Pregnancy Week 7
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Your Baby's Growth and Development
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By pregnancy week 7 your baby is growing even faster than before, reaching new lengths (almost 13 mm) and greater achievements! By now you can compare your baby's size to that of a raspberry. Your baby's facial features are starting to pop now, with a visible mouth and tongue forming. Your baby's muscle systems are also starting to develop during pregnancy week 7. Your baby is able to move around by now, though his movements may seem rather uncoordinated and unusual.
If you were to peer directly at your baby now you might notice small webs between his fingers and toes. These will gradually separate, as your baby gets bigger. Your baby's liver starts functioning also this week. Your baby will also start producing red blood cells while happily swimming about his new home!
Changes In Your Body
You may feel like you are growing a lot, but most women don't have much to show at 7 weeks pregnant. Chances are you however, have noticed a small pooch in your lower stomach. Many women start finding their favorite pants or shorts just a little bit less comfortable than before. You are probably giddy with excitement still about your pregnancy. If you haven't already, you should have called your doctor for an OB appointment.
My experience has been most doctors will wait until you are between 9 and 11 weeks before seeing you during pregnancy, unless you are a high-risk pregnancy. This can be off-putting for some women, but it doesn't increase the chance your doctor will see you for a viable pregnancy. Most things that may go wrong happen before this time frame. This also allows your baby to develop enough for your doctor to take their first snapshot during a vaginal ultrasound.
Do not hesitate however, to call your doctor for an earlier appointment if you are experiencing worrisome symptoms. Keep in mind your doctor is also available to you even before your first visit for questions and concerns. During my first pregnancy I was very nervous about the twitches and feelings I experienced during early pregnancy. I called my doctors office a couple of times to confirm what I was feeling was normal and safe. Don't hesitate to do the same.
Migraine Headaches During Pregnancy
Unfortunately many women will start experiencing migraine headaches around pregnancy week 7. This is even more so the case if you suffer from headaches or migraines before becoming pregnant. While some women find their migraines are better during pregnancy, many others find they are worse or have migraines for the first time during pregnancy.
I have always suffered from migraines. My experience has been they are generally worse during the first and third trimesters. Fortunately they do indeed taper off during the months following delivery. At times migraines start off like ordinary headaches, but gradually get worse with time.
A migraine may feel like pulsing on one side of the head accompanied by sensitivity to light, loud noises and by visual disturbances. Many women, myself included, also experience nausea and vomiting with migraines.
If you are pregnant, your doctor will probably advise you try to rest to alleviate your headache. You can also avoid common migraine triggers (aside from hormonal changes) that may be contributing to your headaches. One of the best tools you can invest in to help you rest whether you have a migraine or not is a pregnancy pillow. Full body pregnancy pillows like the Snoozer pregnancy pillows are ideal for women with migraines looking for anything to provide them a little extra comfort during pregnancy. These unique pregnancy pillows can help alleviate neck and back pain, which sometimes trigger migraine headaches. You can even buy a pillow made of natural goose down if you to add a little extra support and comfort throughout your pregnancy. If you find you do suffer migraines, make sure you invest in a comfortable full body pregnancy pillow. You can wrap yourself and your baby around it, lie down and rest until you feel ready to take on the challenges of the rest of the day. Pregnancy pillows can also prove comforting to women that suffer migraines even after they deliver their precious newborn baby.
Common triggers for migraines include stress or anxiety, too little sleep, chocolate and certain aged cheeses, wine and coffee and strong odors at times. Some women find placing an ice pack on their head helps them feel better, while others find acupuncture helps during pregnancy. If I catch a migraine early, I always try some acupuncture to help relieve my symptoms. If your headaches prove extra debilitating, be sure to contact your healthcare provider for more advice about treating them. In certain circumstances, your doctor may be able to prescribe something to help alleviate your discomfort temporarily.
Read next about your baby's growth and development, as well as the changes in your body during pregnancy week 8.
