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First trimester

7 weeks pregnant

At 7 weeks, the embryo is growing very quickly. The brain is developing faster than the rest of the body, the eyelids and the beginnings of the hands are forming, and the heart beats with a regular rhythm. Tiredness, nausea and mood swings can make this a demanding week for many people.

This page covers 7 weeks 0 days to 7 weeks 6 days (7+0 to 7+6), counted from the first day of the last period. Check how far along you are

Enter it to see the calendar dates of your week 7.

Botanical illustration of a blueberry

About the size of a blueberry

Typical crown-rump length 9.8 mm to 1.5 cm (0.4 in to 0.6 in) across this week, from the Robinson equation.1

A reference value, not a measurement of your baby.

How your baby is developing

  • The brain and spinal cord are taking shape fast. Because the brain grows faster than the rest of the body, the head is large in proportion to the rest of the embryo.2,3
  • The face is starting to develop. There are small dimples where the nose and ears will be, and the eyelids are beginning to grow over the eyes.2,4
  • The limb buds are starting to form cartilage, which will later make the bones of the arms and legs. The arm buds are getting longer, and their flattened ends will soon become tiny hands.2
  • The heart beats with a regular rhythm and pumps blood through the main vessels. The small tail seen in earlier weeks will gradually recede.3,4
  • At this stage the developing baby is still called an embryo. Most of its organs and body systems are taking shape over these weeks.2,3

Changes you may notice

Everyone’s experience is different. You may notice some of these, or none.

  • There's more blood circulating in your body than before pregnancy, and the volume keeps rising. This extra blood carries oxygen and nutrients to your womb, and it can make you feel thirstier than usual.2
  • Feeling sick, tired and moody is common around now. Other symptoms can include sore breasts, headaches, a heightened sense of smell, new food likes and dislikes, and bloating. Not everyone has them.2
  • In a first pregnancy, you may not start to look pregnant until around week 12. If you've been pregnant before, you may show earlier.2
  • Most aches and pains are part of a normal pregnancy, but don't ignore unusual symptoms, such as feeling itchy all over. Mention them to your midwife or doctor.2

Care around this week

  • In the US, an ultrasound in the first trimester is commonly used to estimate your due date. Ultrasound dating up to 13 weeks 6 days is the most accurate method. In the UK, the dating scan is usually offered between 11 and 14 weeks, after the booking appointment at 8 to 12 weeks.5,6,7
  • Genetic screening options are offered to everyone, and they're often discussed at an early visit. Cell-free DNA screening can be done from 10 weeks, and first-trimester screening between 10 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days.5,8
  • Keep taking 400 micrograms of folic acid a day until at least 12 weeks. It helps the baby's nervous system form and offers some protection against conditions such as spina bifida.2,9

Questions to ask your provider

  • When will I have my dating ultrasound?
  • Which genetic screening tests are available to me, and when would they happen?
  • Is it normal to be this tired, and what can help?
  • How much fluid should I aim to drink each day?
When to contact your provider straight away

Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) in an emergency, such as heavy bleeding or bleeding with severe pain, a seizure, chest pain, or severe trouble breathing.10,11,12,13

These symptoms are not always serious, but each one needs prompt advice from your provider, midwife or maternity unit (or NHS 111 in the UK if you cannot reach them) rather than waiting for your next appointment, and it helps to tell them you are pregnant.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting at any stage of pregnancy. Call 911 or 999 if the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, or feeling faint or dizzy.12,14
  • Fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you. Get checked straight away if the fluid is greenish, colored or smells bad.12,13,15,16
  • Your baby moving less than usual, not moving, or a change in their usual pattern of movements. Call immediately, even in the middle of the night, and do not use a home Doppler to check yourself.12,17
  • A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers or gets worse, or sudden changes in your vision such as blurring or seeing flashing lights.10,12,13
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, or swelling, redness or pain in a leg.10,12,13
  • Belly pain that is severe or does not go away after resting, or pain just below the ribs.10,12,18
  • Regular tightenings or contractions, period-type pains, or backache that is unusual for you before 37 weeks, which can be signs of preterm labor.16,18
  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.12,13,16
  • Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or happens when you lie flat, chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, or dizziness or fainting.12,13
  • Very itchy skin, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night.19
  • Being sick so often that you cannot keep food or drink down, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine, peeing very little, or feeling dizzy.12,20
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Get help right away, and call 911 or 999 if you think you might act on them.12,21

Questions about 7 weeks

Can you see the heartbeat at 7 weeks?

It may be. By about 6 to 7 weeks the heart beats with a regular rhythm that can be seen on a vaginal ultrasound, the type most often used in the first trimester.4,5

Why am I so thirsty at 7 weeks pregnant?

The amount of blood in your body is increasing to supply your womb, and this can make you feel thirstier. The NHS suggests aiming for about 8 medium glasses of fluid a day.2

Is my due date accurate before a scan?

A date from your last period is an estimate. A dating ultrasound in the first trimester gives a more accurate date, so your provider may adjust it after your scan.2,6

Sources

  1. A critical evaluation of sonar “crown-rump length” measurementsBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 82(9):702–710, 1975
  2. 7 weeks pregnant guideNHS Best Start in Life
  3. Fetal development: week-by-week stages of pregnancyCleveland Clinic
  4. Fetal developmentUS National Library of Medicine
  5. Prenatal care in your first trimesterUS National Library of Medicine
  6. Committee Opinion No. 700: Methods for Estimating the Due DateAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, with AIUM and SMFM, 2017
  7. Your antenatal appointmentsNHS (England)
  8. Practice Bulletin No. 226: Screening for Fetal Chromosomal AbnormalitiesAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2020
  9. Pregnancy vitamins and supplementsNHS (England)
  10. Pre-eclampsiaNHS (England)
  11. Epilepsy and pregnancyNHS (England)
  12. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms (Hear Her campaign)US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  13. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help forNHS (England)
  14. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancyNHS (England)
  15. Signs of going into labourNHS Best Start in Life
  16. Premature labour and birthNHS (England)
  17. Your baby's movementsNHS (England)
  18. Stomach pain in pregnancyNHS (England)
  19. Itching in pregnancyNHS (England)
  20. Severe vomiting in pregnancyNHS (England)
  21. Depression in pregnancyNHS (England)

Links checked November 12, 2026. Citing a source does not mean it endorses this site.

Written from the sources above and checked against them on 2026-11-12. Not reviewed by a clinician. Our editorial policy