Pregnancy week eight is an exciting one! Your baby is now a foetus, with its legs getting longer and the placenta developing. There is an upper lip starting to form and thin eyelids! It is slowly starting to look more like a baby now.
But what else is happening? That is what we are here to tell you! Keep reading to find out what else happens at eight weeks pregnant, including the common symptoms, if you can hear the heartbeat and more! Keep reading for our complete guide to eight weeks pregnant.
What’s Coming Up In This Article?
- What Does It Mean To Be 8 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect Pregnant At 8 Weeks?
- Should You Get An Ultrasound At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 8 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Big Is A Baby At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 8 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Body Changes Should You Expect At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Key Points
- The baby is now a foetus and the size of a raspberry
- The arms and legs continue to grow while the fingers and toes are still a little webbed
- The pregnant belly might start to form, with your clothes feeling snug along the waistline
- The baby’s development continues quickly at week eight
- The common symptoms this week are morning sickness and tiredness
- The baby’s heartbeat can be heard at an ultrasound
What Does It Mean To Be 8 Weeks Pregnant?
At eight weeks pregnant, you are now four weeks late for your period and starting to miss your next month’s period, too. The embryo is now classed as a foetus and continues growing rapidly!
The baby’s fingers and toes are slightly webbed, and the tail is almost gone. The state buds are also forming, and there is plenty of development, with your baby’s arms and legs starting to get longer. Your baby will grow at about a millimetre a day, but in different directions, getting taller, and the arms and legs growing, too!
At eight weeks pregnant, you are nearing the end of your first trimester and will soon be in the second trimester. You will still experience pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, and emotional swings might be happening.
Can You Detect Pregnancy At 8 Weeks?
Yes, you can detect a pregnancy at eight weeks. Most women will now be a month late for their period and should take a pregnancy test. You can take an at-home pregnancy test to measure the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels in your urine. hCG is one of the pregnancy hormones that increases its levels in your body and is what pregnancy tests use to determine pregnancy. High levels of hCG in your urine will give you a positive pregnancy test.
You can also have a blood test to confirm your pregnancy. This test also uses the hCG levels in your body to ensure a pregnancy. Early pregnancy tests can also be used if you are unsure of your period date. These tests can detect pregnancies before a missed period.
Should You Get An Ultrasound At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
You can have an ultrasound at eight weeks. These are known as an early ultrasounds, as most ultrasounds aren’t performed until the end of your first trimester. At eight weeks, an ultrasound will confirm that the foetus has a heartbeat, something every parent wants to hear!
The eight-week ultrasound will show you an oblong or bean shape, your foetus! At this point, you might also get a confirmation of twins, in which case there will be two figures.
The head of the foetus will look as big as the rest of the body at this stage. You will also see the gestational sac around your baby and the yolk sac. This bubble-like structure provides your foetus with nourishment until the placenta develops.
Are There Any Other Tests or Scans I Need To Consider At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
You don’t need any other scans now, but you should consider some tests. At your first doctor’s appointment, they should administer a blood test to check for anemia, rubella immunity, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and your Rh factor.
You can also be tested for cystic fibrosis and other genetic conditions if your family history shows you could be a carrier. You can opt into genetic screening if you wish, but it is not compulsory.
Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, you can detect your baby’s heartbeat at eight weeks pregnant. An ultrasound will detect your baby’s heartbeat. Your first visit to the sonographer should be when you hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time!
The heartbeat will be picked up at an ultrasound, and your doctor should provide an estimated due date.
What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 8 Weeks Pregnant?
The common pregnancy symptoms at eight weeks pregnant include a bump starting to show, morning sickness, and food smells and aversions. Certain odours and tastes might now seem very strong or turn you sick. The increased hormone levels in your body cause this, and it is best to enjoy a healthy and balanced diet when this happens.
Is There Any Change To HCG Levels At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Your hCG levels will continue to rise at eight weeks pregnant.
Should I Expect Any Cramping At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Stomach pain or cramping might happen at eight weeks pregnant. It will feel like mild cramping and is associated with your uterus continuing to grow. Speak to your doctor if you have extreme cramping to rule out any problems.
Will I Experience Morning Sickness At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Morning sickness is common at eight weeks pregnant, and you will likely experience it. Eating something plain like toast before getting out of bed and having six small meals daily can help with the sickness and nausea.
Will My Breasts Feel Tender At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Your breasts will likely feel sore or tender at eight weeks pregnant. They might also ache or feel full.
Will I Have Food Cravings At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Food cravings can happen at any point of your pregnancy, including week eight. You might also experience food and smell aversions, putting you off foods you previously enjoyed.
Will I Pass Urine More Frequently At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
It is common to pass urine more frequently at eight weeks pregnant. This tends to worsen as your pregnancy progresses and does not impact every woman at this stage.
Will I Feel Tiredness Or Fatigue At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Tiredness or fatigue are common symptoms at eight weeks pregnant. Hormonal changes can cause this, leaving many women exhausted in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.
