The eighth obstetric week of pregnancy: what happens in the body of the mother and fetus? The condition of the woman and the fetus at the eighth week of pregnancy The condition at the 8th week of pregnancy.
Pregnancy is similar in size to a bean - the length is from one and a half to two centimeters, it weighs about three grams. The child becomes more and more like a man, the “tail” disappears, the head is still disproportionate to the body.
The baby is actively growing and developing. First of all, the musculoskeletal system strengthens, bone tissue becomes stronger. At this time, the baby's knee and elbow joints are barely distinguishable, you can see the shoulders, ankles. Facial features are becoming clearer, fingers and toes appear. They are still connected by a skin membrane.
An important achievement of the crumbs is the development of the reproductive system, and although the boys have already had testicles, and the girls have ovaries, the sex of the child has not yet been determined due to the large error. Ultrasound is clearly limited to:
- contours of the upper and lower jaw;
- nose and even nostrils.
Visible before the eyes of the eyelids, which will soon open. The eyes begin to produce pigment responsible for light perception.
The baby's heart has divided into four chambers, valves are actively forming. Between the ventricles, the hole is already overgrown, and between the atria it remains. In a minute, the heart creates from 150 to 170 beats. At the eighth week, the baby is still in a bent state (the so-called "fetal position"), but soon the baby straightens up. Respiratory organs, bronchi and lungs are formed. Already at the eighth week, the child is trying to clench his fists, but for the mother, such movements are not yet noticeable.
The development of the brain continues, and neurons form more and more complex connections, along which the first paths of nerve impulses will pass. The intestine is formed, we distinguish the esophagus and stomach. The liver begins to produce blood cells. the spinal column continues to improve. A very important organ is formed - the thymus gland, which is involved in the immune defense of the body, it is she who produces the first protective cells - lymphocytes.
twin development
Kopa Birth
Babies during twin pregnancy at this time do not lag behind in development compared to singleton pregnancies. The only significant difference is the weight of the twins. Babies weigh about 1 g each and do not exceed one and a half centimeters in length. The crumbs have heads equal to the length of the body, the position of the twins is twisted. The outlines of the face become clearer, the eyes are still on the sides of the face, but the nose, ears, mouth and tongue are clearly visible. Babies continue to receive nutrition from the corpus luteum, since the placenta is not yet formed for their life support.
There is a formation of large and small joints, but they are not always clearly limited. And if the hands almost resemble human ones, then the legs are more like fins. With a normally developing pregnancy, the cardiovascular system of twins is normal. Every baby has a four-chambered heart. The digestive organs are differentiated, germ cells are produced, and one fetus can be a boy, the second - a girl.
The amount of amniotic fluid in a twin pregnancy is slightly greater than in a singleton. Therefore, the size of the uterus does not correspond to the terms of pregnancy, the maternal organ is somewhat larger, which is the first sign of carrying a multiple pregnancy - an ultrasound examination will finally dispel the doubt. At this time, during pregnancy with twins, the mother's belly is not noticeable.
The umbilical cord in babies is already formed, the endometrium is gradually destroyed by the villous chorion. At the eighth week, it is very important that the placenta and umbilical cord develop correctly, since the risk of abnormalities doubles during pregnancy.
What happens to mom: feelings
The eighth week of pregnancy brings tangible changes in a woman's life. If in the first weeks the body is only rebuilt, then at this time the hormonal background still remains unstable, significantly different from the pre-pregnancy state of a woman. This provokes ailments and new sensations of the mother's body, to which now you need to adapt.
Uterine changes. By the 8th week of pregnancy, the uterus continues to grow, but does not increase in size much, being in the area no higher than the pubic zone. If sexual contact occurs at this time, then the uterus is unnecessarily irritated and minor bleeding may occur from small blood vessels. This is due to the effect of the hormonal background on the uterus, but it does not negatively affect the child.
Frequent urination. This is not noticed by all women, but indeed, when the bladder is full, urges arise, because the growing uterus squeezes the bladder, which causes it to give signals to empty.
Pain in the lower abdomen. It is quite normal if a woman during pregnancy feels light sips in the lower abdomen. First of all, the pain is associated with stretching of the uterus, which is preparing to carry the baby. Also, the cause of pulling sensations is a multiple pregnancy. If the pain is periodic, disappears on its own and is not accompanied by other signs, then you should not worry.
