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Pregnancy

      8 Weeks Pregnant: Pregnancy Symptoms & Baby Development

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      8 Weeks Pregnant: Pregnancy Symptoms & Baby Development

      Read time: 4 minutes

       

      8 weeks pregnant is how many months?

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      Almost 2 months

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      Baby development at 8 weeks

      Your baby’s facial features are becoming more defined.

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      Morning sickness

      Learn how to ease the queasiness of morning sickness that may have started.

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      Zinc

      Discover how zinc supports your baby’s cells and which foods are good sources.

      Baby development at 8 weeks

      Foetus Pregnancy Week 8

       

      What does my baby look like? And, what size is my baby?

      By the time you’re 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is roughly 1.6cm long. At this stage, their newly formed jawbone gives more definition to their tiny mouth, and the tip of their nose is now visible, featuring two distinct nostrils.

      Internally, cartilage is being replaced by bone cells and joints, and their legs are growing longer, although it’s too early to see knees and upper or lower legs yet.

      At 8 weeks, your baby is medically called a foetus, which is Latin for young one or offspring.

      Incredibly, they are already starting to make small, jerky movements as their muscles begin to function. It will be several weeks before these are strong enough for you to notice.

      Pregnancy at 8 weeks (first trimester)

      Body changes

      At 8 weeks pregnant, you may start to notice the first signs of your pregnancy bump showing, but this isn’t the case for everyone.

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      Pregnancy symptoms at 8 weeks

      Early pregnancy symptoms vary from person to person. At 8 weeks, you may experience any of the following signs of pregnancy, or no symptoms at all:

      Your breasts may become larger and feel sore. You may also find your nipples stick out more than usual and darken in colour as your body begins to prepare for breastfeeding.

      During the first 12 weeks, hormonal changes can leave you feeling tired or exhausted.

      Morning sickness affects up to 80% of mums-to-be in the first trimester. It can strike at any time of the day or night and varies from mild nausea to sickness throughout the day.

      The pregnancy hormone progesterone slows down your digestion which can lead to bloating and excess gas.

      Light cramping and spotting are common in the early stages of pregnancy. If the pain becomes severe (stronger than period cramps) or if bleeding becomes heavy, you should talk to your GP.

      Frequent trips to the bathroom are one of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy, as your growing uterus begins to put pressure on your bladder.

      Pregnancy hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, soar during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, affecting how you’re feeling emotionally. Get plenty of rest and light exercise to keep you feeling yourself.


      Feeling queasy?

      Morning sickness affects two out of three pregnant women during early pregnancy. It can occur at any time, day or night and is usually at its worst around week 8. By 16 to 20 weeks most mums are relieved to feel the symptoms fade.

      Some mums-to-be experience morning sickness beyond the first trimester, and queasiness may come and go throughout pregnancy.

      It’s worth remembering that nausea is usually a sign of a healthy pregnancy.

      Try these suggestions to ease your symptoms:

      Get a good night’s sleep and plenty of rest during the day.

      Eat a dry cracker, toast or plain biscuit before getting out of bed.

      Eat little and often to keep something in your stomach.

      Drink plenty of fluids.

      If drinking is proving difficult, ice lollies, ice cubes or simply sips of whatever you can stomach will keep you hydrated.

      Include ginger in your diet, either as a freshly infused tea or non-alcoholic ginger beer.

      Try motion sickness bands. They are worn on the wrist and positioned to press on an acupuncture point.

      Bear in mind that your body may respond differently on different days. Keep experimenting and if you’re concerned that you’re not eating or drinking enough because of your nausea, let your midwife or GP know.

      Stock up on zinc

      Zinc plays an important role during your pregnancy. Try to include the following foods in your diet to top up your intake:

      • Zinc-fortified cereals
      • Wholegrain bread and cereals
      • Red meat such as beef and lamb
      • Nuts
      • Poultry, especially turkey
      • Milk, cheese and eggs

      The
      Science
      Behind

      ZINC

       

      Zinc supports the body on a cellular level, playing a role in constructing, dividing and protecting cells, as well as normal immune function and vision. It also contributes to normal cognitive development, reproduction, fertility and bone health. A healthy, balanced diet is likely to provide all the zinc you need. While most prenatal multivitamins contain high levels of zinc, it’s wise to eat food sources too. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of zinc for women of childbearing age is 15mg per day, which increases to 20mg per day during pregancy.

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      How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
       

      Weight gain during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy weight, and varies a great deal from mother to mother. Most women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22–28lb) while pregnant, some of which is the weight of the growing baby. Learn everything you need to know about weight gain in pregnancy.

      LEARN MORE

      If you haven’t been to see your GP yet, you should make an appointment so they can start planning your antenatal care, including your first ultrasound scan.

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      Your baby, this week

      Discover the science behind your baby's developments, week-by-week

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      Your baby's future health begins here

      Your baby's future health begins here

      At Aptaclub, we believe that experience helps to build resilience; that
      each new encounter, whether in pregnancy or after birth, can shape your
      baby’s future development. With our scientific expertise and one-to-one
      round the clock support, we can help you and your baby embrace tomorrow.

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      Questions about feeding and nutrition?

      Our nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. So if you have a question, just get in touch.

      Your baby, this week

      Discover the science behind your baby's developments, week-by-week

      Join now for free

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