Hitting the 7 weeks pregnant milestone with your pregnancy might not seem like a big deal, but you’d be surprised how much is happening inside your body! If you thought being 6 weeks pregnant was impressive, you haven’t seen anything yet!
Did you know, for example, that a 7-week old embryo is approximately 10,000 times bigger than it was at conception?
That’s a pretty impressive growth rate if you ask me!
As mamas move past their two-week wait and into the early stages of pregnancy, a multitude of questions, concerns, and curiosities are bound to arise.
From 7 weeks pregnant symptoms to information on what an ultrasound might show, we’re here to help you understand what’s happening during this second month of pregnancy.
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Could You Be Expecting? 7 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms You Might Have
As someone who dealt with PCOS-related infertility and IVF, I was a big believer in PUPO and IVF – you know, “pregnant until proven otherwise.”
I took an optimistic stand and wholeheartedly believed my embryo transfer would result in a baby.
Despite my confidence (and if you are going through the same thing and aren’t feeling confident, please know that that’s okay!), I was still caught off guard by how quickly I started to feel early signs of pregnancy. By the time I was 7 weeks pregnant, symptoms were hitting me left and right.
By the end of that seventh week, I was already carrying around bags of ginger chews for nausea and longing for the end of the workday when I could go home and take a nap.
Typical 7 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
If you’re starting to feel funny and think you might be pregnant, pay attention to what your body is up to. Be on the lookout for these typical 7 weeks pregnant symptoms:
- Frequent Urination: At 7 weeks pregnant, your body is beginning to produce more fluid than usual. This can lead to an increase in your daily trips to the bathroom.
- Increased Fatigue: Between lower blood sugar levels and increased progesterone levels, it’s no wonder so many women are more tired than usual during early pregnancy.
- Morning Sickness: While the exact reason so many expectant mothers experience nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy is unknown, scientists suspect hormones are to blame. Some women even end up with severe cases, known as hyperemesis.
- Sore Breasts: Here we go again with those pesky pregnancy hormones. As hormone levels rise, so does the blood flow in a woman’s body. This change can lead to breast tenderness and growth.
Is It Too Early to Take a Pregnancy Test?
If you’re one of the lucky people who has a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, it’s safe to test after the first day of your missed period.
For other individuals like me, whose bodies like to play a fun period guessing game, it’s best to wait until around 21 days after having unprotected sex.
Some pregnancy tests, such as Clearblue Early Detection or First Response Early Results, are sensitive enough to detect pregnancy much sooner than a woman’s missed period.
What’s Happening During the 7th Week of Pregnancy?
At 7 weeks pregnant, your blueberry-sized baby has a lot going on inside the womb. Not only have they grown to an impressive one-quarter inch in length, but they’re also starting to sprout arms and legs.
Keep in mind that when it comes to learning what to expect at 7 weeks pregnant, your baby is still giving off major tadpole-ish vibes. In fact, their new arms and legs more closely resemble paddles than traditional limbs at this point.
Your baby’s brain is also developing rapidly during the 7th week of pregnancy and has more than 100 brain cells developing every minute.
And on the outside of their adorable head?
They now have the beginnings of a tongue and mouth!
Another exciting change is the growth of their kidneys. Just think: when they join you on the other side of the belly, they’ll be ready to bless you with the thousands of wet diapers you’re preparing to change!
What Does a 7 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound Show?
If you’re hoping to see a wriggling baby during your 7 weeks pregnant ultrasound, you’re probably going to be a little disappointed.
Instead, you’ll probably notice a small bean-like shape sitting inside your uterus…that would be your baby.
Are you concerned that your doctor hasn’t ordered a 7 weeks pregnant ultrasound? Don’t be! Many soon-to-be moms don’t have their first scan until around 12 or 13 weeks. There are certain situations, however, when a doctor might choose to do one earlier. These include:
- Confirming a twin or multiples pregnancy
- Checking a baby’s gestational sac
- Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy or missed miscarriage
- Analyze possible issues with reproductive anatomy
- Confirmation of a successful IVF embryo transfer
If your healthcare team does request an ultrasound around 7 weeks pregnant, it will likely be a transvaginal ultrasound instead of an abdominal one. During this type of procedure, the ultrasound tech will insert a probe into your vagina to conduct the scan.
Can You Hear a Heartbeat at 7 Weeks?
At 7 weeks pregnant, a heartbeat isn’t usually detectable using a fetal doppler on the outside of mama’s stomach.
This doesn’t mean that your doctor can’t still find a heartbeat.
If your physician orders a 7 weeks pregnant ultrasound, they will likely be analyzing the scans for your little one’s heartbeat. When you’re watching the screen, this will usually appear as a slight flutter inside your baby.
At 7 weeks pregnant, your baby’s heart will beat around 90-110 times a minute.
If no heartbeat exists at this point, it could, unfortunately, be a sign of a chemical miscarriage or some other problem.
Is Bleeding a Cause for Concern During Your 7th Week of Pregnancy?
Learning what to expect at 7 weeks pregnant involves finding out what types of warning signs you should be aware of.
Often, this includes information on vaginal bleeding.
When you become 7 weeks pregnant, bleeding is not always something to worry about. It’s commonly a successful implantation symptom and a sign your new pregnancy is progressing the way it should be.
Other times,though, bleeding could be an early sign of miscarriage.
If you experience any of the following symptoms of miscarriage during your 7th week of pregnancy, get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible:
- Back Pain that’s often worse than monthly period cramps
- Sudden weight loss
- White or pink-tinged mucus from your vagina
- Sudden decrease or absence of pregnancy symptoms
- Painful cramping and contractions which come every 5 – 20 minutes
- Passing tissue and clots from your vagina
One Week Closer to the Pregnancy Finish Line
So sure, early pregnancy might not come with gender reveals and pregnancy kicks, but that doesn’t mean eventful things aren’t still occurring! At 7 weeks pregnant, symptoms, heartbeats, and new legs are coming from all corners!
And while miscarriage is still a risk, the 7th week of pregnancy comes with better peace of mind.
After all, once your doctor confirms your little one’s heartbeat, you have almost a 98% chance of going on to have a successful pregnancy.
Do what you can to enjoy these early months of pregnancy (when you’re not napping or throwing up your lunch, that is!) Just a few short months from this particular moment, your world will change forever.
If you’ve already had a baby, what kind of 7 weeks pregnant symptoms did you experience?
Kristen Bergeron is a freelance writer from Florida. In addition to writing, she is a wife, mother of two beautiful girls, Hadley and Scarlett, and a part-time photographer. After overcoming infertility and having two successful IVF cycles, she’s made it a personal goal to help educate men and women on the realities of fertility struggles. She is passionate about supporting fellow women who are trying to navigate the complicated world of conception, pregnancy, and learning to be the best mothers we can be.
