Week 8 of pregnancy
What's Happening with Baby
This is a period of significant organization for your baby!
All major organs and body systems are now in place and continuing to develop rapidly. Tiny details are emerging: webbed fingers and toes are becoming more distinct, and features like the tip of the nose and eyelids are more defined. The placenta is now well-established and working efficiently to provide nutrients and oxygen.
Your baby is approximately 3/4 of an inch long (about the size of a kidney bean or a raspberry) and weighs around 0.04 ounces. If you were to have an ultrasound, your doctor might be able to point out the baby's heartbeat and even small, fluttering movements of their tiny head and limbs.
What You Might Experience
As your pregnancy progresses, you might find your relationship with food changing. It's very common to experience strong food cravings for certain items or, conversely, aversions to foods you normally enjoy.
Nausea and morning sickness may still be present for some women. Another common symptom around this time is heartburn; to help manage this, try eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding foods that you find particularly heavy or spicy.
Remember, your body is continually adapting and changing to support this growing life.
These symptoms are often a sign of the powerful hormonal shifts taking place.
Key Things to Keep in Mind
Staying well-hydrated is crucial, so aim to drink at least six to eight glasses of water, juice, or milk each day.
Your upcoming prenatal appointments will likely involve a series of routine checks, including monitoring your weight and blood pressure. Your doctor may also perform an external abdominal exam to check the growth and position of your uterus (and therefore the fetus) and request a urine sample for testing.
Around this time, your doctor will likely discuss and recommend a panel of prenatal lab tests.
These blood tests screen for various conditions and check your overall health, providing important information for your pregnancy care. It's a good time to get these done if you haven't already.
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