7 Weeks Pregnant: Might Be Some Mucus

At 7 weeks pregnant, despite your baby actually only being around 3 weeks into development, you’re halfway through the first trimester. That may seem a silly milestone–unless you’re suffering from some seriously not-fun pregnant symptoms, being that most of those begin to diminish as the first trimester closes. Unfortunately, those same symptoms may peak in the next 2 to 3 weeks.7 weeks pregnant baby

What’s going on with your baby at 7 weeks pregnant?

This week your baby becomes more humanoid in appearance– though he/she still has a tail and a very large head (about 1/3 of your baby’s size right now is noggin’).  Your baby is also now forming hand plates, finger nail beds, a mouth, nostrils, and teeth buds. Vital organs continue to form with the lungs, liver, and digestive track finishing up. The genital tube is also now complete, though even with an ultrasound gender won’t be visible yet. Your baby now weighs about as much as a chocolate chip and is 7 to 9 mm in length (think the size of a blueberry).  Food comparisons aside, that may seem pretty small, but it’s 1000 times larger than the original fertilized egg! Your baby has really grown, and that tiny heart that began beating last week is circulating blood through your baby’s body. A body that can, at this point, move in response to cell communication due to brand spanking new nerve channels and muscle connections.

What’s going on in your body at 7 weeks pregnant?

7 weeks pregnanyt ultrasound
What you may see if you have an ultrasound at 7 weeks pregnant

Your hormones are going to continue to go crazy in week seven, which may even cause acne flare ups, but the biggest issue you’re likely to face at 7 weeks pregnant is vaginal discharge.  A mucus plug is forming in your cervix which will keep your new baby safe and sound in your uterus. As it forms, you’ll see an increase in yellowish, thick mucus. Increased discharge is likely to continue throughout your pregnancy. You may find thin panty liners, frequent underwear changes, and daily showers helpful to keeping things clean and comfortable down there.

You may also start to notice your waist line widening, though some women don’t begin to gain weight this early. Your uterus is now twice the size it was before you became pregnant, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be showing. If you’re experiencing cravings which are adding to that growing waistline, try changing the brand of your prenatal vitamin. Pregnancy cravings are the body’s way of obtaining vitamins and minerals it’s missing.

When will I start showing?

If you take a look at belly pictures at 7 weeks pregnant, you’ll see a pretty wide range of baby bumps. How early you begin to show depends on a lot of things, such as muscle tone, skin elasticity, uterus shape, placenta location, and baby position (later on). As a result, its hard to say just when you’ll be able to tell you’re pregnant by looking in the mirror. At 7 weeks pregnant though, unless this isn’t your first belly fruit, chances are you might have gained some weight, but it’s not obviously baby weight yet.

6 Weeks Pregnant: Bring on the Symptoms

It’ll be another busy week for baby, but then most of the first trimester is. Unfortunately, a busy week for baby means high energy use from you. This is why 6 weeks pregnant typically marks the point where fatigue begins to seriously bring you down– literally, like to a bed. In fact, in almost all pregnancies hormone levels are now sufficient to cause all sorts of fun pregnancy symptoms.

6 weeks pregnant baby
Your baby at 6 weeks pregnant

What’s up with baby at 6 weeks pregnant?

Remember how last week your baby was a tiny rice-sized dot with a line on it? Well, in a short week he or she has now grown to about the size of a skittle (4 to 6 mm from crown to rump) and resembles sort of a tiny tadpole– seriously, she/he even has gills and a tail.  Arm and leg buds are beginning to form. The inner ear and larynx are almost complete, as well as the development of the placenta. Although, the placenta won’t take over the nutritional support from the gestational sack, or yolk we’ve mentioned in previous weeks, until around week ten.

Almost all of the vital organs are also now in process and the heart is beating! Both a heart beat and brain waves can be detected in most babies at 6 weeks pregnant. All of this crucial fetal development is why avoiding hazards to your baby’s health, such as alcohol, is important from day one of your pregnancy.

What’s going on with your body at 6 weeks pregnant?

6 weeks pregnant ultrasound
A “dot” or yolk within the circle is usually visible at 6 weeks pregnant

As mentioned, 6 weeks pregnant can be deemed the official “symptoms” week for most, though some women have pregnancies which are basically symptom free. You may meet your new best friend morning sickness this week. Don’t be confused either, morning sickness doesn’t just visit in the morning. It can hit at any time. Your breasts may also become more tender and tingly. The areola, or area around the nipple, may begin to increase in size and darken. Your blood pressure may begin to drop. This can cause light-headedness and headaches. Other common complaints in early pregnancy, or 6 weeks pregnant symptoms, include scent sensitivity, taste changes, way too frequent potty breaks, bloating, nausea without vomiting, gas, constipation, difficultly sleeping (despite fatigue), and mild cramping.

Bloating may make you appear slightly pregnant at this point, but unless this is not your first pregnancy, chances are you have no “baby bump” yet. Most women look about the same as they did pre-pregnancy minus some possible boob-size increase at 6 weeks pregnant.

In the early weeks, some degree of spotting can also be completely normal. You can read more about bleeding in the first trimester here.

Should I see a prenatal care provider at 6 weeks pregnant?

Unfortunately, many care givers won’t see you before week 10 to 12 unless you are a high-risk case. This is because miscarriage is most common before this point. It is, however, a good idea to choose a prenatal care provider and set up your first appointment in advance. You might get lucky and be able to go in right away to confirm your pregnancy and get a general physical. Either way, make sure you are taking a prenatal with plenty of iron and folic acid as well as keeping a balanced diet.