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Week 8 of Pregnancy: Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar

Measuring just over half an inch long, your baby is now the size of a raspberry in length. He or she is looking more and more human every day, and, yes, that tail is slowly disappearing. You are in your second month of pregnancy.

Your Baby

Embryo During Week 8 of Pregnancy
Embryo During
Week 8 of Pregnancy

During week 8 of pregnancy, your baby is developing fingers and toes on the hands and feet that appeared on the limb buds last week. Webbed at the moment, those digits will soon separate into the ten little fingers and ten little toes that you will soon love to count. Your baby’s tiny face is also becoming more defined. The folds of skin that were protecting the eyes are developing into eye lids. The nose and upper lip are also becoming more defined and prominent. Soon your baby-to-be will have a recognizable human face.

Also during week 8 of pregnancy, your baby’s internal organs are becoming more developed. A tiny heart is beating steadily within your baby’s chest at about 100 to 160 beats per minute. The brain and spinal cord continue to take shape from the neural tube. Breathing tubes are also moving into your baby’s throat as the lungs also become more developed. Soon your baby will be breathing in and out the amniotic fluid inside the amniotic sac. Even more exciting, your baby is now constantly moving and shifting around inside your womb as his or her limbs twitch spontaneously; however, you will not be able to feel these movements for at least a few more weeks.

Your Body

Ultrasound During Week 8 of Pregnancy
Ultrasound During
Week 8 of Pregnancy

Although you will probably not be showing yet, your pants may be fitting a little tighter now. During week 8 of pregnancy, your uterus has grown from the size of lime to the size of a grapefruit. As your uterus gets bigger, you may find yourself needing to use the bathroom more often as your ever-expanding womb pushes on your bladder. As your uterus continues to expand to accommodate your growing baby, you may begin to feel some soreness or even some sharp pains in your abdomen. Your abdominal ligaments are slowly stretching to make room for your baby, and your uterus is already contracting in preparation for labor. However, if your abdominal pain becomes severe or is accompanied by vaginal bleeding, you should contact your health care provider.

Life 8 Weeks
Life 8 Weeks

Morning sickness may be a constant complaint by now, but, fortunately, the pregnancy-induced nausea that you are experiencing usually subsides by the end of the first trimester. Your breasts may continue to feel sore and tender, and you may have grown a cup size or two as your body prepares to produce breast milk for your newborn. Make sure to wear a properly fitted bra during pregnancy to minimize the soreness that you are experiencing. You may need to buy several sizes throughout your pregnancy. Other symptoms during week 8 of pregnancy include fatigue, food cravings and aversions, flatulence, floating, constipation, heightened sense of smell, headaches, lightheadedness or dizziness, and increased vaginal discharge known as leukorrhea.

Raspberries
Baby Is the Size of a Raspberry
During Week 8 of Pregnancy

Learn about your baby during week 7 of pregnancy or week 9 of pregnancy.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not meant to replace the professional medical advice of your health care provider.

References

8 weeks pregnant: http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/8-weeks-pregnant_70643
Curtis, Glade B. & Judith Schuler. 2011. Your pregnancy week by week. 7th edn. Philadelphia: Running Press.
Stone, Joanne & Keith Eddleman, eds. 2003. The pregnancy bible: Your complete guide to pregnancy and early parenthood. Willowdale, Ontario: Firefly Books.
Your pregnancy: 8 weeks: http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-8-weeks_1097.bc
Your pregnancy week by week: Weeks 5-8: http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/your-pregnancy-week-by-week-weeks-5-8

Image Credits

Eight Week Human Embryo: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Human_Embryo_-_Approximately_8_weeks_estimated_gestational_age.jpg
Embryo at 8 Weeks: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Embryo_at_8_weeks.JPG
Raspberries: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raspberries05.jpg

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