8th week of pregnancy

Week 8 of pregnancy is usually characterized by the early symptoms of pregnancy. When the mother is two months into pregnancy, she does not start showing but her body changes in numerous ways.

How big is your baby

During week 8, the baby is around 18 mm in length. The baby can not be weighed at this stage.

Baby’s growth and development

• The brain starts maturing, and nerve cells begin to connect with each other. Hence, the baby also starts showing response to certain stimuli.
• The tip of your little one’s nose is formed by this point.
• Baby will develop webbed fingers and toes. Distinct elbows are formed by this time, allowing the elbows to curve around the chest.
• Ossification begins during the eighth week.
• Organs continue to develop rapidly. Lungs keep maturing and branching of tubes from throat to the lungs starts, though the process isn’t complete at this stage.
• This week the baby’s gonads become testes or ovaries.
• Eyelids begin to form, and the tongue begins developing. The upper lip and ears also becomedistinct.
• Teeth develop under the gums.

MOTHER’S DEVELOPMENT

(a) How you may feel

• The uterus continues expanding and is about the size of an orange by this time. The waistline of most females starts increasing now.8th week of pregnancy
• Females gain around 1 to 3 pounds during this week. This may vary from person to person.
• Nausea and morning sickness are the most important symptoms of pregnancy.
• Extreme fatigue at all times of the day troubles the mother.
• Breasts start becoming swollen and tender. Nipples darken.
• Feels like Frequent urination.
• Abdominal cramping is usual side-effect of carrying a baby. This is because of the stretching of the uterus.
• Some women suffer from lower backache and pain it the buttocks or thighs, which is again due to the pressure of the uterus.
• Indigestion is another common problem. This is because the body’s digestive system slows down and nutrients pass on to the baby as well.
• Some women have sudden craving for foods like pickles.

(b) Complications

• The initial period of pregnancy is the most crucial one. Most women avoid breaking the good news to relatives because of the risk of early pregnancy failure.
• If the abdominal cramps are sharp and accompanied with bleeding, it is not a normal symptom and one must consult a doctor right away. They may be signs of an early miscarriage or some other serious pregnancy problem.
• Ultrasound is conducted to find out whether the bleeding indicates a miscarriage. Although miscarriages are common in the first trimester, not all bleeding is a sign of miscarriage. Ultrasound results show whether the baby has a heartbeat and if this is the case, bed rest is advised to avoid strenuous physical activity.
• It is important to visit the gynaecologist/ obstetrician for a regular check up during this time. The first pregnancy test commonly includes urine test, blood pressure, weight, Pap smear test, blood test, and a pelvic exam. Family history and earlier pregnancies are also recorded.
• If one is accustomed to exercising prior to pregnancy, it is advised to continue doing so. High- impact exercises like skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing are prohibited. Yoga is beneficial but hot yoga is not as it can raise body temperature at places where it is harmful for the baby.

(c) Attachment with the baby

This is the time when the females discover that they are pregnant and are overjoyed. The news of a new one entering her life is ecstatic and exciting. The body shows sign of change and the mother takes all precautions to protect her little bundle of joy.

The Father

The fathers are doubly excited about the baby. Some can be nervous because of the soon-to-be arrival of a new family member and the changes in their life, but it is important that they retain their cool and support their partner. Most dads start collecting information about labour and prepare for the day well in advance.

TIPS

• Mother’s diet
• Alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes must not be used during pregnancy.
• During the eighth week, mothers must try to take small, frequent meals to avoid getting fatigued. Restrain from in taking high fat food.
• Have a lot of clear liquids like lemonade and avoid spicy food to reduce morning sickness.

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