8th Week of Pregnancy
How is pregnancy calculated?
This is just a reminder that pregnancy is calculated from the first date of your last menstrual period (LMP) and not when you conceived.
What changes are occurring with your body?
Even though it may not look like your body has changed from the outside, many changes have occurred throughout your body. Before you were pregnant, your uterus was about the size of your fist, but it is now about the size of a grapefruit.
You may have noticed changes in your breasts. They may be more tender and sensitive than usual. This is completely normal as your body is preparing for lactation.
Another change that has occurred that you may not be aware of is that your blood volume has increased by 40 to 50 percent.*
What is happening with your baby?
Everything that is present in an adult human is now present in the small embryo. The ears are continuing to form externally and internally. The bones are beginning to form, and the muscles can contract. Fingers and toes are webbed but are growing longer.
The facial features continue to mature. The tip of the nose is present and the eyelids are now more developed. The embryonic tail is also disappearing, and your baby's body is beginning to straighten out.
While your baby's gender has already been determined, the external genitals are still forming and cannot be clearly seen. The embryo is at the end of the embryonic period and begins the fetal period.*
How big is your baby?
The embryo is a little over an inch long and is approximately the size of a bean.*
What should you plan for this week?
You might be going in for your first prenatal visit, or it may still be a couple of weeks away. (The first prenatal visit is between 8 and 12 weeks from your last menstrual period.) If you did not meet with your health care provider before you were pregnant, then this visit may be one of your longest. He/she will ask for your medical history which includes:
- Medical problems
- The date of your last menstrual period
- Birth control methods
- History of abortions and/or miscarriages
- Hospitalizations
- Medications you are taking, or are allergic to
- Your family's medical history
- A medical exam with a pap smear, cervical cultures and an ultrasound
- Opportunity to address any questions that you may have
Tips for making your pregnancy better:
During pregnancy some women develop oily skin and suffer from acne. If you are using over-the-counter medications to treat this, then it is important that you know what ingredients the cleaners and other products contain.
If you have questions regarding the safety of a particular medication during pregnancy, it is best to consult with your health care provider or local pharmacists.
Tips for mom’s partner:
If you have pets, then you may need to take over their care while your partner is pregnant. A pregnant woman should be wary of changing cat litter due to the possible exposure of toxoplasmosis. You can also help her by doing the shopping for the dog and cat food so she can avoid the strain of lifting those large bags.
* The information that the American Pregnancy Association provides is used as a general guide for healthy pregnancy development, although development may vary due to the mother’s health or a miscalculation of ovulation. Each woman and pregnancy is unique and may be experienced differently. Remember that babies develop at different rates, even before they are born. The purpose of this developmental information is to give you a general idea of how your baby is growing, and you must remember that your baby’s growth may vary from that which is outlined.
