the growth of the fertilized egg attached to a certain area of the uterus. Over time, as the fetus develops, the asymmetry of the uterus disappears. The process of uterine growth is smooth and gradual, so the expectant mother practically does not feel changes in the size of this unique "house" for the baby.

Breasts at 7 weeks of pregnancy

The 7th week of pregnancy is a time of intense changes and hormonal restructuring of the female body. At this stage of bearing a baby, the expectant mother notices various changes, both on the physiological and psycho-emotional level.

Breasts in the 7th week of pregnancy increase in size, become even more sensitive and painful. A pregnant woman should take care of a high-quality bra made of natural material, which will support the breasts well, in no case squeeze them, and also make the mammary glands less sensitive. The bra should have wide straps and be without underwire. The correct choice of this attribute of women's underwear in the future will help prevent stretch marks.

It should be noted that the structure of the mammary glands of a woman who is "in position" begins to undergo radical changes almost from the first days of pregnancy. The increase in size and swelling of the breast is a consequence of the effect of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is called the "pregnancy hormone". On the surface of the mammary glands, you can also see a venous network due to increased blood supply. The nipples change color, they acquire a brownish tint. In later stages of pregnancy, the first drops of colostrum may be released from the nipples. As a rule, the sensation of swelling of the mammary glands and discomfort caused by the transformations in the breast of a pregnant woman pass by the end of the first trimester.

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