8 Weeks Pregnant: What To Expect?

When you’re 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is at the last stage of embryonic development and ready to become a fetus soon.

Your baby has started to move in your womb, and your visits to the bathroom have become more frequent.

Morning sickness does not occur in the morning anymore; it happens pretty much always. You will be fighting queasiness throughout the day.

It is just the introduction, read on to find out what more happens in the eighth week of pregnancy.

8 weeks pregnant
8 weeks pregnant

8 weeks pregnant development

How your baby is changing?

Development of baby in pregnancy week eight.

At the eighth week, your baby is already half or two-thirds of an inch by now. 

Baby's Development at 8 Weeks Pregnancy
Baby’s Development at 8 Weeks Pregnancy

He or she is not only growing in their length, but their arms, hands, and legs are also elongating.

AspectDevelopment
SizeAs big as a pasta!
Organ SystemsGonads forming, sex determination not possible, eyes color forming
Limbs and FeaturesPaper thin skin, lips clear, fingers and toes differ
Movement and FeelingAmniotic fluid increases 2tbsp/week
OtherEyelids will now remain shut till 26th week

Since spurts of growth can happen anytime, expect significant changes to happen soon.

  1. The gonads are forming, but it is still not clear whether your baby will become a hero or a heroine. You cannot tell whether the baby’s gonads will develop into testicles or ovaries. Gender prediction at eight weeks pregnant is not accurate.
  2. Baby’s skin is paper thin, and it is still without pigments. The colour of baby’s eyes also starts developing during eight weeks pregnant.
  3. She has got lips, nose, and eyelids! The eyelids will remain shut until 26 weeks. Her ear slits also shows on each side.
  4. Your baby does not look like a lizard anymore. He has got beautiful raspberry upper lip, tiny button nose and thin eyelids shut tight. Inner ears are forming.
  5. Her tail is almost gone, but her hands and feet are still webbed. But her tiny fingers differentiate from her toes.
  6. Breathing tubes that extend from the throat to the lungs are under development.
  7. In her brain, the neurons have started to connect with each other forming neural pathways. The brainwave activity has kickstarted.
  8. The part of the brain affiliated with the sense of smell is taking shape. Neural development at 8 weeks pregnant includes branching of nerve cells. Primitive neural pathways form during eight-week pregnancy.
  9. Baby’s heart beats faster, and movements start at the eighth week of pregnancy. It is as much exciting for the baby as it is for you for her heart now is beating a whopping 150-170 times in minutes. It is twice as fast as yours.
  10. Even though you cannot sense her movements now, but your baby is moving. The fetus of the size of a kidney bean is trying to stretch himself and twitching her limbs and trunk. There are no particular numbers of movements, but your babe is now taking a stroll inside mama. 
  11. Amniotic fluid is increasing in volume and womb is also growing to make space for the baby bun!  At eight weeks pregnant, amniotic fluid rises by two tablespoons every week.
  12. Your jeans will probably stop fitting you by now as your uterus has grown from the size of a fist to a grapefruit.
  13. What all happens in your body at 8 weeks pregnant? The answer doesn’t stop at external 8-week pregnant changes in the body. Mentally now you might feel anxious about your body image. It’s time to go for counselling sessions. Deal with all the emotional issues and sort them out.

What changes occur in your body eight week pregnant?

What Changes Occur In Your Body Eight Week Pregnant?
What Changes Occur In Your Body Eight Week Pregnant?

Your first prenatal visit is going to happen soon. All your queries and doubts will finally get an answer. 

Some of you might have already had a 7-week ultrasound and heard baby’s heartbeat.

For others, the 8 week ultrasound is the first time you see your baby. 

Advanced forms such as 8 week 4D ultrasound will show how your baby looks from inside.

Your pregnancy has started feeling more real, and you experience all the telltale pregnancy symptoms of week 8:

1) Morning sickness during the eighth week of pregnancy

Morning Sickness During The Eighth Week Of Pregnancy
Morning Sickness During The Eighth Week Of Pregnancy
  • You are fighting nausea around the clock. The name is not appropriate at all. Only a man who did not experience it can call it ‘morning sickness eight weeks pregnant.’ Because it does start in the morning, but it continues for the rest of the day.
  • All this queasiness is because of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). hCG and estrogen are circulating everywhere in the body when 8 weeks pregnant.
  • Morning sickness is a sign that you have a normal pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting are tenants and will probably subside by week 12 – 14.

What to do to cope up with morning sickness?

  • When you are not battling nausea and vomiting, have lots of fruits. Fruits will make up for your aversions to certain vegetables leaving you healthy and nourished.
  • Eating ginger can help you like ginger ale or ginger cookies.

