Pregnancy › Week by Week › Week 8
At 8 weeks your baby is about the size of a raspberry. This is often the week of your first prenatal visit, and for many people the toughest stretch of first-trimester symptoms.
Size
A raspberry
crown to rump
Length
0.63 in
about 1.6 cm
Weight
About 0.04 oz
about 1 g
Your baby at 8 weeks
Fingers and toes are forming, the little tail is gone, and the face is taking shape.
Your baby is looking more human by the day. Hands and feet are forming, with fingers and toes that are still slightly webbed, and the embryonic tail that was there a couple of weeks ago has now disappeared.
Face and features. The tip of the nose, the upper lip, and the eyelids are developing, and the eyes are more defined. The brain is growing quickly, and nerve cells are branching out to connect.
Movement. Your baby is starting to make small, spontaneous movements. You cannot feel them yet, since there is still plenty of room, but they are there on an ultrasound.
How big is your baby at 8 weeks?
About 0.63 inches crown to rump.
Length is measured crown to rump this early, from the top of the head to the bottom, because the legs are curled up. Your baby has more than doubled in length over the past two weeks.
Your body at 8 weeks
For many people this is peak first-trimester symptoms: nausea, aversions, and bone-deep tiredness.
Nausea and food aversions are often at their strongest around now, along with fatigue that can flatten a whole afternoon. You may notice more discharge, mild bloating, tender breasts, and a bit of early emotional whiplash from the hormones. There is usually no real bump yet, though your waistband may feel snug.
Small, frequent meals, staying hydrated, and a few early comforts can take the edge off. Keep taking your prenatal vitamin, even if you can only manage it at the time of day you feel least queasy.
What is normal, and when to call your provider
Nausea and mild cramps are expected, but call the same day, or seek urgent care, if you have any of these:
- Vomiting so often that you cannot keep any fluids down, or signs of dehydration like dark urine and dizziness
- Heavy bleeding, or bleeding with clots
- Severe or one-sided lower belly or pelvic pain, or shoulder-tip pain
- Feeling faint, or a fever
- Burning when you urinate
Your week 8 checklist
- Go to your first prenatal visit if it is scheduled, and write down your questions beforehand
- Keep taking your prenatal vitamin with folate every day
- Eat small and often and keep fluids up to manage nausea
- Note any medicines or supplements you take so you can check they are safe
- Give yourself permission to rest, the tiredness is real
Appointments and tests around 8 weeks
The first prenatal (booking) visit often lands around now, with bloodwork and sometimes a dating ultrasound.
Your first full appointment usually includes a health history, blood and urine tests, and a chance to talk through screening options for later. Many practices do a dating ultrasound around 8 to 9 weeks to confirm your due date and check the heartbeat, which is often clearly visible by now. Bring your questions, and your partner if they can come, this is a good one to share.
A few things worth having on hand now
A note for your partner
This is often the hardest stretch of symptoms with the least to show, so patience goes a long way. Take over the cooking, keep the crackers and water stocked, and if you can come to the first appointment, do, seeing it on the screen together makes it real for both of you.
You are not alone this week
Eight weeks in, running on fumes and living around nausea, is a genuinely tough place to be, and it is temporary for most people. However you are coping this week, you are in very normal company.
8 weeks pregnant, common questions
What happens at the first prenatal visit?
Usually a health history, blood and urine tests, a due-date estimate, and a chance to ask questions and talk through screening. Many practices also do a dating ultrasound around now to confirm dates and the heartbeat.
Is it normal for symptoms to be this bad?
Strong nausea and fatigue are common at 8 weeks and usually ease in the coming weeks. If you cannot keep any fluids down or are losing weight, tell your provider, that can be more than ordinary morning sickness and is treatable.
When will I start to show?
Usually not for a while yet. A first bump often appears in the second trimester, though your regular clothes may already feel tight from bloating. A second or later pregnancy can show a bit earlier.
Can I hear the heartbeat at 8 weeks?
Often it can be seen and its rate measured on an ultrasound by 8 weeks. The handheld Doppler that lets you hear it usually comes a little later, around 10 to 12 weeks.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), first-trimester and prenatal care guidance.
- Mayo Clinic, Fetal development: the 1st trimester.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH), Fetal development and prenatal care.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for information and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. Always follow the guidance of your doctor, midwife, or qualified provider, and contact them with any concerns.