8 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More
Thank you! You are 8 weeks pregnant. Things are getting better.
There is a lot happening for you and your baby this week. You can learn more about your body and baby changes, and find out when you need to call your doctor.
You may start to notice that your clothes fit more snugly as you move toward the end of your first trimester. Weight gain is typically only a couple of pounds, if any, at this point, but your uterus is slowly expanding to make room for your baby’s rapid development.
Your breasts may feel tender, even full.
Blood volume increases
Your body is adapting to its new demands and there are changes and uncomfortable sensations. It is up to the challenge.
Your child is likely to be 11 to 14 millimeters long. They grow up fast.
Your baby is getting more and more like a newborn when you bring him home. Their body has sprouted tiny arms and legs. The tail is almost completely gone.
Their unique facial features continue to develop.
“Your baby’s upper jaw and nose are starting to take shape, which means their facial features will be a lot more visible. The outer shell of their ears are covered by mounds, and eyelid folds partially cover their eyes.”
“Your little one is moving in and out of position, even though you can’t feel it yet.”
“It is not just physical growth. Your baby’s sense of smell is starting to take shape as nerve cells in their brain form early neural pathways.”
8 weeks pregnant: What to expect
- You may start to feel bloated and your breasts may start to grow.
- Baby has unique facial features and all of their internal workings.
- Morning sickness may happen this week.
- You will want to be active and eat well.
- If you have any symptoms that are out of the ordinary, talk to your doctor.
You may have found out that you’re carrying twins (or more!). By the end of week 8, your babies will measure around half an inch long.
They are starting to look like real babies. Their arms are longer, their ears are growing, and their upper lip and nose are growing.
You’ll need even more nutrients than someone carrying one baby. These include:
Some women carrying multiples have more intense symptoms and are more likely to have a fatal problem. If you have questions or feel that something is awry, talk to your doctor.
You are probably familiar with pregnancy symptoms by 8 weeks pregnant. Symptoms you have already been experiencing may continue, and some new ones may join the mix. There are a number of common pregnancy symptoms for your eighth week of pregnancy.
Morning sickness
While it’s called morning sickness, the truth is that many people experience nausea throughout the entire day during pregnancy. (It may help to hang onto the hope that this frequently gets better within the next 3 to 4 weeks.)
Morning sickness is caused by rising hormone levels, which frequently peak around week 10 of your pregnancy.
If morning sickness feels more intense than you expected, tell your doctor. It can be a sign of hyperemesis gravidarum — especially if:
- “You can’t keep fluids down.”
- Your urine is dark yellow, a sign of concentration.
- You are not urinating.
Eating small, frequent meals can help regulate blood sugar and ease nausea. Snacking on ginger and peppermint or consuming more There is a specific type of animal called aprotein. may also help you feel better.
It is not uncommon to have minimal weight gain at this point in your pregnancy because you may be feeling nausea and not keeping down all the food.
Some women lose a small amount of weight due to morning sickness. Your doctor will want to keep a record of this so that he can make sure you and your baby are healthy.
Fatigue
Chances are you’ve already been feeling pretty tired. Thanks to high progesterone hormone levels and the extra blood flow of nutrients to the baby, fatigue will likely continue this week.
“Make sure to rest. Light exercise and a balanced diet can help your body’s energy supply.”
Sore or tender breasts
The hormones helping your body grow a baby are also helping your breasts to prepare for breastfeeding or chestfeeding. This means that your breasts are growing and more blood is flowing to them, which can be uncomfortable.
If you wear a bra, your old ones might not be fitting properly. Finding new ones that accommodate your changing breasts may help with the pain and tenderness. Lotion or oil may help the stretching skin feel more comfortable, too.
Heartburn
It is a hormone that helps your baby grow inside you, but it is also a muscle relaxer.
The lower esophageal valve is one of the muscles it can impact. If you recline after eating, you can find stomach acid coming up your stomach.
To help with heartburn, you may want to try:
- Eating smaller meals.
