Congratulations! You are about two months pregnant!

This week marks some major medical milestones. Your doctor may be ready for you to have an ultrasound scan, and your baby is starting to develop some tiny features.

For mom, this time period can still be pretty rough, with morning sickness and shifting center of balance, but exciting things are going on, and you’re getting closer to the end of the first trimester at 8 weeks pregnant.

Your Baby’s Development At 8 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby is just over half an inch long and developing rapidly.

Your baby is getting fingers and toes! For the moment, they’re webbed. He still has a tail, which will soon disappear as his tiny body grows.

Your baby is also starting to develop bones and muscles. He’s likely beginning to put those muscles to use, moving his tiny arms!

If you have an ultrasound, you may see him moving around, but the movements will be more twitchy and less directed or controlled.

His body is still curved in a C-shape, but his head is slightly less curled than last week, and his neck is beginning to develop.

Less visibly, important changes are taking place inside your baby’s body. He’s developing a respiratory system, growing the tubes that will eventually carry air to his lungs. His nervous system is also beginning to develop, connecting his brain to his muscles, eyes, ears, and other organs.

Quick Overview: Baby's Development At 8 Weeks Pregnant:

• Your baby is just over half an inch long and growing rapidly.
• Fingers and toes are forming, though they are still webbed.
• The tail remains but will soon disappear as the body develops.
• Bones and muscles are beginning to form, allowing early movement.
• Tiny arm movements may be visible on an ultrasound, though still twitchy and uncontrolled.
• The body is still C-shaped, but the head is less curled, and the neck is beginning to develop.
• The respiratory system is forming, with tubes developing to carry air to the lungs.
• The nervous system is developing, connecting the brain to muscles, eyes, ears, and organs.

Mother’s Symptoms At 8 Weeks

While 8 weeks pregnant is about 1/5 of the way through pregnancy, it’s still very early.

Pregnancy is typically counted in weeks medically but may be discussed as months more casually. Since months and weeks don’t line up perfectly, you could be considered two months along this week or next week.

Most moms will still be examining their bodies for the first hint of a bump. Remember that while your baby is incredibly tiny, your body is also experiencing changes, including gaining weight in the breasts, potentially retaining water, and adding protective layers to your uterus to keep your baby safe.

For these reasons, there will be wide variances in how bodies change. Some moms will have visible body changes (including belly bloating) and measurable weight gain at this point, and others will not. Both are normal! If you are concerned about gaining too much or too little, you can always check with your doctor.

By now, you’re likely seeing breast changes. You could see a cup size (or two) of increase, especially if this is your first pregnancy. You may have soreness or discomfort — and this may last throughout the pregnancy and beyond. You may also notice other visual changes, including your areola growing larger and darker and blue veins becoming visible beneath the skin. All this is a normal part of your body preparing to meet your baby’s needs with breastmilk!

If you’re suffering nausea, unfortunately, you may also have a heightened sense of smell to accompany it. Don’t try to ‘power through’ morning sickness. Speak to your doctor if you can’t keep food and liquids down!

It’s normal to see a milky white vaginal discharge throughout pregnancy. This is one of the ways your body protects your uterus from infection. Watch for changes, though — a green or grey color or a strong odor can be a sign of infection.

Many women have headaches during pregnancy and are typically treatable with OTC pain meds.

8 Week Pregnancy Symptoms Quick Recap:

• Bloating or early body changes, including weight gain in breasts and water retention.
• Breast growth, possibly increasing by one or two cup sizes.
• Breast soreness or discomfort which may last throughout pregnancy.
• Areola darkening and enlarging, with visible blue veins beneath the skin.
• Heightened sense of smell, which may worsen nausea.
• Morning sickness, possibly making it difficult to keep food and liquids down.
• Milky white vaginal discharge (leukorrhea), a normal protective function.
• Headaches, which are common during pregnancy.

When To Contact Your Doctor

Call your doctor for nausea that doesn’t allow you to keep liquids down or if you vomit blood or are unable to pass urine for several hours.

You should also contact your doctor if you see signs of infection, including unusual vaginal discharge, swelling in the labial region, or itching.

Some women do see spotting during the first trimester of pregnancy, but if you have bleeding as a new symptom or if you have bleeding that is heavier than spotting, you should contact your doctor.

What Should Mom Be Doing At 8 Weeks?

If you haven’t had a prenatal visit, now is a good time to start considering screening options. Your doctor may offer testing for conditions like Down Syndrome, and considering this in advance will help prepare to decide whether you want to opt-in to these tests. They may be more highly encouraged for moms with certain risk factors, like advanced maternal age.

It’s time to shop! Buy yourself some maternity bras or other comfortable and supportive bras. If you’re planning to breastfeed, some bras can seamlessly transition from maternity to nursing. While you’re about it, grab some pants and tops that don’t squeeze your midsection and give that baby some room to grow!

Take your vitamins, eat well, stay hydrated, and stay active as long as you can safely. Most women can keep up an exercise routine during pregnancy but shouldn’t add new or strenuous activities and should check with a doctor about any routines that may cause risk to the pregnancy.

Keep an eye on your mental health. Your doctor can point you toward local pregnancy support groups, or you can find fellow moms-to-be by joining Lamaze or birthing classes, or you can find your fellow 8-weekers through social media.

If you need a little more help than a peer group can provide, ask your doctor for a referral for mental health.

Quick Recap Of What Mom Should Be Doing At 8 Weeks Pregnant:

• Consider prenatal screening options, especially for conditions like Down Syndrome.
• Shop for maternity bras and comfortable clothing to accommodate body changes.
• Take prenatal vitamins, eat well, stay hydrated, and remain active if safe.
• Avoid adding new or strenuous exercises without consulting your doctor.
• Monitor your mental health and seek support from pregnancy groups or classes.
• Ask your doctor for a mental health referral if additional support is needed.

What To Look Forward To

Many great milestones are coming up!

If you haven’t seen your baby on an ultrasound yet, that typically happens between the 8 and 12-week mark. You can ask your doctor when they like to schedule this. These days, most providers have an ultrasound in their own office, although some may still schedule the procedure off-site. If your provider makes an appointment for your ultrasound, ask whether they have any specific instructions for the visit, such as arriving with a full bladder for better imaging.

If you’re waiting until you’re showing, or until you’re in the second trimester, to make announcements, that’s coming up soon, too!