Headache. During pregnancy at the 8th week, it occurs due to overwork, which is provoked by hormonal instability and weakness of the mother's body. To avoid a headache, do not be nervous, expose yourself to stress. With frequent headaches, you should consult a doctor - this may be a sign of an infectious disease, vascular disorders.
Discomfort in the lower back. The lumbar area becomes especially sensitive during the period of increase in the uterus in size. Compression of the nerve endings spreads dull aching pain in the lumbar region, from which many women suffer greatly in the 8th week, and staying in one position completely enhances these sensations. A light massage, a change in body position will help to cope with such pain. If the pain is sharp, radiates to the kidneys, and urination is difficult, then there is a suspicion of a pathology of the urinary system. If the pain in the lower back is associated with bloody discharge, it may be a miscarriage. In these conditions, you should immediately contact the clinic.
Soreness in the chest. There is nothing unusual in the fact that under the influence of hormones there are pulling sensations in the chest - this is how the mammary glands are preparing to feed the baby. In especially sensitive women, these signs appear as early as the 8th week. There is a feeling of heaviness in the chest, enlargement of the mammary glands, a feeling of tingling. Usually, the discomfort is quite tolerable, and after the normalization of the hormonal background, the chest pain subsides a little.
The age of the fetus at the 8th week of pregnancy is 6 weeks, and the delay in the next menstruation is 4 weeks. This period is one of the critical periods, since by 8 weeks of pregnancy the placenta must finally form and take over all the life-support functions of the new organism. At the same time, the embryo becomes a fetus.
Fetal changes
All major organs and systems of a growing organism are already laid down and continue to mature and differentiate. The body of the fetus acquires a characteristic embryonic position, which it will retain until the very birth. The size of the fetus at the 8th week of pregnancy is about 14 - 19 mm, and the weight is 1 g.
Muscle, bone and cartilage tissues develop intensively, the fetus develops muscle tone. The movements of the future baby with arms and legs are becoming more intense, they are clearly visible on ultrasound at 8 weeks of pregnancy, but the future baby is still so small that the mother does not feel his movements. The hands in their development are ahead of the legs, they are larger and more differentiated - the boundaries of the shoulder and forearm can be clearly distinguished, the phalanges of the fingers begin to emerge, the fingers themselves are already separated from each other, there are no membranes between them. On the feet, the toes are still fused.
The fetus at the 8th week of pregnancy already bears little resemblance to the embryo of animals, it is becoming more and more “human” in appearance. Eyelashes appear on the eyelids, the upper lip, auricles and nose already protrude well. The neck stands out more clearly. In the respiratory system, the bronchial tree and the main respiratory muscle, the diaphragm, begin to emerge.
The fetal stomach begins to produce small amounts of gastric juice, and the kidneys - urine. All sense organs are intensively developing:
- Taste buds are formed on the tongue;
- The first olfactory receptors are laid in the nasal mucosa;
- Nerve fibers form the optic nerve;
- The skin - the organ of touch of the fetus - is still very thin and almost transparent, but the first sensitive receptors appear in it, and the sebaceous and sweat glands are also laid.
The external genitalia are not formed - there is still only a tubercle in place of the perineum, and it is impossible to determine the sex of the unborn child by ultrasound at 8 weeks of pregnancy.
Changes in the body of a woman at the 8th week of pregnancy
The changes associated with pregnancy are more and more noticeable. The uterus continues to grow at a rapid pace, although the abdomen at the 8th week of pregnancy is not yet visible from under the clothes.
An increase in the uterus at the 8th week of pregnancy can be noticed by an obstetrician-gynecologist during an internal examination - with bimanual palpation. When examining the cervix in the mirrors, the doctor may also note a change in the color of the vaginal mucosa from light pink to dark pink.
Changes also concern the mental mood of a pregnant woman - she most often becomes more sentimental, whiny and capricious, changes in taste preferences and appetite are characteristic. They can be just the opposite - increased appetite, a tendency to unusual types of food, or constant nausea and vomiting.
The breasts of a pregnant woman may become more painful, the nipples sensitive to touch. Superficial veins may appear on the surface of the skin of the chest.
