7 Weeks of Pregnancy (Your Baby & Pregnancy)
How big is my baby?
At the start week 7 your baby measures about 4-5mm (0.16-0.2 inches) in length. By the end of the week, the crown rump measurement has increased to about 11-13mm (0.44-0.52 inches) - about the size of a pea.
How does my baby develop this week?
This week your baby grows quite significantly. Growth during week 7 is related to the on-going development of your baby's internal systems, organs and body.
The neural tube closed at your baby's head last week. This week it develops and begins to form the brain. Throughout week 6, the various regions and chambers of the brain continue to grow and further define. During this process your baby's head is pushed forward and becomes rounder. The eyes and ears look like little pits on the side of the head, and the nasal cavities and mouth are forming.
Your baby's heart has started to develop and begins to form the valves. Circulation has started to form and nerves also begin to grow. The two buds that will become the lungs are growing. The intestines and digestive system begin to take shape, dividing to create the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine. Other glands and organs also start to develop and the beginnings of the reproductive system are present.
Limbs are visible by week 7, and development of arms and legs progresses to the point where Hands, arms and shoulders start to form, and ridges, or digital plates indicate future fingers and toes. The umbilical cord is also present and has been sealed off within the wall of the amniotic sac that surrounds your baby. By the end of the week a smooth outer layer of skin develops.
What is happening to my body?
There are many changes occurring within your body, and while you're probably waiting to see some outer signs that show your pregnancy, there are no external signs at this point.
Despite the fact that there are no visible external signs of pregnancy, your hormones have increased and changed in order to sustain your pregnancy. As a result there are other noticeable effects. Other physical changes of pregnancy can include:
Increased vaginal discharge - this is due to hormone increases but should not be accompanied by any soreness or irritation.
Tiredness - it is quite common to feel tired, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. It's important to get as much rest as possible.
Breast changes - this can be an early sign of pregnancy, as the breasts become tender and sore due to increased blood supply and hormone changes. Some women can notice the appearance of more prominent veins on their breasts. Some can experience an increase in nipple sensitivity.
Morning sickness - Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day and affects women to varying degrees. It usually starts at around Week 5. There are many variations to morning sickness, from mild nausea in the mornings to vomiting following meals. In the majority of pregnancies, morning sickness eases around Week 12 but in some cases it can continue to Week 16. It is thought to occur due to hormone increases. The recommended management of morning sickness includes frequent small meals (5-6 per day), avoiding fatty, greasy or oily foods (you will soon discover the foods that you can't tolerate). If the nausea occurs later in the day, preparing meals in the morning will ensure you don't exacerbate the nausea. A drink and a biscuit or piece of toast before getting out of bed in the mornings may also help. If vomiting persists and is severe, you should contact your health care professional.
Constipation - this often occurs early in pregnancy and may last until after the baby is born. It is caused by hormone changes that slow down the bowel movements. Drinking plenty of water and eating high fibre foods, like fruit, vegetables, and wholemeal breads will help.
Headaches - this is a common complaint during pregnancy and is also related to hormone changes. It is best to seek advice of your health care professional if headaches persist. Analgesics (pain killers) and rest are often prescribed. Most health professionals will advise that it is OK to take Paracetamol during pregnancy, but check with your own health care professional before taking anything, including paracetamol.
Fainting - this is probably related to an increase in the size of the blood vessels (vasodilatation) due to the presence of the hormone progesterone. This then changes as the pregnancy progresses and the blood volume increases to fill the larger vessels. Try to avoid standing still in warm areas, and lie or sit down at the first sign of dizziness. This condition usually passes after the first trimester.
Muscle cramps - these are quite common later in pregnancy and are usually worse at night. The cause is unknown but can often be eased by stretching the muscle - sit up and pull the toes back towards the body over the ankles.
Itching - this can be related to a special condition or may just due to your skin stretching. Using antipruritic (itch) lotions, such as calamine can soothe itching. Alternatively your health care practitioner may be able to prescribe a cream.
Needing to urinate more frequently - this is one of the signs of early pregnancy and is probably caused by an increased amount of urine, and because your enlarging uterus puts pressure on the bladder. If you experience frequency during the night, you can try to alleviate the symptoms by reducing fluid intake after 4pm.
What about exercise during pregnancy?
If you exercise and are fit, you will be as ready as you can be for the physical nature of labour and birth. As a general rule, it is not advisable to start a new form of exercise during pregnancy. Ideally a woman should be regularly exercising before becoming pregnant. A regular, moderate exercise program can be continued throughout pregnancy, except when the exercise is very strenuous, such as at an athletic level. Regular exercise should not cause fatigue, and should be reduced if this occurs.
What and how much should I be eating?
It is essential to eat a nutritious diet during pregnancy. This will provide your growing baby with all the nutrients required for its development.
