Pregnancy Week 8

At 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is growing fast and beginning to look a little more recognisable. By the end of this week, they may measure around 10–15mm from head to bottom - still tiny, but much bigger than just a few weeks ago.

The brain is developing rapidly, including the cerebellum, which will later help coordinate movement. Your baby’s face is also changing, with the jaw, facial muscles and early eye structures continuing to form.

The arms are becoming more defined, and the areas that will become the elbows and wrists can be identified. The hand plates are developing little ridges where the fingers and thumbs will form, giving the hands a slightly scalloped appearance at this stage.

Inside your baby’s body, the liver is growing, the spleen is beginning to develop, and the first tooth buds are starting to form beneath the gums. The lungs and digestive system are also continuing their early development.

The NHS describes your baby at 8 weeks as having tiny arms and legs, with their facial features slowly forming. You may not look pregnant yet, but development is moving quickly behind the scenes. 

At 8 weeks pregnant, symptoms can be quite noticeable. You may feel bloated, tired, sick, emotional, or generally not quite like yourself. Your breasts may feel sore or fuller, and it will probably still be a few more weeks before you start looking pregnant.

You might notice:

Skin changes are common in pregnancy because of shifting hormones. Some people get a clearer complexion, while others suddenly feel as though they have gone back to their teenage skin. Annoying, but very normal.

If morning sickness is bothering you, small practical tweaks may help. Get plenty of rest, avoid foods or smells that trigger nausea, eat small frequent meals, try plain foods such as toast or crackers, and sip fluids little and often.

Even if you are delighted to be pregnant, Week 8 can be hard going. Nausea, tiredness, sore breasts and disrupted sleep can make everyday life feel heavier than usual.

You may feel more irritable, tearful or emotionally sensitive. Hormonal changes can play a part, but so can the pressure of keeping the pregnancy private, worrying about symptoms, waiting for appointments, or trying to carry on as normal when you feel anything but normal.

Try not to judge your feelings too harshly. You can be grateful and fed up. Excited and anxious. Happy about the pregnancy and still desperate for a nap.

If low mood, anxiety or intrusive thoughts are starting to feel persistent or frightening, speak to your GP, midwife or local maternity service. Emotional health is part of pregnancy care, not a side issue.

If you have not already arranged maternity care, this is a good time to contact your GP surgery or self-refer to your local maternity service. Your booking appointment usually happens in the first trimester, and your dating scan is normally offered between around 8 and 14 weeks.

Before your booking appointment:

Do speak to your GP or midwife if nausea and vomiting are severe, you cannot keep fluids down, you are losing weight, or you are worried about dehydration.