Hello, Beautiful!
Congrats! You’re now 8 weeks pregnant — and your body is working non-stop to nurture your little one inside. By now, you might feel nauseous, drowsy, emotional, or you may find yourself rushing to the bathroom more often (maybe every 5 minutes). Or perhaps you might feel just wonderful! That’s because every pregnancy is different, and your body adjusts in its own way.
But above all these, be happy that your first ultrasound is happening soon! This is when you’ll check in with your doctor and may hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. Believe us, it’s a moment that every mom-to-be cherishes.
So, as you move into this new phase, we’ll ride through all the changes, milestones, and what’s next on this amazing journey.
But first, let’s recall your baby’s development in week 7.
How Was Your Baby At 7 Weeks?
At 7 weeks, your baby’s tiny face had started taking shape. Small dips had formed where the nose and eyes would develop. Their arms and legs had begun to grow, but at that stage, they still looked like tiny paddles rather than actual limbs.
The umbilical cord has started forming, which acts as a lifeline to supply oxygen and nutrients to your baby. Though your baby was still tiny, big changes happened every day! And just like that, you’ve reached another milestone — week 8 of pregnancy! To learn more about this, continue reading!
What Does Your Baby Look Like at 8 Weeks?
By week 8 of pregnancy, your baby looks more like a tiny human. They appear to be about the size of a raspberry (that’s around 16 mm long). Their head seems larger compared to the rest of the body due to their fast brain development. The arms and legs are extended, and you can see their fingers and toes forming. But they may appear slightly webbed.
Inside, many significant changes are happening. The eyes, lungs, and genitals start to form. The placenta starts forming, giving your baby the oxygen and vital nutrients they need to grow, passing through their umbilical cord. Although your baby may appear tiny, a lot is happening this week — all set for the weeks ahead! But 8 weeks mean what? Which month are you actually in? We’ll see this in the next section below.
8 Weeks Pregnant: What Month Are You In?
At week 8, you’re at the fag end of your second month! It may seem early, but doctors calculate pregnancy from the first day of your last menstrual period and not from when you actually conceived. So even though conception likely happened 6 weeks ago, you’re 8 weeks pregnant today. And not just that, you are also nearing the end of your first trimester, which lasts until week 12. By now, your baby has already started developing key organs and is preparing to go through a dramatic growth spurt soon.
Your 8-Week Ultrasound Glimpse
Your 8-week ultrasound is when you finally get to view your baby for the very first time. It confirms that the pregnancy is on track, checks the baby’s heartbeat, and monitors their growth. Not only this, you may get to learn about the placental position, and amniotic fluid levels inside the womb. Along with this, you might also get some blood tests done. But keep in mind that not all expectant women receive an ultrasound at week 8; some are asked to wait until week 10 or 12. But if you’re getting one this week, consider yourself lucky and bring your spouse along to cherish this exciting moment!
8th Week Pregnancy Symptoms
Although there is no visible bump to notice, your uterus has doubled in size. It presses down on the urinary bladder to cause frequent urination. Not just that, at 8 weeks pregnant, the hormones start rising fast; that is, the levels of hCG, progesterone, and estrogen go up to support your baby. And at this time some of you may experience a bunch of symptoms including:
1) Nausea Or Morning Sickness
This one’s super common and can hit at any time of day, not just in the morning. It’s usually triggered due to rising hormone levels and a sensitive stomach. You might find certain smells or foods suddenly make you gag.
2) Tiredness
By week 8, you’ll probably be tired all the time. Your body is in overdrive providing for your baby’s needs. It’s building the placenta, increasing blood volume, and transporting nutrients to help build organs. And on top of all this, hormone levels are skyrocketing, making you even more fatigued. So even if you haven’t been very active, you might still feel worn out which is completely normal during this stage of pregnancy. However, taking rest as much as you can make it easier for you.
3) Sore Breast
Your breasts may feel heavier, fuller, or extra sensitive. This is all part of the prep work your body is doing for breastfeeding later on.
4) Food Cravings Or Sudden Dislikes
You might suddenly crave weird food combos or go off foods you used to love. It’s all due to hormonal shifts that affect your taste and smell.
5) Bloating
You can feel bloated or a bit puffed up when you are 8 weeks pregnant. Hormones delay digestion, producing gas and making your tummy feel tight or full.
Your Pregnant Belly At Week 8
By week 8, your uterus will be about the size of a lemon. You might not have a baby bump yet, but you might feel tight around your waist or bloated. That’s because your hormones are slowing down digestion, leading to gas builds up. If you’ve been pregnant before, your belly might start to show sooner. So at this time, wearing loose, comfortable clothing can make you feel more at ease.
Additionally to help you deal with all the above other symptoms and changes, here are a few simple things you can start doing this week.
Tips For 8 Weeks Pregnant Women
1) Eat Small, Frequent Meals
If you have trouble eating due to nausea, try eating in small amounts throughout the day. This keeps your stomach from getting too full or too empty, both of which can make nausea worse.
2) Stay Hydrated
Drink lots and lots of water, even if you don’t want to. Dehydration can exacerbate symptoms of headaches and fatigue. Carry a water bottle and take small amounts of water throughout the day, particularly when you feel nauseous.
3) Get More Rest
Your body is doing a lot right now — building the placenta, increasing blood volume, and growing a baby. It’s normal to feel exhausted. So try to go to bed early and take short naps when you can during the day.
4) Wear Comfortable Clothes
Bloating and breast tenderness are common. Switch to loose, supportive clothes and bra to make yourself more comfortable. Wear something that feels easy and breathable.
5) Take Your Prenatal Vitamins
Keep taking your daily prenatal vitamin with folic acid. It helps prevent neural tube defects and supports your baby’s brain and spinal development. If it bothers your stomach, take it with food or before bed.
6) Avoid Things That Don’t Feel Right
If a smell makes you gag, step away, if food turns your stomach, skip it and when a workout feels too intense, stop. Your body knows what’s up — just follow its lead.
Wrapping Up..
At 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is growing rapidly and your body is working hard to keep up. The symptoms are overwhelming, but they are signs of healthy progress. Rest, eat well, and listen to your body. As you enter week nine, be prepared for more changes, a larger baby, and one week closer to meeting your little one!
FAQs
Q1) Can Your Belly Show At 8 Weeks?
At 8 weeks, most women are too soon to notice a visible baby bump. Your uterus is the size of a lemon, so whatever you feel is more likely to be due to bloating than the size of the baby. Some women, especially in second or later pregnancies, might notice a slight belly, but for many, the bump doesn’t show until after week 12.
Q2) Is Spotting Normal At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Light spotting after 8 weeks can be a result of cervical sensitivity or hormonal changes. But in some cases, it may be a sign of miscarriage — so it’s best to check with your doctor.
Q3) Is Diarrhea Common During Week 8 Of Pregnancy?
Yes, some women get mild diarrhea in their first trimester. It may be due to hormonal shifts, or changes in diet. The occasional loose stool is not a problem. Just make sure to drink lots of fluids and call your doctor if it persists for more than a couple of days.
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