Condition of the woman and fetus in the eighth week of pregnancy. Condition of the woman and fetus in the eighth week of pregnancy How the baby develops in the 8th week of pregnancy

The child's brain and nervous system have formed, and he begins to make his first movements. If you undergo an ultrasound, you will see that the baby's face can be seen very clearly. You can see the nose, mouth, eyes, lips. Small fingers are visible on the hands, which the child periodically moves.

The bone tissue has also formed, the child’s joints become mobile, and you can see that he is actively moving his arms and legs. Internal organs also develop: stomach, liver, intestines, pancreas. The conductivity of the nervous system increases, and internal organs begin to respond to the child’s activity. The baby's weight reaches 3 grams.

The woman begins to feel that the uterus has increased significantly and is about to begin to rise. Painful sensations, such as squeezing or sharp spasms, may occur. It is very good if these sensations occur, because this indicates a positive pregnancy. If pain bothers you, contact a gynecologist, he will consult you and prescribe several medications.

The gynecologist will also prescribe the following tests for you:

General blood analysis;
HIV and RW;
Urinalysis to determine the amount of protein;
Analysis for human chorionic gonadotropin.

You will be weighed and body measured. The doctor will determine the average basal temperature and make several smears. Passing a medical examination is very important; you can prevent possible diseases of the child and treat him before birth.

Signs of pregnancy at 8 weeks

At 8 weeks, pregnancy is no longer a secret for the expectant mother. By this time, many signs of pregnancy usually appear, which can manifest with different intensity in different women. Thinking about the health of the unborn child, a woman should reconsider her life routine and immediately give up all bad habits. At this stage, the influence of any negative factors on the child’s development is very great, in addition, they can worsen the condition of the expectant mother. Therefore, week 8 is included in the so-called “critical period of pregnancy.”

During the 8th week of pregnancy, the consumption of alcohol and nicotine is strictly prohibited, and heavy lifting should be avoided. In addition, you should carefully monitor your diet and make it as healthy and balanced as possible. It is not recommended to take x-rays or use anesthesia during dental treatment.

Another sign of an “interesting position” at 8 weeks of pregnancy is significant breast enlargement. Sometimes blood vessels may even be visible. This occurs under the influence of hormones to prepare the mammary glands for lactation. Therefore, it is important to choose a comfortable bra during this period. Also, under the influence of hormones, the condition of a woman’s skin often changes: sometimes it becomes more elastic and clear, has a healthier appearance, but for many, on the contrary, the skin becomes drier and more prone to flaking.

From the 8th week of pregnancy, it is better to give up high heels, do not overwork, do not put a lot of stress on your legs, and raise them higher during rest. This is associated with an increased risk of encountering varicose veins.

Pregnancy symptoms

At 8 weeks, most often all the signs of pregnancy are very clearly visible. However, it happens that the symptoms of pregnancy are not clearly expressed, which often worries the expectant mother and makes her worry about whether everything is going “according to plan.” The vast majority of women, precisely during this period, feel “all the delights” of their position in the brightest colors. The most common symptom is toxicosis. A woman in this state experiences dizziness, nausea, accompanied by vomiting. Vomiting once or twice a day is considered normal. By following certain dietary practices, you can overcome this symptom. But if the toxicosis is very severe, then it is better to consult a doctor, since frequent vomiting can have an adverse effect on the baby.

Feelings at 8 weeks

Toxicosis is not the only “companion” of a pregnant woman. The real tests at the 8th week of pregnancy are feelings of constant drowsiness, weakness, emotional instability and excessive irritability. In addition, swollen, enlarged breasts may cause some discomfort. It is better to come to terms with this manifestation, since there is still a long journey of pregnancy and lactation ahead.

The body weight of the expectant mother at 8 weeks is practically unchanged, because... The baby is still very tiny. Many women, especially those who have experienced toxicosis, experience weight loss.

Photos of bellies at 8 weeks

Pain at 8 weeks

The list of unpleasant sensations characteristic of the 8th week of pregnancy is quite extensive. In addition to banal toxicosis, which often goes away by the 12th week, a pregnant woman is faced with other not very pleasant symptoms. Irritation of the sciatic nerve due to the growing uterus can provoke pain in the pelvis and hips. You can combat this phenomenon by reducing the pressure of the uterus on the nerve; to do this, you need to lie on the opposite side.

The bladder also experiences discomfort from the enlarged uterus, which leads to increased urination. At the same time, urination itself should not be painful, and the urine should be transparent and clean. If you have such sensations, you should consult a doctor, since pain during urination may indicate cystitis or pyelonephritis.

Due to indigestion at this stage of pregnancy, heartburn may appear, which also causes certain discomfort.

Already at 8 weeks of pregnancy, another source of pain may appear - false (training) contractions. True, at this time they are still insignificant. However, if the painful sensations are quite strong, there is severe nagging pain in the lower abdomen, if they are accompanied by bloody discharge, you must immediately seek help from a doctor, it is better to immediately call an ambulance.

Bleeding

Bleeding and any spotting during the 8th week of pregnancy indicate a threat of miscarriage, and possibly a miscarriage that has already begun. The amount and time of bleeding is directly proportional to the risk of miscarriage. Bleeding that continues for several days (weeks), nagging pain in the lower abdomen, cramps similar to menstrual ones, and back pain indicate a threat of termination of pregnancy (abortion). In this state, it is very important to strictly follow all the doctor’s recommendations, maintain rest and bed rest, and protect the pregnant woman from all worries and negative factors.

