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At the end of the second month of pregnancy, it is important to avoid negative factors that affect the formation of fetal organs. Right now, every day of its development is important, because vital systems are being formed. At the 8th obstetric week of pregnancy, about 6 weeks have passed from the moment of conception. If a woman has not conducted special testing, it is impossible to accurately determine the time of ovulation.
The course of pregnancy at 8 weeks
The development and formation of the child’s organs continues, the functioning of existing systems is improved. A woman cannot but feel changes in her body, because at this time they are quite distinct. If a woman has not yet registered with a antenatal clinic, it is now important to undergo a health screening by contacting an obstetrician-gynecologist. According to medical research, women who are observed from the first weeks of pregnancy tolerate it better, they have easier childbirth, children are born with high health indicators. At this time, you can visit the antenatal clinic monthly, then once every 2 weeks or more often.
Fetal development
At this time, the fetus looks like a little man – it has limbs with fingers, a head on a well-defined neck, eyes, a nose on the face, and auricles on the head.
Fruit size:
Weight – 3 g;
Length – 1,5-2 cm.
He has the ability to move his limbs and bend them, because large joints are formed in the fetus. The peripheral nervous system is so organized that the innervation of large muscles occurs. If it were possible to touch the body of the fetus, one could feel its jerk in the opposite direction from the impact.
Fetal development at 8 weeks of gestation:
The heart consists of 4 chambers, it sends blood through large vessels, making up to 150-170 beats per minute.
The rudiments of the genital organs develop, the testicles in boys, the ovaries in girls;
Its main features are formed on the face: a nose covered with mucus, eyelids, lips, ear fold;
Salivary glands appear in the mouth, taste buds appear on the tongue;
The tail of the lower half of the spinal column is transformed into the coccyx;
The fetal stomach occupies a place in the middle of the abdominal cavity;
The intestine is formed, before the increase in the abdominal cavity, temporarily shifting into the umbilical cord;
Parts of the fetal brain develop, the first convolutions appear on its surface;
The trunk is slightly lengthened and straightened;
The release of the diaphragm begins, the development of the bronchial tree;
The formation of cartilage and bones continues, osteogenesis will be completed only by the age of 25.
Tiny organs begin to function – the kidneys secrete urine, the stomach – gastric juice.
Video about the 8th week of intrauterine life of the fetus:
Why does abdominal pain occur?
The uterus increases in size, in the supine position it presses and irritates the sciatic nerve. This causes pain in the hips and pelvis. To get rid of pain, you need to reduce the impact of the uterus on the nerve. This is achieved by turning over to the other side.
Another source of pain can be the bladder. Frequent urination should not normally be painful. Urine remains clean and clear. If the pain accompanies urination, and the urine becomes cloudy, flakes appear in it, an admixture of blood – the woman may have cystitis.
Cystitis of pregnant women often occurs during the gestational period due to a decrease in the woman’s immunity. If it is not treated, complications are possible in the form of pyelonephritis, pyelitis.
At week 8, training contractions can begin – a special condition of the uterus that a woman will face until the very birth. Their sign may be a short-term tension in the lower abdomen. If at the same time no pain is felt, there is no atypical vaginal discharge, you don’t have to worry – a mild spasm of the muscles of the uterus will end quickly.
Bleeding
Discharge of blood from the vagina at this stage of pregnancy indicates the threat of miscarriage. The more abundant the discharge, the longer the bleeding lasts, the less likely it is to keep the pregnancy. Additionally, there are painful cramps in the lower abdomen, pulling pain in the lower back. Bleeding can last for several days. It is important for such symptoms to immediately consult a doctor, to observe bed rest.
Attachment to severe bleeding of inclusions in the form of blood clots, tissue particles indicates the detachment of the fetal egg from the uterus. In this case, the cervix opens, pushing the fetus out after short contractions. With such a development of events, pregnancy cannot be saved.
Causes of spontaneous abortion:
genetic pathology;
bacterial infection or STD;
Physical and mental overload;
Side effects of drugs;
Bad habits;
Thermal exposure during UV irradiation or in a solarium, in a sauna.
Allocations
Normal vaginal discharge has a transparent consistency, small volume, lactic acid smell. The addition of itching, burning, purulent or mucous inclusions indicates the defeat of the reproductive organs by infectious diseases.
Brown bloody vaginal discharge, accompanied by dizziness, pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, weakness, may be a symptom of a miscarriage, detachment of the fetal egg from the uterine wall. With a small amount of discharge, there is a chance to save the fetus with timely treatment.
At the 8th week of the gestational period, an ectopic pregnancy cannot occur, it occurs at an earlier date.
