8 Weeks Pregnant - What Happens To The Baby And Mom?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

8 week of pregnancy

At the end of the second month of pregnancy, it is important to avoid negative factors affecting the formation of fetal organs. Right now, every day of its development is important, because the formation of vital systems is taking place. At the 8th obstetric week of pregnancy, about 6 weeks passed from the moment of conception. If a woman did not conduct special testing, it is impossible to more accurately determine the time of ovulation.

Content:

• Pregnancy at 8 weeks
• Fetal development
• Ultrasound - what does the study show?
• What happens in a woman's body
• Sensations at 8 weeks - toxicosis and other symptoms
• Why does abdominal pain occur?
• Bleeding
• Allocations
• Visit doctor
• attitude to alcohol
• Fever and colds
• About proper nutrition
• Intimate relationship

Pregnancy at 8 weeks

The development and formation of the child's organs continues, the functioning of already existing systems is being improved. A woman cannot but feel changes in her body, because at this time they are quite distinct. If a woman has not yet registered with an antenatal clinic, it is now important to undergo a screening of her health status by contacting an obstetrician-gynecologist. According to medical studies, women who are observed from the first weeks of pregnancy tolerate it better, they have an easier delivery, and children with high health indicators are born. During this period, you can visit the antenatal clinic monthly, then once every 2 weeks or more often.

Fetal development

At this time, the fetus looks like a little man - it has limbs with fingers, a head on a clearly distinguishable neck, there are eyes, a nose on the face, and ears on the head.

Fruit size:

• Weight - 3 g;
• Length - 1.5-2 cm.

He has the ability to move his limbs and bend them, because large joints are formed in the fetus. The peripheral nervous system is so organized that innervation of large muscles occurs. If there was an opportunity to touch the body of the fetus, one could feel its jerk in the direction opposite to the impact.

Fetal development at 8 weeks gestation:

• The heart consists of 4 chambers, it sends blood through large vessels, making up to 150-170 beats per minute.
• The rudiments of the genitals, testicles in boys, ovaries in girls develop;
• Its main features are formed on the face: nose covered with mucus, eyelids, lips, ear fold;
• Salivary glands appear in the mouth, taste buds on the tongue;
• The tail of the lower half of the spinal column is transformed into the coccyx;
• The fetal stomach takes place in the middle of the abdominal cavity;
• The intestine is formed, before the increase in the abdominal cavity, it is temporarily displaced into the umbilical cord;
• The departments of the fetal brain develop, the first convolutions appear on its surface;
• The body is slightly lengthened and straightened;
• The release of the diaphragm begins, the development of the bronchial tree;
• The formation of cartilage and bones continues, osteogenesis will be completed only by the age of 25.

Tiny organs begin to function - the kidneys secrete urine, the stomach secretes gastric juice.

Video about 8 weeks of intrauterine life of the fetus:

Ultrasound - what does the study show?

The size of the fetus at this stage of pregnancy is approximately equal to a grape or raspberry. Since it, despite its size, is already moving in the amniotic fluid, the fetus may turn to the scanner sideways or head. In this case, either an oblong body or a round head is visible. It can be seen how the fetus moves its legs or arms. The heart rate can be recorded by ultrasound, the heartbeat can be heard and the number of beats can be counted.

During pregnancy with twins, you can see a more significant increase in the uterus, the movement of both fetuses (movement of the limbs, head tilt). Mothers should be especially attentive to their well-being because of the double burden on the body.

What happens in a woman's body

The uterus at 8 weeks is 7-8 cm in diameter. For clarity, it can be compared with a goose egg or with a grapefruit. On a gynecological examination, this increase is easily discernible, it can be seen that it is soft, the isthmus is softened, and the external os of the cervical canal is closed. The uterus has not yet risen, it presses on the internal organs, on the bladder, causing frequent urination.

The enlargement of the uterus still has almost no effect on the woman's appearance, the abdomen does not increase. But the breast increases, becoming denser and more painful, a venous network appears on its surface. It is important during this period to choose comfortable underwear made from natural materials, to conduct air baths for the breast, preparing it for breastfeeding.

Hormonal changes in the body can affect the appearance of a pregnant woman - her nose enlarges, her lips become plump. These changes are individual and not manifested in all women. The skin of the face and body also responds to the action of hormones, it can take on an almost perfect appearance, or it can become covered with acne and begin to peel off.

It is important to take precautions to maintain and maintain the normal course of pregnancy:

• Do not drink alcohol, do not smoke;
• Switch from more harmful production to light labor;
• Do not use anesthesia for dental restoration;
• Do not get x-rays;
• Do not walk in high-heeled shoes to relieve stress on your feet and to prevent varicose veins.

Sensations at 8 weeks - toxicosis and other symptoms

Feelings at 8 weeks are subjective, each woman has her own range of sensations. Some pregnant women feel great, not feeling significant changes in their condition. Other women become practically disabled due to symptoms of toxicosis:

• Nausea and vomiting several times a day;
• Drowsiness;
• Increased fatigue;
• Irritability, emotional instability;
• Increased appetite or lack of it.

With strong manifestations of early toxicosis, pregnancy is at risk. A woman needs to see a doctor, undergo treatment in a hospital.

Video about the 8th week of pregnancy, characteristic symptoms, early toxicosis, painful sensations:

Why does abdominal pain occur?

The uterus increases in size, in the supine position, it presses and irritates the sciatic nerve. This causes pain in the hips and pelvis. To relieve pain, you need to reduce the impact of the uterus on the nerve. This is achieved by turning over on the other side.

Another source of pain can be the bladder. Frequent urination should not normally be painful. At the same time, the urine remains clean and transparent. If the pain accompanies urination, and the urine acquires a cloudy consistency, flakes appear in it, an admixture of blood - it is possible that the woman has cystitis.

Cystitis of pregnancy is common during the gestational period due to a decrease in the woman's immunity. If it is not treated, complications in the form of pyelonephritis and pyelitis are possible.

At 8 weeks, training contractions can begin - a special condition of the uterus, which a woman will face until the very birth. A short-term tension in the lower abdomen may be a sign of them. If at the same time there is no pain, there is no atypical vaginal discharge, you do not need to worry - the mild spasm of the uterine muscles will quickly end.

Bleeding

Discharge of blood from the vagina at this stage of pregnancy indicates the threat of miscarriage. The more abundant the discharge, the longer the bleeding lasts, the less chances of maintaining the pregnancy. Additionally, painful cramps in the lower abdomen are felt, pulling back pain. In this case, bleeding can last for several days. It is important for such symptoms to immediately consult a doctor, observe bed rest.

Joining heavy bleeding of inclusions in the form of blood clots, tissue particles indicates detachment of the ovum from the uterus. In this case, the cervix opens up, pushing the fetus out after short contractions. With such a development of events, pregnancy cannot be saved.

Reasons for spontaneous abortion:

• Genetic pathology;
• Bacterial infection or std;
• Physical and mental overload;
• Side effects of medications;
• Bad habits;
• Thermal exposure under UV radiation or in a solarium, in a sauna.

Find out more: Pregnancy Bleeding

Allocations

Normal vaginal discharge has a transparent consistency, small volume, lactic acid smell. The accession of itching, burning, purulent or mucous inclusions indicates damage to the reproductive organs by infectious diseases.

Brown bloody vaginal discharge, accompanied by dizziness, pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, weakness, may be a symptom of a miscarriage, detachment of the ovum from the uterine wall. With a small volume of discharge, there is a chance to save the fetus with timely treatment started.

At the 8th week of the gestational period, an ectopic pregnancy cannot appear, it occurs at an earlier date.

Visit doctor

Early registration in the antenatal clinic will help to detect and cure latent pathologies in time. To obtain an exchange card for a pregnant woman, the following examination is carried out:

• a conversation with a gynecologist about living and working conditions, about the presence of sick relatives, about previous births and pregnancies;
• Measurement of height and weight of women, blood pressure level;
• General blood test to determine the level of leukocytes and erythrocytes;
• Blood for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis;
• Blood for Rh factor;
• Blood test to determine hCG;
• Analysis of feces for worm eggs;
• Urine analysis for protein determination.

An elevated level of hCG indicates a normal pregnancy. A decrease in the level of erythrocytes indicates leukemia or anemia, an increase in this level indicates diseases of the respiratory system. An increase in the level of protein in the urine indicates pathologies of the urinary system, a decrease in the number of leukocytes indicates that a woman has viral infections (influenza, rubella, hepatitis).

For a complete examination of the state of health of a pregnant woman, it will be suggested to visit a therapist, otolaryngologist, ophthalmologist, dentist. If complications and pathologies are identified, treatment will need to be carried out. The Rh-conflict is especially dangerous when the mother and child have a different Rh factor. In this case, the life of the baby and his health are at risk due to the appearance of a special kind of antibodies in the blood.

The doctor will inform you that the first ultrasound of the fetus in the absence of indications will be carried out no earlier than 11 weeks of pregnancy. It is done to exclude chromosomal pathologies and fetal malformations.

attitude to alcohol

There are different points of view about how dangerous it is to drink alcohol during pregnancy. One thing is clear - once in the mother's body, alcohol quickly penetrates into the child's circulatory system. The use of both strong alcohol and low-alcohol drinks brings enormous harm to alcohol, the destruction of cells in the developing organism.

The consequences of drinking alcohol:

• Intrauterine growth retardation;
• Small height and weight;
• Visual, hearing and memory impairment;
• Distortions in the structure of bones and tissues of the face (micromegaly, small eyes, impaired structure of the jaw).

Fever and colds

The high rate of metabolic processes at this period of the gestational period causes a slight increase in temperature up to + 37.1 + 37.2 ° C. An excessive increase in body temperature may indicate that an inflammatory process is taking place in the body and additional examination is needed.

Prolonged hyperthermia endangers the health of the fetus, which can get developmental defects. Perhaps the fading of pregnancy, the threat of miscarriage. Lowering the temperature is carried out after consulting a doctor on the use of antipyretic drugs. It is possible that he will suggest doing rubdowns and cool compresses.

SARS and acute respiratory infections at 8 weeks of gestation can lead to serious consequences - pathologies of the placenta, fetal hypoxia, and spontaneous abortion. In order not to get sick during the high-risk season, you should limit contact with the sick, avoid attending public events, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Treatment of colds is carried out after consulting a doctor, using a minimum of medicines.

The main methods of treatment:

• compliance with bed rest;
• plentiful warm drink (tea with honey, milk with butter, broth of mint, linden flowers);
• rinsing the nose with sea water;
• gargling with decoctions of calendula, chamomile, soda solution.

About proper nutrition

A balanced approach to the nutrition of a pregnant woman will help maintain good health, provide the child with all the necessary elements for growth and full development. Amino acids, or protein, are needed to develop new cells. It can be provided by a sufficient amount of meat, fish, eggs, cottage cheese in the diet of a pregnant woman.

The same properties are possessed by dairy products, which also include calcium and vitamins. In case of toxicosis, lactic acid foods are very useful, which are well tolerated without causing nausea.

An additional remedy for relieving symptoms of toxicosis is a sufficient amount of liquid to drink:

• Fruit drink from berries;
• Lemon juice water;
• Rosehip tea prepared in a thermos.

For the prevention of constipation, replenishment of the supply of vitamins and trace elements, plums, apples, apricots, dried apricots, bananas, cabbage, apples are included in the diet.

You should not eat foods that cause gas formation - legumes, yeast bread, fresh pastries. Strong tea and coffee unnecessarily excite the nervous system, so do not abuse these drinks.

Intimate relationship

Sexual relations are not prohibited during the normal course of pregnancy. On the contrary, if there is sexual attraction, intimate relationships help a woman to realize her sensuality.

Possible contraindications:

• Multiple pregnancy;
• Risk of miscarriage.

It is important to exercise reasonable care to avoid overly active sex. If you experience pain or pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Reasonable attitude to nutrition, lifestyle, new sensations from pregnancy, feasible gymnastics, saturation of the diet with vitamins will help to get only positive emotions from pregnancy.

Video about physical education at 8 weeks of pregnancy:

The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.