Week 8 of pregnancy: development of the baby and changes in the mother (2024)

The eighth week of pregnancy is a time of great changes: the embryo continues to form its organs and, in addition, the placenta acquires its full functionality to begin to nourish the embryo.

On the other hand, the woman may notice that her belly has grown a little or feel tight clothing at 8 weeks, although this is not evident in all cases.

The embryo at 8 weeks

In the eighth week of pregnancy, the embryo continues to grow rapidly. Its head is much larger than the rest of the body, which is already beginning to elongate and take the shape of the future baby.

The embryo's facial features are already more evident: the nose and upper lip are formed, the ears begin to take their shape and the eyes are covered with the skin that will form the eyelids. The size of the embryo at 8 weeks of pregnancy is about 13-18 millimeters and can weigh about 3 grams.

A very important change that occurs in the eighth week is the formation of the skin of the embryo, which is translucent and reveals the skeleton, still formed by soft cartilage.

The heart already has four chambers, the aortic and pulmonary valves are differentiated, and the blood is pumped very strongly and rapidly, about 180 beats per minute.

In week 8 of pregnancy, it is also possible to see how the embryo's arms and legs have elongated and it is possible to distinguish the hands and feet. In addition, the fingers begin to form, although they remain attached by membranes, and the elbows are already visible.

As for the brain, it is not yet fully formed, but it is attached to the spinal cord and neural pathways are appearing.

Functionality of the placenta

At week eight of pregnancy, the embryonic placenta is already implanted in the uterus and will continue to grow in the coming weeks.

Until now, the feeding of the embryo has depended on its vitelline vesicle, an embryonic structure that disappears. The embryo has grown a lot in the last few weeks and its nutritional requirements have increased.

Therefore, the placenta assumes the function of nourishing the future fetus through the umbilical cord from this moment on. Thus, the embryo receives the nutrients and oxygen necessary for its development from the maternal blood.

The first ultrasound

Once a woman finds out she is pregnant with a positive pregnancy test, the first visit to the gynecologist is usually scheduled for approximately week 8.

In this week, it is already possible to see the embryo in a first ultrasound, take its measurements and listen to the heartbeat. This confirms the gestational age of the embryo and checks if the pregnancy is developing normally.

If the embryo or gestational sac is not seen in this first 8-week ultrasound, it could be an anembryonic pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy, respectively, which means that the gestation will end in miscarriage.

The gynecologist will also take the first measurements of the mother's weight and blood pressure to monitor throughout the pregnancy.

After this first visit, subsequent ultrasounds are usually scheduled every 4-6 weeks, unless a problem arises during gestation.

Symptoms in the mother

In the eighth week of pregnancy, an important change occurs in the body of the expectant mother: the uterus begins to grow. This is not yet very evident to the woman because the belly has not yet swollen.

However, it is possible to feel discomfort due to the enlargement of the uterus, such as pins and needles and cramps in the belly and legs. Some women even feel sciatic pain as a result of the pressure exerted by the uterus on this nerve.

The woman may also continue to experience the typical pregnancy symptoms that have accompanied her for the previous weeks, although these may gradually disappear. These are discussed below:

• Nausea.
• Heartburn
• Constipation.
• Aversion to smells and tastes
• Mood swings
• Fatigue and headache
• Breast augmentation
• Cravings

Some of these symptoms are related to the hormonal changes that the woman has undergone in recent weeks and all are completely normal.

Recommendations in week 8

As pregnancy progresses, a woman must pay more attention to the care her body needs, not only to combat the most bothersome symptoms but also to promote the healthy development of her future baby.

To this end, we are going to discuss some very useful tips that should be followed throughout your pregnancy:

Nutrition

the most important nutrients for pregnant women are folic acid, iron, calcium, iodine, zinc, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also very important not to skip meals and to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Cleaning habits

it is very important to wash hands and utensils thoroughly before preparing food, as well as to clean fruits and vegetables before consumption. In addition, it will be necessary to cook meat and fish well, and avoid raw foods so that there is no risk of toxoplasmosis or listerosis.

Harmful substances

toxic habits such as smoking, coffee, and alcohol must be eliminated from daily life, especially now that the baby's nourishment depends on maternal blood and placenta.

Physical activity

moderate exercise is very important for maintaining a healthy pregnancy, as it helps combat fatigue and other symptoms, provides energy and strength for childbirth, and helps maintain proper weight. The most recommended sports for pregnant women are yoga, pilates, swimming, or daily walking.

If you want more detailed information about the necessary care during pregnancy, we recommend you to visit the following article: Health in pregnancy.

FAQs from users

When should the first ultrasound of pregnancy be performed?

By Lydia Pilar Suárez M.D., M.Sc. (gynecologist).

According to the SEGO (Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics) along with other gynecological societies worldwide, the first regulated or official ultrasound of pregnancy should be done between 12 and 14 weeks, at which time the correct dating of the pregnancy is performed, to see if the growth that is observed in the ultrasound coincides with that which marks the date of the last menstrual period. In addition, a first study of fetal morphology is performed and very important ultrasound markers such as the nuchal fold are measured, which combined with other analytical tests (PAPPA and BHCG) allow estimating the statistical risk of genetic disease such as Down Syndrome or Edwards' Syndrome.

What if I have bleeding in week 8 of pregnancy?

By Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).

Some women may have a pinkish discharge or light bleeding during pregnancy that does not necessarily indicate anything is wrong. However, if this occurs frequently or if the bleeding is heavier, it is best to see your doctor to make sure everything is okay.

Heavy bleeding in pregnancy may be caused by intrauterine hematomas, which could be a threat of miscarriage.

Why am I 8 weeks pregnant if the fetus is only 6 weeks?

By Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).

The weeks of pregnancy are counted from the woman's last menstrual period. Therefore, they do not correspond to the gestational weeks of the embryo. Normally, when the woman is 8 weeks pregnant, the embryo is 6 weeks gestational.

What month does week 8 of pregnancy correspond to?

By Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).

The eighth week is the last week of the second month of gestation. Therefore, at 8 weeks pregnant, a woman is exactly 2 months pregnant.

Is it possible to travel or fly by plane in week 8 of pregnancy?

By Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).

Yes, in principle, there is no problem in taking a trip, whether by car, train or plane, at this stage of pregnancy.

Women who decide to go sightseeing during their pregnancy should be careful to stay well hydrated and take as many breaks as necessary to avoid fatigue.

Recommended readings

If you are pregnant, in the next week you will enter the third month of pregnancy. For more information on changes and care throughout gestation, you can continue reading in the following article: The ninth week of pregnancy.

In the following post, you can find some of the discomforts that women may suffer throughout pregnancy: Common aches and pains during pregnancy.