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7 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby, Your Body and What to Do
Your baby's brain is growing fast and the arm and leg buds are lengthening.
Before you use this guide: Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period. Sizes are rough averages, and healthy babies vary. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor or midwife.
How your baby is growing
Your baby's head is growing quickly because the brain is developing fast. The arm and leg buds are lengthening into paddle shapes, and the beginnings of hands and feet are visible. The lower jaw, ears and eyelids are starting to form.
The placenta is gradually taking over hormone production from the ovaries, and the umbilical cord is forming to carry oxygen and nutrients to your baby.
How you may be feeling
Your womb has roughly doubled in size, though your bump will not show yet. You may need to pass urine more often, notice more vaginal discharge (thin, milky and mild-smelling is normal) and feel emotional. Extra saliva and strong cravings or aversions are common.
Your to-do list for week 7
- Stay hydrated. It helps with constipation, headaches and urinary health.
- Add fibre-rich food such as oats, fruit, vegetables and pulses to ease constipation.
- Gentle activity such as walking is generally safe and can lift your mood.
- Think about whom you want to tell and when. There is no right time.
When to ask for help
Itching, burning, or a smelly or green-yellow discharge should be checked, because infections are common and easy to treat. Also tell your doctor if you have a high temperature.
For heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache with vision changes, or a baby who is moving less than usual, do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Our guide to pregnancy warning signs has more detail.
Not sure which week you are in? Use the due-date calculator to estimate your due date and current week.
Useful at this stage: conception date calculator.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- NHS: Pregnancy — Pregnancy care, common symptoms, screening and complications.
- NHS: Week-by-week pregnancy guide — Pregnancy development and care by week.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.