8 Weeks of Pregnancy (Your Baby & Pregnancy)
How big is my baby?
Your baby is approximately 14-20mm (0.56 - 0.8 inches) in length and continues to grow quickly.
What changes are happening with my baby this week?
The head is large compared with the rest of the body and your baby's face is beginning to take shape (forehead, nose, cheeks, upper and lower jaw and lip and chin are forming). Eye muscles and eyelids have emerged, and by the end of the week the nasal passages have formed and the nose tip is visible. The internal and external parts of the ear are also forming. Ear openings are present, and the middle ear (hearing and balance) is there, but hearing is not yet possible for your baby.
The arms continue to grow longer, and bend at the newly formed elbow. Fingers and toes formed as notches on the hands and feet.
The valves in the heart that started forming last week can now be distinguished as the aorta and pulmonary valves. Lungs are developing and the bronchi are branching out. The skeleton has also started to form.
How is my body changing?
Your uterus is increasing in size, and while you may not have a definite or visible bulge, you will probably notice that your clothes have become tighter around the waist, breasts or thighs.
As your uterus continues to grow, you may experience feelings of tightening, or contractions. Don't be alarmed by these cramping sensations unless they are accompanied by vaginal bleeding.
What happens if I experience bleeding?
Bleeding at any time during pregnancy is seen as abnormal and medical advice should be obtained. Bleeding early on in pregnancy may be the sign of miscarriage, although slight bleeding or spotting sometimes occurs in the early months and then settles down with no adverse effect. If you have experienced spotting or bleeding, you will be advised to take it easy.
Bleeding in later pregnancy can indicate a problem with the placenta. Often the reason is not defined but you should seek medical advice so that the appropriate care can be taken.
Miscarriage?
While it is most likely that your pregnancy will progress safely and happily, you should be aware of the possibility of miscarriage and the factors that may contribute to miscarriage.
A miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy prior to 20 weeks gestation. A threatened miscarriage is diagnosed when there is vaginal bleeding in the first half of pregnancy. Bleeding may last for days or even weeks. The bleeding may or may not be associated with cramping and abdominal pain. There is no procedure or medication that can prevent a miscarriage, often a miscarriage occurs because there is a problem with the development of the baby or the mother's hormone levels. In a large proportion of cases the cause of miscarriage is unknown and as many as 1 in 3 pregnancies can miscarry. More detailed information can be found in the Miscarriage section of the Essential Baby web site.
Other Pregnancy Complications?
Although your pregnancy will probably progress safely and happily, it doesn't hurt to be aware of the pregnancy complications that some women encounter.
Special tests to consider during pregnancy.
If you are healthy, under 35 and have no hereditary or genetic problems in your family, it is unlikely you will need to undergo any of the special pregnancy tests. There are a number of special tests that may / can be performed:
if you request them
if your doctor suspects there is a problem, or
if you are over a certain age
Modern testing enables the early detection of abnormalities for those considered to be in a risk category. Early detection of serious abnormalities gives you the opportunity to decide whether or not to progress with your pregnancy. Even though you may not need, or want to undergo any special testing, it's probably a good idea to have some understanding of the tests available, what they do, and any associated risks.
Nuchal fold / nuchal translucency screening - this is an ultrasound screening assessment to detect a specific abnormality of the fetus that can be linked to Down's Syndrome. Nuchal fold / translucency screening is usually performed between 11 and 13 weeks and is becoming more routine. It is a fairly reliable, non-invasive way of assessing the risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome, and carries no risk of miscarriage. The test is conducted by measuring the appearance and amount of fluid that normally accumulates under the skin at the back of your baby's neck. The fluid accumulation tends to increase when the fetus has a chromosomal disorder. The pick-up rate is thought to be 70-80%, depending on your age.
Rhesus testing - if your blood type has a negative Rhesus factor, you will need extra blood tests during pregnancy to check for the possibility of antibody formation. Your baby's blood group is then checked at birth and if it has a positive Rhesus factor, you will need an injection of Anti D gamma globulin to stop the risk of antibodies forming that may affect future pregnancies.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - this test may be performed between 10 and 12 weeks to test for genetic / chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's syndrome, sickle-cell anaemia, thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis, Huntingdon's chorea, muscular dystrophy and haemophilia. One of the advantages of CVS testing is that it can be done before it is possible to do an amniocentesis, as the chorionic tissue develops earlier than the amniotic fluid, and is genetically identical to the baby. One of the disadvantages is the risk of miscarriage. When CVS testing is performed by an experienced doctor, the risk of miscarriage in one in 50. These stats include miscarriages that may have occurred anyway without the test. The test is performed by passing a tube through the vagina into the uterus, or a needle through the abdominal wall into the uterus. Some of the chorionic tissue that surrounds the baby is then removed by suction for testing.