If at the 8th week of pregnancy there is increased bleeding with blood clots and tissue, this indicates detachment of the fertilized egg from the wall of the uterus, and means that a miscarriage has begun. The cervix dilates and contracts, causing contractions to progress, causing the uterus to expel the fetus. Unfortunately, stopping a miscarriage in such a situation is very unlikely.

Discharge at 8 weeks

At 8 months of pregnancy, a woman has normal discharge. They should be moderate, light in color with a sour smell. Various color deviations, an increase in the amount of discharge, the appearance of mucus or pus signal an infection of the woman’s genital organs. In addition, itching, burning, and painful discharge can also be warning signs. In such cases, you simply need to consult a doctor for immediate treatment.

The danger is brown discharge, sometimes in combination with nagging pain in the abdominal area, dizziness, and weakness. Discharge of this color may indicate separation of the fertilized egg from the walls of the uterus, which leads to leakage of blood. Such symptoms should not be neglected, since in such a situation there is a high risk of miscarriage. Timely seeking medical help will increase the chances of saving the baby.

Uterus

During the normal course of pregnancy at 8 weeks, the uterus measures approximately 7-8 cm (the size of a goose egg). A doctor can determine the process of uterine growth through a gynecological examination of a pregnant woman. It is not yet possible to determine the increase in the size of the uterus through the abdominal wall. A specialist will be able to confirm the presence of pregnancy by establishing that the uterus is soft, the isthmus is softened, and the external os is closed.

Analyzes

Following the examination, the next step in establishing the indicators and health status of the expectant mother and fetus will be prescribed tests. At the 8th week of pregnancy, the list of mandatory tests includes the following tests: urine test for protein, general blood test (test of the level of red and white blood cells, determination of the Rh factor, absence of HIV), general smear, stool test, hCG test.

An increased level of protein in the urine, detected during tests, may indicate kidney disease in a pregnant woman. A general blood test will help the specialist create a more complete picture of health indicators and the progress of pregnancy. In particular, a decrease in the number of red blood cells indicates anemia or possible leukemia, and an increased level may indicate lung diseases. In turn, a low level of leukocytes, detected using a general blood test, may indicate viral hepatitis, influenza or rubella, while an increased level may indicate bacterial infections (tonsillitis, pyelonephritis, etc.)

The level of the hormone that is produced by the membranes of the fetus (chorionic gonadotropin) during normal pregnancy constantly increases. Therefore, an hCG test makes it possible to make sure that pregnancy is proceeding without deviations from the norm.

Ultrasound photo at 8 weeks

Ultrasound at 8 weeks

At 8 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus is quite small, the size of a raspberry. More and more he begins to look like a little man. He can already move and move his legs. You can monitor the baby's capabilities through ultrasound. It is also possible to record the fetal heart rate, which will allow you to hear the baby's heartbeat. During this period, the little heart beats twice as fast as mom’s: about 150 beats per minute.

8th week of pregnancy: what happens to the baby?

Despite the fact that the baby is already moving at the 8th week of pregnancy, the mother does not feel these movements, since the length of the baby from the crown to the sacrum is approximately 14-20 mm and weighs about 3 g. He is becoming more and more like a person, acquiring characteristic features . Eyelashes appear on the now “more human” face, the nose, upper lip and ears begin to emerge. The hands and developing fingers are clearly visible. The elbows and wrists begin to bend. The neck is well outlined.

The formation of the main systems and organs is completed, and a period of their active and rapid development and functioning begins. The heart already communicates with large blood vessels, and the partitions between the atria become stronger.

Active development has not spared both the nervous and respiratory systems. The diaphragm begins to emerge, and the bronchial tree grows. The stomach and intestines are already completely formed, they have taken their place. The production of gastric juice begins. The kidneys also already produce urine.

At the same time, the sweat and salivary glands are just forming. There is rapid development of bone and muscle tissue. Taste buds begin to form on the tongue, and receptors begin to form in the nose, but for now the nasal passages are closed with mucus. During this period, the optic nerve is born, the eyes are still set very wide, but the eyelids begin to appear. If a boy is born, then his testicles are now forming, and if there is a girl, then during this period the formation of ovaries and eggs occurs.

Alcohol

Science knows several different points of view about whether (and if so, how much) a pregnant woman can drink alcohol. The arguments may be different, but the indisputable fact is that when alcohol enters the mother’s body, it passes to the child. At the same time, it has a destructive effect on the baby’s cells: it destroys them or makes them defective. The formation and development of the fetus at 8 weeks is very rapid, in particular the brain and nervous system. Therefore, during this crucial period you should definitely exclude alcohol, even in the smallest doses. Failure to comply with this indication can provoke the development of fetal alcohol syndrome, which can manifest itself in intrauterine growth retardation of the child according to all criteria, in various anomalies and deviations at birth (delayed weight gain and growth, mental retardation, problems with vision, hearing and memory, changes in bone structure faces and skulls (small skull, disproportionately small eyes, distorted jaw, etc.)

