Week 7
(counting from first day of last menstrual period)
Around 5 Weeks After Conception

Fetal Development:
I'm Tiny But Gaining Fast!
The baby is about 1/3 of an inch, the size of a grain of rice. Development of the arms and legs continue although the fingers and toes haven't yet formed. The brain is growing as well as the lenses of the eyes, nostrils, intestines, pancreas and bronchi.

Maternal Changes:
This week tends to be like last week with the usual symptoms of early pregnancy continuing. You're not showing yet and may have lost a few pounds or gained a few pounds. Both are normal at this stage.


* Faster rate of weight gain
* Size of abdomen and increased itching on its surface
* A feeling of heaviness in the pelvis or vagina
* Greater tendency to retain water
* Varicose veins
* Increased fatigue

Morning Sickness Tips:
Having your head in a toilet bowl or bucket most of the day is NO FUN, and you may have discovered that "morning" may mean all day and not just the morning. One important thing to remember is to never let your stomach get completely empty or overly full. Ginger (the real thing, not artificial) helps. Drink ginger ale or ginger tea, try ginger snaps or ginger root capsules. Lemons also help - lemonade or sucking on raw lemons. Many people swear by Seabands which are a form of acupressure. Visit our Morning Sickness Tips Page where readers have submitted what has helped them survive morning sickness and our Coping With Nausea and Vomiting information.

Ideas for Dad:
Do you have a cat? If so, Dad, PLEASE take over the job of cleaning the litter box. Cat feces can contain a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis - an infection that can cross the placenta and harm your baby.