If Your Job Is Strenuous:
If your job requires demanding physical labor, youll likely need to make modifications during your pregnancy. Studies have shown that women who work physically strenuous jobs while pregnant are at a higher risk of potential pregnancy complications.
Be straightforward with your healthcare provider about what your job entails so they can help you come up with a plan that makes sense for your situation. If you have a physically taxing job, you’ll have to decide how you can modify it during your pregnancy.
If your job requires you to be on your feet a lot while pregnant, take breaks and sit down as often as you can. When you’re standing, walk in place periodically or do gentle stretches to increase blood flow. If possible, switch to a type of work that is less grueling. For example, if your manager approves, consider swapping tasks with a co-worker so you do the desk work while they handle the responsibilities that require walking and standing.
If you have some PTO days to spare, try to take an occasional day off to relieve fatigue. This is especially important in the second and third trimesters. And of course, if you feel run down, listen to your body and rest at home , and take a day off as needed.
Your Baby When Youre 8 Weeks Pregnant
This is whats going on with your baby:
- The embryo is about 1.2 cm long from head to tail.
- The eyes have formed underneath a layer of skin. The nose is starting to show. The upper jaw and roof of the mouth are coming together. The inner ear and tongue are developing.
- Webbed fingers are taking shape.
- The reproductive organs are developing, but its too early to tell whether you’re having a girl or a boy.
- The embryos tail is getting smaller it will eventually disappear.
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 youre worried, always give your healthcare provider a call.
No pregnancy symptoms at 8 weeks? Thats perfectly normal too. Hold tight and enjoy the ride for now.
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If You Have Questions About Being A Working Parent At Your Company:
If you work with other parents of young children or expecting moms, seek out their support and advice when appropriate. You might want to ask your more experienced colleagues questions that pertain to being pregnant at work, such as:
- What was your maternity leave proposal like?
- How did co-workers react when you announced your pregnancy?
- How did you stay productive when feeling tired or under the weather?
- How did you handle absentmindedness?
- Are there any support groups virtual or in-person for new parents?
- What’s your approach to balancing work and family?
- Is your manager open to a flexible work arrangement?
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.
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Weeks Pregnant How Big Is My Baby
8 weeks pregnant, Your kid is called a fetus, which means progeny, by the time youâre eight weeks pregnant. The legs are lengthening. The different elements of the leg are still not well defined. Knees, ankles, thighs, and toes will take a little longer to develop. At 8 weeks pregnant the fetus is still enclosed in its amniotic sac, and the placenta is still developing, creating structures that aid in the attachment of the placenta to the wombâs wall. The yolk sac provides sustenance to the fetus at this stage.
early pregnancy test
What Happens During Week 5
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The embryo is less than 1/5 inch long.
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A part of the embryo starts to show cardiac activity. It sounds like a heartbeat on an ultrasound, but it’s not a fully-formed heart it’s the earliest stage of the heart developing.
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Buds for arms and legs develop.
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The neural tube begins forming. The neural tube will later form the brain, spinal cord, and major nerves.
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The bud of a tail develops.
- The umbilical cord begins developing.
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What Should You Plan For This Week
You might be going in for your first prenatal visit, or it may still be a couple of weeks away. If you did not meet with your health care provider before you were pregnant, this may be a longer appointment. Your doctor will ask for your medical history which includes:
- Medical problems
- Medications you are taking and medication allergies
- Your familys medical history
You can also expect:
- A medical exam with a Pap Smear, cervical cultures, and an ultrasound
- Opportunity to address any questions that you may have
Pregnancy Sickness At 8 Weeks
If youre suffering from sickness or nausea, focusing on your diet can be a bit harder. Just do your best and try to make healthy choices whenever you can.
Over the next few weeks, youll possibly feel much better, and youll be able to concentrate more on your diet then.
If youre struggling to keep fluids down, seek professional medical advice. You could be suffering with an extreme form of morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
Read Also: What Helps With Nausea While Pregnant
Mom’s Body At 8 Weeks Pregnant
By the time you’re eight weeks pregnant, pregnancy symptoms will be in full swing. Your clothes are may start to pinch a little, but on the plus side, you may be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time â something to make up for the not-so-pleasant symptoms you may have been experiencing.You may be wondering when you will start showing. Keep in mind that every mom-to-be and every pregnancy is unique so when the bump starts to show varies from woman to woman and even pregnancy to pregnancy.Typically, though, you may notice that your jeans fit a little snugger sometime after 13 weeks of pregnancy.By the way, if this is not your first pregnancy you may be interested in reading about some of the ways a second pregnancy is different to the first.
