Overview of Week 8 of pregnancy
During week 8 of pregnancy:
- Your baby is 0.04oz and 2/3 inch long
- You are in trimester one
- 32 more weeks to go
- Your baby is moving
You are almost done with your second month of pregnancy! Your baby is continuing to make great advances in their development. They are starting to move around in your uterus, although you likely won’t feel it for another couple of months. The digestive tract and nervous system are both developing as well.
How many months pregnant is 8 weeks?
At 8 weeks, you are roughly 1 month and 3 weeks pregnant.
You are still in trimester one, but you only have one more month until the second trimester. And only 7 more months until the end of pregnancy.
How big is baby at 8 weeks pregnant?
This week, your baby is the size of a raspberry. Measuring in at about 2/3 inch long, from crown to rump, and weighing approximately 0.04oz, your baby is quickly growing. In fact, your baby is growing at a rate of approximately 1mm every day.
Baby development during week 8 of pregnancy
Movements
Although you won’t be able to feel it until around 16-20 weeks, your little one is starting to move around in your womb. These movements right now are spontaneous and random twitches. Once your baby grows a little bigger, these movements will become strong enough for you to feel.
Respiratory System
Your baby’s respiratory system is forming this week. The developing lungs are starting to connect to your embryo’s throat via extending tubes.
Nervous System
Last week, the neural tube closed up. Now your baby is forming a network of nerves through its developing body. Nerves are connecting to each other, as well as between different body parts and organs.
Digestive System
This week, your baby’s digestive tract is forming. This includes the intestines. Interestingly enough, the intestines develop in the umbilical cord. This is because there is not enough room in the abdominal cavity of your tiny embryo. Once your baby grows bigger, the intestines will move into the correct spot.
Pregnancy Week 8 Symptoms
Nausea
More than 50% of women experience morning sickness during pregnancy. Despite its name, morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that occurs anytime throughout the day. It is caused by the sudden increase in pregnancy hormones in your body and can be triggered by certain foods, smells, or even for no reason at all. This symptom usually only lasts until the end of the first trimester; however, some women may experience morning sickness throughout the whole pregnancy.
Fatigue
As hormones, particularly progesterone, surge in response to pregnancy, you are sure to feel more tired than usual. Your body is starting to work overtime to grow a new human so it is normal to feel a bit fatigued. Your heart will also pump faster as blood volume increases to supply the developing placenta and the developing circulatory system of your embryo. This increase is also a culprit for this new tiredness you are experiencing.
Frequent urination
You may find yourself running to the washroom a bit more often nowadays. This is due to the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone increases blood flow to your pelvic region, causing your need to urine more often. Your growing uterus will also start to put more pressure on your bladder, which in turn, will cause your bladder to empty more frequently.
Food cravings
Ever wanted to try pickles and ice cream? That combination may have sounded gross to you before, but now that you’re pregnant, you may be asking your partner to go out and buy exactly that. Researchers aren’t exactly sure what causes food cravings in pregnancy, but 50-90% of women will experience them at some point in their pregnancy. You may crave sweets, salty foods, spicy foods, or even foods that you dislike. Many women have experienced loving food during their pregnancy that they hated while not pregnant. Whatever your craving, give it a shot but remember to keep a balanced diet.
Acne
The higher levels of hormones in your body during pregnancy often cause increased cases of acne. If you are one of the many women experiencing acne during your pregnancy, continue to wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Don’t pick or squeeze blemishes and be careful about what things touch your face. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any over-the-counter or prescription products for acne.
Greater sense of smell
You may notice that your sense of smell has heightened recently. Like many pregnancy symptoms, this is due to the increased hormones flowing throughout your body. If you are experiencing morning sickness, this newfound sense of smell may be your enemy. All those new and strong smells may be causing more bouts of nausea.
Enlarged & sore breasts
You may be experiencing painful and heavy feeling breasts. This, of course, is due to the rise in hormones. You also have increased blood flow through your breasts, which is causing them to enlarge. This symptom should dissipate as your body adjusts to the new hormone levels, but will likely return as your breasts get ready for milk production. Be prepared to go up a few cup sizes throughout your pregnancy and, if you choose to do so, your breastfeeding journey.
Pregnancy week 8 tips
Continue to take a prenatal vitamin
Starting a prenatal vitamin is recommended as soon as you decide to start trying to conceive and even more important once you become pregnant. Making sure you have sufficient vitamin intake is important in the beginning stages of baby development. The most important is folate intake. Adequate folate levels can decrease your growing baby’s chances of developmental defects. Remember to take your prenatal vitamin daily and continue to do so until the end of pregnancy, or longer if you decide to breastfeed.
Avoid certain foods
Pregnancy comes with a list of foods to avoid and limit. On the top of the list are obvious substances such as alcohol and drugs, but there are also a bunch of foods you may not have thought would be harmful.
Here is a list of some common foods to avoid during pregnancy:
- fish with high levels of mercury, such as tuna
- raw or undercooked fish & meats
- caffeine
- unpasteurized milks and cheeses
- soft cheese
- deli meats
Take pictures
You may not have a baby bump yet, but I recommend you start taking progress pictures now. These pictures will be a good memory to look back on and it is a fun way to show your belly growing throughout your pregnancy.
Come up with questions for your doctor
Most pregnancy doctors will have their first appointment with you around this week. You may have already seen a family doctor to confirm your pregnancy, however, if you are going to have a midwife or OB-GYN take care of you for the remainder of the pregnancy, that first appointment with them will happen soon. Therefore, this is the time for you to start preparing any questions you may have about the next 8 months. Some questions to consider are:
- What foods should I avoid?
- Can I continue my exercise routine?
- How often will my appointments be?
- Any activities I should be avoiding?
- What symptoms should I be worried about?
- What can I do about my nausea?
