8 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Size, Symptoms and What to Do

Your baby this week

Your baby is starting to uncurl, and the head is lifting away from the chest. The arms are growing faster than the legs. All the major organs have begun to form and keep developing.

By the end of week 8 every major organ has started to form, which is why this stretch is considered the most sensitive time for development. The heart is dividing into four chambers, and fingers are taking shape on the hands. Many people have their first prenatal visit around now: your provider confirms the pregnancy is in the uterus, sets your due date and orders the first round of lab tests. If your cycles were irregular, don't be surprised if the ultrasound moves your due date; an early ultrasound is more accurate than counting from your last period. Bring a list of your medicines, your family history and any questions. It's also a good time to check what your health insurance covers for prenatal care and delivery.

By the numbers

Week 8 covers days 56 to 62 counted from the first day of your last period, which is 20% of a 40-week pregnancy. About 224 days remain until a 40-week due date. By date of conception, your baby is about 6 weeks old.

Pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last period, so conception happens around week 2. Your due date is 280 days (40 weeks) from that day, and an early ultrasound may adjust it.

Your body

Bloating may make your waistband feel snug even though you're not showing yet. Fatigue often peaks in the first trimester, so rest whenever you can.

Tests and to-dos this week

Many first prenatal visits happen around now. Bring your questions, a list of medications and your family health history. Routine dental checkups are safe in pregnancy, so keep them on the calendar.

• First prenatal visit · weeks 6–10 · visit

  Health history, physical exam and first-trimester labs. After that, visits are typically monthly until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly.

• First-trimester labs · weeks 6–13 · test

  Blood type and Rh factor, antibody screen, blood count, and infection screening including syphilis (ACOG recommends syphilis testing at the first visit, in the third trimester and at delivery).

Coming up: First-trimester screening (blood test + NT ultrasound) (from week 10). Full prenatal visit schedule

Tips for the first trimester

• Take 400 micrograms of folic acid a day; your provider may advise a higher dose if neural tube defects run in your family.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, and unpasteurized dairy.
• For nausea, try small, frequent meals and sipping fluids; call your provider if you can't keep anything down.
• Check every medicine and supplement you take with your provider or pharmacist before continuing.

Last week and next week

Last week (7): The brain is growing faster than anything else right now, which gives your baby a big forehead.

Next week (9): Your baby now has a mouth and a tongue with the beginnings of taste buds.

Frequently asked questions