Temperature at 8 weeks

A woman’s body temperature rises slightly in the initial stages of pregnancy; slightly above 37 degrees is considered normal. This situation is due to an increase in the rate of metabolic processes in the pregnant woman’s body. However, one should not lightly attribute a significant increase in body temperature solely to the presence of pregnancy. It is possible that there are inflammatory processes in the body that can be identified by conducting appropriate tests.

If the temperature rises to 38 degrees, consulting a doctor is necessary. A prolonged state of significant increase in body temperature of the expectant mother is fraught with serious defects in the development of the child. The temperature of the fetus and the environment that surrounds it, as a result, increases and leads to damage to the baby’s tissues. In addition, the consequence may even be freezing, and then termination of pregnancy. Therefore, you need to be vigilant and under no circumstances self-medicate.

Reducing your temperature should only be done after prior consultation with your doctor. It is better to first try to lower the temperature with rubdowns and compresses with cool water. If the condition does not improve, resort to an antipyretic drug, agreed with a medical specialist. Do not forget that it is strictly forbidden for pregnant women to take aspirin, because it has the property of changing blood clotting, and this leads to bleeding.

Cold at 8 weeks

You should be extra vigilant to avoid catching a cold in the early stages of pregnancy, in particular at 8 weeks. A cold can be an extremely negative factor in the development of the fetus. A cold can disrupt the functioning of the placenta and lead to fetal hypoxia, and can even lead to miscarriage. Therefore, in such a crucial period for the development of a child, you need to protect yourself, and therefore him, from a possible threat in all possible ways. Try to avoid large crowds of people, especially in the autumn-winter period, avoid contact with sick people, and dress appropriately for the weather.

If it happens that you did not protect yourself and still got sick, treatment cannot be delayed. Since commonly used medications cannot be used, you will have to resort to “grandmother’s methods.” You shouldn’t overestimate the harmlessness of traditional methods either; it’s better to discuss them with your doctor.

When fighting a cold in the 8th week of pregnancy, you need to stay in bed, drink plenty of warm drinks, and rinse your nose and throat. You can drink warm tea with honey, heated milk with added butter, linden and mint decoctions. A saline solution for rinsing the nose, you can gargle with a solution of soda or herbal decoctions (chamomile, calendula). It is advisable to include fruits and vegetables, dairy products in the diet, but it is better not to eat meat for now.

Nutrition

Nutrition plays an important role during pregnancy, including at 8 weeks. The diet of the expectant mother should be varied and balanced. By following simple nutritional rules, a woman will help her actively growing child develop normally, and will also provide her body with the necessary elements. Meat is a source of protein, which is extremely important for a child’s development. It is important that it be low-fat, steamed or boiled. Various meat variations: jerky, corned beef, etc. will not fit very well into the “correct diet”.

Fish and seafood are very useful and necessary for the balance of nutrients. Fruits and vegetables will improve intestinal motility and prevent constipation. Don’t forget about such a source of protein and calcium as dairy products. You can safely eat dried fruits, cereals, and nuts.

Products made from yeast dough, legumes, and fresh bread lead to gas formation and flatulence, and complicate intestinal function, so it is better to exclude them from the daily diet. It is not advisable to drink strong tea and coffee during pregnancy, as they stimulate the nervous system.

You shouldn’t overload your stomach and liver with the “classic forbidden four” (fried, salty, spicy, fatty). Eating them will lead to heartburn. On top of that, salty foods retain fluid in the body, which can lead to swelling.

Sex at 8 weeks

The issue of intimate life, and most importantly its safety for a growing organism, interests and even worries both future parents. Are there really 9 months of abstinence ahead? Of course not. With the exception of special contraindications from a doctor (threat of miscarriage, twin pregnancy), sex does not pose a danger to the fetus. If a woman feels well and has sexual desire, sex at 8 weeks of pregnancy is not something taboo or dangerous.

It is important that the husband, taking care of his wife’s condition, is attentive and listens to her feelings, since now the woman feels everything a little differently. You should, of course, not be overly active with sex, and be more careful in choosing positions. After contact, a woman may experience a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen.

Keep in mind

If you feel nagging pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, bleeding or spotting, consult your doctor immediately.

At the eighth week, a woman already has an almost formed little man in her stomach. Only very tiny. Now that the initial formation has passed, it only needs to grow and grow further.

Treat your changed state and appearance calmly and wisely, find pleasant things in everything, enjoy life.
If the doctor does not find any special problems, just watch your diet, emotional state, do exercises and take vitamins.
You can have sex if you want and it’s better in certain positions.

Also viewed with this article

Author of the publication: Svetlana Sergeeva

With each week of embryonic development, important biological changes occur in the baby's body. The child is growing and developing rapidly.

How do doctors determine the term?

Doctors use a special system for calculating the age of the fetus in their daily practice. They measure in obstetric months and weeks. Thus, the 8th obstetric week of pregnancy is equivalent to the 6th week from the date of conception of the child.

Expectant mothers often use the calendar method. They calculate the age of the child from the immediate date of conception.

To determine the obstetric period, doctors use the date of the first day of the last menstrual cycle before pregnancy. This calculation method is more accurate and is already used by doctors quite a lot. The entire gestation period of a baby using the obstetric calculation method is 280 days or forty weeks. It is best for expectant mothers to use a common system for calculating the child’s age with doctors.

