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What happens to the baby at 8 weeks
You have been carrying a little life under your heart for almost two months now, what happens to the baby at the 8th week of pregnancy?
First, it is now officially called a fetus. His internal organs form and develop, arms and legs lengthen, bones harden. During this period, the membrane between the fingers disappears in the child, which made him related to amphibians. The reproductive system is being formed and very soon the mother will be able to find out exactly who she is waiting for – a daughter or a son.
At this time, the baby’s heart develops, so it is important for the expectant mother to consume vitamins B2 and PP. They will minimize the risk of developing heart defects in a child. Discuss which vitamins you lack and where you can get them, it is better with a gynecologist.
Fetal ultrasound
During the ultrasound of the fetus at the 8th week of pregnancy, it is already possible to clearly see the future baby. He can move his arms and legs, he still has a disproportionately large head, ears, lips and eyes. The heart of the child is actively beating.
As a rule, it is not necessary to do an ultrasound for a period of 8 weeks, because in one or two weeks the first screening is already to be done. However, in some cases it is better to rush to the diagnosis.
For example, if the expectant mother is worried about frequent spotting, abdominal pain. Together, these symptoms can cause a doctor to suspect an ectopic or non-developing pregnancy, and they are life-threatening for a woman. In this case, the ultrasound is just indicative, it will confirm exactly where the fetus is, in the uterus or elsewhere, and also show whether the baby’s heart is beating.
Photo life
At this time, the baby is the size of a large plum: 31-42 mm tall and weighs about 5 grams. Of course, a uterus with such a tiny baby is not yet stretched enough to be noticeable. Photos of the abdomen at the 8th week of pregnancy prove that it is practically invisible.
– Women often say that it has become more difficult for them to put on their usual clothes, they say, trousers converge worse at the waist. Sometimes it’s more like self-hypnosis, but it happens that the tummy really increases, only this is not due to the growing uterus. The fact is that the pregnancy hormone progesterone affects the work of the intestines. His motor skills are deteriorating, and the pregnant woman feels bloated, suffers from constipation. This is the main reason for a small increase in the tummy for such a short period of time, explains obstetrician-gynecologist Dina Absalyamova.
What happens to mom at 8 weeks
A baby growing inside a woman needs more nutrients, because of this, the blood vessels in the pelvic area expand, blood flow increases. This affects the overall well-being of a woman. She may feel weak, dizzy, tired quickly.
The chest at this time continues to grow, this is accompanied by painful sensations. The nipples become darker and rougher, veins appear on the chest.
Pigmentation appears on the skin of a pregnant woman, many notice a dark stripe near the navel.
– If a woman is prone to freckles, they will appear. In some pregnant women, age spots appear on the back, doctors warn.
What sensations can you experience in 8 week
Since a lot of changes that are invisible to the eye occur with the mother at the 8th week of pregnancy, the sensations can also be very different:
- Drowsiness and weakness are eternal companions, especially in the first trimester, the body of a pregnant woman switches to a new mode of operation, the purpose of which is the development of the baby and its safety. The weakness of a woman is, in fact, a defensive reaction, forcing her to behave less actively, which means less risk to the health of the child.
- Morning sickness (and some people have more than just morning sickness). Toxicosis at the 8th week of pregnancy does not go anywhere, on the contrary, it can intensify. Try to drink more at this time, because the body is dehydrated, and do not be sad – in a couple of weeks you can forget about nausea.
– Almost 8-9 pregnant women out of 10 have symptoms of toxicosis. The reason is the weakening of the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus due to the action of progesterone, as well as the horizontal position of the stomach due to compression of the pregnant uterus, and many others, the gynecologist explains.
- Irritability and tearfulness due to hormonal imbalance.
- Frequent urge to urinate, they will occur throughout the entire period.
- Chest pains, pulling pains in the lower abdomen – if they are transient and do not cause you suffering, you should not worry.
Monthly
During pregnancy, a woman should not have menstruation, it is no coincidence that their absence becomes the main sign of an interesting situation. However, sometimes pregnant women experience menstrual-like bleeding. What is it and is it dangerous?
Doctors say that any spotting during pregnancy should be monitored. Abundant – not abundant, the doctor needs to talk about any.
Heavy bleeding may mean:
- the threat of losing a child – miscarriage. The blood at the same time is painted in bright pink, red or brown colors. Usually bleeding is accompanied by pain in the abdomen and lower back.
- ectopic pregnancy. It occurs if the egg is attached not in the uterus itself, but outside it. Pathology can “give out” pain in the lower abdomen and discharge, similar to menstruation. If an ectopic pregnancy is not detected on time on an ultrasound, there is a risk of rupture of the fallopian tube, severe bleeding, and even death. Treatment of ectopic pregnancy is only operational, immediate hospitalization is necessary.