The best thing to do is to get as much rest as possible to combat this.
Will I Feel Bloated At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
You might feel bloated at eight weeks period, the same way you would just before your period. Your clothes might also feel tighter around your waist as your uterus grows.
Will I Get A Headache At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Headaches are common during the first trimester of pregnancy, including week eight. Women who suffer from headaches before getting pregnant tend to have more headaches than others when pregnant.
Will I Experience A Heightened Sense Of Smell At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
A heightened sense of smell can be common at eight weeks pregnant. It is often one of the first pregnancy symptoms you will notice. Your heightened sense of smell might come with aversions to certain smells, like coffee.
Will I Experience A Metallic Taste In My Mouth At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
You can experience a metallic taste in your mouth at eight weeks pregnant. For some women, this is the first sign of pregnancy.
Can You Experience Shortness Of Breath At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Shortness of breath is a symptom we see later in pregnancy rather than in the first trimester. You should speak to your doctor if you experience shortness of breath at eight weeks pregnant.
Is It Normal To Get Diarrhea At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Some women will experience diarrhea at eight weeks pregnant. It is not a cause for concern and can occur in a healthy pregnancy. It could be caused by food poisoning, a bacterial infection, or an allergy. Speak to your doctor if you are concerned about diarrhea.
Can You Get Vaginal Discharge At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Vaginal discharge can happen throughout your entire pregnancy. Normal discharge is clear or milky white with a slippery or sticky discharge.
Will I Experience Lower Back Pain At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
You might experience lower back pain at eight weeks pregnant. It can be a common pregnancy symptom for some women.
Will I Experience Mood Swings At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Mood swings can happen at eight weeks pregnant. The changing hormone levels in your body can leave you feeling more tearful and irritable than usual.
Is Spotting Normal At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Spotting can happen at eight weeks pregnant. Light spotting is normal, but you should speak to your doctor if the bleeding becomes heavy or if you have any stomach and lower back pain.
What Other Symptoms Are Common When 8 Weeks Pregnant?
The following symptoms are common when you are eight weeks pregnant:
- Bleeding or sore gums
- Dark patches of skin
How Big Is A Baby At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
At eight weeks, your baby is about the size of a raspberry. It should be 16mm long from crown to rump, with lots of development going on! Your foetus now has facial features developing and ridges where their fingers will be.
The embryonic tail is almost gone, and the fingers and toes are still slightly weebed. Your baby will move around constantly and grow quickly at this point.
Can You Feel The Baby At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
It is highly unlikely that you will feel the baby at eight weeks pregnant. At the size of a raspberry, the foetus is still too small for you to detect movements. However, it will start to move and is still growing. It won’t be long before you begin to feel some movements!
You might feel some mild cramping this week, but it is completely normal. Should the pain worsen or any bleeding starts, speak to your doctor immediately.
What Are The Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
The common symptoms of miscarriage at eight weeks are heavy bleeding and abdominal cramps. You might notice heavy bleeding, like a period, with some blood clots or tissue in. The bleeding might start as spotting and then quickly become heavy bleeding.
The cramps will feel like contractions, and your pregnancy symptoms will likely disappear too. At eight weeks, you can have medication to speed up the miscarriage process from your doctor.
What Are The Chances Of Miscarriage At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
At eight weeks pregnant, the chances of miscarriage are around 1.4%. According to Baby Center, the risk of a miscarriage drops at eight weeks for those having an uncomplicated pregnancy. The chances of a miscarriage vary depending on any pre-existing health conditions or complications you have had.
How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 8 weeks Pregnant?
The best way to calculate your due date at eight weeks pregnant is to use the date of your last period. This was likely two months ago, so it might be tricky to remember the exact date. You can use a cycle tracking app to find the date if you use one to track your cycle.
You can take the first date of your last period as the first date of your pregnancy. Count forward 280 days or 40 weeks to see the estimated due date of your baby. There are also due date calculators online that you can use too.
Your doctor can also provide a due date if you are unsure of your last period. Your doctor or sonographer will use the size of your foetus at the ultrasound to determine how far along you are and provide an estimated due date.
Not every woman gives birth on their due date. Many women give birth before or after their due date!
What Body Chances Should You Expect At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
You can expect your belly to start growing at eight weeks pregnant. It won’t look like a typical pregnant belly, but your clothes might start to feel tighrer and your stomach a little rounder. It might feel and look similar to bloating at the start of your period.
Your womb is now the size of a lemon, and you might have missed your second period. There might be some spotting light bleeding, but it is normal and should be monitored to ensure it does not become more serious.
Your body will likely display pregnancy symptoms, like morning sickness, sore breasts, and tiredness. The severity of this varies from woman to woman, with some women still not showing pregnancy symptoms.
What Is Your Body Doing During This Process?
Your body is busy growing another person at this point. It nourishes the baby through the yolk sac and grows the embryo’s limbs and head. The cells are multiplying, the facial features are developing, and the foetus is starting to uncurl.