The 8th week of pregnancy is accompanied by the appearance of various sensations in a pregnant woman. Her mood and emotional background changes, and nagging pain appears in her stomach. Many women begin to get tired faster. Specific changes develop not only in the mother’s body. In the first weeks of pregnancy, the process of formation of internal organs is actively taking place in the child.

Such a huge leap in intrauterine development is possible only during the first trimester of pregnancy. Several weeks have passed since the fusion of germ cells. During this time, a small organism has already formed from several cells.

What's happening to the baby?

During this period of pregnancy, doctors call the child in the mother’s belly an embryo. It is so small in size that it can only be determined by ultrasound examination. This period of intrauterine life is extremely important. At this time, the formation of all vital organs and systems continues actively. If it happens efficiently, then the child’s body will function fully in the future.

The size of the embryo at this stage is very small. It is 15 mm in length. The baby's weight is very small: it is only 2 grams. In addition to the formation of the body, internal organs begin to actively form in the embryo. Kidneys and liver are formed. The small embryo has already formed a pancreas and stomach.

Interestingly, even in this early period of pregnancy, gastric juice is formed.

At this stage, the child has already formed a heart. Moreover, it is already beating. A small embryo weighing 2 grams already has its own heartbeat. This is a real natural miracle.

By this period of pregnancy, the baby’s heart has a four-chamber structure. A septum appears between the atria. This structure is normal for the entire human population.

The baby's heartbeat is an important clinical sign. It is determined during an ultrasound examination. To calculate it, the number of heartbeats in one minute is determined. If the embryo's heart beats too fast, then doctors determine tachycardia. When the number of heart contractions decreases within a minute, it is determined bradycardia.

It is important that the baby's heart rate remains within normal limits. This condition indicates that the cardiovascular system of the embryo is functioning well.

It is very important to regularly assess the dynamics of the baby’s heartbeat. Significant deviations from the norm may indicate that various pathologies during pregnancy are manifested in this way. This stage of embryonic development is also accompanied by the formation of the digestive and respiratory systems. The lungs will be fully formed in the future. Their full functioning is possible only after the birth of the baby.

The bronchial tree also transforms. The bronchi that form it begin to branch. In the future, their diameter and clearance will change.

Also, at 7-8 weeks of pregnancy, the child’s reproductive system begins to form. The genital organs are just beginning to form. But you can determine the sex of the fetus a little later. By this stage of pregnancy, the child’s nervous system is almost completely formed. Also, by this period, the main anatomical elements of the brain were formed.

This stage of intrauterine development is accompanied by the active formation of the musculoskeletal system. The mobility of small children's joints gradually increases.

The child’s muscular system is developed quite well, but this is difficult to notice due to the small size of the embryo. Not only the muscular system of the body actively develops, but also the smooth muscle muscles of the internal organs are formed.

The small embryo already has well-developed chewing and facial muscles, muscles of the arms and legs, as well as the pharynx. At this stage of intrauterine development, the lower limbs are somewhat “lag behind” the upper limbs. Increasing dynamic functions leads to the fact that The baby’s nervous system continues to form and develop. Gradually, internal organs begin to respond to the influence of nerve impulses. This is necessary so that the digestive system continues to actively develop.

The embryo gradually begins to develop a diaphragm. Exocrine glands (sweat, salivary) continue their active development.

The first supporting structures necessary for the development of the embryo begin to transform at this stage. The chorionic villi gradually turn into the placenta. In the future, through the placenta, the baby will receive all the necessary nutritional components for its intrauterine development. This stage is accompanied by the initial formation of the immune system. The child's thymus gland is actively developing. In the future, this immune organ will be filled with lymphocyte cells.

What does an embryo look like?

At such an early stage of pregnancy, a small embryo already resembles a small person in appearance. His body has an elongated shape. Even the face of the fetus changes at this stage of its embryonic development. The eyes become visible. They look quite large as there are no eyelids. Also at this stage of pregnancy, the first rudiments of the retina and color pigments of the eyes appear. The eye sockets are clearly visible. In this case, the eyes are closer to the temporal zones of the child’s head. In the future, the child’s face will transform, which will lead to the convergence of the eyes.

The nose has a clearer contour, but still remains flat. The nerve endings of the olfactory analyzer gradually begin to form. At this stage of development, the baby's nostrils are covered with mucus plugs. Active gum formation occurs in the oral cavity. Even the rudiments of baby teeth begin to appear. The contour of the upper lip is well defined.

Taste buds are already forming on the baby's tongue. In the future, these nerve endings will change and improve, but the basic laying occurs already by this period.

The small embryo, which is actively developing in the mother's womb, begins to form ears. The first rudiments of small fingers appear on the arms and legs. At this stage they are not yet fused with each other. After some time they will separate. The active development of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems helps joints become more mobile.

In some babies at this stage of their development, an ultrasound examination can show slight movements in large joints. This is usually manifested by small rocking movements of the arms.

In the future, the baby will develop and become more active.. With each week of pregnancy, the number of movements the baby makes increases. The baby performs small oscillatory movements in the mother’s womb, but it is so small that the woman does not feel the motor activity of her baby at this stage of pregnancy. By this period, the final formation of large blood vessels occurs. They are necessary for adequate nutrition of the child during his intrauterine development.

How is a baby’s development diagnosed?

To determine the main parameters of the fetus, doctors use ultrasound examination methods. They are prescribed to all expectant mothers to confirm the fact of pregnancy, as well as to exclude an ectopic form.

