My Pregnancy Week 8
Baby
Though you might not feel it, your baby, now the size of a kidney bean (8-11 mm) is moving inside of you! Your baby’s facial features become more obvious this week, as his lips, tongue, nostrils, and buds for teeth have developed. His arms and legs are growing, elbows and knees develop, and his fingers and toes, though still webbed, become visible while any traces of his “tail” are almost entirely gone.
This week, your baby’s bones also begin to harden through a process called ossification. Inside your baby’s brain, nerves cells are branching out creating his first neural pathways. And though it’s still too early to discern your baby’s sex, as any external genital organs have yet to develop, an ultrasound at week 8 could detect the beating of his little heart.
Mom
Week 8 = Morning Sickness. You may not yet look pregnant (aside from your breasts being a bit fuller), but it’s safe to assume that by week 8 you feel it! Though no one knows for sure what causes morning sickness, aka “All-the-Time Sickness”, approximately 75% of all pregnant women experience it. The good news - nausea, vomiting, food and smell aversion, all the classic symptoms of morning sickness, usually subside by the end of your first trimester and that is just a few weeks away!
In the meantime, here are some tips to help you manage nausea early in your pregnancy...
- Ginger - Try ginger ale, ginger candy, or even ginger tea to combat nausea.
- Sea Bands – These bracelets provide acupressure to your inner wrist, which can reduce nausea and should be available at your local drug store.
- Eat small amounts of food throughout the day instead of trying to force down “normal” sized meals.
- Can’t eat or drink? Try sucking on popsicles to get important fluids.
Aren’t sure if you’re getting enough fluids? Check the color of your urine; it should be lightly colored, if its dark, it’s time to drink!
Feeling tired? An increase in the levels of a hormone called progesterone may be what is making you feel so fatigued lately. And you’re not alone if your breasts are feeling tender or sore, by week 8 these hormonal changes are helping to prepare your body for lactation.
One last tip – even though it’s early in your pregnancy and you may be feeling tired, it’s important to cut down on your caffeine intake. And if you have a cat, steer clear of the kitty litter!
And remember, whether this is your first pregnancy or your fifth, if you have any concerns about anything, be sure to share them with your doctor. There is no such thing as a stupid question!
