8 Weeks Pregnant

At 8 weeks, you probably either know for sure that you are pregnant or have a pretty good idea. Many women will have their first prenatal visit at this time. You doctor will give you a thorough check up and confirm your pregnancy. He or she will get a lot of information from you as well as order several tests to make sure that there are no problems. He will check your blood pressure, give you a urine test and he will also order a blood test. Sometimes, during your exam, you doctor can lift your uterus and use the Doppler to listen to your baby’s heartbeat.

You will be asked to give your doctor a complete medical history that includes any chronic illnesses, hospitalizations and surgeries. He or she will also need to know about any medications that you are taking as well as any allergies that you may have. Your doctor can also give you a due date at this check up. He or she may also order an ultrasound just to make sure that everything is OK.

During week 8 of pregnancy, your baby should be around .56 to 0.8 inches long and weigh about 0.1 ounces. This is measured from the crown of the head to the rump. Your baby already has a beating heart, a spinal cord and a good portion of the brain has been developed even though he or she is about the size of a peanut or pumpkin seed. The neurological system is developing, but your baby definitely has a brain at this stage of the pregnancy.

This is about the time that you may begin to notice that your clothing is getting tight. You may not necessarily be showing yet, particularly if this is your first pregnancy, nonetheless, your clothing may be a little snug.

You may experience some more pronounced symptoms now. These would include acne, tender and swollen breasts, nausea and extreme fatigue. You may also find that certain foods or smells turn your stomach. Food aversion is common in the first weeks of pregnancy and some women experience it throughout their entire pregnancy. You may also notice that your tummy begins to pooch a little. Sometimes, women experience swelling in their hands and feet as well.

One of the biggest signs that you may notice is an increase in hormonal activity. You may feel like your hormones have been turned upside down. This can cause acne, moodiness and even crying spells. Other common symptoms include headaches and dizziness.

A home pregnancy test can confirm that you are pregnant and if you have not made a doctor’s appointment, you should do so as soon as possible. It is important that your pregnancy is monitored by a health care professional to make sure that everything goes smoothly and no complications arise.

This is sort of a limbo time for most moms because they are not yet ready for maternity clothing, but their regular clothing may be getting too tight. If you find yourself in this position, you may enjoy picking up a few pairs of pants or skirts with an elastic waistband a size or two larger than what you normally wear. These outfits can give you a little growing room while keeping your comfortable. It is not good (and certainly not comfortable) to continue squeezing into tight clothing. Just go with it, get some larger clothes and enjoy this time - relax, you are going to get a lot larger before it is all said and done.

There is also a lot going with your baby during this time as well. The leg buds are diving into the thigh, leg and foot while the arm buds are becoming the hand, arm, elbow and shoulder. The arms and legs also begin to move during this time. The cartilage, bones and eyelids also begin to form. Facial features such as the ears, upper lip and the tip of the nose become recognizable and the tongue begins to develop and teeth are developing under the gums. This period is also the time when gonads, the testes or ovaries are develop.

You should start taking a prenatal vitamin. A healthy diet is very important. Fresh fruits and vegetables will help your baby grow strong and healthy. However, if you are experiencing morning sickness, you may not have much of an appetite. Also, you should talk to your doctor about lifestyle choices that you make including drinking alcohol, smoking and taking drugs. It is important that you are completely honest with your doctor and tell them everything. This is for your baby’s sake and is important to your baby’s safety - and yours.