Week 8
First Trimester

What happens to me?

You are also in the throes of the first trimester, when many women complain of common pregnancy aches and pains. Keeping food down may be next to impossible, thanks to morning sickness, caused in part by the pregnancy hormones in your body. You may also need to use the bathroom a lot more often than usual as hormones are affecting the balance of fluid in your body. These symptoms should diminish as your pregnancy continues.

You should schedule your first doctor’s visit by now. Some practitioners do not want to see you for your first visit until after you have missed two periods. This will decrease the number of doctor's visits for false pregnancies. There is also a possibility of an early miscarriage.

Many things will take place at the first visit:

• Urine Sampled (protein, hCG, etc.)
• Blood Pressure Checked (baseline)
• Weight Measured (baseline)
• Pelvic Exam (size of uterus, cysts, coloring of cervix)
• Pap Smear (some practitioners do this now, others wait)
• Blood Drawn (Rh factor, iron levels, immunities, specifically rubella)
• Family History Compiled (complications that may be predictable)

How much will I be showing?

While your uterus is getting bigger, you probably still won’t be showing. This is especially true if this is your first pregnancy.

What happens to baby?

Now about three-quarters of an inch long, the size of a grape, the embryo has distinct, slightly webbed fingers and toes. The liver is churning out large amounts of red blood cells until the bone marrow forms and takes over this role. The baby's hindbrain is clearly visible. This week the baby's gonads will become either testes or ovaries. Spontaneous movement begins about now also. Elbows appear, and all bones and joints are starting to ossify (harden).

The eighth week marks the beginning of a very busy developmental stage. Between now and 20 weeks, the baby will be growing rapidly, and body parts that formed in the first few weeks of life (such as the heart and brain) will become more specialized and complicated. Right now, the teeth and palate are forming, while the ears continue to develop. The fetus' skin is paper thin, and veins are clearly visible.

How big is the baby?

The baby is about the size of a grape or approximately ½ - ¾ of an inch.

Tip of the Week

Don’t be afraid to call your doctor between pre-natal visits. Most doctors would rather have you call in order to get correct medical information!

Want to figure out your due date? Click Here

Just found out you're pregnant? Don't forget to check out the previous Weeks!

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