Pregnancy week 8 - baby's development and your body

Week 8 is the sixth week after fertilization. The embryo can now make simple movements. Elbows, fingers, toes, and eyelids are developing. The uterus is growing, and you may start to experience stronger nausea.

Size:

The embryo is about 1.6 cm or 0.63 inches in size, from head to rump.

Weight:

Approximately 1 gram or 0.035 ounces.

Embryo development:

The embryo is starting to resemble the beginnings of a small human, with eyes positioned far out on the sides of a large head, a curved back, and small arms and legs.

During this week, the embryo begins to make simple movements, and webbed fingers are forming. In the mouth, the palate, tongue, and early tooth buds are developing.

The intestines are growing rapidly, and parts of them are still in the base of the umbilical cord since there isn't enough room in the abdomen yet.

Your body:

At this stage, more pronounced pregnancy symptoms often begin to appear, including heightened sensitivity to smells and tastes and more noticeable nausea compared to earlier weeks.

You may also experience bloating, constipation, and mood swings.

Although pregnancy usually isn’t visible this early, the uterus is growing quickly, which some may feel as mild, period-like cramps as it expands and takes up more space.

An increased need to urinate can also start early, as the rise in kidney blood flow during pregnancy leads to a greater production of urine.