2) Breast changes during the eighth week of pregnancy

Breast Changes During The Eighth Week Of Pregnancy
Breast Changes During The Eighth Week Of Pregnancy
  • You will need a bigger bra by the eighth week as your breasts have started to mature because of the hormones.
  • It is all in preparation for lactation.
  • Varicose veins may start to appear because of the enhanced blood supply in the breast tissue.

What can you do to ease hurting boobs at 8 weeks?

  • Wear soft bras and use essential oils to massage your breasts.
  • You’ve not started showing as the 8 week pregnant belly is still unnoticeable. But avoid sleeping over your stomach because that will further press your breasts.
  • Don’t go out in the sun without taking a scarf over your breasts.

3) Headaches during the eighth week of pregnancy

Headaches during the eighth week of pregnancy
Headaches during the eighth week of pregnancy
  • Since the blood volume in your body is increasing, you might suffer from headaches.
  • Migraines during pregnancy are not uncommon. Some women experience their first migraines in life when pregnant.

What to do to cope up with headaches during the eighth week of pregnancy?

  • Instead of popping in Aspirin, replace it with Acetaminophen.
  • Why? The other drugs might cause fetal abnormalities. So one must only restrict to medicines that are baby safe.

4) Fatigue during the eighth week of pregnancy

Fatigue during the eighth week of pregnancy
Fatigue during the eighth week of pregnancy
  • By the eighth week, you will feel tired throughout the day. It is because now the growing fetus is consuming calories leaving you exhausted.
  • Right now you won’t be able to increase your diet. Morning sickness won’t let you eat. Pregnancy weight gain is not happening and pregnant belly of 8 weeks seems the slimmest.
  • You 8-week weight during the first trimester. Additional 300 calories for pregnant women during the second trimester will help you gain.

How to cope with fatigue when 8 week pregnant? 

  • In the list of things to do when 8 weeks pregnant, you must put fluids on top.
  • Morning sickness remedies such as ginger tea or raspberry drink are 8-week pregnant superfood.
  • Replenish lost energy with fluids such as smoothies. But make sure they are devoid of excess caffeine. Don’t opt for coffee and tea as a quick alternative.

5) Increased vaginal discharge during the eighth week of pregnancy

Increased Vaginal Discharge During The Eighth Week Of Pregnancy
Increased Vaginal Discharge During The Eighth Week Of Pregnancy
  • A thin milky fluid expelled out from your vagina called leucorrhea is the symptom of 8 weeks pregnant
  • The hormone estrogen is responsible for the production of 8 weeks pregnant mucus discharge.
  • Estrogen increases the flow of blood to the pelvic region, and this stimulates the body’s mucous membranes. 8 weeks pregnant mucus discharge is due to upsurge and change of hormone composition.
  • Leucorrhea is a vaginal discharge that protects the birth canal from getting infected.

6) Bloating, flatulence, belching and gas during the eighth week of pregnancy

Bloating, flatulence, belching and gas during the eighth week of pregnancy
Bloating, flatulence, belching and gas during the eighth week of pregnancy

You will be belching, bloating and passing gas a lot as the hormone relaxin and progesterone circulates in your bloodstream.

What to do to treat bloating, flatulence, belching and gas during the eighth week of pregnancy?

  • Stop eating any food that may cause gastric trouble like cabbages.

  • Also, eat some fennel and mint leaves as they have the properties to treat bloating, flatulence, belching and gas.

7) Mood Swings while 8 weeks pregnant

Mood Swings while 8 weeks pregnant
Mood Swings while 8 weeks pregnant

It is obvious to feel concerned about the changes in your body. But its time to accept them. Feel empowered that you’re creating a life inside your body.

These changes are temporary and will go away. Myths regarding loosening of the vagina after childbirth are baseless.

Getting a  husband’s stitch is also malpractice that doesn’t help at all.

Hormonal upheaval will cause mood swings and appetite fluctuations. Going for counselling will only guide you. 

It’s your task to shun away from such negative pregnancy talk consciously.

8) Constipation during the eighth week of pregnancy

Constipation during the eighth week of pregnanc
Constipation during the eighth week of pregnanc
Constipation can lead to hemorrhoids so make sure you load up on fibres.
What to do to treat constipation during the eighth week of pregnancy?
  • Eat foods rich in fiber.
  • Fibers can be your BFF during pregnancy (not only during pregnancy but forever).
  • They give you a sense of fullness and also cut back on the calories.