What to do at 8 weeks pregnant
If a woman at 8 weeks pregnant is not yet registered for pregnancy, you should do it now. It is advisable to choose a doctor who will observe the entire pregnancy from start to finish. For the future mother, especially if this is the first birth, the obstetrician can recommend courses for pregnant women and classes in psychoprophylactic preparation for the upcoming birth.
Do not delay with visiting specialists and prescribed tests. In case of any health problems, they will need to be addressed, given the presence of pregnancy. Some types of examination and treatment at 8 weeks of gestation can adversely affect the condition of the fetus. These are radiography, anesthesia and anesthesia during dental treatment, etc. It is better to find out about all possible contraindications from your doctor.
The uterus grows in size all the time and puts pressure on the surrounding organs, this can provoke pain at the 8th week of pregnancy. The causes of pain can be different - tension of the round ligaments of the uterus, irritation of the sciatic nerve, urinary tract infections, which are quite common during pregnancy.
Urination becomes more frequent due to the proximity of the uterus, but normally there should be no pain at the 8th week of pregnancy. Symptoms of dysuria are a dangerous sign of pyelonephritis or cystitis in pregnant women.
The release of even a small amount of blood from the genital tract at the 8th week of pregnancy indicates a miscarriage that has begun, this situation requires an emergency visit to the doctor.
Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:
How the fetus develops week by week is a real miracle. In just 38-40 calendar weeks, an embryo of several cells, similar to a bunch of grapes, becomes an infant with the most complex structure of the body. Immediately after giving birth, he begins to use a whole arsenal of skills and reflexes, quickly adapting to new living conditions. In our article - a brief description of the development of the child by day from the very moment of conception, a photo of the embryo and features of different months of pregnancy.
Human embryo in the first trimester
The first trimester is the most important and difficult stage in the development of the human embryo. It was at this time that the rudiments of its organs were laid, the nervous and other systems were formed. This period is associated with a large number of risks and requires the expectant mother to pay special attention to her health and lifestyle.
Embryo growth by weeks in 1 month of pregnancy
The first month is considered one of the most important and exciting for a reason, because right now a new life is born. At the beginning, his pregnancy has not actually occurred yet, but the body of the expectant mother is preparing for it by regulating the hormonal background and the functioning of the organs of the reproductive system. All this is necessary not only for conception, but also for the normal implantation of the embryo in the uterus and the start of its development.
First trimester - start of pregnancy
1-2 weeks
From day 1 to day 14 of the new menstrual cycle, the follicle matures in the ovaries, from which the egg is released. It moves through the fallopian tube and meets with a sperm cell - one of almost 900 million that have entered the vagina. After fertilization, the morula embryo "descends" into the uterine cavity and the endometrium is implanted - approximately on the 12-17th day of the cycle. At this point, the actual pregnancy begins.
3 week
The fertilized egg continues to divide and grow into the wall of the uterus with shell cells. In parallel with this, the formation of the placenta and umbilical cord is launched - organs vital for the development of the fetus, through which it will receive nutrients. Now the embryo consists of more than 100 cells.
4 week
At this time, the first “jump” happens in the development of the child: the laying of all the systems of the future body of the baby begins. A particularly important stage is the formation of the neural tube, from which the brain and the entire nervous system are subsequently formed. The embryo grows to the size of a poppy seed less than 1.5 mm in diameter, from which time it is called an embryo. It is heavily implanted in the endometrium, which affects the level of the hCG hormone. It is at week 4 that a woman may notice a delay in menstruation and early signs of pregnancy.
Development of the human embryo at 4 weeks of gestation
Embryo development at 2 months
In the second month of pregnancy, every week the development of the fetus continues and is accompanied by significant changes in the structure of his body. During these 4 weeks, the umbilical cord, the neural tube, the rudiments of the limbs and fingers will form, the face will become even more proportional, the internal organs will differentiate.
5 week
The fifth week is the transition period between 1 and 2 months of pregnancy. Now the embryo has a conditional coccygeal-parietal size of up to 2.5 mm and a weight of about 0.4 g. The body systems are developing rapidly: the neural tube is improving, future parts of the brain, lungs, stomach, trachea are highlighted, blood vessels are growing.
6 week
The embryo grows from 3 to 6 mm, it looks like a fry, because. limbs are not yet developed. The placenta begins to form from the chorionic villi, hemispheres appear in the brain. The small heart, in which division into chambers takes place, is already contracting, driving out blood enriched with oxygen and nutrients for the construction of the body.