No wonder you are feeling tired; your body is working hard!
What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Pregnancy At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
You should take several precautions to maintain your pregnancy at eight weeks; we have outlined them below.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
You should start taking prenatal vitamins if you have not already. These include folic acid, calcium, and iron. You can take them as separate supplements or a multivitamin, but make sure they contain the correct dosage for your stage in pregnancy. Your midwife or doctor can offer guidance on the correct dosage if you are unsure.
Prenatal vitamins will give you and your foetus the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy.
Stop Smoking
You should stop smoking as soon as you discover you are pregnant. Smoking while pregnant can lead to complications, such as premature birth, sudden infant death syndrome, increased risks of blood clots, and issues with the placenta.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researched this and found that smoking can increase the risk of miscarriage and make it harder for women to become pregnant.
Enjoy A Balanced Diet
You should try to eat a healthy and balanced diet as much as possible. You must fuel your body with the right nutrients to remain healthy throughout pregnancy. Also, your baby eats what you eat, so ensure the food they receive will nourish them too.
You will want to eat a varied diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, some carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats. Your doctor can provide you with assistance in creating a diet for your pregnancy.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
The following foods should be avoided at eight weeks pregnant.
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Raw or undercooked eggs
- Raw fish
- Seafood with a high mercury content
- Raw sprouts
- Unpasteurized dairy
- Soft cheeses
- Pre-prepared or unwashed fruit and vegetables
Are There Any Drinks I Should Avoid At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid alcoholic drinks at eight weeks pregnant. You should also reduce your caffeine intake and monitor how many sugary drinks you consume. Your healthcare provider can give you more guidance about this.
Are There Any Supplements I Should Avoid At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
At eight weeks, you should avoid any supplements that are not suitable for pregnant women to take. The label on your supplements will state if they are suitable for you to take or not. You can also speak to your healthcare provider and should not take any supplements they do not approve of.
Can I Exercise While 8 Weeks Pregnant?
It is safe for you to exercise at eight weeks pregnant. You need to take care and avoid any contact sports, exercises that increase your risk of falling, and activities that involve bouncing heavily.
That means that during pregnancy, soccer, basketball, boxing, skiing, off-road cycling, horseback riding, and more are off the cards.
Is It Safe To Travel When 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Travelling at eight weeks pregnant is considered safe if you have a healthy and uncomplicated pregnancy. You should consult your doctor if you have high blood pressure or deep vein thrombosis before travelling.
You should also check before travelling out of the country to see if you need any vaccinations or advisories for pregnant women.
Are There Any Activities I Should Avoid At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
The following activities should be avoided at eight weeks pregnant:
- Hot yoga/pilates
- Hot tubs
- Steam rooms
- Saunas
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Sunbathing for too long
- Changing litter box
- Heavy lifting
Is It Safe To Have Sex When 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, it is safe to have sex when eight weeks pregnant. You should use contraception to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and can speak to your healthcare provider if you need more guidance about this.
How Should I Sleep At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
You might notice that you sleep more at eight weeks pregnant. Many women report feeling exhausted and will sleep for longer or nap during the day at this stage of pregnancy.
What Position Is It Safe To Sleep In When 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Any comfortable position is safe to sleep in at eight weeks pregnant. However, we do recommend getting into the habit of side sleeping. Side sleeping is the safe sleeping position you will need to adopt later in your pregnancy, so it’s worth getting used to it now.
How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
The following ways you can prepare for pregnancy are listed below.
Book Your Prenatal Appointment
It is time to book your first prenatal visit if you have not already. You will want to speak to your doctor to ensure you have your first ultrasound booked, any tests you need, and the information you need to progress the pregnancy.
Your healthcare provider can provide the information you need and let you know what to expect over the next few weeks.
Make Some Lifestyle Changes
You might need to make some lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy pregnancy. These include stopping drinking alcohol, smoking, and taking any illegal drugs. You will also need to reduce your caffeine and sugary drink intake.
These lifestyle changes can seem drastic for some women, but with the help of your healthcare provider, you can make the changes and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.
Keep Active
You don’t need to run marathons but should keep active to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Most exercises are still allowed while pregnant but check with your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns. You can also start exercising if you don’t already. A short walk, some light stretching, or a short cardio session at the gym are all great places to start.
Create A Support Network
It’s also worth looking for a support network to get you through your pregnancy. Your partner, friends, and family can make the basis of a support network offering you a shoulder to lean on, someone to reassure you, or anything you need.
You can also head online to find other new or expecting mothers in your area. Social media pages or apps can help you find others and make new connections.
Final Thoughts On 8 Weeks Pregnant
At week eight of your pregnancy, your symptoms start to appear, and you might notice changes around your stomach! The morning sickness and tiredness can take their toll, but by resting your body, you will make it through the week. Plus, you could hear your baby’s heartbeat at an ultrasound, making every nauseous feeling worth it!