- sleeping in a more upright position
- Lying down after a meal is a bad idea.
It is a common symptom throughout the second and third trimesters. If it is very uncomfortable, you can talk to your doctor about the medication.
Frequent urination
Your kidneys may be producing more urine because of your pregnant hormones.
If frequent bathroom visits are getting to be too much, you may want to reduce the amount of caffeine you’re drinking. You may also want to try going to the bathroom right before heading to bed for the night to maximize the amount of time before you need a bathroom break while sleeping.
Difficulty sleeping
As exhausted as you are, you might find yourself up frequently at night. Difficulty sleeping during pregnancy can be due to hormone surges, the need to urinate, heartburn, nausea, or discomfort from other pregnancy symptoms.
You may want to try meditating and not using electronic devices right before bedtime. Pregnancy pillows can also make your bed more comfortable as pregnancy progresses.
There are a wide range of symptoms from person to person. If you feel uncomfortable or feel extreme, call your doctor.
If your symptoms disappear suddenly, you may be concerned.
While there is a chance that a sudden change in pregnancy symptoms can signal a miscarriage, it can also be the result of the typical hormonal fluctuations that come with pregnancy. It’s not uncommon for morning sickness and other early pregnancy symptoms to decline or change as the end of the first trimester approaches.
If you are worried about something, you should contact a healthcare professional. They can offer reassurance, diagnostic testing, and helpful advice. You should let them know what symptoms you are experiencing during your appointments.
Your baby is growing fast as you navigate your eighth week of pregnancy, so you will want to consider:
- Scheduling your first medical visit is also possible.
- exercising.
- Eating healthy is something your doctor advises against.
- Alcohol and smoking can be avoided.
Your first prenatal checkup
If you haven’t had one, it’s time to get your first prenatal checkup. You’ll want to schedule an appointment with an OB-GYN or midwife if you haven’t yet.
At the appointment, you’ll likely give a urine sample to confirm pregnancy, provide your medical history, get a pelvic exam, and discuss your thoughts and concerns.
You can have an early baby Scan to determine their due date and measure their growth and heart rate.
It is helpful to bring a list of questions. There is no right or wrong thing to ask. Some suggestions are here.
- Are the medications or supplements I’m taking still OK?
- What types of exercises are safe during labor?
- Are there any activities or foods I should avoid?
- Is my pregnancy considered high risk?
- “What tests should I take during my baby’s birth?”
- What should I do if I feel that something is wrong?
Exercise in the first trimester
Exercise is another way you can take care of your body and baby during this stage. If you were active before conceiving, it’s usually safe to continue most of your usual activities, but you’ll want to check with your doctor. A healthcare professional may suggest alternatives for activities with a high risk of falling or injury.
Adding exercises for the Pelvic floor to your workout routine is something you may want to consider.
Eating healthy in the first trimester
During a pregnant time, it is important to take a prenatal vitamins. During your first checkup, you can ask your healthcare professional for recommendations. You will want to make sure you are drinking enough water.
During pregnancy, raw fish, unpasteurized milk products, and deli meats are not recommended. Reducing the amount of caffeine you consume is something your healthcare professional can discuss with you.
There is a chance that you have lost symptoms during your pregnancy. sore breasts and nausea can come and go.
That said, if you feel different or have some other reason for concern, call your doctor. Signs of a miscarriage can include anything from vaginal spotting or bleeding to cramping or passing tissue from the vagina.
There may be no signs of a baby being born. Some people discover a baby is not growing up.
Researchers estimate that
You are not alone in feeling this way, and the situation can feel quite devastating. Miscarriages are caused by chromosomal anomalies and are not under your control.
The good news: Once your baby reaches 8 weeks, your miscarriage risk lowers to around
That just about sums up week 8. Continue eating well, abstaining from smoking and drinking alcohol, and safely being active.
Consider keeping a journal about your pregnancy. Snap a few photos and jot down notes to remember this special time in your life. It may not feel like it now, but the next 32 weeks will go by in a flash.