You At 8 Weeks Pregnant
Your uterus is about the size of a tennis ball. Its putting pressure on your bladder, so you might be feeling the need to go to the toilet more often.
Your body is zinging with hormones to help your baby grow. Nausea peaks around this time, so you might feel quite sick. You might also feel more emotional, and you could be happy or grumpy at a moments notice. Or you might feel like you have a lot of energy.
Either way, emotional swings are normal when youre pregnant.
Early ultrasound If youre not sure when you became pregnant, or if youve had a previous miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, your doctor or midwife might recommend an ultrasound scan in very early pregnancy, often at 8-10 weeks. This ultrasound scan can check for the babys heartbeat and work out the age and due date.
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Your Baby At 8 Weeks Pregnant
8 weeks is the last week your little one will be referred to as an embryo. After this milestone, your baby is now classed as a fetus.
At 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is moving around, even though you cant feel anything yet.
Your babys organs are developing and beginning to function, which makes this a crucial time for baby.
Your babys taste buds are also forming right now. Your healthy eating during pregnancy will help inform your childs food preferences later.
Your babys heart is now beating more regularly, at about 150 beats per minute. Thats roughly twice your own heart rate.
Babys brain is forming neural pathways. The skin is still very thin. Elbows and knees are developing, and your babys fingers and toes are still slightly webbed.
Cartilage and bones are starting to form and soon the intestines will move into your babys abdomen.
Organs, muscles, and nerves begin to function at this stage, and your baby no longer has an embryonic tail.
Are you curious to know whether your baby is a boy or a girl?
Your babys internal sex organs develop between 7 and 12 weeks gestation.
Is It Normal To Be Exhausted At 8 Weeks Pregnant
At this point, you might feel like taking a nap under your desk most days. Its quite common for women to feel very tired and fatigued in early pregnancy.
Being 8 weeks pregnant isnt easy. Although from the outside, it might seem like not much is happening, youre growing a tiny human being and that takes a lot of energy.
Pregnancy fatigue is no joke. Most of us are not used to the feeling of having no energy, and it can be very frustrating at times. You might not feel able to manage even the most basic of chores or routines.
Dont worry. This is very normal in early pregnancy, especially around about now.
Try to rest as much as you can. Go to bed early, learn to take naps, and listen to your body. Be kind to yourself.
Block out some me time throughout the week. Make it a priority. Self-care is key.
Your body has some very important work to do over the next few weeks.
Your due date might feel a long way away. But trust me, soon youll be into the second trimester. Youll have more energy and you can let that pregnancy glow shine through.
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How You Might Feel At 8 Weeks Pregnant
With constant exhaustion and nausea, an achy 8 week belly and emotional swings that wont quit, its understandable that you might be tired of this pregnancy thing already, and its normal to wonder how youll get through the next eight months. If you feel this way, dont worry. Things should start to get better in about a month, when the wondrous second trimester begins. Until then, take it easy and be gentle with yourself. Growing a person is hard!
If youre 8 weeks pregnant with twins, you may feel extra tired and nauseous, since youve likely got a higher level of those pregnancy hormones that are needed to create two babies.
Remember: If youre feeling nauseated, extra hungry or extra tired, its all because babys growth is in overdriveand because your bodys still adjusting to all those hormonal changes. Try to remind yourself it will be worth it.
Also, know that having no pregnancy symptoms at 8 weeks is totally normal too. So dont worry if youre not feeling too different yet. We promisesoon you will!
Pregnancy Checklist At 9 Weeks Pregnant
Start a daily ritual to connect with your baby
It’s not too early to start bonding. Take some time each day to sit quietly: Focus on the miracle unfolding inside you, and plan for the kind of parent you want to be. Or you may want to journal or write a letter to your baby.
Though your partner may never understand the visceral realities of pregnancy, they can still participate in special moments and bond with your baby before birth. You can involve your partner in your pregnancy by encouraging them to talk to the baby, reading pregnancy books or looking at pregnancy apps together, and making joint decisions.
Start walking
Walking is a safe activity you can continue throughout pregnancy, and one of the easier ways to start exercising if you haven’t previously been active. If you’ve been walking for exercise, keep it up. If you were fairly inactive before you got pregnant, start with a slow walk and gradually build up to brisk jaunts of 20 to 60 minutes, as long as your healthcare provider has given you the go-ahead. When you’re walking, make sure to protect your skin with SPF to avoid melasma, drink plenty of water, and have a high-protein snack 30 minutes before you exercise. If it’s hot, stay cool with a hat and a spray bottle filled with water or walk indoors on a treadmill.