At this stage, tubal pregnancy is a rather dangerous pathology. In this case, the baby’s development occurs not in the uterine cavity, but in its appendages. In this case, the full development of the child is impossible. Tubal pregnancy always ends tragically. With the help of modern ultrasound examinations, the location of the fetus can be very accurately determined. In case of multiple pregnancy, the position of each baby is assessed separately.

Despite the baby's tiny size, ultrasound doctors can determine the length of his torso. So, The coccyx-parietal size at this stage of pregnancy is approximately a couple of centimeters.

For the active and full development of the embryo, an aquatic environment is required. The diameter of the gestational egg, which contains amniotic fluid, at this stage is about 3 centimeters. When conducting an ultrasound examination, the condition of the mother’s reproductive organs is also necessarily assessed. The structure of the uterus is assessed and its tone is determined.

Using a Doppler study, specialists can determine the main indicators of blood flow in the main uterine blood vessels. Using this diagnostic method, you can assess how well the blood supply to the uterus is. Adequate blood flow is necessary for the baby in the mother's womb to fully grow and develop.

To assess fetal growth, ultrasound examination is performed dynamically. In this way, the doctor can assess how well the baby is developing.

If a woman is carrying several children at the same time, then she may need more ultrasound examinations. The frequency of their appointment is determined by the obstetrician-gynecologist.

Ultrasound at this stage of pregnancy can be performed in different ways. The most commonly used is the transvaginal method. In this case, the study is carried out using a sensor that is inserted into the vagina. The transvaginal method of examination at this stage of pregnancy allows you to obtain more accurate and reliable results. This technique has a number of contraindications. If they have been identified, then a transabdominal ultrasound is performed.

Many expectant mothers worry about whether they will need any preparation before doing the test. At this stage of pregnancy, as a rule, no special preparatory procedures are required. Often, expectant mothers begin to get very worried before conducting the study. You can understand their excitement: they are very worried about the result and the presence of any pathologies in the child.

There is no need to worry: from the early weeks of pregnancy, the baby feels all the mother’s worries. A calm and balanced mood during a diagnostic study is simply necessary.

Carrying out an ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy makes it possible to timely identify various pathologies in both the expectant mother and her baby. It is very important to conduct such an examination for women who have difficulty bearing babies and various gynecological diseases. If a woman has a burdened medical history of genetic and chromosomal diseases, then an ultrasound examination allows for timely detection of their signs in the fetus.

Dangerous terms

During this period, the fetus is actively developing and this, naturally, entails continued changes in the female body. In addition to the fact that the expectant mother is changing physically, changes are also taking place at the psychological level. Now your tummy is not visible yet, but you and those around you notice that you often stroke your tummy. This suggests that you have already fully realized the fact of bearing your beloved child, and, stroking your belly, as if telling him and yourself: “Everything will be fine!” With these movements, you subconsciously give instructions to yourself and the child that he is in comfort and coziness, which is very important for both of you during this period.

What happens in the female body?

The main sensation that continues to torment a pregnant woman is toxicosis. Yes, this period is difficult and difficult for the expectant mother, but after the end of the third trimester, toxicosis will end.

Due to the fact that the body continues to rebuild: hormones change and under pressure from the fetus, the uterus grows, another new sensation may appear - heaviness in the lower abdomen. If this heaviness doesn't bother you often, don't worry, it's normal.

You may feel heaviness in your legs; this occurs due to the fact that during pregnancy, additional blood flow appears, blood circulation in the body increases in order to provide your and your baby’s internal organs with all the necessary nutrients. Over time, the heaviness in your legs may increase as you gradually gain weight.

Now your belly is starting to grow. Yes, it is barely noticeable, but you will no longer be able to fit into your favorite jeans. It is at the 8th week of pregnancy that you will begin to notice that you do not always fit into your things. It's time to change your wardrobe to looser clothes.

Also during this period, the breasts continue to prepare for future feeding, they ache and have noticeably increased in size, the nipples become darker. You may already notice that your bra is squeezing your breasts. It's time to change your underwear to a larger size. Or purchase special maternity shirts.

Aching pain may appear in the lumbar region, which radiates to the buttocks and thighs. This symptom is caused by pinching of the sciatic nerve. Pinching occurs due to the fact that the uterus, as it grows, begins to put pressure on the sciatic nerve. To reduce pain, lie on the opposite side, that is, on the side that does not hurt, thereby reducing the pressure of the uterus on the nerve, thereby relieving the pain.

What needs to be done this week?

First of all, consult a gynecologist, register with the antenatal clinic if you have not done so previously. After all, now you need to be examined and a specialist should monitor your pregnancy so that it proceeds without problems and incidents.

From the beginning of the 8th week, you need to start undergoing examinations with doctors, such as a therapist, an ophthalmologist, a dentist, an ENT specialist. In order to promptly identify any problems in the body that may affect the development of the child, and cure them in a timely manner.

If you have thyroid diseases, be sure to consult a doctor in the eighth week, because this is the period when the baby’s own thyroid gland begins to function. Your illness may cause your child to have problems with her function, which can lead to serious problems. So it is imperative to contact an endocrinologist who will prescribe the necessary medications.

If your blood has a negative Rh factor, and your dad has a positive one, you need to consult a doctor so that he can prescribe medications for prevention, in order to avoid the risk of death and damage to the fetus.