7 week
The embryo in this week of development has a length of 13-15 cm, more than half of the "growth" falls on the head. His body still has an arched shape, a "tail" is preserved on the pelvic part. On the upper limbs, which are ahead of the formation of the lower ones, a hand and fingers are drawn.
8 week
The size of the embryo increases to 20 mm - the baby grows almost 2 times in just a couple of weeks. He has a brain with two hemispheres and several departments, the beginnings of the lungs, the heart, the digestive system. The face is becoming more and more like a "human" - the eyes, ears, nose and lips covered with eyelids are perfectly distinguished.
Photo: what the embryo looks like at 8 weeks of gestation
How the fetus develops week by week at 3 months
At this stage in the development of the human embryo, its length doubles, and a third of the growth falls on the head. Gradually, the proportions will change, and now the baby begins to move his arms and legs, foci of ossification appear in the cartilaginous rudiments of the skeleton, the skin becomes less transparent, it is divided into layers in which the rudiments of hair follicles are formed.
9 week
The ninth week is the transition from the second to the third month of pregnancy. During this time, the development of the child by day will be accompanied by a rapid increase in growth from 22 mm at the beginning to 31 mm at the end. The baby's heart beats at a speed of 150 beats per minute, the musculoskeletal system is improving. The head of the embryo is tightly pressed to the chest and seems disproportionately large relative to the body and limbs.
10 week
By the end of this week, the baby will grow to 35-40 mm in KTR, most of the time he is in a half-bent state. The way the embryo looks also changes: the “tail” disappears, buttocks form in its place. The baby swims freely inside the uterus and, touching its walls, pushes off with his feet or hands.
11 week
In the brain of an embryo, more than 250,000 new neurons are formed every minute. The baby has the rudiments of milk teeth and nails. His limbs are bent, but the child regularly makes spontaneous movements with them, clenching and unclenching his fists. The iris forms in the eyes.
12 week
The most important event of this week of embryo development is the beginning of the active functioning of the placenta, which protects and nourishes the fetus. Thanks to her, the baby will receive air and all the necessary substances for growth and building his own body.
Embryo development towards the end of the first trimester
Stages of embryo development in the 2nd trimester
In the second trimester of pregnancy, all organs are already laid, they begin to grow and function. During this period, the development of the fetus is "directed" to the rapid growth and improvement of body systems.
How the embryo changes by day at 4 months
In the fourth month, the way the fetus looks is constantly changing: every day it looks more and more like a human embryo, the limbs are gradually lengthening, the head and torso will be more proportional by the middle of the trimester. The baby's organs are actively developing, forming different body systems.
13 week
This week of pregnancy is a transitional week between the first and second trimester, when, as a rule, the first scheduled screening is scheduled. It is necessary to assess the development of the embryo by day and exclude pathologies. By this time, the baby has a height of 6.5 to 8 cm and a weight of up to 14 g. The limbs, body and head become more proportional. The musculoskeletal system is being actively built, and there are already the rudiments of 20 teeth in the jaw.
14 week
Now the baby is completely fed through the placenta and umbilical cord. It grows up to 8-9 cm, a chin and cheeks are drawn on its face, the first colorless hairs appear on its head. The kidneys begin to excrete urine into the amniotic fluid. In girls, the ovaries move into the pelvis; in boys, the formation of the prostate gland begins.
15 week
What does the fetus look like at 99-105 days of development? Its proportions approach normal, KTR increases to 10 cm, and weight - up to 70-75 g. All parts of the face are formed, eyebrows and eyelids can be distinguished, the auricles acquire a characteristic shape and relief.
16 week
The KTR of the baby reaches almost 12 cm, and the weight is 100 g by the end of the week. The development of the embryo by day at this period is impressive: all organs have already been formed in it, the heart and kidneys are actively working. The structure of the facial muscles is improved, due to which the child begins to grimace.
Baby after 16 weeks of pregnancy
Pregnancy at 5 months: how the embryo develops by day
At the 5th month, the baby is growing rapidly, all his organs are gradually included in the work, various systems of the body are being improved and coordinated. In particular, the movements of the baby become more coordinated, and due to the increased weight of the fetus, the expectant mother will be able to feel the first movements.
