How Big Is My Baby At 8 Weeks Pregnant?

Your baby is still an embryo and is about the size of a raspberry. The baby is about 0.63 inches long and weighs about 0.06 ounces.

Baby Development

• All major organs and external body structures are starting to form.
• Your baby’s heart beats with a regular rhythm.
• The umbilical cord pumps oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood to the embryo.
• The arms and legs are now longer, and fingers and toes have started to develop.
• The sex organs begin to take shape.
• The eyes are visible and eyelids have developed.
• The umbilical cord is clearly noticeable.

8 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Tender Breasts:  Breasts may feel fuller, bigger, tender and sensitive to touch. During pregnancy, normally a woman’s breasts increase in size and fullness. It happens due to overflow of blood in breast tissues and expanding milk-producing lobules.

Back Pain:  A pregnant woman’s expanding uterus brings along aches and pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs. A lot of pregnant women also have backaches and aching near the pelvic bone caused by the increased pressure of the baby’s, increased weight, and loosening joints.

Fatigue:  Fatigue continues and even increases this week due to fluctuation of hormones and the body working harder to produce more blood to nourish the embryo. Many pregnant women experience increased fatigue and feel exhausted in the first trimester. This happens despite having a good night’s sleep. This is normal and is not a cause of worry at all. This is your body’s way of telling you that you need more rest. Your fatigue and tiredness will decrease in the second trimester.

Morning Sickness:  The nausea continues and can be really strong in this week. Hormone changes in the first trimester can cause morning sickness (nausea and vomiting). Although it is called as “morning sickness”, it can occur at any time of day. Morning sickness usually goes away by the second trimester.

Food Cravings And Aversions:  You may develop new likes and dislikes for food and drink. Sometimes the cravings can be really weird.

Heightened Sense Of Smell:  You can be more sensitive to certain smells. This usually happens along with nausea.

Pregnancy Cramps:  Cramping in the abdominal area is caused by growing and expanding embryo. Leg cramping at nighttime is also a common occurrence.

Bloating And Constipation:  Bloating occurs as the progesterone hormone relaxes the gastrointestinal tract, causing slowing of the digestion. This also results in constipation in half the pregnant women.

Spotting:  A light milky white vaginal discharge can occur due to increased blood flow to the pelvic area. A heavy vaginal discharge can be a sign of miscarriage.

8 Weeks Pregnant: Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

• Enroll in a pregnancy class.
• Continue taking prenatal vitamins and folic acid daily.
• Wear a good supportive bra to help you feel more comfortable.
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Be active physically and do exercises with your doctor’s consent.
• Avoid long and strenuous physical activity or exercise, and rest when tired.
• Continue eating small meals or healthy snacks at regular intervals.
• Include healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, lean meat, cereals, and dairy products in your diet.
• Limit caffeine intake.
• Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illicit drugs.
• Don’t eat undercooked, unpasteurized, spicy, salty, deep fried and fatty foods.
• Read as much as you can about pregnancy, labor, and birth.