Week 8
of pregnancy

At 8 weeks pregnant, your pregnancy is already in full swing, and you might be experiencing some common symptoms, like morning sickness, mild cramping, or spotting. Every pregnancy is different, so don’t worry if you haven’t noticed anything just yet. Keep reading to find out what happens at 8 weeks pregnant, plus what to expect in terms of symptoms and your little one's development.

Highlights at 8 Weeks Pregnant

Your eighth week of pregnancy is here, and we’ve got some exciting and important highlights for you to check out:

• Your little one is starting to develop tiny fingers and toes!

• You’ll likely have a prenatal appointment with your healthcare provider this week, or in the coming weeks—the perfect time to bring up questions.

• Start thinking about when (and how) you’d like to share the big news! The end of the first trimester is on the horizon, which is when many people tell others that they are pregnant.

• Be prepared for some new symptoms, like pain in the lower back. The muscles are working harder to support your growing uterus.

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Confirming Your Pregnancy at 8 Weeks

At 8 weeks pregnant, it's likely that you've gotten a positive result after taking a pregnancy test, which works by detecting levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your urine. It's also possible to receive a negative pregnancy test yet still be pregnant! To know for certain, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Once you confirm your pregnancy, you might start wondering when your due date is if you’re eight weeks pregnant. Your healthcare provider will be able to confirm that date, but in the meantime, try our Due Date Calculator.

How Many Months Is 8 Weeks Pregnant?

Though it’s more common to refer to your pregnancy in weeks, it’s sometimes easier to envision it in months. There is not a single, standard way to group the 40 weeks of pregnancy into months, but at 8 weeks pregnant, you could be nearing the end of your second month of pregnancy, even if you haven’t noticed any belly bump or symptoms!

8 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby's Development

This week is all about your little one working on those important internal and external features, including adorable fingers and toes!

• Your baby’s hands and feet, once simple buds, are starting to form tiny fingers and toes, and those arms are able to flex at the elbows and wrists.

• At this point, eyes begin to develop pigment, and genitals are forming too, although it's still too soon to know your little one’s biological sex. If you feel like taking a guess, have some fun with our Baby Gender Quiz.

• The internal organs are making progress, too. As the intestines form, they start to take up space in the umbilical cord because there’s not enough room in your baby’s abdomen yet. Even at this early stage, the intestines are working to carry waste away from the body.

How Big Is a Baby at 8 Weeks Pregnant?

Your baby has already come a long way, and soon, growth will speed right up! At 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a raspberry—just half an inch long.

Your Baby: What Does 8 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

At 8 weeks of pregnancy, here’s a glimpse of what the embryo may look like:

Your Body at 8 Weeks Pregnant

By the time you’re 8 weeks pregnant, pregnancy symptoms may be more noticeable. Your clothes might start to feel a little snug and you may experience some symptoms you hadn’t felt before, or some that seem to come and go. On the plus side, your healthcare provider may be able to detect some cardiac activity at 8 weeks pregnant, though your baby’s heart rate might be a little too fast to pick up in an internal or external ultrasound. By the way, if this isn’t your first pregnancy, you may be interested in reading about some of the ways a second pregnancy differs from the first.

8 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

What “should” you be feeling at 8 weeks pregnant? Because every person and pregnancy is different, there’s no standard way anyone “should” feel at this time. However, at 8 weeks pregnant, you might experience some of these symptoms:

• Morning sickness. By now you may be dealing with morning sickness that causes nausea and even vomiting at 8 weeks pregnant. The good news is morning sickness symptoms usually subside during the second trimester, and you're almost there! If you’re wondering how to stop nausea at 8 weeks (or at least reduce it), try nibbling on crackers before you get up, and aim for five or six small meals a day, rather than three large ones.

• Food and smell aversions. Certain tastes and odors that have never bothered you before may seem overbearing or repugnant, thanks to increased hormones that amplify your sense of smell and make your stomach feel as if you’re on a wild roller coaster ride. If everything makes you feel nauseated or you can’t keep anything down at 8 weeks, talk to your healthcare provider.

• Diarrhea. Your digestive system may be far more sensitive now, and symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain are all common at 8 weeks pregnant. Practicing healthy eating habits and staying hydrated may help. Contact your healthcare provider if diarrhea lasts longer than 24 hours or is accompanied by other symptoms. Don't take anti-diarrheal medicine or any medication before checking with your provider.

• Frequent urination. Yes, you may be making lots of extra trips to the bathroom at this time! At 8 weeks pregnant, and throughout your pregnancy, you may notice some symptoms come and go, and this is a common one. As your baby grows and your uterus expands, both put pressure on your bladder.

