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Week 8

What's Happening To Your Body

You already may be experiencing pregnancy symptoms like nausea, fatigue and sore breasts. In the first trimester, you don’t actually need any more calories than you do normally. However, some of your nutrient requirements have increased, so continue to eat a healthful diet and take those prenatal vitamins. Go for quality, not quantity in your meals.

The most important thing to remember during this week is to set up a prenatal visit with your healthcare provider if you haven’t already done so. When you see your provider, they'll most likely confirm that you're pregnant, take some basic tests and measurements and do a pelvic exam to make sure everything looks normal.

Your provider may also ask you questions about your relationships. Don't feel as if you're being profiled; prenatal visits are a chance to screen women for many health issues, including intimate partner violence or IPV (also commonly known as domestic violence). IPV is serious. If your partner does things that are meant to control you, whether they're physical, like pushing or slapping, or psychological, like name calling and degradation, talk to your provider or another trusted medical professional. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that this issue affects more than 300,000 pregnant women each year.

What's Happening To Your Baby

Your baby is the size of a raspberry. Your baby measures just 0.5 to 0.7 inches (12.7 to 18mm) long from crown to rump.

Your baby is slowly gaining a more humanlike appearance. Its features are becoming more visible; fingers and toes are beginning to form and eyelid folds, ears, and the tip of the nose have become more developed. The arms are longer and may be able to flex at the elbow and wrists.

Internally, your baby’s digestive tract, including its intestines, are beginning to grow. Its heart is beating at a rapid 150 beats per minute.

Read This Next: Week 9

In Case You Missed It: Week 7