At 8 weeks there should be no bleeding from the genital tract; if you have even the slightest signs, be sure to consult a doctor, this may mean the onset of a miscarriage.

It's time to change your shoes and stop wearing heels. And not because you may begin to develop varicose veins. It’s just that every time you stand on heels, the position of the uterus changes at this time, which negatively affects the condition of the baby. So it’s time to buy light ballet shoes; you and your baby will be more comfortable in them. Of course, you can walk in stiletto heels, but now less often and try to keep the heel no higher than 4 cm.

You can have an intimate life if you have no deviations from the norm of fetal development. Contraindications may include bleeding, multiple pregnancies, pain in the lower abdomen, and if you are at risk when carrying a fetus.

And of course, remember about nutrition - more vitamins, fruits and vegetables. And of course, eat what you really want now. Don't forget that healthy food is the key to your baby's health.

Fetal development

The size of the fruit is like a grape – 14-20 mm, and weighs 3 grams. This small organism already has a new status, now it is called a fetus. During this period, the placenta continues to develop, and blood circulation between the uterus and placenta improves. From the 8th week of pregnancy, the baby began to look even more like a man. You can already clearly see the arms, legs, head, face. The fingers and toes are clearly visible on the arms and legs. They no longer have membranes on their hands. Joints have appeared, legs and arms are already bending.

The face stands out more and more, acquiring a human outline; the upper and lower lips are now distinguishable. The jaws are clearly visible, the forehead is developing. Eyelashes have appeared on the eyes, and the ears are already beginning to appear.

Your baby's internal organs also continue to form. The brain has already formed. The nervous system is improving, and therefore the baby begins to move actively, but the mother does not feel it yet, since he is still very small. The heart has already become four-chambered.

Last week, the genital tubercle formed, and now the genital organs are beginning to develop from it, boys have testicles, and girls have ovaries. But it is still impossible to determine the sex of the child using ultrasound.

The respiratory system also improves, the chest develops, and the lungs form. The stomach and intestines take their final shape and occupy the right place in the child’s body, and the first intestinal loop is also formed. The baby’s body has already begun to straighten, the skeleton is improving, and the skull bone is forming.

So, all the internal organs of the child are formed, now they will only improve, and the baby will grow and gain weight at this time.

This is what a fetus looks like in a female body

Superstitions worth debunking

About three weeks ago you found out you were pregnant. And now you have already gotten used to the idea that you will have a baby. Now you are looking forward to the changes in yourself and waiting for the birth of your baby. During this period, a woman often becomes superstitious. So, some superstitions can be dispelled.

They say that you should not dye your hair during pregnancy. No – it’s possible. After all, during this period it is very important for a woman to be beautiful. The chemical composition in the paint cannot in any way affect the development of the child. Manicures and pedicures can also be done. Take care of yourself, love yourself, this will give you positive emotions, which is so necessary for a good mood during the period of bearing a baby.
You can't cut your hair during pregnancy. The fact that you cut your hair will certainly not affect the baby. The only thing that can affect is your emotional state. After all, if you strongly believe that you should not cut your hair, then when you cut your hair, your body will experience a lot of stress and, naturally, your depressed state can harm the child.

During this period, many women can become superstitious and believe in all signs. Try to treat them lightly. After all, they are not, in fact, facts.

Video

Photo of an embryo on ultrasound

Now you may still be whiny or irritable, so rest and sleep more. Monitor your condition, put less psychological stress on yourself. After all, your psychological health is the physical health of your baby.

8 weeks of pregnancy - what happens to the baby and mother?

At 8 weeks of pregnancy, all of your baby’s organs continue to develop. This is a very difficult and responsible period. Now the caution of the expectant mother is extremely important, since the influence of negative factors can harm the baby’s health. And, although your baby is only two centimeters in size and weighs three grams, he already has all the outlines of a person.

8 weeks of pregnancy: what happens to the baby?

And the expected changes occur with the baby - fingers appear, joints form. The baby's stomach descends from the chest into the abdominal cavity. At the 8th week of pregnancy, the embryo is still quite small, but every day various kinds of metamorphoses occur in its body. The baby is growing and developing rapidly. All internal organs begin to function, receiving nutrition through the umbilical cord. At this time, the baby already has eyes and ears continue to form. A fetus at 8 weeks of gestation is already a human being, albeit a very small one, the size of a grape.

The child continues his rapid growth, this can be seen because the mother’s belly begins to grow. The baby’s nervous system is differentiated, so negative influences are detrimental during this period. It must be remembered that stress, alcohol and tobacco, and electronic cigarettes have a detrimental effect on the child and should be abandoned.

What should mom do?

If the genetic history of the parents is burdened, then it is worth visiting a geneticist and undergoing medical genetic counseling.

At this time, it is time to register with the chosen obstetrician-gynecologist. The expectant mother undergoes all the necessary examinations and tests. It is necessary to examine the woman with all care, since the smooth course of pregnancy and the health of the “new” person depend on her condition. Based on the first tests, the gynecologist can already understand how the pregnancy is progressing and what pathological changes occur in the woman’s body (if any). This can be seen in the level of progesterone in the blood. – a relative concept. It is not the indicator itself that is important, but its dynamics over time. If you have not tested progesterone before, then you can focus on the numbers - 32.98+/-3.56 nmol/l.

