8 Weeks Pregnant - Saudi Mums

Baby development at 8 weeks

Baby Movements:
The signs of your baby’s activity are becoming evident! Initially, these movements resemble spontaneous twitches and stretches, beginning around 7 to 8 weeks and observable through ultrasound. However, you might not feel your baby move until sometime between 16 and 22 weeks, as their movements are not yet strong enough for you to notice.

Preparing for Breathing:
Your baby’s respiratory system is taking shape, with breathing tubes extending from their throat to the developing branches of their lungs.

Nerve Network:
A complex network of nerves is spreading throughout your baby’s body, establishing connections not only among themselves but also with muscles, other tissues, and organs such as the eyes and ears.

Your baby is about the size of a kidney bean

Pregnancy symptoms during week 8

Increased White Discharge:
In the early stages of pregnancy, you may observe a rise in white creamy discharge, attributed to elevated estrogen levels. Referred to as leucorrhea, this vaginal discharge is generally normal. It can vary in appearance from clear to milky white, have a thin or thick consistency, and may be mild-smelling or odorless. However, any deviation from these characteristics, such as green color, unpleasant odor, pain, itching, or other unusual aspects, could indicate an infection or another underlying issue.

Breast Changes:
Hormonal fluctuations lead to breast growth in preparation for lactation. A noticeable increase in cup size, especially for first-time mothers, is common. Additionally, expect changes like visible veins on the breasts, darkening of nipples, and more pronounced bumps on the areolas.

Abdominal Bloating:
Early pregnancy hormonal changes may result in a bloated sensation, akin to premenstrual bloating. This might cause your clothing to feel tighter around the waist, even when your uterus is still relatively small in the early stages.

Heightened Sense of Smell:
During pregnancy, you may experience a heightened sense of smell, often accompanied by aversions to certain odors. Both phenomena are linked to increased levels of pregnancy hormones and tend to diminish by the second trimester.

Unusual Pregnancy Dreams:
Pregnancy dreams can be diverse, reflecting a mix of excitement, fears, and concerns about parenthood. Dream scenarios, such as giving birth to your partner or embarking on unconventional adventures, are common during this time.

Headaches:
Frequent headaches during pregnancy can be attributed to factors like increased blood flow and fatigue. Limiting caffeine intake, while essential during pregnancy, can also contribute to headaches. Consult your healthcare provider before taking pain medication; generally, acetaminophen is considered safe during pregnancy, whereas aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain prescription migraine drugs are not. Natural remedies like massage, compress application, relaxation techniques, exercise, and showers can also help alleviate discomfort.

Severe Morning Sickness:
While nausea is typical during pregnancy, severe morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), affects around 3% of expectant mothers. HG can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and complications. Seek medical attention if you experience difficulty keeping anything down, vomit blood, lose more than 5 pounds, feel weak or dizzy, have a fever or abdominal pain, or notice dark and strong-smelling urine.

Pregnancy checklist at 8 weeks pregnant

A Weekly Bump Time-Lapse
Start your pregnancy documentation by creating a delightful time-lapse series showcasing your growing bump. Follow these expert tips for the best weekly bump photos, even if the changes aren’t apparent yet. Begin snapping pictures early to establish a comparison starting point.
Addressing Prenatal Mood Swings
While moodiness is common during pregnancy, persistent feelings of sadness warrant attention. Take our prenatal depression quiz if you’re feeling more than a little blue, and discuss the results with your healthcare provider if these emotions persist for over two weeks.
A Guide for Expectant Mothers
Combat early pregnancy exhaustion by prioritizing good sleep habits. Navigate disturbances like frequent urination, nausea, and more with early bedtimes. Learn the basics of sound sleep during pregnancy, from dietary considerations to relaxation techniques and creating a sleep-friendly environment.
The Importance of Sunscreen in Pregnancy
Protect your skin from melasma or chloasma – darker patches triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy. Whether you have fair or dark skin, prevent the “mask of pregnancy” by using broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily, regardless of the weather. Stay sun-smart to ensure these spots fade post-pregnancy.
Understanding Pregnancy Weight Gain
Curious about healthy pregnancy weight gain? Tailor your goals based on pre-pregnancy body mass index and whether you’re expecting twins or multiples. Aim for 1 to 5 pounds in the first trimester and approximately 1 pound per week thereafter if you’re at a healthy weight. Explore your target weight range with our pregnancy weight gain calculator.

8 weeks pregnant bellies

For numerous expectant mothers, it may still be too early to visibly display a definitive pregnancy bump. Nevertheless, concealing the ongoing changes in your body might be becoming more challenging. If you’re not prepared to announce the news just yet, you might need to employ some ingenuity with loosely fitting attire to conceal your chest and belly. Opting for an oversized cardigan, a button-down shirt, or a sweatshirt paired with leggings could serve as effective camouflage for the time being.

The initial trimester typically doesn’t contribute to an enhancement in one’s appearance. Due to fatigue and nausea, you might notice dark circles beneath your eyes and a somewhat pale or greenish hue to your skin. (Early pregnancy can certainly give a new dimension to the expression “green around the gills.”) However, don’t worry—before too long, you’ll be proudly displaying a delightful bump, experiencing thicker hair, and enjoying radiant skin. Pregnancy affects women in varied ways, but many expectant mothers find themselves feeling (and looking) fantastic in the second trimester, so stay positive.