8 Weeks pregnant

Week 8 starts on day 56 and goes up to day 63. It is your ninth pregnancy week.

Length of your baby: 2 centimeter / 0.8 inches
Weight of your baby: 0 grams / 0 ozs

Your pregnancy at 8 weeks 

 

What's happening with mum

These first few weeks of pregnancy are always difficult with so many things happening and quickly. Every woman is different and the symptoms experienced during these first few weeks of pregnany vary from woman to woman. Those hormones continue to play havoc with your senses and moods but they wont last forever. At this point in your pregnancy as well as other symptoms you may also feel you are always full and bloated.

Your uterus is expanding to accomodate your growing baby, putting pressure on your stomach and intestines, progesterone is causing your muscles to relax and allow for this expansion, however, this also slows digestion. This means food takes longer to be broken down and enter your bloodstream resulting in bloating and excess gas build up. This is annoying and can be embarrasing but by cutting back on foods which may cause gas such as legumes, onions, brassicas and eating small, regular meals, you can alleviate these symptoms.

What's happening with baby

Your baby is growing at around 1mm a day and is now approximately 13mm. Baby is also recognisable as a little person with tiny fingers and toes growing at the end of lengthening arms and legs. The trunk is beginning to straighten and the oversized head is becoming rounded. The umbilical chord, which connects your baby to the placenta, is now clearly visible and your baby's heart beats out a regular rythmn at approximately 120 beats per minute.

 

The Practicalities

If you haven't already had your first ultrasound you should consider making an appointment now. It is also the perfect time to begin finding out about maternity leave and pay. Perhaps you can also work out innovative and exciting ways of announcing your pregnancy to friends and family if they don't already know.

 

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