8 Weeks Pregnant Woman – Symptoms, Baby Growth & Care

You might start to notice that your dresses fit more snugly as you become 8 weeks pregnant. This is so because you are gaining weight as your uterus is slowly expanding to make room for your baby’s rapid development. Your breasts might also feel full and tender. According to medical research, blood volume increases 45 percent during pregnancy. That is why beyond what you see at the surface, all your systems are working on overdrive for sure.

There are changes and discomforts, even at this early stage, as your body adapts to its new demands. Here’s everything you need to know about being 8 weeks pregnant.

Your Baby’s Development At 8 Weeks

At this stage, the baby in the womb gets its nourishment from the yolk sac. Take a look at your baby’s size in the 8th week of pregnancy.

How Big Is The Foetus At 8 Weeks Pregnant?

As you are 8 weeks pregnant, medical studies suggest that the foetus becomes 11/4 inches long, and the head makes up about half this size.

Pregnancy Week 8: Foetal Development

Here are some facts about the 8 weeks foetus:

• Your baby’s upper jaw and nose have started to take shape.
• Although the beginnings of all the key body parts are present, they are not completely positioned in their final locations.
• The eyelids and ears of the foetus have started to form.
• The tip of the nose can also be identified.
• Nerve cells in their brain have started to form early neural pathways.
• Plus, your baby’s sense of smell has started to take shape!

8 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

1. Morning sickness: Morning sickness can strike at any time of the day and is common in 70% of pregnancies. You can expect to have nausea and headache due to low blood sugar or the rise in pregnancy hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
2. Fatigue: Feeling tired or exhausted is one of the 8 weeks pregnant symptoms. You can blame the hormonal changes for this. It is recommended to ensure a healthy diet and take adequate rest during this time.
3. Frequent urination: Due to hormonal uplifts, your body’s organs work hard than usual and that is why you might find yourself going to the washroom more often than usual as you are 8 weeks pregnant.

These were some of the 8th week pregnancy symptoms.

Your Body At Week 8 of Pregnancy

1. Sore or tender breasts: During pregnancy, the hormones help your breasts to prepare for breastfeeding. That is why your breasts grow and there’s more blood flowing to them. This can make you uncomfortable.
2. Abdominal bloating: Hormonal changes in early pregnancy, as you are 8 weeks pregnant, might leave you feel bloated. That’s why your clothes might feel more snug than usual at the waistline.
3. Heightened sense of smell: Heightened sense of smell during this time is common. Unfortunately, most of what you’re smelling might make you want to vomit as it goes hand in hand with food aversions. Thanks to the surging levels of pregnancy hormones.
4. Heartburn: Pregnancy hormones can also relax the valve between your stomach and oesophagus. This can allow the stomach acid to reflux into your oesophagus and cause heartburn.

8 Weeks Pregnant Belly

What about the 8 weeks pregnant bump? Here are some facts about your 8 weeks pregnant belly.

For many pregnant women, it’s still a bit early to have a true pregnancy bump. However, it might be difficult to hide the changes your body is undergoing. If you haven’t announced your pregnancy, you might have to get creative with loose clothing that hides your chest and belly.

With fatigue and nausea hitting you hard, you might also have dark circles under your eyes and a pale or greenish tint to your skin. But these changes are temporary and here lies the good news!

8 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound: Do You Need It?

An ultrasound at 8 weeks can be your first peek at your growing bundle of joy! However, don’t expect to see a lot of definitions or details during this early stage.

Your doctor might recommend an ultrasound to measure your baby’s growth and heart rate and determine the due date. This is also done to confirm your pregnancy if you are not sure about the results of the pregnancy test at home.

3 Self-Care Tips for 8 Weeks of Pregnancy

1. Exercise: You can practice light and less strenuous exercises to take care of your body and baby during this stage. Kegel exercises, yoga, pelvic stretches, pelvic tilts and the cobbler pose are some of the prenatal exercises that doctors mostly recommend.
2. Healthy diet: It is advisable to include iron-rich items in your diet. Try to include plenty of fruits and vegetables to meet the nutritional requirements during this time.
3. Ensure adequate rest: The surging hormones can make sound sleep a distant possibility. But it is advisable to take frequent naps during the daytime and get adequate rest.

3 Pregnancy Checklists At 8 Weeks Pregnant

1. You need to pay attention to your mental health as prenatal depression is common. It is advisable to consult a doctor in case of extreme emotional uplifts.
2. Keep stress at bay and ensure adequate rest.
3. It is advisable to use skin-friendly sunscreen to avoid a condition called melasma or chloasma. These are darker patches on your face or body that are triggered by hormonal changes.

What To Ask Your Doctor?

In case you have any concerns or doubts, it is advisable to discuss them with your doctor. It is also advisable to call a doctor right away if you experience:

• Vaginal spotting and cramping
• Intense pain on any side of the abdomen
• Severe nausea and headache
• Extreme headache and dizziness
• Vaginal discharge having a foul odour

Conclusion

So that was just 8 weeks. You still have 32 weeks to go before the big day. Continue maintaining a healthy diet, avoid caffeine and drinking alcohol and stay physically active. You can also consider keeping a journal about your pregnancy and snap a few photos and jot down notes to remember this extremely special phase.

Cover Image Source: freepik
Also Read: What Happens In The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy?

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Stages Of Foetal Development