Week 8 of pregnancy

Your baby this week

About 1.46 cm (crown-rump length; Source: INTERGROWTH-21st (Papageorghiou et al., 2014)) — about as long as an Angoor (Grape) (Source: USDA AMS — Importing Table Grapes: minimum berry size ten-sixteenths of an inch (1.59 cm) for Perlette and Flame Seedless). Every baby grows a little differently.

How your baby is developing

• Fingers and toes are starting to form, though still webbed at this stage.UNSW Embryology (CC-BY)
• Major organ systems have begun forming; by convention the developing baby is usually called a fetus from around week 9–10 onward, marking the end of the embryonic period.UNSW Embryology (CC-BY)

How you may feel

• The uterus is growing; clothing around the waist may start to feel snug for some.ACOG
• Fatigue and nausea commonly continue.NHS

Nutrition this week

• Folate (B9) — supports neural-tube closure — most critical in weeks 1–12 (Leafy greens)
• Iodine — fetal brain + thyroid development (Iodized salt)
• Vitamin B12 — with folate, for blood + nerves (Meat)

Tests & scans

• Blood group + Rh, Hb, infections screen
• Booking / dating scan

When to reach out

• Heavy vaginal bleeding or passing clots.ACOG
• Severe or persistent abdominal or pelvic pain.ACOG
• Severe, persistent nausea or vomiting that prevents keeping any fluids down (possible hyperemesis gravidarum).NHS
• Fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, or chills.WHO
• Severe dizziness, fainting, or a racing/irregular heartbeat.NHS
• Pain or burning when urinating (possible urinary tract infection).NHS

These apply to this week specifically. See the full list of urgent warning signs the CDC publishes for pregnancy and the year after birth.