If progesterone is normal, then the pregnancy is going well. This hormone not only prepares the uterus for pregnancy, but also stimulates its growth and reduces tone. If the concentration of this hormone is reduced, then there is a threat of miscarriage, then replacement therapy drugs are prescribed that help the body cope with this trouble.

In addition, all family members living with the expectant mother undergo chest x-rays; this is necessary in order to eliminate the risk of contact with people sick with tuberculosis.

Obstetric examination is of great importance, it indicates how the progress of fetal formation occurs. If problems are detected at 8 weeks of pregnancy, a high-quality examination is required, which involves undergoing a large number of tests and indispensable testing.

At 8 weeks, a frozen pregnancy can be diagnosed; this is due to a urogenital infection that may be present in a woman’s body and.

do not carry heavy objects and reduce physical stress;
constant walks, rest.
stop taking medications without doctor's orders;
do not undergo x-ray examination.

These tips should not be ignored, since following them will help you carry your baby without problems and improve your well-being.

Discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy

There may be copious discharge from the genitals. They are usually transparent, colorless and odorless. Over time they will continue, but become denser. These changes occur because a plug begins to form in the cervix, which prevents various infections from entering the uterus.

Yellow discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy is considered normal if it does not have an unusual odor. But you need to be careful and be sure to undergo an obstetric examination, since yellow discharge can be the cause of an inflammatory process.

The second month of pregnancy is coming to an end. Taking into account the fact that an obstetric month corresponds to four weeks, the eighth week of pregnancy is two full obstetric months, the sixth week from conception and the end of the second lunar month.

What happens at 8 weeks

Tummy still inconspicuous despite the intense physiological changes occurring in your body. A slight thickening appears in the waist area.

The eighth week falls on critical period of embryonic development- fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy. What does it mean?

The process of ontogenesis can be considered as a series of successive, successive stages of varying speed of development. So during critical periods of development, on the one hand the fetus is less resistant and especially sensitive to various external influences, on the other hand, these periods are characterized by the maximum speed of its development.

A distinctive feature of the critical period of the first trimester of pregnancy is the fact that it affects the entire body as a whole, and in later stages of pregnancy it will only affect the development of individual internal organs.

Unfavorable, pathogenic factors that can slow down or even stop the development of the fetus include: hereditary (genetic and chromosomal abnormalities) and “environmental” factors (ionizing and ultraviolet radiation, some food additives, pesticides, alcohol, nicotine, drugs, viruses, infections etc.).

The consequences of exposure to these factors can be: miscarriages, fetal death, the birth of children with developmental defects of varying degrees and forms of severity.

The neofetal, or embryofetal, period continues (end of 5-8 weeks of pregnancy from conception). The leitmotif of this period is the further formation of the placenta, which is in the early stages of development. This process coincides with the completion of the formation of most internal organs.

The correct formation of the placenta and placental blood circulation determines the further intensity of fetal development. Through the placenta, gas exchange and nutrition of the growing organism will be carried out. Its functions will include the production of hormones and enzymes, which in turn regulate pregnancy, as well as selective (selective) transport of nutrients and intermediate metabolic products (proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, etc.).

While the nutrition of the embryo - the fetus continues to come from the yolk sac.

Woman's well-being at 8 weeks

As a kind of “prelude” to revealing this issue, I would like to remind you of one fact: pregnancy is a period of grandiose transformations of a woman’s body in the process of adaptation to bearing a new life. Natural tools for this adaptation are hormonal changes in the body, and the accompanying physiological changes in the body of the expectant mother.

A woman’s well-being in the 8th week may be absolutely no different from how she felt in the previous week. Moreover, the variability (diversity) and intensity of certain sensations are extremely individual and do not make it possible to routinely, schematically adjust them to any pregnant woman. Listen to yourself - this is the main advice.

Possible physical sensations

Manifestations of toxicosis may persist and even intensify. We usually refer to it as dyspepsia (Greek dyspepsia, from dys - disorder, pepsis - digestion) - a collective term for various manifestations of digestive disorders: belching, heartburn, nausea, heaviness in the stomach, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, excessive salivation, etc. etc. Follow the recommendations for neutralizing it, this will definitely make your fate easier. Read more about toxicosis
Changing the size of the uterus. It continues to slowly but surely increase in size. As a result, you may experience some discomfort in the form of cramps or mild pain, the main thing is that they are not accompanied by bleeding. It gradually presses on neighboring organs, such as the bladder, which leads to increased urination. Read about the dynamics of changes in abdominal volume
Breast augmentation, increasing its sensitivity, subcutaneous veins may appear on it. This is the result of the influence of hormones that begin to prepare the breasts for childbirth and the subsequent process of lactation (feeding).
Leather is also subject to hormonal influences. So, in some cases, women’s skin becomes clean, healthy-looking, and elastic, while in other cases, on the contrary, it is marked by oiliness, itching, peeling, and the presence of pimples and acne.
Vaginal color and discharge. In the first trimester, the vagina may slightly change color - darken or acquire a slightly “bluish” tint. You may also be concerned about more abundant discharge as a result of increased secretion (increased blood supply to the pelvic organs) and a rapid change of epithelium in the vagina. The main thing is that they do not have a sharp, unpleasant odor, do not cause itching or pain. Read more about the nature of discharge during pregnancy.
Fatigue, drowsiness, depression, mood swings, headaches and migraines. The main reasons that provoke such a feeling are: increased production of the hormone “progesterone”, which tends to depress the human psyche, as well as the general “restructuring” of the woman’s body for pregnancy.

