7 semanitas

Your pregnancy: 7 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.

See what's going on in your uterus this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Your uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks, and eating may feel like a chore — or worse — thanks to morning sickness, which by now may be in full swing. (If you're feeling fine, don't worry — you're lucky!)

You may need to pee more than usual, too, thanks to your increasing blood volume and the extra fluid being processed through your kidneys. (By now, you already have about 10 percent more blood than you did before you were pregnant. And by the end of your pregnancy, you'll have 40 to 45 percent more blood running through your veins to meet the demands of your full-term baby.) As your uterus grows, pressure on your bladder will send you to the bathroom as well.

About half of the women who feel nauseated during the first trimester will find complete relief by about 14 weeks. For most of the rest, it'll take another month or so for the queasiness to ease up. It's unlikely, though, that the need to pee more than usual will ease up. In fact, research shows that both the frequency and volume of urine tends to increase over the course of pregnancy.

3 Questions About... Prenatal checkups

Sometime in the next few weeks is the perfect time to see your healthcare provider for your first prenatal visit. Good prenatal care helps give your baby a healthy start in life.

Q1.

How should I prepare for my first appointment?
Write down all of your questions and bring them with you so you can use your time effectively and get the professional advice you're hungry for. Mention everything you're feeling or wondering about, no matter how insignificant. Also:


• Bring a list of all your medications (prescription and over the counter, including supplements) so your caregiver can assess whether they're safe to take now.

• Look back over your calendar and note the first day of your last period. Your doctor or midwife will use this date to estimate your baby's due date. (Don't worry if you haven't been keeping track or have irregular periods. If you don't have a reliable menstrual date, your caregiver can schedule an early ultrasound to date your pregnancy.)

• Take some time to review your family medical history and your partner's. If you're not sure whether anyone in your family has a chromosomal or genetic disorder, check in with your parents or another close relative. Your caregiver will ask you about this to help guide her prenatal testing recommendations.

Q2.

What happens during these appointments? Your practitioner will generally start by asking how you're feeling physically and emotionally, whether you have any complaints or worries, and what questions you may have. She'll have other questions as well, which will vary depending on how far along you are and whether she has specific concerns.

The goal of prenatal visits is to see how your pregnancy is proceeding and to provide you with the information you need to help keep you and your baby healthy. Your midwife or doctor will check your weight, blood pressure, and urine; measure your abdomen; check the position of your baby; listen to your baby's heartbeat; perform other exams and order tests as appropriate; and closely monitor any complications you may have and intervene if necessary.

At the end of the visit, your practitioner will review her findings with you, explain the normal changes to expect before your next visit and the warning signs to watch for, counsel you about lifestyle issues (such as the importance of good nutrition and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs), and discuss the pros and cons of optional tests you may want to consider.

Q3.

Should my partner go with me?
That's up to you. Some couples find that they benefit from going to prenatal appointments together — especially the biggies like the first visit, the ultrasound exam, and anytime key test results will be revealed. Here's what other BabyCenter couples say: 57% of pregnant women who took our poll said they always want their partners to attend appointments with them. 37% of partners say they go to every prenatal appointment.

If you're not happy with your caregiver, look for another. The average woman has about ten to 15 prenatal visits, so it's important to choose someone you like and trust. For more information, see How to choose a prenatal caregiver and What to expect at prenatal appointments.

• Some moms-to-be want their partner to join them for every prenatal appointment. Others are happy to go on their own. How do you feel about it?

This Week's Activity:

Take a photo of your belly. Have someone take a picture of you this week — before your pregnancy starts showing. Then keep taking photos once a month until your baby arrives. It's a great way to track your progress, and you'll love having the keepsake. Tips for a great shot: Consider wearing the same outfit, standing in the same spot, and striking the same pose (profiles work best) for each photo. Black-and-white shots and nudes or semi-nudes can be especially beautiful.