6 September, 2011
Your pregnancy calendar for today: A common symptom at this stage of pregnancy is extreme tiredness. You may find yourself going to bed early in the evening and catching up on sleep at weekends.
You are now seven weeks pregnant (or in your eighth week if that's how you prefer to count it).
How your baby's growing
In theory your baby is still an embryo because it has the remains of a small tail, which will disappear in the next few weeks. But that's the only thing that's getting smaller. The heart and brain are becoming more complicated, the eyelid folds are forming, the tip of the nose is present, and the arms now bend at the elbows and curve slightly over the heart. Read more information about your baby's development this week.
How your life's changing
You may not look or even feel pregnant, but your uterus is expanding to accommodate your growing baby. Before pregnancy it was the size of a clenched fist; now it's as big as a grapefruit. As it grows you may feel some abdominal cramping and mild twinges.
In early pregnancy many women feel as if they are on an emotional rollercoaster - ecstatic to be pregnant one moment only to be in tears at the prospect of parenthood the next. The silliest things can set you off but you and your husband will be relieved to know that it's very common to have mood swings at this stage. A combination of surging hormones and worries about pregnancy and parenthood can also result in vivid dreams or insomnia. Try to relax and take time to unwind - it'll be good practice for the months to come. Though they're unsettling, emotional ups and downs can persist throughout your pregnancy and well after your baby's born, so accept that you're bound to feel fragile occasionally.
 |
 |
As many as two in five pregnancies won't go much beyond this stage because they end in miscarriage: the first sign is usually vaginal bleeding. This can be devastating when you've got used to the idea that you're pregnant. Your doctor can deal with the physical aspects but try talking it over with your husband, who'll also be deeply affected, and with other women - you'll be surprised how many have had the same experience. Find out why miscarriage happens.
