8 Weeks Pregnant: Ultrasound, Symptoms, & Belly Size

You’re eight weeks pregnant. Congratulations! You really must be looking forward to experiencing and flaunting your baby bump, but there’s some time for that! You may still not be able to flaunt your baby bump at this point, but rest assured because your baby is growing real soon. Your baby’s arms and legs must be growing, and their facial features will start to form. Yes, things are revving up now. At 8 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may suggest your first ultrasound scan. You will be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time during the ultrasound scan. There’s a lot that will happen with you and your baby this week. Keep reading to learn about pregnancy at 8 weeks.

Baby’s Growth at 8 Weeks of Pregnancy

Your baby has made substantial progress since week 7. The baby is growing almost at a rate of 1mm per day. Your baby, which was called an embryo till now, is called a foetus (1). The formation of bones, spinal cord, and intestines will have begun, too. Around this time, the retina starts to develop its pigment. The foetus looks more defined, and you can see where your baby’s limbs will be. Your baby would have also begun to develop a nose, lips and eyelids. The little protrusion in the spine or the tail is almost lost by week 8. Your baby’s heart rate will be 150 to 170 times per minute.

Twin Development at 8 Weeks of Pregnancy

If you are 8 weeks pregnant with twins, you are likely to feel more nauseous or tired as your body’s hormones are in overdrive to support the growth of twin babies compared to singleton mothers. Your twin babies are likely to be around half an inch long. By the eighth week, they are starting to look like real babies, with arms lengthening, ears forming, and upper lip and nose sprouting out. With twins, you’ll also need more nutrients to support your twins’ growth and development compared to moms carrying singletons.

Some expecting mothers may develop intense symptoms or complications. Thus, it is best to discuss any unusual symptoms you may experience with your doctor.

Size of the Baby at 8 Weeks of Pregnancy

At week 8, the baby is still tiny, but rapid growth and development will take place with each passing day. At 8 weeks of pregnancy, your baby will be almost two centimetres long. The skin at this stage is still very transparent. Various internal and external organs will begin to form, too.

Common Bodily Changes

Your body changes during pregnancy, and you may notice the following changes in your body by this time, as noted by the American Pregnancy Association (2):

• Your breasts will grow and prepare for lactation.
• Your uterus is growing and pressing against your bladder, resulting in frequent urination.
• Your growing uterus may also cause cramping around your abdominal area.
• Increased blood supply to your breast may increase your breast size. Your areola may become darker than usual because the hormones oestrogen and progesterone cause an increase in pigmentation.
• The nipples become prominent and may secrete high-octane milk, which is also called colostrum.

Symptoms of Pregnancy at Week 8

You may experience the following symptoms at 8 weeks of pregnancy (3):

1. An increased sense of smell

You may experience a heightened sense of smell as more blood rushes into your brain, making your responses extra sharp. However, the odours or smells you may have never paid heed to might bother you now and could also trigger nausea.

2. Nausea and morning sickness

You may feel nauseous around this time because of various factors such as stress, oestrogen, or a sensitive stomach.

3. Breast soreness

You may feel soreness and tenderness in your breasts as they are becoming bigger and getting ready for breastfeeding.

4. Constipation

Constipation is very common during this time of pregnancy as progesterone slows down the digestive process, making bowel movement difficult. Have lots of fluids to keep constipation at bay.

5. The feeling of fatigue

Due to fluctuating hormones in pregnancy, you may feel fatigued and tired. Adequate rest is very important for an expecting mother (4).

6. Cramps

You may experience cramping at around 8 weeks of pregnancy. It is very common as your abdominal muscles and uterus are expanding.

Your Belly at 8 Weeks of Pregnancy

Your belly may show a little or not show at all; it depends on many factors. If you are carrying twins or more babies, then your belly may show by 8 weeks. However, in a single pregnancy, you may have a slight or no belly bump at all visible until after 16 weeks. The uterus and abdominal muscles are expanding, so this time, a mommy-to-be is expected to gain around half a pound (0.2 kg) per week. This means by the end of week eight, you may have gained 4 to 6 pounds (1.8 – 2.7 kg). But if you are experiencing nausea and morning sickness, then you may not have gained this much weight. If you feel concerned about your weight gain or belly size, it is recommended to get in touch with your doctor.

Ultrasound Scan at 8 Weeks of Pregnancy

At around 8 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may recommend your first ultrasound scan. You will get to see your baby for the first time during this eight-week ultrasound. It will be a little difficult for you to figure out your baby, as it is too tiny at this juncture. But you may be able to listen to the heartbeat of your baby. Your baby is moving in your belly; little hands and toes are forming, too.

What to Eat?