17 week
The fetus grows up to 12 cm according to KTR and already weighs about 140 g. This week, the baby’s own immunity comes into play, which, together with the placenta, will protect it from the negative effects of external factors. Thin skin is covered with original lubrication, subcutaneous fat begins to accumulate under it.
18 week
By the beginning of the week, the KTR of the baby is more than 14 cm, and the weight is from 140 to 200 g. How does the fetus develop by day? First of all, its proportions change: the limbs grow faster than the head. The hearing aid is active, the child reacts to sharp and loud sounds. The structure of the brain becomes more complex, the transmission of nerve impulses improves, due to which movements become more coordinated.
19 week
The CTE of the fetus increases from 15.3 to 19-20 cm, the average weight is 240 g. The baby's skin is covered with lanugo fluff. The bronchial tree grows. The sex and thyroid glands begin to produce hormones. The whole body is protected by a thick primordial lubricant.
20 week
The development of the fetus on the days of this week is associated with changes in its appearance and the coordinated work of different systems of its body. The skin of the baby due to lanugo and the gradual accumulation of subcutaneous fat becomes less transparent. More than 25 liters of blood per day passes through the heart.
Fetal development by week at 5 months
6 month: how does the human embryo change?
In the sixth month, the structure of the baby's brain improves. The length of the body and limbs and the size of the head become proportional, and the appearance is generally the same as that of a newborn. Interestingly, by this time the child already has a unique pattern on the fingertips.
21 weeks
By the end of this week, the baby grows to 26.7 cm and weighs about 300 g. His movements are clearly felt, and the movements of the child's day can be traced. What changes occur in the development of the fetus? Its digestive and excretory systems are trained, acid appears in the stomach, taste perception is improved.
22 week
The KTR of the child increases to 28 cm, the weight is already more than 400 g. The volume of subcutaneous fat increases, due to which the fetus every day becomes more and more like a newborn. Due to the rapid development of the brain and nervous system, the baby begins to "study" the surrounding space - pulls the umbilical cord, evaluates the taste of amniotic fluid, reacts to changes in light and different sounds.
23 week
The growth of the baby from the heels to the top of the head exceeds 29 cm, the weight reaches 500 g. How does the fetus develop this week? Since the second month, his brain has increased 40 times, reactions to stimuli and movements become logical and coordinated. According to some studies, the child begins to dream.
24 week
At this time, the baby grows to 30-32 cm and weighs about 530 g. A surfactant lubricant appears in the lungs, which is necessary for breathing protection. The cerebral cortex is covered with new grooves and convolutions. Subcutaneous fat accumulates more actively.
What does a fetus look like at 6 completed months?
The position and development of the fetus at 7 months
In the last month of the second trimester, the baby's skin smoothes out, becomes denser and gradually acquires a lighter shade. Under it, subcutaneous fat is accumulating faster and faster, which is vital for normal thermoregulation. The child often opens his eyelids, studying the surrounding space and reacting to bright light.
25 week
Height from crown to heels is about 34.5 cm, and weight increases to 700 g. Facial features are fully formed. The bone marrow takes over the function of hematopoiesis. The lungs develop alveoli - bubbles that will open after the first breath of the child.
26 week
At this stage, the size of the fetus by day changes a little more slowly than in previous months. The height of the baby is about 35 cm, and the weight is 760-850 g. All systems of his body are “training” and preparing to work outside the womb. Thanks to the coordinated work of the brain and the adrenal cortex, the synthesis of new hormones begins.
27 week
By this time, the child adds another 1 cm in height and already weighs about 900 g. He gradually accumulates subcutaneous fatty tissue. Hair on the head, eyelashes and eyebrows may become slightly darker. The organism becomes more and more viable, i.e. even in the case of premature birth, the chances of saving the life and health of the baby increase.
28 week
The development of the child by the end of the 7th month allows him to survive even outside the womb in the absence of pathologies in the structure of the organs. He gains enough subcutaneous fat, although for normal independent thermoregulation, its volume must increase significantly. At this time, the hemispheres of the brain work more actively, it is already known whether the baby will be right-handed or left-handed.