Visit doctor
Early registration in the antenatal clinic will help to detect and cure latent pathologies in time. To issue an exchange card for a pregnant woman, the following examination is carried out:
a conversation with a gynecologist about living and working conditions, about the presence of sick relatives, about previous births and pregnancies;
Measurement of women’s height and weight, blood pressure;
General blood test to determine the level of leukocytes and erythrocytes;
Blood for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis;
Blood for Rh factor;
Blood test for the determination of hCG;
Analysis of feces for worm eggs;
Urinalysis for protein determination.
An elevated level of hCG indicates a normal pregnancy. A decrease in the level of red blood cells indicates leukemia or anemia, an increase in this level indicates diseases of the respiratory system. An increase in the level of protein in the urine indicates pathologies of the urinary system, a decrease in the number of leukocytes indicates that the woman has viral infections (flu, rubella, hepatitis).
For a complete examination of the state of health, a pregnant woman will be asked to visit a therapist, otolaryngologist, oculist, dentist. If complications and pathologies are identified, treatment will need to be carried out. The Rh conflict is especially dangerous when the mother and child have a different Rh factor. In this case, the life of the baby and his health are at risk due to the appearance of a special kind of antibodies in the blood.
The doctor will inform you that the first ultrasound of the fetus, in the absence of indications, will be carried out no earlier than the 11th week of pregnancy. It is done to exclude chromosomal pathologies and malformations of the fetus.
attitude to alcohol
There are different points of view about how dangerous it is to drink alcohol during pregnancy. One thing is clear – once in the mother’s body, alcohol quickly penetrates the child’s circulatory system. The huge harm of alcohol, the destruction of the cells of the developing organism brings the use of both strong alcohol and low-alcohol drinks.
Consequences of drinking alcohol:
intrauterine growth retardation;
Small height and weight;
Visual, hearing and memory impairments;
Distortions in the structure of the bones and tissues of the face (micromegaly, small eyes, impaired structure of the jaw).
Temperature and cold
The high rate of metabolic processes at this period of the gestational period causes a slight increase in temperature to + 37,1 + 37,2 ° C. An excessive increase in body temperature may indicate that an inflammatory process is underway in the body and an additional examination is necessary.
Long-term hyperthermia endangers the health of the fetus, which can get developmental defects. Perhaps the fading of pregnancy, the threat of miscarriage. Temperature reduction is carried out after consulting a doctor on the use of antipyretic drugs. It is possible that he will offer to dispense with rubdowns and cool compresses.
SARS and acute respiratory infections at the 8th week of pregnancy can lead to serious consequences – pathologies of the placenta, fetal hypoxia, and spontaneous abortion. In order not to get sick during the season of increased risk of infection, you should limit contact with sick people, avoid attending mass events, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Treatment of colds is carried out after consulting a doctor, using a minimum of medicines.
The main methods of treatment:
compliance with bed rest;
plentiful warm drink (tea with honey, milk with butter, decoction of mint, linden flowers);
rinsing the nose with sea water;
gargling with decoctions of calendula, chamomile, soda solution.
About proper nutrition
A balanced approach to the nutrition of a pregnant woman will help maintain good health, provide the child with all the necessary elements for growth and full development. Amino acids, or protein, are needed for the development of new cells. It can be provided by a sufficient amount of meat, fish, eggs, cottage cheese in the diet of a pregnant woman.
Dairy products, which also include calcium and vitamins, have the same properties. With toxicosis, lactic acid products are very useful, which are well tolerated without causing nausea.
An additional remedy for stopping the symptoms of toxicosis is a sufficient amount of liquid to drink:
Fruit drink from berries;
Water with lemon juice;
Rosehip tea prepared in a thermos.
For the prevention of constipation, replenishment of vitamins and trace elements in the diet include plums, apples, apricots, dried apricots, bananas, cabbage, apples.
You should not eat foods that cause gas formation – bean dishes, yeast bread, fresh pastries. Strong tea and coffee excite the nervous system unnecessarily, so you should not abuse these drinks.
Intimate Relationships
Sexual relations are not prohibited during the normal course of pregnancy. On the contrary, if there is sexual desire, intimate relationships help a woman to realize her sensuality.
Possible contraindications:
Multiple pregnancy;
Risk of miscarriage.
It is important to exercise reasonable care, to avoid overly active sex. If you experience pain or pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
A reasonable attitude to nutrition, lifestyle, to new sensations from pregnancy, feasible gymnastics, saturation of the diet with vitamins will help to get only positive emotions from pregnancy.
Video about physical education at 8 weeks pregnant: