You may still be surprised by the news that you are having a baby. At the same time, the days are going by so fast, and you have reached the eighth week. What kind of changes can you expect? How is your baby developing? You can find the answers to all your questions in this article, from nutrition and exercise to pregnancy symptoms and a pregnancy checklist.
Your Baby at Eight Weeks
In the eighth week, you may wonder about your baby’s development, weight, length, the development of his organs, organ systems and senses, what skills he gains, etc.
How Big Is Your Baby?
Your baby is about the size of a raspberry. Compared to last week, your baby has tripled in size. As shown in the table below, your little one has reached a measurable weight. In the coming days, his height and weight will increase exponentially. Of course, he is still too small to cause a baby bump. But he is growing and developing rapidly, his heart is beating fast, and he is gradually becoming a recognisable baby.
The average size of an eight-week-old embryo:
| Gestational Age | Weight | Length |
| 8 weeks | 2 g | 1.5−2 cm |
The Development of Your Baby’s Organ Systems and Skills
Your baby is still tiny, but all his organs and organ systems now develop rapidly.
- The Nervous System
The fore, mid, and hindbrain continue to develop. Nerve cells are rapidly produced, and they begin to form connections.
- The Endocrine System
The thyroid gland and endocrine system develop.
- The Circulatory System
All chambers and valves of the heart are formed. The heart rate increases to 100-180 beats per minute and now provides blood flow to the whole body. If you haven’t heard your baby’s heartbeat at your previous doctor’s check-ups, you will likely be able to listen to it during this week’s ultrasound. A healthy heartbeat is crucial for a healthy pregnancy.
- The Digestive System
The organs of the digestive system continue to develop.
- The Respiratory System
The development of his lungs, which will allow your little one to breathe independently after birth, continues.
- The Musculoskeletal System
In the eighth week, the skeletal system has no bony structure yet. It still consists of cartilage, which will remain for a while. Your little one’s fingers and toes begin to form. The complete separation of the fingers and toes occurs only later. Muscle layers begin to develop, and your baby may start making small movements. His ribs will also become more prominent.
- The Excretory System
In the eighth week of pregnancy, your baby’s intestines continue to develop, and his rectum begins to form. His stools (meconium) are collected and usually remain in the body until birth. The kidneys, which rapidly grew in the previous week, are now sufficiently developed to produce urine.
- The Reproductive System
You may be very curious about your baby’s gender. Unfortunately, the eighth week of pregnancy is still too early. The genital organs are not yet developed, and there is no distinction between the male and female organs.
Your Baby’s Movements at Eight Weeks
Your baby is lying on his back in a C-position. While the extremities of his body develop, involuntary movements begin. You won’t be able to feel your baby’s movements yet at eight weeks, but they can be viewed on ultrasound.
An Eight-Week-Old Embryo’s Sense Organs
Your baby’s eyes, ears, mouth, and nose continue to grow. Let’s look at this process step by step.
- The Eyes and the Sense of Sight
Your little one’s eyelids are almost complete and continue to grow. However, they will remain shut for quite some time.
- The Ears and the Sense of Hearing
Your baby’s auricle – the visible portion of the outer ear – becomes more prominent. His sense of hearing rapidly develops, and your little one will soon be able to hear sounds.
- The Tongue and the Sense of Taste
Your baby’s taste buds develop. During the eighth week of pregnancy, his tiny lips become more prominent, and his teeth and palate begin to form.
- The Nose and the Sense of Smell
During the eighth week of pregnancy, your baby’s nose becomes more prominent, and the tip of his nose takes shape. It will soon be possible to distinguish your baby’s nose on ultrasound.
- The Skin and the Sense of Touch
This week, your baby’s skin forms and becomes a very thin, transparent structure. It is still far from the skin as we know it.
How Many Months is Your baby at Eight Weeks?
Doctors express the gestational age in terms of weeks rather than months. First-time moms may be surprised when they find out, and relatives and friends may ask how many months you are. So, it may be interesting to know how to calculate the number of months.
Eight weeks pregnant means you are at the end of the second month of pregnancy. You can use this simple calculation to translate weeks into months.
8 weeks = 8 × 7 = 56 days
56/30= 1 month 26 days
Your Body at Eight Weeks of Pregnancy
You are now two months pregnant and will gradually start noticing it. Although you may not see it from the outside, your body is rapidly changing and preparing for your baby.
Let’s look at what awaits you during the eighth week and what you should be prepared for.
- Skin Changes
Have you ever heard of “pregnancy glow?” Your exposure to the highest level of hormones you have ever had in your life has some surprising effects. Your skin structure changes, and you may notice that you have smoother, spotless, and softer skin. This is caused by the increased blood volume in your body. Your skin receives a high blood flow, giving it a more vibrant appearance. Unfortunately, some pregnant women may also experience extra dryness or oiliness of the skin. In the coming days, itching and acne may also occur due to stretching.
- Cravings
One of the first pregnancy symptoms that come to mind is cravings. Expectant mothers sometimes have weird cravings for specific foods during this period.