Stomach ache
You need to understand that discomfort in the abdomen during pregnancy is normal. Most of them are associated with an increase in the uterus and sprains. Such pains are usually sharp and short-lived, people say – shot through.
However, there are alarming pains that signal a serious pathology. Fears should cause pains that differ in intensity and sharpness, or pains that last for a long time, as well as cramping pains observed for an hour or more.
Especially dangerous are severe pains, which are accompanied by bleeding, weakness. They can mean a threatened miscarriage. Unfortunately, in the first trimester this happens to about one in five women.
Pain is also manifested by an ectopic pregnancy. At week 8, the fetus is already several centimeters long and, if it is fixed in the fallopian tube, then it is greatly stretched and may burst. In this case, the woman is hospitalized.
Brown discharge
Speaking about menstruation during pregnancy, we noted that discharge mixed with blood should alert the expectant mother. Sometimes scanty brownish discharge appears during the implantation of the baby, then they are safe. But abundant and bright discharge can mean:
- a threat or a miscarriage that has begun;
- ectopic pregnancy;
- frozen pregnancy;
- mechanical damage;
- the presence of infection or tumors.
In these cases, a medical examination is necessary.
A separate issue is curdled discharge with an unpleasant odor. Often during pregnancy, women’s immunity decreases and thrush “sticks” to them. It manifests itself in the form of such secretions. The infection can harm the baby, so it is best to start treating it immediately under the supervision of a doctor.
Normally, a pregnant woman should have moderate discharge of a light or milky color and a uniform texture.
Popular questions and answers
What vitamins are necessary for a pregnant woman?
Is it possible to play sports during pregnancy and are there any restrictions?
Sports are useful for pregnant women because:
• reduces the risk of complications such as edema or excess weight gain;
• improves the functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems;
• reduces back pain;
• increases the metabolic process in the body, promotes the production of hormones of joy.
The best time to exercise is between 16.00pm and 19.00pm.
There are also contraindications, for example, if a woman has bleeding, placenta previa, if she is expecting several babies, or has a history of miscarriages.
Why does toxicosis occur and how to deal with it?
• pregnant women over 30;
• expecting several kids;
• smokers;
• suffering from high blood pressure;
• from diabetes;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• those who are malnourished and do not get enough vitamins.
There is reason to conclude that pregnant women who take B vitamins, folic acid and iodine rarely experience severe toxicosis. But there is no universal drug that would reduce the feeling of nausea yet.
Is it possible to have sex?
Having sex during pregnancy is not dangerous and not contraindicated, but if there is a clear threat of termination of pregnancy, with bleeding, pain and other things, then it is better to refuse sex.
– Even with low placentation, you can have sex, but you need to be very careful in choosing positions. They should be comfortable, convenient and pleasant. The position on the side is well suited, some prefer the position where the woman is on top or on all fours, this is an individual matter, the main thing, but it’s too much to overwork in the process, the doctors add.
Some people wonder if it is possible to have oral sex during pregnancy?
– You can do it if everything is safe: the partner is reliable and proven. Otherwise, there is a risk of catching a bunch of unpleasant diseases. A huge number of microorganisms also live in the oral cavity, it is not yet known where more – in the mouth or in the anus. With oral sex, you can easily pick up the same gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, HIV and HPV, gynecologists warn.
And with sperm, chlamydia and worm eggs can enter the body of a woman.
What to do if pulling the lower abdomen?
If the lower abdomen is pulled, doctors advise to lie down, relax and rest. After a few minutes, the pain should subside. If this did not happen and the discomfort, on the contrary, became stronger, you can call an ambulance. Increasing pain may mean a threatened miscarriage.
What to do if the temperature rises?
If the doctor determines that you have a common cold, it will be enough to lie down at home for a week, drink water, rinse your nose and throat with saline solutions – the cold will pass by itself.
If the expectant mother has picked up something more insidious than SARS, the advice of a therapist is all the more necessary. Far from all medicines are allowed for pregnant women, only a specialist can assess the risks and prescribe a suitable drug.
How to eat right?
In the middle of the first trimester, doctors recommend eating foods rich in proteins, which will build the baby’s body and not disturb the level of hemoglobin in the blood. In addition to meat, readily available protein is found in legumes, dairy products, and nuts.
We must not forget about vegetables, and in large quantities. Scientists say that vegetables, fruits and herbs should make up almost half of the diet of a pregnant woman.
You need to eat fractionally, in small portions 4-5 times a day. It is better to drink 2-2,5 liters of water per day. If you drink more water, there is a risk of edema. By the way, you can avoid them by giving up salty, spicy, sweet foods – all that makes you want to drink.
– As for the bans on certain products … If a woman chooses certain products during pregnancy, it means that she lacks any vitamins contained in them, so the bans are very conditional, – the doctors explain.