Fetal size at 8 weeks of gestation: stages of development, sensations, photos from ultrasound

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Having learned about her new status, a woman tries to listen to the slightest changes in her state of he alth. Since her feelings change every week, she needs to understand which symptoms are normal and for how long, and which ones are a signal to see a doctor.

Baby at 8 weeks pregnant: fetal size

During this period, the embryo already has a growth of 10-15 mm. The weight of the baby has already reached 3.4-4.5 g. In order for a woman to clearly understand the size of the fetus at the 8th week of pregnancy, you need to pick up a small hazelnut.

Embryo Development

During this period, the expectant mother does not yet feel the baby moving. But the size of the fetus of the 8th obstetric week of pregnancy is quite small, due to which it actively moves in the womb. At this time, the internal organs of the embryo continue to develop intensively:

• The rudiments of the palate and tongue are forming, and taste buds are beginning to form.
• The tail of the embryo significantlydecreases in size. Photos of the fetus of the 8th week of pregnancy are proof of this.
• The limbs and torso are stretched, but outwardly he still bears little resemblance to a child. His legs are 3 times shorter than his arms, and his fingers are still connected by membranes.
• The formation of the elbow, wrist and shoulder structures is being completed. Now the child can unbend and bend his arms.
• Active development of the rudiments of future lungs. They become like the crown of a tree, representing branching bronchi.
• The heart becomes four-chambered. like all mammals, and is already contracting at a rate of 110-130 beats per minute.
• The primary is replaced by the formation of real kidneys. Their development will occur throughout pregnancy, the final stage of formation will occur after birth.
• The baby's stomach moves into the abdominal cavity and begins to produce gastric juice.
• Small bumps appear on the sides of the head, which can be seen in the photo of the fetus 7-8 weeks of pregnancy. Their size is small, but the inner ear is already forming inside.
• The outlines of lips, a nose with tiny nostrils and a chin appear on the baby's face. This is evidenced by the ultrasound photos of the fetus at 8 weeks of pregnancy. The size of the eyes is large, but they look like two black dots, although they already contain the pigment responsible for their color.
• The internal genital organs are forming. But outwardly it is still impossible to distinguish a boy from a girl.
• Bone and cartilage develop. The final formation will end after birth at about 25 years of age.
• The placenta is actively developing and is already involved in the nutrition of the baby, but the yellow bag still helps her.

Hormonal changes

Pregnancy at week 8 is under the influence of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin. The concentration of hormones increases several times as they maintain and maintain pregnancy, and also prepare the woman's circulatory system for an increase in the amount of blood. Therefore, her main arteries increase in volume.

The yellow body begins to produce the hormone relaxin, which relaxes the muscles of the uterine cervix and the ligamentous apparatus of the uterus. This is due to the ever-growing size of the fetus at 8 weeks pregnant. The concentration of relaxin increases every month and by the time of delivery reaches a maximum for normal divergence of the pelvic bones.

Weight gain

The size of the fetus at the 8th week of pregnancy increases, which affects the woman's wardrobe. On average, weight gain in 2 months averages 1 kg. A pregnant woman adds about 0.2-0.5 kg per week. The amount of weight gained will depend on the presence of toxicosis and the constitution of the body. Skinny women will gain less weight than overweight women.

Mom's belly

The size of the fetus at the 8th week of pregnancy increases, therefore, the uterus also increases. At this time, it becomes the diameter of a small lemon, while the stomach becomes larger by an average of 3-5 cm. Since the size of the fetus has increased significantly at a period of 7-8 weeks of pregnancy,others begin to notice the "interesting position" of the woman.

Due to the constant distension of the uterus, her stomach may hurt. For the first trimester of pregnancy, this is normal. Painful symptoms appear due to stretching of the ligaments that connect the bones. Unpleasant sensations appear most often on the right side, since the embryo stretches the uterus in this direction. To alleviate the condition, a warm bath and a lying position on her side will help a woman. With severe, increasing, sharp pain, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Feelings of a woman

In addition to changes in the size of the fetus at the 8th week of pregnancy, the well-being of the expectant mother changes. During this period, she may feel:

• Change in diet. There may be special taste preferences that were not there before. One pregnant woman's appetite increases, while the other may disappear or become noticeably dull.
• Increase in the number of trips to the toilet. This is due to the increasing pressure of the uterus on the bladder.
• Change in skin color. The face can become pale, covered with age spots or pimples, and sometimes vice versa - become smoother and matte. Such changes are associated with an overabundance in the body of a woman of growth hormone - somatotropin.
• The chest is pouring. She is preparing for future lactation. To alleviate the condition, you need to wear a bra made of natural fabric.

Toxicosis

At 8 weeks, nausea peaks, then gradually subsides. Toxicosis can be accompanied by such unpleasant symptoms as: heartburn, belching, changes in taste preferences, loss of appetite. Usually it appears rarely and does not affect the course of pregnancy. But severe toxicosis can deplete a woman's body.

You need to go to the hospital urgently if:

• vomit more than 2 times a day;
• woman lost weight;
• food is not digested throughout the day;
• there is constant weakness.

Vitamins

At 8 weeks of pregnancy, the size of the fetus increases, which requires a large amount of nutrients for its growth and development. The diet of a pregnant woman should consist of foods containing a large amount of B vitamins. Their deficiency leads to malformations of the embryo and anemia. You can replenish the necessary substances by eating oranges, nuts, beans, strawberries, broccoli and spinach. Do not forget about folic acid and vitamins A, C, B, E and iodine.

Nutrition at 8 weeks pregnant

Expectant mother must watch her diet. Food must be of good quality. You should remove from the menu drinks with a high content of caffeine, as well as fried, fatty, s alty, preservatives and fast food. Replace them with dietary meat, kefir, cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables.

