At 8 weeks pregnant, you have about two months left before giving birth. Though your child may still be young, they are growing quickly, and your body must adjust quickly in order to support this new life.
At this stage of pregnancy, you’re likely to notice strong 8 weeks pregnant symptoms: physical changes to your stomach and emotional changes as your moods swing between excitement and despair. Many women also receive their first prenatal ultrasound at this time, making week 8 an exciting milestone in their gestation.
This blog has 8 weeks of pregnancy, hair growth, your body changes, ultrasound expectations, HCG levels, and morning sickness, as well as nutritional tips to keep you healthy during your pregnancy.
What Should I Be Feeling at 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Each pregnancy is unique, yet most women begin to experience more noticeable symptoms during the 8th week of pregnancy. Your symptoms could include an increase in morning disease (nausea and vomiting). Hormonal changes may result in changes to either your throat or breasts, such as throat cancer or soft breast tissue changes. Excess fatigue occurs when your body works hard to support your child. With an increase of estrogen and progesterone, the mood may quickly shift. Slow down the bloated or gassy stomach digestion. An increase in scent leads to less food available for consumption. Women may feel emotional, nervous, or even more excited at this point in the journey; all are valid emotions to feel.
8 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
Below are the most frequently experienced symptoms in the 8 weeks pregnant:
Morning sickness: Morning sickness often gives rise to peaks between 8–12 weeks of the week; Although known as morning sickness, nausea can occur at any time during the day or night.
Tenderness of the breast: The breast continues to expand and becomes soft as the milk ducts are ready to produce milk for breastfeeding.
Frequent Urination: Your kidneys have increased their blood-processing, and your uterus is slightly expanding.
Cravings and Aversions for food: You can crave unconventional foods, or suddenly you can start to dislike what you once loved.
Fatigue: Hormones and increased blood flow make you feel more than normal, contributing to fatigue.
Change in emotion: Emotional swings are part of life.
Light Cramps: Your uterus may be expanding and experiencing expansion-induced stretch sensations that cause light cramps.
If symptoms worsen (e.g., excessive vomiting or dehydration), consult your healthcare provider immediately for hyperemesis gravidarum evaluation.
h2>Baby Development at 8 Weeks Pregnant
At 8 weeks, your unborn baby may still be quite small, but is developing at an impressive rate.
Size: About the size of a raspberry (0.6-0.7 in).
Weight of embryo: approximately one gram.
Fetal Development Timeframe in 8 Weeks: 18 days.
Heart rate ranges between 150 and 170 beats per minute. Facial features (including eyes, ears, lips, and noses ) are becoming more defined. Legs have become longer, while fingers/toes have begun forming. Nerve cells and the brain are growing at an incredible pace. Organs (heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs) of an infant begin developing. At this stage, your unborn baby is now officially known as a fetus (rather than an embryo).
Your Body at 8 Weeks Pregnant
Physically, you may not yet look pregnant; However, there are changes in your body that may indicate pregnancy progression. 8 weeks pregnant, most women have no 8 weeks pregnant belly yet, although swelling may make you look slightly fuller than normal. Your uterus should now be almost the size of an orange. For the first time mothers don’t experience symptoms up to week 12, while mothers who have experienced it for the second time can notice changes soon.
Other Changes in Your Body
Your blood volume has increased substantially. Hormonal changes affect digestion, mood, and skin in various ways. Some women notice their skin is glowing, and others develop acne.
8 Weeks Pregnant Signs of a Girl or a Boy
Many women wonder whether symptoms at this stage indicate whether their baby will be male or female. Though speculation can be fun, no scientific research supports that gender prediction from symptoms alone. Old Wives’ Tales Indicate that Signs of Pregnancy for Girls may Include Morning Sickness, Craving Sweets, and Increased Heartbeat Rate.
Signs that indicate a boy are less nausea, craving salty foods, and a slower heartbeat.
At 8 weeks pregnant, a baby’s sex organs may not yet be developed enough for ultrasound imaging to accurately predict its gender; gender prediction generally becomes possible between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation.
8 Weeks Pregnant Baby Size
At 8 weeks pregnant, your baby has taken its first steps. Raspberry is approximately 0.6-0.7 inches in size. Even at this early stage of development, major organs and structures are already taking shape, making this phase an essential one for healthy development.
8 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound & hCG Levels
At 8 weeks, when having your initial prenatal ultrasound examination, you may see:
Baby’s heartbeat could be heard clearly over the screen. Clear gestational sac and yolk sac. A small fetus with head, body, and limb buds clearly visible.
Your doctor can also verify this.
Pregnancy occurs within the uterus (not ectopic). Assign gestational age and due date. Are there multiples (twins or more)?
8 Weeks Pregnant hCG Levels
At 8 weeks pregnant, hCG levels typically range from 31,000 to 149,000 mIU/mL. HCG levels typically peak around week 10 before slowly declining over subsequent weeks. Rapidly rising hCG levels provide vital support to the placenta and can amplify 8 weeks pregnant symptoms, especially morning sickness.
Healthy Lifestyle & Diet at 8 Weeks Pregnant
At 8 weeks pregnant, begin your healthy diet and lifestyle habits immediately to ensure a successful pregnancy outcome. Early pregnancy requires you to make lifestyle and dietary decisions that can have lasting consequences, so the decisions you make during this phase are of critical importance.
What to Eat: Eating green leafy vegetables and foods rich in folate will help prevent neural tube defects.
Lean proteins: Chicken, fish (with minimal mercury levels), beans, and eggs provide ample lean proteins essential for growth.
Whole grains: for steady energy levels.
Calcium & Vitamin D: Milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified foods provide essential calcium and Vitamin D sources necessary for bone development.
Iron-rich foods: spinach, red meat, and lentils to maintain blood volume.
Healthy snacks: Nuts, seeds, and fruits for optimal nutrition.
What to Avoid
Alcohol and smoking. High mercury fish species (shark, swordfish, and king mackerel).
Raw or undercooked meat, fish, or eggs.
Unpasteurized dairy. Toxic dose of caffeine (above 200 mg per day).
Lifestyle Tips: Stay hydrated. Sleep well (your body needs more rest). Exercise, such as walking or prenatal yoga, should be safe (consult your healthcare provider). Prenatal vitamins should contain folic acid, iron, and DHA for optimal gestational outcomes.
