Im 8 Weeks Pregnant and Spotting and Cramping

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How Big is Your Baby at 8 Weeks?

Your baby is 0.63 inches and weighs 0.04 ounce. That's about the size of a bike spoke bead (or a raspberry if you're measuring your baby based on a fruit).

Here's what else to know when you're 8 weeks pregnant:

• Your Baby
• Your Body
• Your Life
• 8 Weeks Ultrasound
• Real Mom Bumps at 8 Weeks Pregnant

Your Baby's Development at 8 Weeks

When you're 8 weeks pregnant, your baby has a quick heartbeat and is starting to develop facial features, fingers and toes.

• Heartbeat: Baby's heart is beating 150 to 170 times per minute, about double the rate of yours. You'll probably be able to hear and/or see it on an ultrasound at your 8-week doctor's appointment.
• Facial features: The lips, nose and eyelids are developing and becoming more distinct.
• Fingers and toes: Your baby's fingers and toes are developing too; they're webbed for now. Oh, and their tail is almost gone.
• Baby's sex: It's too early to tell baby's sex since the organs haven't developed enough yet. You will be able to find out over the next few weeks if you're getting non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). If you aren't, you'll probably be able to see baby's parts at the mid-pregnancy ultrasound around 20 weeks pregnant. (Baby just has to cooperate! 😉)

Pregnant with Twins?

At 8 weeks pregnant, you have likely found out by now that there are two heartbeats in there. Your healthcare provider will help steer you on the best path for your pregnancy.

8 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound

Your Body: 8 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Light cramping or spotting? These are caused by increases in hormones that help you have a healthy pregnancy. But if either of them are bad, or you're worried, always give your healthcare provider a call.

• Morning sickness: Thanks to pregnancy hormones flooding your system, your primary focus right now might be getting through the day without being sick. For most women, this pregnancy symptom starts around 5 or 6 weeks pregnant, reaching a peak around week 9. Meaning you're probably in the thick of it now. Try to hang in there.
• Heightened sense of smell: You might get turned off by smells you previously loved or barely even noticed before (chicken roasting, your coworker's perfume, that person three floors down who just lit a cigarette…), and that can contribute to food aversions and nausea. Best advice is to try to avoid the smells that make you sick for now. This symptom should ease up in the second trimester.
• Cramping: Mild cramping can happen as your uterus expands, stretching your muscles and ligaments. Gas and constipation also cause cramp-like sensations. For minor cramps, try sitting or lying down, changing positions, taking a warm bath and drinking extra water to relieve this pregnancy symptom. Cramping that's painful warrants an immediate call to the doc, since it could be a sign of a pregnancy complication or UTI.
• Acne breakouts: Those pregnancy hormones can also cause acne. Your skin may start producing extra sebum (its natural oil), which can clog pores. Many acne medications and creams—both prescription and OTC ones—are off limits when you're pregnant, so clear anything with your doctor before taking or applying it. Some common active ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide, haven't been fully studied and may only be approved by your doc if necessary and only in limited amounts or for a short period of time.
• Mucus plug: You can't see or feel it, but the mucus on your cervix is starting to form your cervical plug, which protects your uterus from bacteria. When your body gets ready for labor and the cervix starts to dilate, your mucus plug will likely come out (just a little gross). That's a sign that baby will make their debut soon.
• Spotting: This is very common pregnancy symptom. Whether caused by implantation or just an irritated cervix, spotting during pregnancy shouldn't worry you. Remember: spotting is different than bleeding at 8 weeks pregnant. Spotting is just a few drops of blood, but bleeding is when you really need a panty liner or a pad. Make sure to call your doctor if you have bleeding.
• Pregnancy dreams: Not dreams of pregnancy, but strange dreams during pregnancy. This is a very common pregnancy symptom.
• Constipation: Dreaming of a good clean out? Constipation may hang around for most of your pregnancy. The hormone relaxin is helping relax all of your muscles, and that can slow down your intestines too. What can you do? Up your fiber intake, drink lots of water and stay active. If it gets really bad, try some Metamucil, which is generally safe for pregnant women.

No pregnancy symptoms at 8 weeks? That's perfectly normal too. Hold tight and enjoy the ride for now.

Fun Fact

Odor making you nauseous? A pregnant person's sense of smell is almost as acute as that of a dog.

Your Life at 8 Weeks Pregnant

Public service announcement: You have a lot going on right now—resting and self-care are all but mandatory. Here are a few ways to support your body and mind:

• Top tip: Embrace all the feelings. Maybe you're nervous one minute and excited the next. Maybe everything annoys you or tears come out of nowhere. When hormones are raging, mood swings are par for the course. Try not to beat yourself up for unexpected shifts in your otherwise sunny disposition. Allow yourself to feel how you feel, and take comfort that this too shall pass.
• Self-care to-do: On the topic of hormones…a little extra TLC can soothe hormone-addled skin and offer an excuse for some "me time" to boot. Stock up on face masks, under-eye treatments and your favorite moisturizer. A lavender neck pillow is an added treat. The best part? You can have a mini spa session from the comfort of your own couch.
• Early bedtime: Even if you don't have other first trimester symptoms, it's normal to be totally exhausted right about now. If you can't nap during the day, getting to bed earlier will help you sneak in extra ZZZs. It may take a while to get used to a new bedtime, but the more you can stick with a routine, the easier it will be. A mug of chamomile tea before you hit the hay may help.
• Excuses, excuses, excuses: If you haven't told people you're pregnant, you might find yourself needing lots of excuses to get out of things. In this case, there's no harm in a white lie. To skip an invite altogether, feign previous plans or say you have to get up early the next day. If you're out but want to avoid questions about why you're not drinking, ask the bartender for bubbly water with lime (a gin and tonic lookalike).

8 Weeks Pregnant with a Real Mom

Your 8 Weeks Pregnant Belly

Chances are you probably don't look pregnant to anyone else—but you know that your pants fit more snugly than they used to. This early in the game, it might not be your baby that's causing that; it might just be bloating and weight gain. Just remember, weight gain is a good thing right now!

Eager to Start Planning?

It's not too early to start your registry! With Babylist, you can add any item from any store onto ONE registry. Start one today and get a Hello Baby Box full of free (amazing!) goodies.

8 Weeks Baby Bumps from Real Moms

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8 Weeks Pregnant Checklist

• Odors making you want to hurl? Swap out soaps for unscented versions, and wash your clothes often (with unscented detergent, of course).
• To calm morning sickness, eat smaller snacks throughout the day rather than larger meals.
• Give yourself permission to take a nap and/or go to bed early.
• Go to your first prenatal appointment (probably this week or close to it).
• Opting for genetic testing? Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) requires a simple blood draw (anytime after 9 weeks), but CVS (weeks 10-13) and the NT scan (weeks 10-15) will likely need to be scheduled in advance.

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and the Babylist Health Advisory Board.

Im 8 Weeks Pregnant and Spotting and Cramping

Source: https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/8-weeks-pregnant

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