9) Bleeding 8 Weeks Pregnant

Bleeding 8 Weeks Pregnant
Bleeding 8 Weeks Pregnant

When you’re 8 week pregnant, bright red or heavy bleeding may be a sign of miscarriage.

Let your doctor know if you’re taking any medication for other disorders.

8 weeks pregnant symptoms

Eight-week pregnancy signs are all the common symptoms of early pregnancy. All symptoms of 8 weeks pregnant are:

  1. Nausea and vomiting 8 weeks pregnant
  2. A headache
  3. Constipation and bloating
  4. Itching belly and limbs
  5. Pregnancy insomnia
  6. Hardening of 8 weeks pregnant belly
  7. A backache and round ligament pain
  8. Nasal congestion and a heightened sense of smell
  9. Heartburn
  10. Frequent urge to pee

8 weeks pregnant belly

How does an 8 weeks pregnant look like? 

Your belly will not have a baby bump. Try not to press or do anything to feel the womb. The early weeks of pregnancy are critical.

Your uterus grows to a size of softball or grapefruit from that of a fist. Eight weeks pregnant belly may be expanding which you feel internally.

All those feeling of abdomen stretching and growing are a mix of illusion and cramps. 

The pregnancy hormone hCG is shooting its peak. Other pregnancy hormones are also picking up and falling as per need rapidly.

Hence, remember that 8 weeks pregnant belly is not externally seen. 

But you can start clicking those week-by-week pregnant belly pictures to collect memories.

8 weeks pregnant baby size

How big is your baby at eight weeks pregnant?

The baby is now 1.6 cm in length. 

You can imagine your 8 weeks pregnant baby size to be of a raspberry. 

8 weeks pregnant baby size is around half to two-thirds of an inch.

How big is my baby after eight weeks? At eight weeks of pregnancy, your baby is growing at a rate of 1 millimetre per day.

After eight weeks of pregnancy, the baby becomes a fetus. Similarly, your amniotic fluid goes on increasing. 

The baby continues to obtain nourishment from the yolk sac.

Beyond 8 weeks pregnancy your baby will start taking nutrients through the placenta. 

The placenta at 8 weeks pregnancy develops chorionic villi for which attach it to the womb wall.

8 weeks pregnant with twins will not feel any different. Your twins at eight weeks pregnancy will be half an inch in size.

8 weeks pregnant ultrasound

Doctors don’t advice ultrasound before 6 weeks pregnant because nothing shows in it. 

Ultrasound at eight weeks pregnancy is the norm nowadays.

Women have a concern if ultrasound will harm their baby. 

However, studies prove that pregnancy week 8 ultrasound scan is entirely safe.

Consult your doctor whether you need a full bladder for an ultrasound scan at 8 weeks. 

Overweight women will need a transvaginal 8-week ultrasound to see the baby.

Why Do You Need An 8 Week Ultrasound?

Why Do You Need An 8 Week Ultrasound?
Why Do You Need An 8 Week Ultrasound?

Don’t feel bad about asking and judging the necessity for prenatal tests. 

Insurance doesn’t cover early ultrasound scans and bringing up a baby is expensive. 

Also if you’re not sure whether a particular prenatal test is needed, you can ask about it.

An 8 Week Pregnant Ultrasound is crucial because mostly its the first prenatal visit. 

The first-trimester scan can be anywhere between 8-12 weeks. You’ll get to see your baby for the first time and will also hear his heartbeat during an ultrasound at 8 weeks.

Other reasons to get an 8 Week Ultrasound are:

  • Monitor baby’s development milestone
  • Check for the implantation site of the baby, to assess the risk of pregnancy
  • Detect cause of any bleeding during pregnancy week 8
  • Observe the thickness of the uterine wall and placenta formation
  • Dating scan is another term because you’ll finally get the exact due date after 8-week scan
  • IVF treatment success and checking for multiples
  • Finding out the cause of negative pregnancy test after 4 weeks from missed period
  • Looking for the size of the baby and neural development, webbed fingers, eyes, lips and heartbeat
  • Evaluating the possibility of abnormal pregnancy, e.g. Molar Pregnancy or threatened miscarriage
  • Gestational sac size and checking its growth

What happens during 8 week ultrasound?

You can go with a partially filled bladder to see things more clearly. The filled up bladder pushes away the bowels into the abdomen.

Reproductive organs such as ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus can be easily seen.

If your baby is high up in pelvis or your obese, then a transvaginal ultrasound is suitable.

In that case, you wouldn’t need to drink water. Before getting a transvaginal ultrasound, you will have to empty your bladder.

Your doctor will apply some gel over your belly and lower abdomen. Using a manual transducer, he’ll see the different parts of your body.

What to do before 8 week ultrasound?

For transabdominal ultrasound at 8 weeks, you must empty your bladder 1 hour before. Then drink water over the period until your appointment.

Keep your questions ready that you would like to ask the sonographer. You’ll have about 10-15 minutes only.

A transvaginal ultrasound will only require you to change your dress and cover the lower body. 

You must go to the loo before the start of ultrasound to remain comfortable.

How does it feel during 8 weeks ultrasound?

All you’ll feel is tickling and maybe cold over your belly. You can wipe off the gel soon after the ultrasound. It’s for smooth gliding motion of the ultrasound device.

Don’t worry about the same transducer being used for everyone. The device is cleaned before use. 

Especially, the transvaginal ultrasound probe is even more carefully cleaned and goes through sterilization.

Your doctor will apply some amount of gel on the 2cm wide tip. Then he or she will take the device inside your vagina to a short distance.

Your lower body will remain under a cover, and your doctor might ask you to help locate the vagina. 

Don’t worry there are no sharp pointy edges that would hurt you.

Just a little squishy feeling inside the vagina for a few minutes. If you have had a Pap smear test, then this will be way easier for you.

The picture of the baby will appear on the screen, and you’ll hear the fast heartbeat.

What do you see in eight weeks pregnancy ultrasound?

  • A slight protrusion of upper lip
  • Developing ears
  • Tip of nose
  • Eyelids
  • A tiny heart beating

Sex determination 8 weeks pregnant ultrasound is not reliable. Gonads development at 8 weeks pregnant is still ongoing. 

You cannot find the gender of the baby at 8 weeks pregnancy stage.

The baby has all organs, but you cannot make out their features.

 During 8 week 3D ultrasound you’ll see the organs more clearly.

8 weeks pregnant no heartbeat on ultrasound

It is a sign of miscarriage. If ultrasound earlier detected a heartbeat and later it does not then it may be a miscarriage.

Transvaginal ultrasound shows no heartbeat at 8 weeks then there may be a miscarriage.

The heartbeat of a baby begins in 5-6th-week pregnancy. 

There is no physiological reason for 8 weeks pregnant no heartbeat.

8 weeks pregnant no heartbeat reasons

  1. Apparatus is not working properly: Sometime the device may produce a murmur. A handheld Doppler is ineffective for 8 weeks ultrasound. Transvaginal ultrasound 8 weeks pregnant is the most suitable procedure to detect the heartbeat. Abdominal ultrasound at eight weeks pregnancy begins to detect baby’s heartbeat.
  2. Gestational age was not correct: It may be the case if you did not get yourself a pregnancy blood test. Generally, doctors do the pregnancy blood test to determine the gestational age. It is the time lapsed from the day of conception. Gestational age if mentioned less than actual then you will not hear the heartbeat at 8 weeks pregnancy.
  3. Impending miscarriage: 8 weeks pregnant no heartbeat is a sign of miscarriage. One must get proper medical care after 8 weeks pregnant no heartbeat on the ultrasound. A miscarriage is expected if after 8 weeks pregnant there is no heartbeat on the ultrasound. 8 weeks pregnant miscarriage is common. One out of seven pregnancies or approximately 20% of pregnancies ends in a miscarriage.

What can I do for my wife who is eight weeks pregnant?

Take care of her diet making sure she takes her prenatal vitamins. They are crucial at this stage for treating pregnancy complications.

8 Weeks Pregnant
8 Weeks Pregnant

Also, pamper her and encourage her to be comfortable in her body. Click the pictures of her belly and make her feel loved.

The initial stages of pregnancy are critical, and most miscarriages occur during the first trimester.

Sex is safe for 8 week pregnant wife but consultant your doctor once. High-risk pregnancies may require you two to stop at Netflix and chill.

Plan your babymoon at 8 week pregnancy, if it’s on your mind. 

It’s time you need to celebrate and prepare for your baby. Travelling will be more comfortable at this stage, and you will be able to enjoy things.

You’ve to accept the responsibilities gradually. Seek counselling for both of you. 

Mental health of to-be-parents is essential, especially in today’s time.

As the male partner, you might not still find the news real. But let her tell you whatever is happening inside her no matter how bizarre or small it is. Listen to her and show interest.

The eighth week of pregnancy is the final gateway to pregnancy. 

Generally, babies who live up to eight weeks are angels who are sure to come to life. 

The rate of miscarriages and other complications after eight weeks are very low.

So once you pass the eighth week of pregnancy get ready to start looking for names of your baby which you decided even before marrying beau!

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