Womb at 8 weeks

Twin pregnancy at 8 weeks: Symptoms, baby size, and fetal development

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At 8 weeks pregnant with twins, you've likely seen (or will soon see) your babies on an ultrasound. Pregnancy symptoms at this time include morning sickness, bloating, food cravings or distaste, fatigue, breast changes, frequent urination, and increased vaginal discharge. Your twin babies will soon be considered fetuses and are developing quickly. They now have hearts that pump blood, developing brains and spinal cords, and their lungs are beginning to form, too.

Twin pregnancy symptoms at 8 weeks

By this time, you've likely received a positive pregnancy test confirming that you're pregnant, and it's likely you'll start to have some pregnancy symptoms, if you haven't already. But don't worry if you're not feeling much different – some women don't feel the side effects as much or as early as others.

Pregnancy sickness - nausea and vomiting
Often called "morning sickness," pregnancy nausea can affect you any time of the day. This nausea is common in the first trimester of pregnancy and may or not include vomiting. Pregnancy sickness is most likely caused by the pregnancy hormones HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and estrogen.
Eating and drinking small portions regularly, always having something small to eat as soon as you wake up, and sticking with bland foods for a little while are all great ways to ease or prevent the nausea if you do have it.
Bloating. The pregnancy hormone progesterone causes digestion to slow down, which may cause you to feel bloated in early pregnancy. This bloating may also contribute to pregnancy nausea.
Food cravings and distaste. You may experience specific food cravings or aversions throughout your pregnancy. The types of foods you want or don’t want can vary and is different for each woman.
Fatigue. Fatigue is a common symptom of pregnancy, especially early pregnancy. A rise in the hormone progesterone is one factor that causes you to feel tired, but it's also important because it supports your body during pregnancy
Breast changes. Due to a rise in hormones, you may feel sensitivity and tenderness in your breasts, and they might grow in size and feel firmer than you're used to. The area around your nipple, the areola, might darken in color, as well.
Frequent urination. Pregnancy hormones and an increased amount of blood flow in your body will cause you to feel the urge to pee more frequently than usual. This will be compounded as your uterus expands and grows, putting pressure on your bladder.
Increased discharge. You will likely have more vaginal discharge during pregnancy, but this is normal due to an increase in estrogen production. However, talk to your provider if you have green, yellow, or thick cheese-like discharge, if you have foul smelling discharge, or if your vaginal area is red, itchy or irritated. Any of these things could be signs of an infection or problem.

Twin baby development at 8 weeks

Your babies are currently embryos and will be considered fetuses after this week of pregnancy. You can see them both on ultrasound now and your provider can detect heart beats. Their cells have been multiplying and are differentiating into different body systems and body parts, and their organs are forming rapidly.

Body systems
Your babies' hearts have begun forming and are already pumping blood! Their brains and spinal cords have begun forming and are collectively called the "neural tube." Their lungs begin forming this week.
Face
The muscles of your babies' eyes, nose, and mouth have begun to form. Their ears have begun as folds on the side of the head and their inner ears are beginning to form as well.
Fingers and toes
Your babies' hands and feet began as small buds and they now have webbed fingers and toes sticking out from their developing hands and feet.
Placenta
This week, tiny hair-like projections called villi will develop from the placenta and extend into your uterine wall. Blood vessels from each embryo will extend through the umbilical cords into these villi, which will allow blood to flow between you and your babies. The placenta will soon take over as the main source of oxygen and nutrients for your babies.
Amniotic sacs
Your babies are now surrounded by an amniotic sac, or amniotic sacs, filled with amniotic fluid. They float in the fluid. The amniotic sac and amniotic fluid give each baby a space to grow and provide them with protection.
Twin placentas and amniotic sacs
In a twin pregnancy, it's common for each baby to have their own placenta and their own amniotic sac. However, sometimes twin fetuses may share a placenta and in even rarer instances, twin fetuses share one placenta and one amniotic sac. If your pregnancy is one of the latter two scenarios, your provider will check on your babies more often throughout your pregnancy.

Learn more about your twins in the womb at 4 weeks.

