Let’s get curious about pregnancy! Inside your womb, the zygote had continued developing and flesh torn between cells called trophoblast cells. The structure of these trophoblast cells will become part of the placenta which serves to protect and sustain the unborn baby through pregnancy. We’ve just learned that each minute, more than a hundred nerve cells are being formed in the brain of an embryo that’s just 7 weeks old. Isn’t that exciting?!
The arms, legs, brain, eye lenses and nostrils continue to develop. The baby’s intestines begin working in this week. By this time, the child’s kidneys are forming; they even produce pee which is then released throughout the urinary system. Your baby still has a small tail about this time. Over the next few weeks, the tail will shrink up until it’s eventually absorbed as part of his developing anatomy.
When you’re pregnant with your first child, we believe you should expect morning sickness to come in full force. Not being able to keep enough food down is very common and even eating has become more difficult than usual. You may also have cravings for certain foods that you never thought about wanting before!
Fatigue is pretty normal during this stage in pregnancy. Your body is working very hard in supporting the development of your baby by building a placenta which will ensure it’s healthy development. Other symptoms at this week include indigestion, heartburn, constipation and other gastrointestinal problems, food cravings and food aversions as well as excess saliva, nausea and vomiting.
You will then notice that your breasts are swelling in size. This is due to the increased amount of pregnancy hormones, which produce more fats and proteins, as well as an increase in blood flow, which are all necessary for breastfeeding once you give birth.
The increasingly higher levels of pregnancy hormones in your body can cause changes in fluids, including blood and urine. The higher flow of blood on the pelvic area is caused by the expanding uterus. As such, there can be an increase in urination. The pressure created by the larger uterine size makes it necessary to pay close attention to bathroom breaks.
This week, you will need to go to a doctor for your first prenatal checkup. The doctor will begin charting your weight gain, determine your due date and ask you for any genetic disorders or diseases which run in the family as well as your pregnancy history.
Healthy Lifestyle during Pregnancy: The first trimester of your pregnancy is the most important stage when it comes to your baby’s development. As a pregnant woman, it is important to acquire sufficient vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients in order to optimize your baby’s growth and development. By this time, stop taking medications unless prescribed by your physician.
Smoking and alcohol consumption is a strict no-no when you’re pregnant. You must strive to maintain a healthy diet to make sure the baby gets all of the nutrients it needs.
Always try to eat a balanced diet that promotes healthy living. By eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, you’re sure to get the right nutrition. Grapes are very good to eat when pregnant because they have many important nutrients and vitamins in them!
Grapes are excellent sources of Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, iron and lecithin. They also contain organic acids, calcium and phosphorus which play important roles in the development of the foetus/parturition. Grapes have been proven to have anthocyanins, resveratrol and proanthocyanidins which are known to be efficacious at reducing one’s risk for certain types of cancer.
These fruits can be a positive addition to the diet of pregnant women, who can have many nutrient-related health concerns; including cold hands and feet, low blood pressure, and poor blood circulation. Grapes are also believed to relieve nausea during pregnancy as well as preventing constipation. They are known to help prevent preterm labor and assist with foetal circulation and lung maturation.
Grapes also prevent haemorrhoids in pregnant women. Aside from its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, grapes also make excellent laxatives which are great remedies for problems on constipation. They contain high levels of antioxidants which are beneficial in treating blood vessel related problems that include heart disease.
The Europeans consider grapes a great way to treat certain health problems including diarrhoea, dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetic complications, constipation and liver disease.
Find FREE expert information about the progress of your baby in the seventh week of your pregnancy, on the blog of Merrion Fetal Health. This is a medically leading ultrasound clinic in Dublin, where state of the art pregnancy scans are offered.
