8 Weeks Pregnant
Your Baby
You are more than halfway through your first trimester and baby continues to grow rapidly. Last week, your baby measured 1/3 of an inch and now he has grown to 3/4 of an inch in length. The heart is beating and if an ultrasound is performed, a fluttering will be seen on screen. Joints, muscles, and bones are now forming and tiny fingers and toes gain length every day. The fingers and toes are webbed at this point. Teeth are growing under the gums. These are the baby teeth that will break through first. Multiples are growing at the same rate as singlets.
An 8-week fetus 3D ultrasound
Your Body
The uterus continues to grow as the baby grows. By the time week 8 starts, the uterus is about the size of an orange. First pregnancies take longer to show, so first-time moms can keep the pregnancy hidden for quite a while. If this is not the first pregnancy, a pooch or small mound may start forming by week 8.
Skin changes also start occurring around week 8. Morning sickness may be subsiding a bit, but the body changes are not over. Acne and pimples are common during pregnancy and are attributed to pregnancy hormones. You may have to wait until the baby is born to get back that healthy looking skin you had before pregnancy, but you may be lucky enough to see a significant change by the end of the first trimester.
The first prenatal appointment should occur at this time if not already done earlier in the pregnancy. At each visit, you can expect to have your urine tested for glucose, heart rate and weight taken, and blood pressure measured.
Dad
The first prenatal appointment will be very soon and dad needs to be there. Mom may say it is just a simple appointment to start prenatal care, but that is not the point. Dad needs to be involved from the beginning, asking questions and taking notes. Going into the waiting room and staying out front when mom is taken inside the exam room is not the best option. Parenting takes two, and dad should support from the beginning. And no dad, we don’t know the sex yet.
Tips For This Week
— Getting attached to your baby early on may be hard, but reading books about pregnancy may help you feel closer. Some books even include pictures of the baby in utero at given weeks. There is nothing better than looking at photos of unborn babies that are the same size as your baby. Pregnancy is truly a remarkable experience.
