Week 7 of Your Pregnancy
Your baby is the size of a blueberry this week! His arms and hands will become more defined, and iodine will supercharge your baby’s growth during this time1. Discover which foods contain this mineral!
Do you know which part of your baby grows really, really fast? If you guessed his head, you’re right! You’ll be glad to know that his brain is growing rapidly3, as well as his heart, and left and right chambers. At the same time, air passages are starting to form within the lungs — these will eventually grow into a more complex network of bronchi4.
Can’t wait to picture your little sweet pea’s face? This week, you may spot two tiny nostrils! His mouth is taking shape too, with lips, a tongue and tooth buds appearing2. Meanwhile, his eyes and inner ear structures will continue to develop, although it will be some time before these can function properly3.
Your Baby
Your baby will look less tadpole-like this week as his tiny little arms and legs are now developing. At 7 weeks pregnant, your baby measures anywhere between 4mm and 10mm long.
Your Body
It is absolutely normal to feel like you have been constantly running at full speed as your heart beats faster now to transport more blood. Your breathing has also increased as your baby requires fresh oxygen. Do take a break when you get out of breath or feel exhausted.
Are You Getting Enough Iodine?
During this stage of pregnancy, pay attention to this forgotten mineral – iodine. Iodine contributes to the normal development of hormones produced by the thyroid gland5. These hormones assist in regulating metabolism and keeping cells healthy6.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, your baby relies on you for thyroid hormones as his only develops between the 13th to 15th weeks. Though he may produce his own thyroid hormones later, your baby would still need a supply of iodine to make these hormones. During pregnancy, iodine requirements are increased by 67%! Hence, the recommended amount of iodine for pregnant women is 250 mcg per day8.
Iodine has also been shown to contribute to normal cognitive function7. Good sources of iodine include fish and other seafood, and dairy foods like milk and yogurt. If you’re not sure whether you’re getting sufficient levels of iodine, talk to your doctor about taking an iodine supplement today!
What’s Next?
As you watch your belly grow, consider replacing your regular salt with an iodine-fortified version to increase your iodine intake. You can also boost your iodine levels by including the following foods into your diet9,10.
- Fish (such as cod)
- Prawns and other pregnancy-safe seafood (make sure they are cooked)
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Seaweed
Our AptaAdvantage Tip
It is best to avoid hectic sports during pregnancy. However, you could participate in lighter endurance sports such as swimming, walking or yoga to keep the body fit in a gentle way. Do consult your doctor for any sports that you should avoid. Pay attention to your heart rate (not more than 140/minute) and take enough fluid.
Questions about feeding and nutrition?
Our midwives, nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. So if you have a question, just get in touch.