After 7 months, the baby begins to gain subcutaneous fat
Embryo development by week in the 3rd trimester
The last trimester of pregnancy is the time of active accumulation of subcutaneous fat, improvement and coordination of the work of body systems. All this is necessary to prepare the child for childbirth and life outside the mother's womb. How does the fetus develop by week?
fetus at 8 months pregnant
In the eighth month, the baby quickly gains weight and continues to grow. His skeletal and muscular systems are getting stronger. The lungs are preparing for breathing, the diaphragm is constantly “training”. The brain is already fully formed, but its structure and functioning are constantly being improved.
29 week
There is less and less space in the uterus, because the child grows up to 38 cm in height and already weighs more than 1 kg. Because of this, his tremors become more noticeable and can cause discomfort for the expectant mother. All systems of his body are actively working, in particular, the kidneys excrete almost 500 ml of urine per day into the amniotic fluid.
30 week
How does the fetus develop by day? First of all, he very quickly accumulates subcutaneous fat, due to which his weight increases to 1.3 kg. The skeletal system is getting stronger, the limbs are lengthening, the growth from the crown to the heels is more than 39 cm. The skin brightens, the folds are gradually smoothed out. In the lungs, a protective lubricant-surfactant is actively produced.
31 weeks
This week, the child already weighs more than 1.5 kg and grows up to 40 cm. By his activity, you can track his sleep and wakefulness, as well as reactions to external conditions - noise, bright light, lack of fresh air, uncomfortable posture of the mother. The eyes are fully formed, the color of the iris is the same for most babies, it will change after birth for three years.
32 week
The height of the child is 42 cm, weight is about 1.7-1.8 kg. The development of the fetus by day is aimed at preparing his body for independent functioning. For this, the recruitment of subcutaneous tissue is accelerated, respiratory and sucking reflexes are constantly trained, digestion and blood supply are improved. The work of the excretory, nervous and endocrine systems becomes more complicated.
Fetal development at 8 months: the baby is already like a newborn
9 month: how does the baby look and develop?
The ninth month of pregnancy is considered by many to be the “finish line”. Indeed, the development of the child by this time makes him viable: the baby will already be able to suck milk on his own, and the risks of problems with breathing and thermoregulation are decreasing every day.
33 week
The child grows up to 44 cm and already weighs about 2 kg. It becomes crowded, because of which even weak movements are clearly felt. At this time, the baby takes the final position in the uterus - head or feet down. At week 33, the size of the heart increases, the tone of the blood vessels increases, the formation of alveoli in the lungs is almost completed.
34 week
The growth of the baby increases by another 1 cm, while the weight gain due to the set of subcutaneous fat can be almost 500 g. The musculoskeletal system of the baby is strengthened. The bones of the skull are still soft and mobile - this is necessary for passage through the birth canal. Hair on the head grows faster and can change color.
35 week
On average, height from heels to crown is 45 cm, and weight is from 2.2 to 2.7 kg. The child looks well-fed and every day accumulates more and more subcutaneous fat. On his fingers, the nail plates are clearly visible, the vellus hair-lanugo becomes a little less.
36 week
The height and weight of babies at this time can vary over a wide range. The body length is from 46 to 48 cm, and the weight is from 2 to 3 kg. The skin of the child becomes smooth and bright, the number of folds decreases. All his organs are ready to work, and the body becomes completely viable.
Development of the child by the end of 9 months: the baby is ready for birth
Child development in the last weeks of pregnancy
The 10th month of pregnancy is an exciting time: childbirth can begin any day. The development of the child by this time makes him fully viable, there are no longer any risks to his health during delivery.
37 week
The baby grows up to 49 cm. Every day he adds about 14 g. His appearance before childbirth will not change. The cartilages in the nose and on the auricles gradually get stronger. The lungs are ripe, the alveoli, protected by a surfactant lubricant, are ready for the first breath. The intestine performs periodic contractions to prepare for full peristalsis.
38 week
The fetus looks exactly like a newborn. His body is fully formed and ready to function. The baby takes the final position in the uterus and rests his head against its base. The bones of the skull are still mobile: thanks to this, the child will be able to pass through the birth canal.
39 week
The baby gains 20-25 g per knock, his height can vary from 50 to 55 cm. He "falls" into the pelvis and begins to put pressure on his bones. The limbs, the length of the body and the size of the head are completely proportional. All sense organs are well developed.
40 week
The development of the fetus by this time is completed - it is ready for birth, has all the necessary reflexes to maintain health and nutrition. This week, the placenta gradually ages, and hormonal changes in the woman's body trigger the natural process of childbirth.
