8 Weeks Pregnant

8 weeks pregnant: development, symptoms and discharge

At 8 weeks pregnant, the embryo is developing quickly. It is still tiny, but facial features, eyelids, ears, arms, legs, hands and feet are becoming more defined. Early organs and blood vessels continue to develop, and cardiac activity is usually present.

You may see or hear the heartbeat on an ultrasound, depending on scan type and dating. If your dates are slightly off, a scan may show less than expected, and your clinician may recommend repeating it later.

Week 8 follows 7 weeks pregnant and belongs to the first trimester. Next, read about 9 weeks pregnant, when early development continues and symptoms may still be strong.

Your body

Your uterus is growing, but you may not look visibly pregnant yet. Breasts may feel fuller, tender or sore as your body prepares for milk production. Nausea, tiredness, smell sensitivity and food aversions can continue.

Increased clear or milky vaginal discharge can be normal in pregnancy. Contact a healthcare professional if discharge has a strong smell, is green or yellow, causes itching or burning, or comes with bleeding, pain or fever.

Constipation is also common because pregnancy hormones can slow digestion. Fluids, fibre-rich foods and gentle movement may help. If you need medication or laxatives, ask your doctor, midwife, GP or pharmacist what is safe in pregnancy.

Ideas

• If you work with chemicals, heavy lifting, radiation, long standing hours or infection risks, ask your employer or healthcare professional about pregnancy-safe adjustments.
• Eat small, regular meals if nausea makes larger meals difficult.
• Choose water, milk or other non-alcoholic drinks and limit very sugary drinks.
• Keep taking your prenatal vitamin if recommended, but ask for advice if iron is making constipation worse.

Frequently asked questions about 8 weeks pregnant