GUIDE
Published on ·Updated on
Your baby is the size of a blueberry — and the brain is generating about 100 new cells every minute.
The embryo's brain is the star of the show this week, growing at a staggering rate. Facial features are becoming more defined, with the beginnings of nostrils, a mouth, and eye lenses. The arm and leg buds are lengthening, and the embryo is starting to look less like a tadpole and more like a tiny human. At about 8-11 millimeters, it is still remarkably small.
Be prepared from day one
“There's a host of reasons why prenatal care is important. The earlier that we can get patients seen, the earlier we can start interventions that can improve these longer-term outcomes.”
Your baby is about the size of a blueberry — roughly 8 to 11 millimeters from crown to rump. It is growing fast: about 1 millimeter per day this week.
The brain is the most active construction site. It is dividing into three main sections — the forebrain (which will handle thinking and memory), the midbrain (which will coordinate visual and auditory processing), and the hindbrain (which will control breathing, heart rate, and movement). New neurons are being generated at a breathtaking rate, and the first neural pathways are being established.
Facial features are becoming more recognizable. Small indentations are forming where the nostrils will be. The mouth opening is more defined. Tiny dark circles mark the developing eyes, and the lenses of the eyes are beginning to form. Small bumps on the sides of the head will become the outer ears.
The arm buds have elongated and are beginning to flatten at the tips — these paddle-like ends will become hands. The leg buds are slightly behind the arms in development but are growing rapidly. Internally, the liver is producing blood cells (a job it will handle until the bone marrow takes over later in pregnancy), and the kidneys are in their early stages of formation.
For a look at what happened last week, see our week 6 guide.
Your body is deep in the trenches of first-trimester hormonal upheaval. hCG levels are still climbing (they will peak around weeks 8-11), and the side effects are making themselves known.
Nausea may be a near-constant companion. Some people find that it is worst in the morning before eating, while others feel it more in the evening or all day long. The intensity varies from person to person, but week 7 is typically more challenging than week 5 or 6. If you have found strategies that help — ginger, small meals, vitamin B6, acupressure wristbands — lean into them. Our foods to avoid during pregnancy guide can also help you navigate what is safe to eat right now.
Fatigue continues to be significant. First-trimester exhaustion is driven by a combination of progesterone, increased metabolic demands, emotional stress, and often disrupted sleep from nausea or frequent urination. It is not laziness — your body is doing extraordinary work.
You may notice new skin changes this week. Some people develop mild acne as hormones shift, while others find their skin clearer than ever. Increased blood volume can give your skin a slight flush — the beginning of the "pregnancy glow" some people experience. You may also notice that your mouth produces more saliva than usual, a condition called ptyalism that is linked to nausea.
Every pregnancy is different. You may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms.
This week is about managing symptoms, maintaining nutrition as best you can, and starting to think ahead to upcoming prenatal milestones.
Eating every two to three hours keeps blood sugar stable and helps manage nausea. Protein-rich snacks — nuts, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt — tend to stay in the stomach longer than simple carbs alone. Pairing a protein with a carb (crackers with peanut butter, for example) is often better tolerated.
Progesterone slows your bowel motility, and prenatal vitamins with iron can compound the problem. Drink plenty of water, eat high-fiber foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes), and move your body daily. Stool softeners like docusate sodium are considered safe during pregnancy — ask your provider if you need one.
In the coming weeks, you will have options for first-trimester screening tests, including NIPT (cell-free DNA screening) and the nuchal translucency scan. These are typically offered between weeks 10-13. Start reading about these so you can make an informed decision when the time comes.
Anxiety in early pregnancy is extremely common, especially before the first ultrasound. If anxious thoughts are consuming your days, talk to your provider. Prenatal anxiety and depression are real conditions with effective treatments. You do not have to white-knuckle your way through.
When in doubt, call your provider. No question is too small during pregnancy.
Next week, all major organs will be forming, the embryo will begin making tiny movements, and your first prenatal visit may be on the horizon. This is a period of incredibly rapid development.
Next up: Week 8. If nausea is wearing you down, check out our pregnancy nausea remedies for more strategies. And if fatigue is your bigger challenge, see our pregnancy fatigue guide. For a complete overview of what to expect these first 13 weeks, see our first trimester guide.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
