Baby's Growth and Development at 8 Weeks Pregnant
When you’re between 7 and 8 weeks pregnant, your baby’s body parts and proportions continue to develop and change quickly. Here’s what’s going on during your 8th week of pregnancy:
- At 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is more than a half an inch long — around the length of a lima bean.
- Your baby’s tiny fingers and toes develop.
- His arms and legs grow longer.
- By the 8th week of your pregnancy, his wrists, elbows, and ankles are visible.
- His eyelids form and ears, upper lip, and nose tip become more defined.
Your Changing Body at 8 Weeks Pregnant
At 8 weeks pregnant, your body continues to show signs of the many changes ahead. Emotionally, the joy of finding out you’re pregnant may give way to feelings of anticipation, anxiety, or fear. It’s totally normal. Try to put your mind at ease by talking with your doctor about your concerns and by making good choices that support your health and wellness long term.
Here’s what’s going on during your 8th week of pregnancy:
Wellness and Nutrition at 8 Weeks Pregnant
What should you avoid during pregnancy? Most doctors agree that you’ll want to stay away from:
- Activities that could cause you to fall, or put pressure or force on your belly
- Overly vigorous, intense exercise — if you're too out of breath to talk, you're probably exercising too hard.
- Alcohol, smoking, and caffeine (ask your doctor about how much caffeine you should have daily, if any)
- Saccharine and herbal sweeteners (ask your doctor if artificial sweeteners are OK)
- Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications (talk with your doctor about what’s OK during pregnancy)
- Exposure to chemicals and fumes from paints, cleaning products, and solvents. Latex, or acrylic, paint generally is considered to be safe. But check with your doctor so you can safely and confidently help with the nursery or other projects around the house.
- Saunas and hot tubs
- Chemical treatments for your hair, such as dye and perms