Possible emotional experiences

mood swings;
anxiety;
irritability;
tearfulness.

Psychologically, the range of your feelings may vary - from a state of depression and fear of not being able to cope with the role of a future mother, the realization that cardinal and inevitable changes await your life, to euphoria, for the same reason.

If disturbing thoughts do not let you go, the support of your family does not bring relief, and you feel isolated and lonely, lost and misunderstood, then perhaps you should seek help from specialists and sign up for.

Involve your child's father in this so that he does not feel superfluous and disconnected from the events taking place.

Remember that you are not the only one experiencing such a flurry of emotions; take them for granted and important.

Basically, by the beginning of the second trimester, women usually mentally accept the fetus and are ready for pregnancy.

Reviews from women about week 8

Veronica: “Until the 8th obstetric week, I had no signs of pregnancy at all, which made me extremely worried and wary. I myself am suspicious, so you can imagine what I came up with there. Then I decided to pull myself together and not push myself. And as soon as I, so to speak, relaxed, everything came, and even in triple size, so that it didn’t seem too much to me. The moral of this opus is: “Girls, be careful what you wish for!”

Victoria: “I’m not new to this, I’m already on my 3rd pregnancy. I can say one thing from my experience - not only women’s bodies are individual, but also pregnancies. I’ve felt it 100% myself. I didn’t think my third would be such a hassle.”

Evgeniya: “These changes in well-being and mood are simply depressing. There are days when you are ready to move mountains, and sometimes such apathy “rolls over”, you don’t want to see anyone. I also noticed this peculiarity in myself: I can start up out of the blue, with a half-turn and almost throw a tantrum, which is extremely unusual for me, and then I calmed down, walked away and as if nothing had happened. This just infuriates my husband, but I’m trying to explain that hormones are to blame, not me.”

Svetlana: “I try to overcome the manifestations of toxicosis, guided by recommendations and useful tips, fortunately there is a lot of literature and the Internet to help now. Sometimes I am overcome by some kind of anxiety about the baby, or I somehow emotionally distance myself from those around me. Then I call on my imagination to help and begin to visualize images of our happy family: mother, father, child. The mood immediately lifts.”

Katerina: “I just registered, I’m looking forward to the first ultrasound, I want to see my “little one” as soon as possible.” As for how I feel, I often feel nauseous in the evenings and an incomprehensible fatigue has appeared.”

Fetal development at 8 weeks of pregnancy

In the eighth week of pregnancy, the processes of organo- and histogenesis continue in an organized manner, that is, further formation of internal organs and tissues baby.

So it's heart continues its thorny path of improvement - partitions between departments develop, communication with large blood vessels is established.

Stomach moves into the abdominal cavity and takes its place. The muscle layer grows with nerve elements, which in the future will enable normal passage of food through this cavity. The basis for the formation of salivary glands is gradually created.

The respiratory and central nervous systems continue their path of active formation.

This week the development process is intensifying bones and joints crumbs. This is how the arms and legs gradually acquire bone tissue and cartilage begins to mature. This process will last throughout pregnancy, will continue after childbirth, and will be completed in at least twenty-five years of human life.

Pretty passable muscles are developed, a little later on the ultrasound you can already notice the chaotic movements of the baby, which you cannot yet feel due to its miniature size. Muscles appear in the area of the face and pharynx, and chewing muscles begin to appear. Sweat glands develop on the feet and palms. The arms can bend at the joints, and the fingers develop. The legs are inferior to the arms in the pace of development, only the process of formation of the feet and joints is underway, and the fingers remain fused.

Continues to form face. The eyes are still shifted and widely set at the temples. The tip of the nose stands out, the bulbs of the olfactory nerves are born. Mucus plugs tightly cover the nostrils, depriving them of sensitivity. The parts of the upper lip close together, giving it a human appearance. In the oral cavity, the tongue already has taste buds. The folds at the site of the future ears gradually transform into the real outer ear.

This week goes process active formation of the child's gender. This is how boys develop testicles, and girls develop ovaries. It is still impossible to identify the gender by the appearance of the perineum; the genital tubercle looks the same in boys and girls, and therefore an ultrasound specialist cannot answer the question about the gender of the fetus.

Fetal ultrasound photo

It's time to say goodbye to stiletto heels! Only comfortable shoes, and in exceptional cases, a stable heel of no more than four centimeters. After all, you don’t want to put yourself in danger or even harm your baby?

This can lead to incorrect positioning of the fetus due to a shift in the center of gravity, or even more to the threat of miscarriage (increased load on the spine and joints can tone the uterus). And what is the “traumatic nature” of such shoes worth? After all, when is the best time to think about comfort if not now?

Moderation and activity remain the key to your good health. Spend more time outdoors and move. This is very invigorating, tones, and enriches your body and, accordingly, the fetus with oxygen. Read about what rules you need to follow when playing sports during pregnancy.

Tell your loved ones the good news

It's time to buy yourself literature about pregnancy and childbirth. This will make it easier for you to understand yourself, realize the processes that you will encounter in the future, and also develop an effective strategy and tactics for your behavior during this period.

home > Personality