If you are battling with morning sickness, then you may develop an aversion to food. But it is very important to pay heed to your diet and nutrition in pregnancy. You should opt for small, frequent meals rather than filling your tummy in one meal. It is also recommended to include loads of fluids in your diet to protect yourself from getting dehydrated. Your 8th-week pregnancy food should include the following:

• Your diet should include 3 to 4 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables as they have high fibre content and can prevent constipation. Do not eat preserved or packed fruits and vegetables as they have high sugar and salt content.
• Cereals and grains should be added to your diet. It is recommended to opt for whole grains instead of refined ones. Include starchy food such as rice in your diet, as it will provide you with the energy needed to fuel your baby’s growth.
• You should also include protein-rich foods as they are the building blocks that will be needed to make the baby grow. These foods include chicken, lean meat, fish and eggs. Vegetarian moms-to-be can opt for pulses to compensate for their daily protein intake.
• It is important to add dairy products to meet the growing calcium demand in pregnancy. Milk, curd, cheese, etc., should also be included in your diet.
• You should also take any vitamin supplements that may be recommended by your doctor. Usually, calcium and folic acid supplements are recommended (5).

Care Tips

It is important for the mom-to-be to be careful about her health all the time. Following are some dos and don’ts that are recommended in week 8 of pregnancy:

Dos

• Have light and frequent meals to avoid nausea.
• Keep yourself well hydrated by having plenty of fluids.

Don’ts

• Don’t eat spicy food as it could cause heartburn.
• Don’t take medicines without a prescription from your doctor, as this could have an adverse reaction in your body.

What You Need to Shop For?

There might be a few things that you need to shop for around this time, such as:

• Pregnancy books to keep yourself updated on each stage of pregnancy.
• Comfortable bras for breast tenderness and increased breast size.
• Good moisturisers to ease the increasing dryness.
• Comfortable pants for increasing belly size. You can opt for loose, stretchable pants and trousers to accommodate the constantly changing size of your belly.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

Eight weeks is an excellent time to schedule your prenatal appointment. These prenatal appointments usually increase in frequency as you get close to your labour. These visits are a perfect opportunity for you to clear your doubts and dilemmas with your doctor. As you get ready for your appointment, you may ask your doctor the following questions:

• Is it normal to have weird dreams during pregnancy?
• What is the best way to sleep during 8 weeks of pregnancy?
• Can I travel during pregnancy? What is the best time to travel during pregnancy, and when should I consider not traveling?
• What kind of prenatal tests should I look forward to in the course of my pregnancy?
• How should I contact you if I encounter some immediate concerns between appointments?

When to Consult the Doctor

A sudden shift or loss of symptoms may scare you a bit, but it doesn’t always mean any grave issues with the pregnancy. It could also be hormonal fluctuations at play (4). Symptoms like sore breasts and nausea usually come and go.

However, if you feel anything unusual suddenly or if your motherly instincts feel something is off, then it is better to consult a doctor. Signs of miscarriage can include anything from vaginal bleeding or spotting to passing tissue from the vagina. Apparently, there are also cases where many women don’t even experience miscarriage symptoms but get to know about it during their ultrasound appointment. The situation can be drastic, but remember that you are not alone in this. Apparently, an estimated 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage just in the third trimester (6).

Consult a healthcare provider as soon as you notice unusual symptoms to prevent any complications.

FAQs

1. Can your belly show at 8 weeks pregnant?

According to the NHS, you may feel bloated or constipated and even have swollen breasts, but 8 weeks is a bit early to show a baby bump (7). Rest assured, your 8-week foetus is growing steadily.

2. What are some uncomfortable symptoms you may feel at 8 weeks of pregnancy?

Puffy ankles, heartburn, indigestion, and back pain due to extra weight are some possible symptoms that may trouble you around 8 weeks of pregnancy.

3. Is diarrhoea normal when 8 weeks pregnant?

Similar to constipation as the common pregnancy symptom, diarrhoea at 8 weeks is possible. Many pregnant even alternate between constipation and diarrhoea. If your diarrhoea is excessive and feels unusual, reach out to your doctor without any delay. Remember to stay hydrated when having diarrhoea during pregnancy.

With each passing day, you will experience new feelings and emotions. You will cross new pregnancy benchmarks each week. Your baby is growing and making remarkable developmental changes by 8 weeks of pregnancy. So enjoy every single moment and every little change, and have a healthy and safe pregnancy!

References/Resources:

1. You and your baby at 8 weeks pregnant; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/1-to-12/8-weeks/

2. 8 Weeks Pregnant; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/week-by-week/8-weeks-pregnant/

3. Pregnancy at week 8; Pregnancy Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/pregnancy-at-week-8

4. 8 weeks pregnant: baby’s development, symptoms and your first midwife appointment; Tommy’s; https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/pregnancy-week-by-week/8-weeks-pregnant-whats-happening

5. Vitamins and supplements in pregnancy; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/vitamins-and-supplements-in-pregnancy/

6. Cohain. J. S, Buxbaum. R. E, Mankuta. D; Spontaneous first trimester miscarriage rates per woman among parous women with 1 or more pregnancies of 24 weeks or more; BMC Pregnancy Childbirth.; PubMed Central; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5741961/; December 2017

7. Week 8; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/1st-trimester/week-8/

Previous Week: 7 Weeks Pregnant

Next Week: 9 Weeks Pregnant

Our Editorial Policy

Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.