Learn more about your twins in the womb at 12 weeks.

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Kandis Lake

Kandis Lake is a registered nurse, health writer, and mom of three kids. She lives in Utah and loves reading and adventuring with her family.

My pregnancy week by week

8 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Belly, Ultrasound

Reviewed by

Tanya Tantry, MD

Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Medical Consultant at Flo

If you like milestones, then you’ll probably enjoy this one: you’ve now been incubating your baby-in-waiting for two months! Even if you’re not a sentimental kind of gal, it’s still an achievement to be noted. You’ve come a long way since this whole journey began — it may feel like ages since you first got news that you were expecting and started to anticipate all the changes to come in your life.

This is a big week for you and your baby. It’s fair to say that growth and development are continuing at quite a pace now. It’s also likely that you’ll be feeling a lot more pregnant than in previous weeks. If you’re like most women, nausea, and vomiting may have become a regular feature of your day (or night). This, in addition to a sensitivity to certain smells, may mean that you’ve got little appetite for food.

This week you need to plan your first visit to the gynecologist. The doctor will prescribe the necessary tests and examinations for the first trimester of pregnancy. You may feel the growing discomfort of morning sickness. Try to be patient; it usually lasts until the 12-14th week only.

If all you’re going through has you reeling a little, let Flo walk you through week 8 step by step so you know what to expect:

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In the previous week of pregnancy, many important fetal body systems were developing: brain, heart, lungs, and others. At the same time, your fetus grew in size until it was as long as a whole centimeter. This may not seem like much, but consider that not so long ago it was the size of a poppy seed.

So what’s going on with your baby this week?

How big is your baby at 8 weeks pregnant?

Only 1 cm long (0.4 in) last week, your little bundle has already put on more than a half a centimeter — it’s now around 1.6 cm in length (0.63 in). That’s around the size of a bean. And get this: by next week, it will already have increased to twice this size! Talk about a growth spurt.

Pregnancy week 8 fetal development

By now your baby-to-be’s legs are lengthening, but it’s still too early to see the different parts of the leg as distinct sections: it will be a bit longer before thighs, knees, ankles, and feet can all be identified. But still, it’s a work in progress!

The fetus still gets its nourishment from the yolk sac for now. The placenta — the structure that will later provide for your baby’s nutritional needs and take care of waste — is still developing, forming structures that help attach the placenta to the wall of the womb.

If you were to look closer at your little one at this stage, you’d notice the head beginning to uncurl a little. You’d also see that the arms are longer than the legs — this gives the fetus an uneven appearance for now, but it’s simply because the upper body develops at a quicker rate than the lower. Of course, this will all even out in the fullness of time.

8 weeks pregnant belly

At week 8, you’re still not showing yet. Most first-time pregnancies don’t show until around week 12. If you’ve had previous pregnancies you may show earlier as a result of stretching of the muscles in your uterus and belly. Until then, enjoy your svelte figure.

8 weeks pregnant symptoms

By 8 weeks pregnant, your womb is around the size of a lemon — too small to show, but you’re still going to be feeling the effects of pregnancy. At this point, fatigue and nausea may be your most prominent symptoms. Whatever tiredness you encountered in the last few weeks will remain, if not increase. And if you’ve been affected by morning sickness (or afternoon or evening sickness!), you’ll probably still be experiencing this too.

At this stage, pregnancy hormones are jetting around your body and are responsible for you feeling like you’ve got premenstrual syndrome (PMS). You may feel a little emotional or fragile — perhaps you’ve noticed that minor issues that you encounter over the course of your day can make you feel unusually upset. Be aware of the changes that are taking place in your body and don’t be too hard on yourself if you find you’re becoming emotional.

You’ll probably have other symptoms too: your breasts may feel sore, heavy and uncomfortable, and you may urinate more than usual. By now, you’ll have missed your second period but remember that some women still bleed a little during pregnancy. Always mention any bleeding in pregnancy to your midwife or GP, particularly if the bleeding is substantial, it continues, or if it is accompanied by stomach pain.

