The eighth week of pregnancy is a very special one for many expectant mothers: your first prenatal check-up with your gynecologist is due. This is where you will see your baby for the first time on the ultrasound and you can hear their heartbeat. This makes week 8 of pregnancy often very emotional for expectant parents.
In our pregnancy calendar, we show you how your pregnancy progresses in week 8 and how the embryo develops in your womb. You will find out how big your baby already is and how heavy they are at the moment. At the same time, we explain how the first visit to your gynecologist works, which symptoms you might be struggling with right now, and which preparations are particularly important now.
How your baby develops in the 8th week of pregnancy
You have reached the eighth week of your pregnancy. In recent weeks, through several cell divisions, your baby has developed into a small embryo that now looks like a tiny baby. It even already has small fingers and toes. After the first organs and even the brain have already developed, your baby also undergoes some important developmental steps in week 8.
We summarize for you how your baby develops in the eighth week of pregnancy:
The sensory organs connect with the brain
Your baby's sensory organs have already developed quite far. This week, they connect more strongly with the brain. Your baby's small muscles then communicate with the slowly developing nervous system.
Your baby's intestinal system develops
In week 8, your baby's intestinal system slowly develops. Even now, it takes on the task of directing harmful substances away from your baby. Since your baby is still quite small, part of the intestinal system is initially located in the umbilical cord.
The embryo becomes a fetus
Until now, your baby was still referred to as an embryo. It has developed rapidly in recent weeks and is called a fetus from this stage onwards. As expectant parents, however, you are surely already talking about your baby.
In pregnancy week 8, your baby continues to develop happily and slowly matures into a little human being. You will already recognize quite a bit of this during your first ultrasound. However, many details are not yet visible and will only become apparent in the coming months.
Size & weight of your baby in week 8
Due to the rapid growth in recent weeks, your baby is approximately 1.5 cm in size in week 8. You can imagine the size like a raspberry or blackberry. In the previous weeks of pregnancy, your baby was always curled up: in the 8th week, it stretches for the first time and lifts its oversized head.
However, your baby's weight still cannot be correctly determined. It weighs less than one gram and is therefore not weighed by your doctor.
Ultrasound: Initial examination at the gynecologist
Many expectant mothers see their baby on the ultrasound in week 8. It is likely your first visit to your gynecologist and you are very excited to finally see your baby on an ultrasound image. You are surely excited and wondering how the appointment will go and what you can expect.
First, the ultrasound will confirm your pregnancy. You and your partner now realize that a baby is actually growing in your womb. For many expectant parents, this is a very special moment.
Further examinations and information await you at the appointment:
Prenatal check-up
As part of the prenatal appointments, your doctor will measure your blood pressure and determine your body weight. In addition, you will likely provide a urine sample and your uterus will be examined. These examinations are carried out monthly during your pregnancy to ensure the health of you and your baby.
Checking the heartbeat
During all ultrasound examinations, your doctor measures your baby's heart tones. This is particularly important in the first trimester, as there is a risk that your baby's heart has not started to beat. The risk of miscarriage decreases as your pregnancy progresses.
Examination of your baby
Your doctor measures your baby and also weighs it in later stages. This allows the due date to be determined at your first appointment. Through the ultrasound, your doctor also looks at your baby's development.
One baby or multiples
During your first ultrasound in the 8th week, your doctor can see on the ultrasound whether you are expecting one or more babies. Twins and multiples should be recognizable by now. Identical multiples may, however, only be recognizable in the 12th week.
Issuing your maternity log
All information determined about you and your baby is recorded in your maternity log. This is issued during your first visit to your gynecologist. You should carry it with you at all times from now on.
Blood collection
During your prenatal appointments, your doctor will take blood from you. This determines your blood type and you will also be tested for HIV. An antibody screening test is also carried out. This examines whether you have antibodies in your blood that could harm the pregnancy.
As you can see, many important examinations await you at your first prenatal appointment. During your pregnancy, you will go for a prenatal check-up once a month. Shortly before the birth, the checks become more frequent.
As a rule, three major ultrasound examinations are carried out, one per trimester. You also have the option of having additional ultrasounds performed for a fee.
If you have your first appointment with your gynecologist, you should note down some important questions before the conversation. For example, if you take medication regularly, you should bring up this topic. Not all medications are compatible with pregnancy and you may have to switch to an alternative. You should also mention any pre-existing conditions to be on the safe side.
In general, an appointment between the seventh and ninth week of pregnancy is ideal. At this point, quite a bit can already be seen on the ultrasound. Among other things, your baby's heartbeat can also be examined.
If you have bleeding, pain, or severe pregnancy symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately and make an appointment.
What happens to your body in the 8th week of pregnancy
If you have suffered from severe pregnancy symptoms in recent weeks, these might now slowly subside. Your body is adapting to the new hormonal situation and you feel better. For most pregnant women, nausea and pulling in the abdomen disappear by the end of the third month of pregnancy.
Your breasts will continue to grow in the coming months. However, the enormous pain you may have had at the beginning of the pregnancy subsides for most pregnant women over time.
As you can see, your body is now getting used to the pregnancy and you can enjoy the exciting time in the coming months even more.
Symptoms and complaints when you are 8 weeks pregnant
Even in the 8th week of pregnancy, some pregnant women still struggle with certain symptoms and complaints. Although your body is getting used to the pregnancy, you can still suffer from nausea and dizziness. This is usually no cause for concern. Please always keep in mind that every pregnancy is individual.
We summarize for you which symptoms and complaints are typical for the eighth week of pregnancy:
Nausea
Some pregnant women still suffer from nausea in the 8th week. It might help if you eat several smaller portions throughout the day. Many expectant mothers also keep small snacks by their bed to eat before getting up.
Dizziness
In the first trimester, dizziness is not uncommon among pregnant women. The reason for this is often low blood pressure. You can get this going again with walks in the fresh air.
Bleeding gums
Your body has increased blood flow due to the pregnancy. This also applies to your mouth, which can quickly lead to bleeding gums. Pay attention to good oral hygiene.
Strong emotions
Especially in the first trimester, many pregnant women go through a roller coaster of emotions. If you feel overjoyed one moment, you are sad or anxious just a little later. The reason for this is your pregnancy hormones.
So even in the 8th week, your pregnancy can be quite exhausting. However, don't worry too much: towards the end of the first trimester, you will probably feel much better and can enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest.
Checklist: This is important in the eighth week of your pregnancy
Your pregnancy has now progressed for several weeks and you should inform your employer. If you perform physical work or come into contact with dangerous substances, they must assign you suitable tasks.
You should also continue to avoid nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine, as these substances can harm your baby. Also avoid heavy lifting and excessive stress.
It is best to start looking for a midwife in your area now. She will support you during your pregnancy and provide you with advice and assistance. Since many midwives are overworked, it is advisable to look for a midwife sooner rather than later.
If you would like to make further arrangements for your baby, feel free to take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. It offers your baby a cozy nest and a relaxed retreat. To do this, you place your baby in the hammock: the gentle up and down movements remind them of the movements in the womb. This helps your baby fall asleep better and calm down.
