Week 7 of Pregnancy

Your Baby Has a Tail and You Might Cry Over Toast

Let's take a breath, because week seven is A LOT. You've officially crossed the invisible line where things start feeling very real—but not quite visible to anyone else. Maybe you're feeling nauseated from the second you open your eyes, or like your mood swings have their own mood swings. Maybe your body's changing so fast that you're wondering if someone replaced you with a bloated version of yourself. But here's the truth: you are doing something absolutely bananas-level incredible—your body is literally designing and building another human being from scratch. No instructions, no breaks, no chill.

This week might feel weird. You're still in that in-between where people don't "see" you as pregnant yet (cue the "you're just bloated, right?" commentary), but your body is doing Olympic-level internal work. You might feel emotionally fragile, physically exhausted, and possibly betrayed by your favorite foods. That's normal. You are not a mess—you're just a mama in the making, riding a hormonal rollercoaster without a seatbelt. So let's break down everything happening inside you, outside you, and around you in week seven of this wild ride.

🫐 What's Going on Inside Your Belly (aka: Baby's Building Phase Begins)

Your baby is now about the size of a blueberry (yep, tiny fruit analogies are a thing now), measuring approximately 1/3 of an inch long—but don't be fooled by the size. There's some serious superhero-level development happening.

• Arms and legs are forming, and those paddle-like buds are starting to shape into what will eventually be fingers and toes. (Aww.)
• Internal organs like the pancreas, liver, intestines, and appendix are all coming online.
• Their brain? Already in beast mode—both hemispheres are developing rapidly, laying down the foundation for everything from memory to movement.
• The eyes now have a retina and lens and are beginning to look more, well, eye-like.
• Their skin is still translucent, so thin veins are visible—think delicate but fierce.
• And yes—they have a tail. Don't panic. It's a totally normal part of early development, just a little leftover from our evolutionary blueprint. It'll shrink and disappear in a few weeks.

Oh, and even though their genital tubercle (the early version of genitals) has formed, it's still way too early to see if you're team boy or girl—but sex was already determined at conception, if you want to feel like you're carrying a tiny little mystery inside you.

🤰 What's Going on With YOU (aka: The Beautiful, Bizarre Body Changes)

So here's the unfiltered truth: your uterus has doubled in size. Like literally, it's ballooned up to make room for baby blueberry, and it's putting pressure on your bladder—so get ready for frequent flyer bathroom status. Peeing every hour? Totally normal.

Let's talk about the rest of the symptoms showing up like uninvited guests at a house party:

• Boobs: Tender, sore, and possibly swollen. You might find yourself side-eyeing your bra like it committed a personal offense.
• Skin: Hormonal shifts might trigger breakouts—hello, middle school flashback.
• Mood: Buckle up. One moment you're sobbing over spilled almond milk, the next you're yelling at your air fryer. You're not unstable—you're pregnant.
• Saliva overload: Excess spit (yep, it's a thing—called ptyalism) can happen, especially if you're nauseated. Some people feel like they're drooling constantly. Hot.
• Fatigue: Like, bone-deep tired. Your body is doing hard labor 24/7. If you feel like you could nap at a stoplight, you're not lazy—you're building organs.

This is also the week where morning sickness (aka: all-day, anytime, surprise-you-during-lunch sickness) tends to hit its peak. If it hasn't started yet, don't get too cocky. For most mamas, it rolls in between weeks 6–8, and might not chill out until week 12 or 14.

😬 Spotting, Cramping & Other "Do I Need to Worry?" Moments

Okay, real talk: spotting in early pregnancy is common. Up to 25% of pregnant people experience it. But here's the deal—it can mean different things.

• Light pink or brownish spotting after sex or a vaginal exam? Usually harmless.
• Bright red bleeding, heavy flow, or cramping that feels worse than your worst period? Call your OB or midwife ASAP.

Also keep an eye out for:

• Severe one-sided pain
• Shoulder pain (could signal ectopic pregnancy)
• Dizziness or fainting

Bottom line? If something feels off, call your provider. Google is not your OB.

🍕 Cravings, Aversions, and the Weirdness That Is Food Right Now

If someone offered you toast yesterday and you cried, but now you'd sell your soul for a pickle dipped in peanut butter? Welcome to pregnancy eating.

Cravings are your body's way of trying to self-regulate. Salt, sugar, carbs—your body knows what it needs.

Aversions are no joke. That favorite food? Suddenly repulsive. And don't get us started on smells. One whiff of your partner's deodorant and you're ready to yeet them into next week.

Eat every 2–3 hours if you can, even small amounts. An empty stomach often makes nausea worse. Try:

• Dry crackers by your bed
• Lemon water
• Applesauce or plain carbs
• Ginger chews or peppermint tea

If you can't keep anything down, or you're losing weight, call your doctor. There are safe meds, including B6 combos and prescription nausea meds, that can help.

✅ Week 7 Checklist: Your Real-Life Survival Guide

• 📝 Start a pregnancy journal. Doesn't have to be deep—just brain dump your feelings or track your symptoms.
• 🧃 Hydrate! Sip water even when you don't feel like it. Add lemon or fruit for a boost.
• 😴 Rest guilt-free. If the couch is calling, answer.
• 🧀 Listen to your body. Eat what sounds good (within reason), and don't fight the weird cravings.
• 📞 Call your provider if you have spotting, intense pain, or can't keep food down.
• 👖 Loosen the waistband. Bloat is real—maternity leggings aren't just for third trimester anymore.