7 weeks pregnant: getting ready for your first gynae visit

At 7 weeks pregnant your baby measures about 0.8cm from the top of the head to the bottom, KKH says, about the length of a grain of rice. The symptoms you had last week are probably still here, and they may get stronger over the next few weeks. If your first appointment isn't booked yet, sort it out this week.

Your baby at 7 weeks

From now on, doctors measure your baby by crown-rump length (CRL), the distance from the top of the skull to the middle of the bottom. You'll hear the term at your first scan.

• The head is growing faster than the rest of the body.
• Ears, nose and eyes are starting to form. The eyes begin at the sides of the face and move towards the middle, and the eyelids will form and stay sealed until about week 20.
• The limb buds are longer and paddle-shaped now, with the arms growing slightly faster than the legs.
• The gut is growing so fast that part of it passes out through the belly button. KKH says it rotates back in once it has finished growing.

What you might feel

KKH's list for week 7 repeats week 6, sometimes stronger: nausea and vomiting, peeing more, light-headedness, tender breasts, tiredness and cravings. Many women feel bloated too, because the stomach empties more slowly in pregnancy. Smaller meals more often, and loose, breathable clothes, help.

Feeling low or anxious is common in early pregnancy. KKH asks you to tell your doctor if you've had symptoms of depression or anxiety on most days for up to two weeks.

Before your first visit: three decisions

KKH's planner suggests sorting out three things before you see an obstetrician for the first time:

1. Public or private care. For subsidised care at KKH, NUH or another public hospital, get a referral from a polyclinic or CHAS GP clinic; MOH gives referred citizens up to 70% off specialist outpatient care and PRs 25%. With a private gynae you book directly and pay private rates. Our guide on how to choose a gynae and the delivery cost calculator help with the sums.
2. Who comes with you. KKH suggests your partner notes the date and attends.
3. What you want to ask. Write your questions down before you go.

Questions worth bringing: how your due date was worked out, which Down syndrome screening tests you're offered and what they cost, who to call about bleeding or pain after hours, and whether to keep taking the medicines and supplements you're on now.

Keep every receipt from your first visit on. Under the MediSave Maternity Package, up to $900 of pre-delivery costs, such as consultations, scans, tests and medicines, can be paid from MediSave. You submit the bills to the hospital where you deliver, after the birth.

Your week 7 checklist

When to go to the hospital

Bleeding with pain, severe tummy pain, fainting, chest pain or breathlessness all need to be seen the same day.

KKH's Urgent O&G Centre, at Basement 1 of the Women's Tower, takes walk-ins 24 hours a day for early pregnancy problems such as pain and bleeding. Under 16 weeks, if the bleeding is minimal or the pain is mild, its Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit can see you the same or next working day by appointment. If you're booked with another hospital, call its O&G clinic or go to its emergency department.

Frequently asked questions

What happens at the first gynae visit?

Usually a medical history, a dating scan and blood and urine tests. Our 8 weeks pregnant guide goes through each test.

7 weeks pregnant is how many months?

About one and three quarter months from your last period. KKH's planner marks the 2-month point at week 8.

Is it too late to book my first visit at 7 weeks?

No. HealthHub says the dating scan can be done anytime from week 6 to week 12.

How big is a baby at 7 weeks pregnant?

About 0.8cm from crown to rump, KKH says, about the length of a grain of rice.

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