pregnancy week 7
7 weeks pregnant.
Limb buds lengthen into paddles. The brain divides into three primary regions and the umbilical cord takes shape.
Updated 29 July 2026 · Sources: NHS and ACOG
Your baby this week
Curved like a tiny shrimp with paddle-shaped hands and feet and a clearly visible head. Eyes are still on the sides of the face and the tail is shrinking.
- Brain divides into three regions
- Paddle-shape hands and feet
- Umbilical cord forms
- Liver starts making blood cells
What may be changing in your body
Nausea and fatigue often peak around now. Your uterus has doubled in size and you may feel light cramping as it stretches.
Nausea at its building stage
Sickness often intensifies through week 7 on its way to the usual peak around weeks 8 to 10. Eating small amounts before you feel hungry can head off the worst waves.
Excess saliva
Some people produce noticeably more saliva (ptyalism), often alongside nausea. It is harmless, if unglamorous, and fades with the first trimester.
Food cravings
Alongside aversions, sudden urges for specific foods can appear. Cravings are fine to indulge in moderation — unless the urge is for non-foods like ice, chalk or earth, which you should mention to your doctor as it can signal iron deficiency.
Spots and breakouts
Hormone surges can bring acne even if your skin has been clear for years. Stick to gentle products and avoid retinoid-based treatments, which are not recommended in pregnancy.
Constipation
Progesterone slows the gut, and many people notice sluggish digestion from around now. Fibre, fluids and daily walking are the first-line fixes.
Burning or pain when weeing — when to call
Urinary infections are more common in pregnancy and need prompt treatment. If it stings to wee, or urine is cloudy or smelly, call your midwife or doctor rather than waiting it out.
Your week 7 checklist
- Write your booking-appointment question list: screening tests, place of birth options, medication queries
- Gather your family medical history — both sides — as the midwife will ask
- Review your dental care: book a check-up, as gum disease is more common in pregnancy and dental care is a priority now
- Check your workplace entitlements for paid time off for antenatal appointments
A useful partner move this week
Start gathering your own family medical history — the booking appointment asks about both parents' sides, and it is better looked up now than guessed at in the room. Keep handling the cooking and food shopping while smells are hostile territory. If she is craving something specific at an odd hour, going to get it is a small act that will be remembered.
What comes next
By week 8, fingers and toes begin to separate and the embryo can move tiny limbs, though you won't feel it for many weeks yet.
Common questions
Why have I not had a scan yet at 7 weeks?
In most systems, the first routine scan is the dating scan between 11 and 14 weeks, when measurements are most accurate and screening can be combined. Earlier scans are usually reserved for bleeding, pain, or uncertainty about dates. Having no scan yet does not mean anything is being missed — it is the standard pathway.
Is it safe to travel or fly at 7 weeks pregnant?
Yes — flying in the first trimester does not harm the baby or raise miscarriage risk, and most airlines have no restrictions this early. The practical challenges are nausea and fatigue, so pick aisle seats, snack often and stay hydrated. If you have bleeding, pain or a history of ectopic pregnancy, check with your doctor before travelling.
How much weight should I have gained by now?
At 7 weeks, essentially none — expected first-trimester gain is only around 0.5 to 2 kg in total, and people with significant nausea often lose a little instead. Weight gain becomes meaningful in the second and third trimesters. If you are losing weight rapidly or cannot keep food down, call your midwife or doctor.
How many months is 7 weeks pregnant?
Pregnancy months do not divide evenly into weeks, so clinicians date pregnancy in weeks. At 7 weeks, you are in trimester one.