• Abdominal cramping. Cramping is also common at 8 weeks pregnant and is another symptom that may come and go. Mild cramping or feeling like your period is coming at 8 weeks pregnant (and beyond) can be associated with the continued growth of your uterus. If the symptoms are severe, consult your healthcare provider to rule out problems.

• Back pain. By the time you’re 8 weeks pregnant, lower back pain may strike. That's because the muscles in your back are working harder than usual as your weight is redistributed to accommodate your growing uterus. Furthermore, your center of gravity is changing, and those pregnancy hormones are working on relaxing ligaments in the joints of your pelvis, which can lead to discomfort.

• Spotting and discharge. Spotting (light bleeding) and discharge can be normal at 8 weeks pregnant, and you may notice these symptoms when you wipe. However, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you feel at all concerned and call right away if you notice heavier bleeding or abnormal discharge.

• Fatigue. Your progesterone levels are increasing, which can often leave you feeling more tired than usual. Go ahead and grab some extra snooze time whenever you can. If you’re feeling exhausted, listen to your body and try to take it easy.

• Trouble sleeping. Changing hormone levels, discomfort, and extra trips to the bathroom often add up to disturbed sleep. Try listening to peaceful music or reading a book if you’re feeling wide awake. You can also try drinking warm milk or taking a shower or bath before bed. Some women find lying on their left side helpful, as it improves blood circulation. Placing a pillow between your knees may help you feel more comfortable too.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 8 Weeks?

Can you start showing at 8 weeks? Every pregnancy is unique, but it’s safe to say that you probably won’t see any difference in your belly’s size (even when pregnant with twins) at 8 weeks. Remember, your little one is only the size of a raspberry! If you’re experiencing slight bloating around your abdomen at 8 weeks pregnant, you might notice what appears to be a small belly. You may not have a true baby bump around week 12 to 16, as your uterus becomes too big to fit into your pelvis area.

What Does 8 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

To get a better idea of what your belly might look like around 8 weeks pregnant, when you’re in your second month of pregnancy, check out the image below.

8 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

As you round out the second month in your pregnancy journey, there are plenty of important things to do and think about in the coming weeks, from brushing up on pregnancy symptoms to researching baby names. Check out our list below.

• You might want to add a few pieces of stretchy clothing to your wardrobe that will grow with you. Your clothes might be feeling tight by now, and you'll want to avoid tight pants from here on out. Don't forget to get fitted for the correct bra size throughout your pregnancy as your breasts grow.

• Take care of yourself by exercising. If you were fairly active before your pregnancy, it’s usually considered safe to continue the activities you enjoyed (just confirm with your healthcare provider to be sure).

• Getting good care is important! It’s time for your first visit with your healthcare provider, so if you haven’t chosen a provider, now is a good time. Your options may depend on where you live and your insurance coverage, but whomever you choose, it’s important that you’re comfortable with this person's philosophy and practices.

• Should you tell your boss you’re pregnant at 8 weeks? How about family and friends? When to tell people you’re pregnant is the subject of much debate: Some choose to tell close friends and family right away. Others wait until they’re past the first trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is much lower. In the end, it’s totally up to you!

• If you have a little spare time this week, take a moment to read up on some of the pregnancy warning signs you shouldn’t ignore. Being aware of the symptoms of potential complications might help you feel confident about what may be normal and what may not be. Remember, your healthcare provider is the expert, though, so if you’re ever in doubt or have concerns, contact them right away.

• It’s still early and you won’t yet know the biological sex of your baby, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun thinking about baby names. Start making a list of names—you may even like to add them to your pregnancy memory book, if you have one, so in the years to come your child can look back at the names you were considering. You can keep adding to your short list before eventually making your choice—no pressure though, as you still have many months to decide.

• Connect with other parents who are due around the same time as you, or other parents in your area. There may be a social media group you can find, or perhaps a community support group you can reach out to. Parents with babies or young children in your neighborhood can be a wealth of information and support.

8 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

Eight weeks is a good time for your first prenatal visit. Prenatal care appointments typically occur once a month until the last two months of your pregnancy, becoming more frequent before you give birth. These checkups give you the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you might have. As you prepare for your appointment, consider the following questions to ask your healthcare provider.

• What are some ways to get a better night’s sleep?

• Is it normal to be having more vivid dreams during pregnancy?

• Is traveling while pregnant safe? If so, when is the best time to take a trip and when should I stop traveling?

• When and how should I contact the provider if I have questions or concerns between appointments?

• What types of prenatal tests are needed or recommended, and when should they be scheduled?

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}