What a big week this is. Only 4 more weeks to go before the end
of your first trimester which somehow, may not seem all that far
away. It's still really important to be careful about limiting your
exposure to any toxins, viruses or chemicals which could
potentially harm the baby as it's forming. You don't need to live
in a bubble, but just be aware and focus on staying well and
healthy.
how am I looking?
You still won't look like you are pregnant when you are 8 weeks
pregnant, but you are certainly feeling like it. Pregnancy hormones
will be working overtime in supporting the baby to grow and
establish itself even more firmly into your uterine wall. Your
breasts are likely to have increased in size and weight and your
waistline is quickly disappearing. You may often feel dizzy or
lightheaded, not as decisive as you usually are, or just a little
vague. You can put all this down to the normal symptoms of early
pregnancy.
what's in the fridge?
This week you are still likely to be feeling sick and turned off
by the thought of eating particular foods. Some experts say this is
nature's way of protecting the baby from potentially harmful foods.
Give into food cravings if you're having them, no matter how odd
they seem. Some women actually crave non-edible foodstuffs like
chalk, sand and even mud. Obviously, it's worth putting some
boundaries around your cravings if some things start to look too
tempting to resist.
When you are 8 weeks pregnant you could also find your tolerance
for exercise isn't what it usually is. You may find yourself
getting breathless or just tiring more easily. This may be the time
to think about changing your exercise programme to something which
is less strenuous and with a lower impact. It's still important to
move every day and incorporate some exercise and activity into your
daily routine. Women who gain excessive pregnancy weight can have
more difficult deliveries and are at a greater risk of obstetric
complications.
your physical changes this week
- More food size comparisons this week, when your uterus
resembles the size of a grapefruit or a large orange. Normally it's
around the size of a small plum.
- Nausea may be your constant companion. It is estimated 70-80%
or women in the 1st trimester of pregnancy will experience nausea
to some degree. Try to avoid your blood sugar dropping too low by
not missing meals, snacking between meals and eating foods which
are easy to digest. Don't force yourself to eat what repels you
just because you think it's healthy.
- You may be more aware of heaviness or full feeling in your
pelvis this week. It may feel worse after you've eaten a full meal
or when you need to wee. There is still no outward sign that you
are pregnant and your tummy is as flat as it usually is.
- You may be aware of your waistline getting a little thicker
than it usually is. It's not quite time to start wearing maternity
clothes, but you could just be reaching for the elastic waist pants
and skirts around week 8 of pregnancy.
- More tiredness and wanting to lie down and rest this week. Some
days you may not feel as if you've slept at all, or for long
enough. You may yearn for night time to come when you can climb
back into bed. Afternoon lie downs can be very restorative, so try
to plan for a rest or day time sleep when you can.
- You could become aware of some lower back pain from week 8
onwards. This may be something you've never experienced before your
pregnancy. Back pain now is usually a result of pressure from your
enlarged uterus on your lower spine. Back pain comes and goes
throughout pregnancy and is influenced by the elevated levels of
hormones.
your emotional changes this week
- You might seriously doubt if you are pregnant this week, or if
it's all in your imagination. You still may not have had your first
ante-natal appointment so you are relying on your symptoms to
convince you. Be patient. Week 8 is as important as any of the
others and your baby has developed so much in just 6 weeks since
you conceived.
- You could be feeling moody and irritable. It is also normal to
have mood swings and not tolerate people or situations as well as
you usually do. It can be hard feeling as if you need to explain
why you aren't your usual self to others. This is especially true
if you've chosen to keep the news of your pregnancy quiet for a
while longer.
- You might find yourself thinking about the baby as a little
person, what sex it will be and even baby names. Thinking about the
impact the baby will have on your life will occupy your quieter
moments.
your baby's changes this week:
- This week your baby can officially be called a foetus. This
particular label will continue for the rest of your pregnancy until
after birth, when is finally known as "The Baby" or by its name.
Around this time, some couples makeup a nickname for their foetus.
Be careful though, it can be very hard to stop using those little
terms of endearment once they stick!
- Your baby is around 1 centimetre long this week and it is
finally losing its little tail. But it still looks like it is all
head, with a big forehead and a little body. Don't worry though, in
the next few weeks it will lengthen and those limbs which look so
tiny now will only grow and take more shape.
- This week your baby develops a tip on the end of its nose. Its
fingers, toes and lips, eyelids and legs are becoming more clearly
defined. Its eyes look to be positioned very far apart and more to
the side of their face than where they will eventually be.
- In week 8 the valves in your baby's heart are present and the
passages which will help air flow from their throat to their lungs
have formed. There are small definitions on their paddle like feet
and hands where their toes and fingers will be.
- This week your baby is making little involuntary movements,
though these are so small you won't be conscious of them. It is
still in a C shape, similar to a kidney bean but flickers and jumps
around inside your uterus.
- Your baby's bones are starting to form in week 8 and they can
bend their tiny arms at their elbows and wrists.
hints for the week
- Consider being fitted for a comfortable bra which will support
your enlarged breasts. It's too early for a maternity/feeding bra
at this stage, but take the time to be measured by an expert.
- Avoid having marathon days when you keep going from morning to
night. Make careful decisions about how much you take on and if
possible, rest when you're feeling tired.
- Consider buying a supportive pregnancy pillow which you can use
until you deliver. Long, rectangular pillows can be great for
supporting an enlarging tummy and alleviating early pregnancy back
pain.
Week 9 is next!