Development of pregnancy gives new sensations to the expectant mother. How a child grows, what changes in a woman's body, the necessary tests and doctors - let's try to give detailed answers to popular questions.
Fetal development in the eighth week of pregnancy.
The first trimester is the main stage in the development of pregnancy. At the 8th week of pregnancy, the baby receives a new status - officially he is now a fetus, not a fetus. By this time, the child has formed: the brain, nervous system and bone tissue, internal organs are actively developing: liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines, pancreas, reproductive system. The heart becomes four-chambered, the small tail disappears. By 8 weeks pregnant, your baby has grown to the size of a grape. His height is only 14-20 millimeters, and his weight is 3 grams.
Despite his small size, he already looks like a man. With the help of ultrasound, which will monitor the entire development of pregnancy, you can see tiny arms and legs, a head. Facial features begin to emerge. But it is too early to determine the sex of the child, although the testicles have already formed in the boys, and the ovaries in the girls. But you can observe how actively the baby moves his arms and legs, somersaults.
Feelings of a woman in the eighth week of pregnancy.
Signs of pregnancy are becoming more noticeable, which is not surprising, because the number of hormones that support the development of pregnancy continues to grow. Outwardly, this is manifested by frequent mood swings, tearfulness, drowsiness. Under the influence of hormones, the breasts increase significantly, so the expectant mother needs to choose a comfortable bra. Significantly increases the size of the uterus. Outwardly, this is not at all noticeable yet, but the internal organs are already in a squeezed position. The bladder and intestines are the first to “suffer”, so urination becomes more frequent, constipation may occur. Due to the restructuring of the hormonal background, the nature of the discharge from the vagina may change. If they do not have an unpleasant odor and are not accompanied by itching, then do not worry. Brown discharge from the genital tract, accompanied by pain in the lower back - an occasion to immediately consult a doctor.
For many pregnant women, a big problem for 8 weeks pregnant becomes toxicosis. Salivation, nausea, vomiting do not allow to eat normally. You should be patient, by the end of the first trimester, the hormonal background will become more stable, and this unpleasant symptom will pass. Do not postpone a visit to the doctor if vomiting recurs more than once or twice a day.
Visiting a doctor in the eighth week of pregnancy.
8 week pregnancy- it's time to be registered in the antenatal clinic. It would not be superfluous to recall that a woman who has registered in the early stages (up to 12 obstetric weeks) is entitled to an additional lump-sum payment to the pregnancy and childbirth allowance.
On the first visit, the doctor will conduct a full examination, write out a referral for tests, and select a vitamin complex.
The list of necessary analyzes and studies, as a rule, includes:
- clinical blood test
- blood chemistry
- hCG blood test
- general urine analysis
- analysis for HIV, viral hepatitis, TORCH infection
- electrocardiogram
- Ultrasound of the uterus and appendages
In addition to visiting a gynecologist, a woman needs to visit other specialists: a therapist, dentist, venereologist. Be sure to warn the doctor about your delicate situation! Especially if you have a chronic disease that requires medication on an ongoing basis. Taking certain medications may adversely affect the development of pregnancy. At the end of the second month, the fetus is very susceptible to negative influences from outside. Therefore, it is better to postpone X-ray and fluorography for later. In the second trimester, it is worth transferring dental treatment. Remember, now you are responsible not only for your health, but also for the health of your child.
Of course, pregnancy is not a disease. But your body now has a colossal load on the life support of the child. A pregnant woman, like no one else, must observe the regime of work and rest. Delegate some household chores to your husband or relatives, be sure to get enough sleep, walk in the fresh air. If you were seriously involved in sports before pregnancy, coordinate the load with your doctor, lifting weights is now undesirable.
From bad habits, if any, you need to get rid of in the near future. The fetus is now the most vulnerable, it already receives nutrition from the mother's body through the umbilical cord, but the placenta, a natural filter, has not yet fully formed.
A woman should pay a little more attention to her diet. Remember that yeast dough, legumes and fresh bread cause gas and flatulence, and eating salty foods retains fluid in the body, leading to swelling.
Except in special cases (threatened miscarriage, twin pregnancy) sex does not affect the development of pregnancy. But partners should be careful in choosing positions, it is better to avoid pressure on the stomach and deep penetration.
