Eighth obstetric week of pregnancy: what happens in the body of the mother and fetus?

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

So the eighth obstetric week of pregnancy has come. It would seem that the period is still quite small, but a baby already lives inside you, which can be clearly seen and examined on an ultrasound scan. This is an important and responsible period in the life of a future mother. Doctors refer to it as a critical interval. It is worth noting that most miscarriages occur at this time. Therefore, it is so important to take care of yourself, eliminate all bad habits, follow an appropriate regimen, and eat right.

What happens to mom's body?

The eighth week of pregnancy (obstetric) is equal to the 6th week from the moment of conception. The doctor should tell you about this at the first appointment and registration. At this time, changes begin to occur in the woman's body. First, the uterus is enlarged. Now it is about the size of an average apple. Perhaps already at this time you will feel that your old clothes have become small for you, it is simply uncomfortable in them. This is due to the fact thatthe pelvis begins to prepare for childbirth and gradually expands.

Secondly, women have an enlarged bladder, and therefore there may be frequent urge to go to the toilet. Please note that the process should be absolutely painless. If a burning sensation has been noticed, the color of urine has darkened, it is urgent to consult a doctor to exclude pyelonephritis, which occurs in many pregnant women.

Special attention should be paid to the chest. Women during this period may experience discomfort, tingling. Areoles around the nipple darken, increase. Sometimes veins can appear on the chest. Don't worry, this will all go away in a few months after giving birth.

Often, women are interested in: “The eighth obstetric week of pregnancy has begun, the stomach is still not visible. Is this normal? Doctors say that this is how it should be. The fetus is still small, so it is very difficult to visually determine pregnancy.

Eighth obstetric week of pregnancy: ultrasound photo

Time is running very fast, probably at this time the woman already knows for sure that she is in position. Any mother is interested: if the eighth obstetric week of pregnancy has begun, what happens to the fetus? How does it develop and how much does the baby weigh?

By this moment almost all of his internal organs are formed. The heart becomes four-chambered. The brain acquires its first convolutions. The stomach is in the correct position in the abdominal cavity.

Visually the baby already has outlinesperson. He has pronounced arms and legs. You can distinguish the fingers, although they may still be connected by a membrane. On the face there are outlines of the lips, nose, chin. The eyes still resemble two black dots, but the pigment, which will later be responsible for their color, has already been laid. Sexual characteristics cannot be distinguished yet. You can only see a slight bulge. But just during this period, the genital organs (testicles or ovaries) begin to form.

The baby can already make his first timid movements. But they are still so chaotic and weak that a woman is not able to feel them.

If a woman is in her eighth obstetric week of pregnancy, the photo of the fetus will look something like the one below. You can examine the baby in detail thanks to the ultrasound machine. Such early diagnosis is carried out only in cases where there are strong indications for this: uterine tone, suspicion of ectopic pregnancy, and others.

Is toxicosis terrible?

The eighth obstetric week of pregnancy is often characterized by the onset of toxicosis. The fact is that a woman's body begins to actively secrete three hormones that cause these unpleasant sensations. Toxicosis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• morning sickness;
• heartburn;
• loss of appetite;
• vomit;
• acute reaction to odors;
• diarrhea.

Many people ask this question: "The eighth obstetric week of pregnancy: no toxicosis, what can this mean?" Doctors do not advise to be nervous and run to the hospital. You should not immediately wind yourself up with thoughts of a missed pregnancy or attribute other diseases to yourself. Perhaps you are the lucky one who does not experience toxicosis.

To facilitate its manifestation, you need to eat right. Do not forget that meat is the main source of protein. It is advisable to use it every day. Choose lean varieties. It would be better to cook it in a double boiler or boil it.

Fruits and vegetables are a source of vitamins. Eat enough of them. But without fanaticism, so that allergic reactions do not occur. This is especially true for citrus fruits.

Seafood promotes good bowel function. They are remarkably digestible, non-caloric, rich in calcium.

Bakery products should be limited, the extra weight of the expectant mother is absolutely useless. Remember: childbirth is ahead, you need to approach them in the best possible shape.

Another important point: try to eat as little smoked, s alty foods as possible. The fact is that s alt delays the excretion of fluid from the body, edema and preeclampsia occur in pregnant women. This does not mean that you cannot eat pickled cucumber or a piece of salmon. But a three-liter jar of pickles is a clear overkill.

If you have entered the eighth obstetric week of pregnancy, nutrition should be as he althy and balanced as possible. Thus youhelp your body cope with such a difficult period.

When do you need medical help?