Doctor Visit

At a period of 8 weeks, pregnancy is usually already confirmed, and the expectant mother during this period becomes registered in the antenatal clinic. The doctor conducts an examination that will identify possibleproblems, which will help prevent further complication. The pregnant woman will be tested for urine, blood and a vaginal swab.

Tests will help find out:

• presence of sexually transmitted infections, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, AIDS;
• level of hemoglobin, sugar and blood cells;
• blood type and Rh factor.

During the appointment, the gynecologist will measure the height, weight and width of the woman's pelvis. After that, the pregnant woman will have to go through such narrow specialists: an otorhinolaryngologist, a dentist, a venereologist, an ophthalmologist, a therapist. This is necessary to reveal the overall picture of a woman's he alth. If the expectant mother works in harmful conditions, she must tell the doctor about it, then she must be transferred to another position. If she lives with a seriously ill person, then he will also need to undergo a medical examination.

Sex at 8 weeks pregnant

Proximity at this time is possible if there is no threat of miscarriage and infectious processes in the body of the expectant mother. But some restrictions should be followed:

• It is necessary to choose positions in which the pregnant woman will not feel discomfort.
• The actions of future parents should be smooth, without sudden shocks. Because they can provoke a miscarriage. It is necessary to refrain from any experiments.
• It is not advisable for a woman to lie on her back, even for such a short period of time. This is due to increased pressure on the vena cava, which is responsible for supplying oxygen to the embryo.

Sex has a beneficial psychological effect oncourse of pregnancy. The woman has a feeling of unity with the father of the child. She feels loved and desired.

Physiologically, sex has a beneficial effect on the hormonal background of the expectant mother. Proximity throughout pregnancy helps to avoid tearing during labor.

Ultrasound at 8 weeks pregnant

At this time, an ultrasound examination is not scheduled. A referral is issued to confirm pregnancy, if there is a threat of miscarriage or if an ectopic pregnancy is suspected. A woman can get this information at 8 weeks pregnant:

• ultrasound photo;
• fruit size;
• presence of multiple pregnancy.

The expectant mother will be able to examine her baby, but this will depend on his position in the womb and the quality of the device itself. The negative impact of ultrasound has not been proven, but it should not be carried out without a doctor's prescription. Above is a photo of an ultrasound scan of the 8th week of pregnancy. The size of the fetus allows it to constantly travel in the womb, making it difficult to get a clear picture.

Selections

They should not have a strong smell, flakes and any inclusions. The discharge may be light in color with a mild sour smell. Any abnormalities may be a sign of an infection. The most dangerous are brown spotting, which is accompanied by pulling pain in the lower abdomen, as well as weakness and dizziness. Availabilityone or more signs at the same time may indicate detachment of the fetal egg from the walls of the uterus. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Temperature at 8 weeks pregnant

At this time, a woman can have a little more than 37 degrees. Due to the increase in the size of the fetus at 8-9 weeks of gestation, metabolic processes are accelerated. This may result in a temperature increase of several degrees. But if at the same time a woman feels a general deterioration in well-being, she should consult a doctor.

A temperature around 38 degrees may be a sign of an inflammatory process. It can negatively affect the development of the child. Therefore, do not put off going to a specialist. After all, prolonged temperature leads to damage to the tissues of the embryo, provokes fading and abortion.

Expectant mothers should absolutely not take aspirin. It affects blood clotting, so it can provoke bleeding. To bring down the temperature, it is necessary to apply compresses before going to the doctor. Then he will prescribe the necessary treatment, based on the "interesting position" of the woman.

Difficulties in bearing

At the 8th week of pregnancy, there may be some problems. The main ones include:

• Toxicosis. At this time, it should be moderate, as it can lead to dehydration of the woman's body.
• Miscarriage. At week 8, there is a risk of spontaneous abortion. This can happen due to increased uterine tone, low viability of the embryo,rejection by his mother's body as a foreign body, severe stress, injuries, hormonal disruptions. It is urgent to consult a doctor if you have acute pulling pains in the abdomen and lower back, as well as the appearance of bloody discharge.
• Placental abruption. Pathology is accompanied by bleeding and sharp, pulling pains in the abdomen and back. In this case, it is possible to save the child's life if you see a doctor in time.
• Undeveloped pregnancy. In the first trimester, the likelihood of developing pathology is much higher than in others. Fading of the fetus leads to its death and further miscarriage. The causes of the appearance of pathology are: infectious diseases, blood clotting disorders, bad habits, stress, medication, heavy physical exertion. Symptoms of an undeveloped pregnancy: a decrease in the level of the hCG hormone, pain in the lower back and abdomen, chills, fever, spotting.
• Ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the attachment and development of the embryo occurs outside the uterus. This can occur in the abdominal cavity, on the ovaries, in the fallopian tubes. An ectopic pregnancy poses a serious threat to the he alth and life of a woman, as it breaks the organ in which it grows. Pathology is diagnosed by a blood test for hCG. The risk group includes women who have previously had an abortion, under the age of 18 and over 35 years old, with anomalies in the structure of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
• Rubella and toxoplasmosis. These infectious diseases are dangerous both during primary infection and during pregnancy. They are indications for abortion, as they lead to deviations in the development of the embryo. To reduce the risk of infection, it is necessary to get vaccinated six months before planning a pregnancy.

So, at this time, a woman's belly becomes a little noticeable. This is due to the increase in the size of the fetus. At 8 weeks pregnant, the embryo can be compared to a hazelnut. He is actively developing, but still bears little resemblance to a person. A woman during this period may be disturbed by toxicosis, discomfort in the abdomen, heartburn, and slightly elevated temperature. If the pregnant woman has not yet been registered, then now is the time to do it.