Until now, it’s been safe to put off any thought of an ultrasound, but week 8 is the time to start making plans. In many countries, the first scan of a pregnant woman takes place between weeks 8 and 14. It’s usually followed by another scan at 18-21 weeks. Your healthcare provider has probably already mentioned this to you and put things into motion, but if not feel free to flag it up and ask what arrangements need to be made.

Your pregnancy may be a challenging time for you, but do your best to follow a healthy lifestyle. This will provide the best support for you and your baby until full term. Your diet should contain a wide variety of foods from all the recommended food groups, including a mixture of fresh fruit and vegetables whenever possible. You should also aim to drink between 8 and 10 8-ounce glasses of water each day, unless your doctor says otherwise.

Try not to fixate on the old idea of ‘eating for two’ — in reality you only need around 300 extra calories per day to provide for your baby. And don’t worry too much if nausea or vomiting in early pregnancy mean that you don’t have much of an appetite; as long as you’ve been careful about your diet in the preceding weeks, your baby will still get what he or she needs.

Sex at week 8 of pregnancy

Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, your sex life can continue as normal throughout pregnancy.

Here’s your week 8 pregnancy checklist with the only arrangement:

Now might be a good time to start wearing a more supportive bra. Your breasts are going to feel increasingly heavy and uncomfortable as time goes on. A well-fitting, supportive bra will increase comfort and minimize later sagging.

It’s not uncommon for women at this stage of pregnancy to find the experience overwhelming, even if they have the support of friends and family. Take a moment to acknowledge how far you’ve come and how well you’re coping! In fact, one of the best ways to care for your growing baby is to take care of yourself.

This means taking time out of your day to rest and relax — this will make it easier to deal with tiredness and nausea. Make sure that your diet is nourishing and healthy. And if possible, try to incorporate a little exercise into your daily routine. A short walk or a few laps in the local swimming pool will make a world of difference to how you feel!

Don’t be shy to call upon the support of others around you. Let friends and relatives know that you’d really appreciate their generosity in helping you out around the house or with personal tasks. Tell work colleagues how you’re feeling and see if they’re willing to make adjustments in the office to make things easier for you. And of course, make sure to reach out to your trusted healthcare professional for expert medical advice.

References

https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/your-pregnancy-week-by-week-weeks-5-8#1 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/8-weeks-pregnant/ https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/1st-trimester/week-eight/

9 week pregnant

10 week pregnant

11 week pregnant

Pregnancy calendar 8 weeks - Miracle Doctor multidisciplinary clinic in Moscow

Compared to last week, the 8-week-old baby has grown significantly. Its length is already 1.5-2 cm, and it weighs up to 3 grams. The auricles stand out on the head, the process of formation of the upper lip is underway, during which its individual parts are gradually approaching. The salivary glands are also laid. The ultrasound shows that the tail has almost completely disappeared, the eyelids almost close their eyes, and the embryo itself makes the first spontaneous movements. Tiny webbed fingers have already finally formed on the arms and legs. The arms of the embryo bend at the elbows and wrists, as there is an intensive development of the bones of the skeleton and joints. The formation of the musculoskeletal system requires the intake of nutrients in a large volume. If a woman still does not take vitamins for pregnant women, the building material is scooped from the body of the expectant mother. Therefore, do not neglect the vitamins recommended by the gynecologist. You should also follow a healthy diet rich in natural minerals and trace elements. nine0003

The formation of the heart during the 8th week of pregnancy is completed by sealing the septum between its sections. There is an improvement in the communication of the heart with the main blood vessels.

