Your Pregnancy at Week 7

Morning sickness can also last well past the stick of midday, with some women suffering day and night. Make sure you are eating little and often, and maybe ask your partner to bring you a slice of toast in the morning before you get up.

You may also start to feel like you live in the bathroom, as the steadily increasing fluid volume results in frequent wee trips! Unfortunately, this little symptom of pregnancy is here to stay, as your growing baby will soon start to use your bladder in the same way it will use a trampoline when it is a toddler!

If you haven't already done so, now may be a good time to let your maternity unit know you are pregnant. Asking your doctors surgery how to self-refer is probably the easiest way to get the right contact numbers.

Continue to take your folic acid tablets, as doing so reduces your baby's risk of spina bifida. You should take them until around 13-weeks.         

As your body continues to rapidly change, it can be tough to know if your symptoms are normal, or if they are concerns you should call your midwife or doctor about. Trust your gut instincts, and never be afraid to ask a healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns. This week, the commonly experienced symptoms include, but are not limited to: 

Morning sickness, increased saliva, and nausea: Many people experience morning sickness during early pregnancy, which can manifest as increased saliva production, nausea, or being sick. This is caused by hormonal changes and typically subsides after the first trimester, but if severe and persistent, it's important to speak to your midwife or GP on how to manage these and keep healthy. Here are some tips for combatting morning sickness.

Food cravings and/or aversions: Pregnancy can bring about sudden and intense cravings for certain foods, while simultaneously causing aversions to others. These cravings and aversions are thought to be influenced by hormonal fluctuations and tend to be foods you’d never normally consider! Head here for more on food cravings during pregnancy.

Heartburn: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can relax the muscles of the lower oesophageal sphincter, leading to the back-flow of stomach acid into the oesophagus. This is what can cause a burning sensation known as heartburn. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding trigger foods can help alleviate symptoms. Here’s more on heartburn during pregnancy.

Frequent urination: As the uterus expands and puts pressure on the bladder, many expecting mums experience an increased need to urinate during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. This symptom is normal and usually improves in the second trimester as the uterus rises higher in the abdomen!

Constipation: Hormonal changes and the pressure exerted by the growing uterus on the intestines can slow down the digestive system, leading to constipation in some people. Increasing fibre intake, staying hydrated, and engaging in regular physical activity can help alleviate this discomfort! Head here for more on constipation during pregnancy.

Amplified sense of smell: Heightened sensitivity to smells is a common pregnancy symptom, again attributed to hormonal changes. Some women may find certain smells intolerable or overwhelming during pregnancy, while others may develop a newfound appreciation for particular scents.

Mood swings: Hormonal fluctuations, coupled with the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy, can contribute to mood swings ranging from joy to irritability and sadness. Practicing self-care, communicating openly with a supportive partner or loved one, and engaging in relaxation techniques can help manage these mood swings. Here’s some more advice on pregnancy emotions.

Acne: Changes in androgen production can stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin, leading to an increase in oil production and acne breakouts. Using gentle pregnancy-safe skincare products and maintaining a consistent skincare routine can help manage acne during pregnancy. 

You'd be happy if you didn't feel so terrible. Doctors can't say precisely what causes the nausea, as many things are contributing to your queasiness, like your sudden sensitivity to smells and slowly moving digestive system. To alleviate your unsettled stomach, there are a few things you can try that might help. 

Even though the last thing that you may feel like doing is eating; but in this case, eating something every two hours or so, even squirrelling snacks by your bedside for any middle-of-the-night waking, will help you always keep something nutritious in your stomach, which may keep your sick feeling at bay. Stay hydrated. If you can't keep anything down, talk to your midwife, as this might be hyperemesis gravidarum.

Listen to your food cravings (unless your craving raw sushi or an alcoholic beverage, in which case you should not listen. Check out our top alcohol-free drinks). There is a reason you crave whatever you crave, and chances are you'll keep it down better than anything you must force yourself to eat. Do not consume anything that isn’t meant to be eaten. If you're craving non-food items, like dirt or laundry detergent, talk to your doctor as this could be a sign of an iron deficiency.

If your skin is acting up and you are considering anything to help clear it, be sure to avoid any new facial products. Your skin is extremely sensitive and reactive right now, and you may discover that this new product actually causes more irritation and breakouts than you've bargained for. Continue washing your face twice a day, use a gentle moisturiser. If you need sunscreen, use the SPF products your skin is already accustomed with.

And don't forget to write in your pregnancy journal, along the way.