- Expanding Waistline
The growing uterus starts taking up more space in the body, causing an expansion, especially in the waist area. This occurs not only in your belly but also on your back and sides. Most experts believe this makes it easier for the expectant mother to carry her baby during pregnancy.
- Smell sensitivity
One of the most curious and, perhaps, annoying occurrences during the first trimester is smell sensitivity. You may become very sensitive to strong odours such as food, perfumes, cigarette smoke, sweat, or spices; these smells may even trigger nausea and disgust. After the first three months, these complaints will reduce.
- Headaches
The rapid hormonal changes can create serious headaches in the first trimester. In the eighth week of pregnancy, you may experience insomnia and fatigue, increasing the number and intensity of your headaches. But there is no need to worry. These headaches will soon disappear. However, if your headaches negatively affect your daily life, you should consult your doctor and ask for appropriate medication during pregnancy.
- Groin pain
Your uterus is trying to keep up with the rapid development of your baby. This causes an equally rapid increase in size. As your uterus makes room for your little one, you may experience contractions of your uterine wall muscles and groin.
These are some of the symptoms an eight-week-pregnant woman may experience. However, everybody is unique, and so is every pregnancy. Therefore, try to avoid comparing yourself with other pregnant women of the same gestation. For example, while your pregnant neighbour complains about them a lot, you may not experience abdominal and groin pain now, or you may not have any strange cravings.
Tips to Minimise Troublesome Pregnancy Symptoms
The most disturbing pregnancy symptoms occur during the first trimester, especially during weeks seven and eight. The serious increase in pregnancy hormones may increase your complaints, and you may long for a solution. Following the tips below may help you relieve some of your symptoms.
- If you have an intense sensitivity to odours and smells, replace strong-scented personal care products such as perfume, deodorant, and shampoo with natural, odourless, and fragrance-free products.
- Ventilate your environment well. It helps reduce smells in the environment and may help reduce your headaches.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes. Instead, choose comfortable clothes that do not put pressure on your waist and groin.
- If you experience excessive dryness or oiliness of your skin, change your skincare accordingly. Get help from your doctor to select the right products to alleviate this issue. For dryness, you can use a fragrance-free moisturiser. You should also support your skin health by drinking plenty of water and consuming fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Avoid heavy exercises and activities, steer away from movements that trigger your groin pain, and do not lift any heavy items.
How Much Weight Should You Gain?
It is quite natural to gain weight during pregnancy. Your uterus expands, the blood and fluid volume in your body increases, your baby grows, you may gain some fat locally, and of course, you may experience oedema. All of these are reasons for weight gain. However, it is too early in the first trimester, as your body has only begun to undergo these changes.
Some pregnant women do not experience nausea and vomiting in the eighth week but have an increased appetite. This can lead to weight gain in the first months of pregnancy. Normal weight gain at eight weeks of pregnancy is about 1−2 kilos. Most expectant mothers may not even gain this much weight. However, some women gain more. This may cause weight issues later in pregnancy. Therefore, try to keep your weight in check by exercising and eating a balanced diet.
Nutritional Recommendations at Eight Weeks of Pregnancy
Many expectant mothers have difficulties eating when they experience nausea and vomiting. They may start skipping meals or eat a plain, unvaried diet. However, you need to keep trying to eat a balanced and healthy diet, as this is crucial for the healthy development of your baby and pregnancy.
Nutritional Recommendations:
- Opt for highly nutritional foods, rich in nutrients and low in calories.
- Drink at least 2.5−3 litres of water per day.
- Avoid empty calories and unhealthy foods like sweets, pastries, packaged and processed products, preserves, snacks, fries, sodas, etc.
- Eat at regular intervals. Try to eat three main meals and three snacks every day.
- Eat smaller portions, but more often.
- Limit your caffeine consumption. Coffee, tea, and chocolate are all high in caffeine.
- Consume foods rich in iron, folic acid, and protein.
- Opt for savoury and salty foods to help relax your stomach.
Exercise Recommendations at Eight Months
The fear of miscarriage in the first months often causes pregnant women to restrict their movements and keep away from sports. However, as your pregnancy symptoms increase, you may find comfort in light exercises. Choosing the right kinds of activities benefits your body and mind. The following list may help:
- Pregnancy Yoga
- Swimming
- Pregnancy Pilates
- Light jogging and walking
- Breathing exercises
- Relaxation and stretching movements
- Meditation
Not all activities are suitable for all pregnant women. Discuss with your doctor or specialist what is ideal for you.
Eight Weeks Pregnancy Checklist
- Avoid sudden and forceful movements.
- Pay attention to keeping your balance while climbing stairs.
- Avoid using chemical cleaning products.
- Get all tests and analyses requested by your doctor done as soon as possible. (Complete blood count, urine test and culture, test for toxoplasmosis, rubella, chickenpox, etc.)
- Pay attention to your fluid consumption and nutrition.
- Remember to take your daily folic acid.
In week eight of pregnancy, two months have passed already, and you are slowly getting used to being pregnant. Now you can start making plans for your baby and begin to enjoy your pregnancy.