As a rule, toxicosis passes by the 13th week. But there are times when you need to see a doctor for medical help. You should do this if:

1. Sudden weight loss occurs.
2. Vomiting more than 4 times a day.
3. The woman faints, feels weak.
4. Food is absolutely not digested for more than a day.
5. Vomiting causes ordinary water intake.

In all these cases, you need to consult a doctor. To prevent dehydration and exhaustion of the body, doctors will offer drugs that stop vomiting.

Long live new sensations

The eighth obstetric week of pregnancy brings new sensations for a woman, among them are:

• Increased sleepiness and fatigue.
• The appearance of acne on the face. It’s not worth fighting them, they will go away on their own as soon as the woman’s hormonal background returns to normal.
• When sedentary work women may experience pressure and pain in the lower back and pelvis. The fact is that the uterus increases and presses on the sciatic nerve.
• Mood swings.
• Frequent urination.
• Isolation of colostrum.

Remember, pregnancy is not a disease. Continue to lead a normal life. Move more, spend time outdoors,attend cultural events, because positive emotions are so important during this period for both mom and baby!

Can there be complications? Their probable causes

Often women are interested in: “I am in the eighth obstetric week of pregnancy, brown discharge periodically appears on my underwear. Is this the norm? The answer of the leading experts is no. As soon as you find something similar in yourself, do not ask questions on social networks, but immediately call an ambulance!

As practice shows, it is at these times that a missed pregnancy, a miscarriage, can occur. And there are many reasons for that. The main ones are:

1. Mom's bad habits (alcohol, hard drugs, smoking).
2. Genetic diseases of the fetus.
3. X-ray exposure suffered in early pregnancy.
4. Intrauterine disease of the fetus.
5. Using illegal drugs.
6. Heavy lifting, serious physical activity.

To prevent this from happening, be careful about pregnancy. At the appointment with doctors, such as dentists, be sure to warn that you are pregnant. Remember: it is very difficult to visually determine pregnancy at this time.

Visit to the doctor. Is it required?

If the eighth obstetric week of pregnancy has come, a woman needs to visit a gynecologist. At the appointment, the doctor is obliged to measure the patient's pressure, pelvic volume, find out the weight and general well-being of the expectant mother. Corresponding entries fromthe specified parameters must be entered into the exchange card. Do not let the gynecologist examine you on the chair, at this time it is no longer safe to do this.

What tests should be ready by this time?

By the eighth week of pregnancy, a woman should have the following test results in her exchange card:

• Complete blood count. According to him, doctors determine the level of hemoglobin, sugar.
• Rh factor.
• HIV.
• For syphilis.
• Blood type.
• Hepatitis.
• Urine analysis.
• Venous blood (progesterone and hCG levels).

An analysis for the presence of genital infections must also be passed by the baby's dad.

Smoking and alcohol are incompatible with pregnancy

There is an opinion that a small amount of red wine is good for pregnant women. Allegedly, it increases the content of red cells in the blood, increases hemoglobin, improves well-being and much more. All this is speculation and myths.

Just at this time, the baby's nervous system and brain are actively developing, so alcohol is a poison for the fetus. Once in the mother's blood, it enters the embryo through the placenta. The same goes for smoking. Nicotine slows down the development of fetal organs. The consequences can be dire. In the future, this may adversely affect the child. Until the delayphysical and mental development, problems with vision, hearing and other organs.

Cold

It is worth noting that it is highly undesirable to get sick at this time. But life sometimes makes its own adjustments. If it so happened that you could not avoid a cold, you should immediately contact a therapist and do not start medication on your own.

Warm tea with honey and lemon, bed rest, gargling with herbal infusion, rinsing the nose with saline solution - these are your main medicines. At the eighth week of pregnancy, women can use Paracetamol with caution for fever.

Fruits and vegetables should be included in the diet in sufficient quantities.

Once again about the main points

At the eighth week of pregnancy, a woman should follow some recommendations:

• Eat right. Exclude fatty, s alty, smoked foods from the diet.
• Leave bad habits (alcohol, smoking) in the past, if any.
• Medications, even vitamins, should be taken only after a doctor's prescription. Read the instructions carefully.
• Do not wear high heels and platform shoes. Firstly, this is an additional load on the spine, and secondly, there is a chance of slipping and falling, which is highly undesirable during pregnancy.
• Attend cultural events. Positive emotions are the key to a good mood.
• Try to spend more time onfresh air.

The eighth week of pregnancy (obstetric) is the time when the fetus visually already completely resembles a person. All his organs are formed, his heart is beating actively. The baby begins to make his first timid, yet very weak movement. A little more and you will feel his thrusts.