Get vaccinated
Watch out for household chemicals
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Weeks Pregnant: What To Expect
- You may start to feel bloated, and your breasts may start to grow.
- Babys unique facial features continue to develop, along with all of their inner workings and organs.
- Morning sickness may still happen this week.
- Youll want to keep eating well and being safely active.
- If you have any symptoms that are out of the ordinary , talk with your doctor.
Your Baby At Week 8 Of Pregnancy
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 whats going on with your baby this week?
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Eating Healthy In The First Trimester
Part of healthy eating during pregnancy is remembering to take a prenatal vitamin. You can ask your healthcare professional for recommendations during your first checkup. Youll also want to make sure that youre drinking enough water.
Raw fish, unpasteurized milk products, and deli meats are generally not advised during pregnancy. Your healthcare professional may also speak to you about reducing the amount of caffeine youre consuming.
What Are The Symptoms Of Pregnancy In The Second Month
Pregnancy symptoms often become very noticeable when youre 2 months pregnant. Common discomforts like breast tenderness, feeling very tired, peeing more often, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting usually get worse. Your body produces extra blood during pregnancy, and your heart beats faster and harder than usual to carry the extra blood.
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Week 8 Pregnancy Care
Now is a good time to start thinking about your options for birth. If you are a first-time parents-to-be, this is something youve never needed to consider before.
Choosing the right healthcare provider and birthplace, however, is very important.
Your choices should reflect the type of birth you want.
Spend time discussing this with your partner to make sure youre on the same page. Share with each other your hopes and expectations for your babys birth.
You both might like to readHow Do I Choose A Care Providerfor more information.
Its not uncommon at this stage for parents-to-be to realize how little they know about birth.
Ask yourselves plenty of questions. Whats most important to you? Do you have any concerns or fears about birth that need to be addressed?
Are you high risk and, if so, how will this affect your choices for your birth?
Do some research on the options available in your area.
Some popular options, such as birth centers and private midwives, have long waiting lists, so dont leave it too late.
This will be one of the most important days of your life. Plan to have the best people there to support you.
See our article about your options when giving birth for more information.
If You Have To Travel For Work:
Most women with healthy pregnancies can travel safely during pregnancy, but talk to your healthcare provider about your plans first, especially if youre well into your third trimester or if you’re going far from home. It’s a good idea to carry a copy of your medical records with you in case of an emergency.
Airlines typically allow healthy pregnant women to fly domestically until about 36 weeks, but international flights may have earlier cut-offs. Ask whoever is booking your flights to double check these regulations with the carrier. Many employers may have COVID-19 travel policies in place, meaning theyre following CDC guidelines as it pertains to business travel during the pandemic.
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If You’re Afraid People Won’t Take You Seriously Because You’re Pregnant:
Pregnancy is a big change, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to excel at your job. Many women have worked through very difficult circumstances and pregnancies. Though you may deal with pregnancy complications that can make it harder to focus on work at various points, overall you may find that pregnancy helps you focus on the essentials and prioritize.
Its okay to talk about your pregnancy as much or as little as you want at work. You’ll learn what feels right for you and your own situation. But if youre in a healthy work environment, your team will likely be supportive and helpful especially if youre having a rough day.
Know that it’s okay and perhaps even necessary to grab a few moments of alone time throughout the day, whether you need to take a call from your healthcare provider or go to a prenatal appointment.
Sore Or Tender Breasts
The hormones helping your body grow a baby are also helping your breasts to prepare for breastfeeding or chestfeeding. This means that your breasts are growing and more blood is flowing to them, which can be uncomfortable.
If you wear a bra, your old ones might not be fitting properly. Finding new ones that accommodate your changing breasts may help with the pain and tenderness. Lotion or oil may help the stretching skin feel more comfortable, too.
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Can You Work While You’re Pregnant
Whether or not youre able to continue working while pregnant depends on your specific job. If you’re healthy and aren’t at a higher risk for pregnancy complications, and your job doesn’t involve exposure to harmful chemicals or isn’t physically demanding, you can likely work right up until your due date.
Every job is different, and many professions outside traditional office settings are likely safe to continue during pregnancy, but if you have to be on your feet for hours at a time or you do a lot of heavy lifting, you may have to talk to your manager about modifying some of your tasks. All jobs take different physical, emotional, and mental tolls, so there’s no hard and fast rule on when to begin your maternity leave. You’ll likely need to weigh all your options, including your health and financial situation, to figure out what’s best for you and your baby.
If you do continue working until your baby is born, cut yourself some slack, and be sure to rest whenever it’s possible. If you can afford to start your maternity leave a week or two before your due date, consider using that time to rest up, prepare, and take care of yourself.
