Week 7 of Pregnancy (Trimester 1 of Preganancy)

AJ is back from his trip to the states, very proud of his achievements and full of lots of interesting and funny stories. We are so pleased and excited to have him back home – especially Rosie, for whom this was the longest she can remember him being away.

I have been getting myself rather stressed, what with trying to keep my big secret and worrying about starting back teaching this week. The result is mild constipation, which is more annoying than uncomfortable.

Around this time, most women start to experience some of the common pregnancy problems: tender breasts, sensitive nipples, dizziness and of course morning sickness. So far I have only had the tender breasts, but lots of overwhelming surges in emotions. I cry at sad songs on the radio, and take every small criticism really personally.

The baby is now medically defined as a fetus (latin meaning young one). The head and body are now well established, measuring between 8 and 10mm. Tiny rudiments of eyes, kidneys and lungs are developing, and the limbs start to resemble paddle-shapes. The jaws and mouth continue to develop, with lips, tongue and first teeth buds now appearing. By the end of this week the fetus’s brain and spinal cord will be nearly complete. The heart has four chambers and is beating with enough force to circulate blood cells through the now much more complex network of blood vessels.