The stomach of the embryo moves down into the abdominal cavity, where it will now remain forever. Nerve elements are formed in the tissues of the muscular layer of the stomach, which subsequently ensure the correct passage of food through the stomach further into the intestines. At the 8th week of pregnancy, the formation of the testicles in the unborn boy begins. nine0003

Most moms-to-be feel exhausted at this stage. Constant fatigue is present due to ongoing hormonal changes. In the body, the level of the so-called pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin increases. An increase in hCG stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone and estrogen, which are required to maintain pregnancy. The role of progesterone is to strengthen the walls of the cervix, the development of the milk ducts for subsequent breastfeeding. Progesterone is present in the body of a woman outside of pregnancy, but in a smaller amount. Under the influence of estrogen, the lining of the uterus prepares for pregnancy. It increases the number of glands and blood vessels. The restructuring of the hormonal background, necessary for the preservation and development of pregnancy, also has negative consequences. An increase in the amount of progesterone worsens intestinal motility, as a result of which a woman suffers from heartburn. The hCG hormone causes toxicosis with accompanying nausea and vomiting. Estrogen is the cause of frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, fever and increased sweating of pregnant women. nine0003

The uterus of a woman at the 8th week of pregnancy is already enlarged, but not so much that it could be noticeable even to herself. The processes occurring in the uterus make themselves felt with weak spasms. These irregular spasms are not dangerous. Attention should be drawn to uterine contractions, accompanied by bleeding. They can be harbingers of a miscarriage.

A gynecologist can determine the increase in the volume of the uterus during examination. If you have not yet consulted a doctor, then it's time to do it now. Your pregnancy specialist will create an individual follow-up plan based on your family and obstetric history. A woman is assigned a number of laboratory tests, among which the following are common to all: nine0003

urinalysis for hCG, protein and leukocytes,
complete blood count,
blood for HIV,
blood on RW,
determination of the Rh factor of blood,
smear for vaginal microflora.

The initial body weight of the woman and the volume of the pelvis are also measured. With an unfavorable family history, you will need to consult a geneticist, who, using prenatal diagnostics, will reveal serious pathologies of fetal development. nine0003

At the 8th week of pregnancy, some women periodically feel pain in the lower back or buttocks. The reason for this is irritation of the sciatic nerve due to the pressure of the enlarging uterus. To relieve pain, you need to change the position of the body, lie on its side. This posture will reduce the pressure of the uterus on the sciatic nerve behind it.

Already at this time, women with a predisposition to varicose veins are faced with the first symptoms of the disease. You can reduce the feeling of heaviness and soreness in the legs by wearing compression underwear. You should also avoid standing for a long time. nine0003

what happens to the woman's body and the fetus

7 weeks Week 9

Formation of important organs

On the 8th week, the embryonic period takes place, which is extremely important for the development of the human body. During this period, all the most important organs of the future person are laid and all systems begin to function. In the first and second weeks of pregnancy, three germ layers were formed in the zygote. At the eighth week, they differentiate - each begins its development: from the ectoderm, the outer leaf, the placenta and fetal membranes are formed; from the endoderm, the inner leaf, - the internal organs and tissues; and from the mesoderm, the middle layer, which is between the outer and inner layers, the skeleton, muscles and skin. The embryonic period is considered critical, because it is so easy to break all these subtle mechanisms! nine0003

New period

By the end of the week, the embryonic period will be over and the fertile period will begin. Now the unborn baby is called a fetus. By this time, the fetus has formed the main organs and systems: the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, as well as the circulatory, nervous and respiratory systems. These systems are starting to work. The brain grows so fast that the size of the head is almost half the size of the body. The face becomes similar to a human, the superciliary arches are clearly visible, the eyes are expressed, not completely covered with eyelids, the nose and auricles, the formation of the lips ends, the lungs form in the chest cavity. There is ossification of the long arms and legs, the membranes between the fingers are no longer there. The length of the tail sharply decreases, the division of the limbs into three sections is being prepared. The external genital organs and gonads develop: in boys, testicles appear, in girls, ovaries. nine0003

Time to visit a doctor

Some women in the days of missed menstruation may feel sipping pains in the lower abdomen. If the pain becomes intense, you should consult a doctor. It is necessary to pass primary tests, undergo an ultrasound examination, and also be examined by specialist doctors in all organs and systems, if the expectant mother did not do this before pregnancy. Periodic blood and urine tests, vaginal and urethral discharges, body weighing to determine internal edema - this must be done throughout pregnancy. If there are no concomitant diseases and a woman does not suffer from colds during pregnancy, then the pregnancy prognosis will be good and a visit to the gynecologist with whom you are registered will not take much time and effort.