Pregnancy Week 7: Mom's Weight Gain and Baby's Brain Development

The seventh week of pregnancy may seem boring to some people, but to an expectant mother it is a fascinating week. Your baby's brain development kicks into high gear. While your baby's brain is expanding, you may be experiencing either weight gain or weight loss. Healthcare providers agree that a healthy weight gain during pregnancy should be 25-35 pounds. Personally, I gained over 45 pounds with each of my kids and by week seven of my pregnancies, I had already gained eight pounds.

Pregnancy Week 7: Baby's Development

Your baby is now 10,000 times larger than his size at conception and his head is the largest part of his body. It is a good thing that his head is so large because during the seventh week of pregnancy his brain is growing rapidly. New brain cells are forming at a rate of 100 per minute so by the end of week seven your baby will have added 1,008,000 new brain cells.

Your baby is also developing paddle-like hands. Notches that are forming fingers are at the end of the hands. Your baby's nose is also appearing as just two pits.

Pregnancy Week 7: Mom's Weight Gain or Weight Loss

Weight gain is normal throughout your pregnancy. Normal weight gain for the first trimester is about five pounds. This weight gain is due to your baby, the placenta, an expanding uterus, and increased blood volume. As long as you are eating healthy, well-balanced meals then there is no need for concern about weight gain during the early stages of your pregnancy.

If you are experiencing morning sickness then you may have nausea and vomiting. Some women experience weight loss at around this time especially if they have frequent bouts of vomiting. Pregnancy weight loss is not all that uncommon. It is very important to check with your doctor and discuss keeping yourself hydrated if you are having this problem.

Another possible reason for losing weight is that you are eating healthier. If you have increased your consumption of protein and high fiber grains along with reducing your fat intake, then you may have lost a few pounds. Again, there is nothing to worry about. A well-balanced diet is healthier even when you are pregnant.

Pregnancy Week 7: What Mom is Experiencing

By week seven of your pregnancy you are definitely feeling most of the early pregnancy symptoms thanks to your hormones. Your breasts should feel a little bit swollen and tender. You are urinating frequently but not a lot of volume each time. It makes all those trips to the bathroom just not seem worth it.

Some moms do not experience any pregnancy symptoms at all. This does not mean that there is anything wrong with you or your baby. Every pregnancy, just like every mom, is different.

For more pregnancy weeks and fetal development you can read:

Conception and Calculating Baby's Due Date

Pregnancy Week 4

Pregnancy Week 5

Pregnancy Week 6

Click here to find more information on your pregnancy and baby's development.

Sources:

Personal Experience

Fit Pregnancy (2009). Pregnancy Calendar. Retrieved: April 8, 9, 2009. Web Site: fitpregnancy.com/calendar/40251887.html

Myers-Gorrie, Trula, Slone-McKinney, Emily, & Smith-Murray, Sharon (1998). Foundations of Maternal-Newborn Nursing (2^nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company.

What to Expect (2009). Weekly Pregnancy Calendar. Retrieved:April 8, 9, 2009. Web Site: whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/landing.aspx