Amniocentesis - this test can be performed between Week 14 and Week 16 to test for chromosomal abnormalities, inherited disorders, fetal maturity and neural tube defects such as spina bifida. It involves passing a hollow needle through the Mother's abdomen into the amniotic sac to extract a small amount of amniotic fluid (the fluid inside the amniotic sac in which the baby floats). The risk of miscarriage from amniocentesis is lower than CVS testing. When an experienced doctor performs an amnio, the risk of miscarriage is one in 100 or lower. These stats include miscarriages that may have occurred anyway without the test. Common symptoms after the test include tightening of the uterus and soreness. Women are advised to take it easy for a few days after the test.
AFP Test - this is a blood test that may be performed at around Week 16 to screen for an increased risk of neural tube defect, or spina bifida (an abnormality in the formation of the spine). The test measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein, a protein manufactured in the baby's liver, which then passes into your bloodstream. A high level of AFP in your blood can indicate a neural tube defect. Too much AFP in the blood occurs in three in 100 women, but don't panic because there can also be other reasons for high AFP levels. It might mean that you are having twins, or that your pregnancy is further along than you thought. It doesn't necessarily mean the baby is affected, but it will probably be suggested that you have an amniocentesis for more definite results. If, on the other hand, your AFP level is very low (this happens in less than five in 100 pregnancies), the levels of two other hormones may also be measured. This is called a triple screening.
Triple Screen Test / The Bart's Test - this test is a triple blood test that can be performed at around Week 16 to screen maternal blood for evidence of an increased risk of Down's syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities. The test measures AFP, hCG and oestriol levels. If the result shows a high risk then you can decide whether to have an amniocentesis.
9 Weeks (2 months) Your Baby & Pregnancy
How big is my baby?
At the start of week 9 your baby is approximately 22-30mm (0.9 - 1.2 inches) from crown to rump.
Your baby's neck region is becoming more defined and developed, enabling lifting and turning of the now rounded head. The eyes are still forming, and while tiny, they are now covered by eyelids (they were exposed until this stage). The eyes will then remain closed for a large part of your pregnancy. Tiny external ears are still forming and are visible. The nasal passages are opened this week, and the tongue starts to form (although the mouth is still just a flat line on the surface). Your baby's organs are also forming.
Your development
As your baby continues to grow, your uterus increases in size and you will probably find that your waist is beginning to thicken. Before pregnancy your uterus is about the size of your fist. After six weeks it will grow to about the size of a grapefruit.
During pregnancy your blood volume increases by about 40-50% to service the needs of your expanding uterus. The largest increase is during the second trimester.
As the uterus grows, you may experience cramping sensations or pain in the lower abdomen or on your sides. This is common, however if the pain is accompanied by vaginal bleeding, you should see your health care practitioner. The uterus continues to grow and contract during pregnancy and later in pregnancy these tightenings are called "braxton hicks" contractions. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and their effect.
There are several hormones present in your body during pregnancy that play an important role in supporting a healthy pregnancy.
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is present during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and can often cause nausea and vomiting.
Oestrogen stimulates growth of the blood vessels, the glands, the muscle cells of the uterus, and the breast tissue.
Progesterone helps the cells of the uterus provide nutrients and stimulates formation of the ducts in your breasts. Progesterone also serves as the feedback hormone and tells the hormone-producing centre in the brain to shut off other hormones related to menstruation when you are pregnant.
Is it OK to have sex during pregnancy and will I feel like it?
There is no physical reason for a couple not to engage in sexual intercourse during pregnancy unless your health practitioner has advised you to the contrary. If at any time in the pregnancy bleeding or threatened premature labour occurs, abstinence is advised during that period.
Pregnancy is a physical and emotional time. You may also be affected by tiredness, nausea or worry, each of which can make sex more difficult or unappealing. Your partner may be concerned about hurting the baby during intercourse, but there is no evidence to support this being a problem.
Experimenting with different positions may make sex more comfortable for you. Some couples can go off sex altogether during pregnancy. This can be normal, but needs to be addressed sooner rather than later so that it doesn't develop into a big or divisive issue. On the other hand, some women may experience an increased sexual desire during pregnancy and this is also normal.
Is it OK to travel during pregnancy?
If you are experiencing a normal pregnancy with no complications, travel is usually acceptable, but you should check with your health care professional before making plans or booking tickets, particularly later in your pregnancy. The biggest risk associated with travel during pregnancy is being away from your health care professional if you experience complications.
In the last trimester you should try to stay closer to home, and after week 32 you should try to avoid air travel if possible. If you do need to travel by air after week 32, you will probably need to supply the airline with a letter from your health care professional stating that you are fit to fly.
If you decide to travel, plan well and leave yourself plenty of time to make the journey (in shorter stages if necessary). Take a drink and some nutritious snacks, and try to rest or sleep as much as possible. You should also stretch your legs every few hours.
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