Week 7 of pregnancy
Updated 25 Oct 2026
Your baby this week
About the size of a corn kernel
Source: Vinmec – Bảng cân nặng và chiều dài thai nhi theo tiêu chuẩn của WHO
Your baby's development
Your baby's 'lifeline': Thank goodness, the umbilical cord has appeared! The cord will connect the placenta and your baby, carrying oxygen and nutrients to nourish your baby, and even removing waste through your blood.
Mucus plug: The mucus plug is forming and developing in your cervix, which helps stop bacteria from getting into your uterus.
Webbed hands and feet: Your baby has developed arm and leg buds. Before long they will grow and change to form fingers and toes, but right now your baby's hands look like tiny paddles.
New brain cells are forming rapidly.
Your baby is now about 6mm long - about the size of a blueberry. Sounds too small? But in fact your baby is now 10,000 times bigger than at conception. At 7 weeks pregnant, most of the growth is focused on the head (all the better to store all those smarts) as new brain cells are made at a rate of 100 cells per minute. Could there be a budding genius? ^_^
The liver and kidneys are forming too:
Your baby's liver has formed and become the blood-making organ for the fetus. The kidneys have also appeared and are starting to filter urine. At this point your baby's urine is sterile, so there is nothing to worry about, parents.
Your baby's arms and legs are starting to develop.
Your baby's arm and leg buds are starting to sprout and grow longer (and stronger), dividing into parts such as the hands, arms, shoulders, legs, knees and feet (although at this early stage the limb buds look more like paddles than hands or feet).
Your baby's mouth and tongue will also form this week.
Your body
Swollen breasts: Although your baby is the size of a blueberry, your breasts may feel more like melons. Some women's breasts have already grown in size by 7 weeks pregnant.
Your nipples may stick out a little more than usual. The areola (the dark area around the nipple) has become darker and larger and will continue to grow and darken in the coming months.
Less happy news: you will also notice small bumps on your areolas. These, called Montgomery tubercles, are sweat glands that provide lubricating oil for the areola. And in case you are wondering why all these changes are happening, here is the answer: they are all needed for the important and precious task of breastfeeding!
Advice for you
Food aversions
You may dislike foods you used to love. Some mums don't want to eat or drink anything at all, while others crave everything, even foods they have never eaten before.
Best advice: eat smaller meals and eat whatever you like, and by all means find substitutes for the foods you have gone off.
If the bra you are wearing feels uncomfortable, switch to a softer, better-fitting and more comfortable one. Hang in there.
Watch the video for this article
Signs that need a doctor now
If you notice any of the signs below, please go to the nearest health facility to be checked by a doctor.
Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy
This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now. If the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe pain or faintness, call the emergency number 115.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Convulsions (fits)
A convulsion in pregnancy is an emergency. Family members should call 115 at once, lay the mother on her side in a safe place and get her to the nearest hospital.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Fever in pregnancy
A temperature above 38°C counts as a fever. Please go to a health facility so a doctor can find the cause and advise on safe ways to bring it down; do not take medicine on your own.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Leaking fluid or waters breaking
Fluid leaking from the vagina may mean the waters are leaking or have broken and needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to a health facility soon, lying with your head low while travelling.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Severe headache, blurred vision, sudden swelling
Headache with blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face, hands or eyelids, can be a sign of high blood pressure in pregnancy or pre-eclampsia. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Reduced or no fetal movement
A clear drop in the baby's movements, or no movement, needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now rather than waiting until tomorrow.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Severe or worsening abdominal pain
Abdominal pain that keeps getting worse, does not ease, or is severe needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now. If the pain is severe with sweating, faintness or bleeding, call 115.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Sources
Content advised by our doctors.
- Vinmec (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- NHS (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Bệnh viện Từ Dũ (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Source for fetal size: Vinmec – Bảng cân nặng và chiều dài thai nhi theo tiêu chuẩn của WHO
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
This article helps you understand and prepare. It does not replace a check-up. For an answer about your own situation, please ask the doctor who is caring for you.