Welcome to week eight!
This week your baby will start to move inside your uterus in the amniotic fluid that your body has produced.
Lungs and the nervous system continue to develop, and your baby is about the size of a kidney bean now. Your first trimester hormones are peaking and symptoms like nausea, fatigue and breast tenderness along with some mild cramping are common. If you have an appointment with your provider, you will have very important labs drawn. Somewhere between now and the next 2 weeks is the best time to date your pregnancy by ultrasound and you may have your first real peak at your baby’s temporary home if you do. The pregnancy feels very real for many women by now and the hormonal changes may also be affecting your moods in unexpected ways.
Your first trimester hormones are peaking and symptoms like nausea, fatigue and breast tenderness along with some mild cramping are common.
How my Baby Grows
- The webbed hands and feet are starting to develop tiny fingers and toes as the limbs grow longer
- Your baby is about an inch long and the umbilical cord is visible
- Tiny eyelids are covering the eyes
- He/she looks more like a tiny human this week
- There is even the hint of a little nose
Symptoms Mama may Feel or Experience
- Because some of the hormones of pregnancy are peaking at week eight, your nausea may get worse this week and remain for the next 4-6 weeks or longer but there are lots of things to try that usually help
- Check with your provider or try some of the natural remedies listed below
- Ginger works for many women in the form of tea, ginger ale or ginger lozenges
- Many women have success with sea bands that they wear on their wrists
- A drop of peppermint essential oil can be placed on the palm of your hand and rubbed together before cupping your hands and taking in a deep inhale, you can carry this with you and use it anytime you need to
- Health stores or pharmacies will have various options for you to try
- If you do have trouble with persistent nausea and vomiting, it is important that your provider is aware of this
- You may need to be seen in the office or emergency department to have intravenous (IV) fluids administered
- You may also need to let your dentist know If you have had significant morning sickness with vomiting because the acidity of your mouth will be increased, and this can eat away at the outer layer of your teeth
- Because of these pregnancy related changes, your dentist may recommend that you have cleanings more often during the pregnancy
- Breast tenderness may improve if you purchase new bras that are slightly larger than the ones you had before pregnancy
- The fatigue may be manageable now that you have learned to pace yourself
- Headaches usually respond to acetaminophen, hydration, rest in a dark quiet room, warm or cold compresses
- Frequent urination is a problem during the night and in early pregnancy before the pregnancy moves off the bladder and into the abdominal cavity around 20-24 weeks
- You should not limit water because of the frequent urination as hydration is extremely important
- You might consider limiting bladder irritants like carbonated beverages, antihistamines, tomatoes or caffeine if they seem to worsen the symptoms
- Because of the hormone relaxin that is produced during pregnancy, your ligaments are loose and do not offer you the same support as when you are not pregnant
- Relaxin is highest during the first trimester and because of this it is easy to fall or injure yourself, you may need to be more careful than usual
- At birth, relaxin will help relax the pelvis and allow the baby to move down the birth canal
Thoughts to Consider
- Do you enjoy a good massage, you can still get them during pregnancy as long as you have a therapist trained to do pregnancy massage
- Massages may help with muscle and ligament discomfort, stress and tension headaches
- You should not lie flat on your back for a massage, the therapist should use a pillow or rolled blanket to place under one hip during the massage
- This is a good time to read up on the benefits of breastfeeding and consider offering that to your baby
- There are life-long benefits like improved immunity from viruses and a reduced risk of diabetes and obesity later in life
- The World Health Organization and your pediatrician encourage all new moms to breastfeed for a minimum of six months, but any amount of time will provide some health benefits to your baby
- There are also benefits of breastfeeding for you like weight loss after birth, bonding with your little one due to the skin-to-skin contact, and a significant cost savings from not purchasing formula
- Check out your resources
- Does the hospital, birth center or pediatrician have a lactation consultant for you to meet with before and after you have your baby
- Does your community have a breastfeeding mother’s group
- What supplies will you need like a breast pump, breast pads or creams
Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
- Don’t forget to make that dentist appointment if it is due or you are having tooth pain or bleeding of the gums
- Hopefully you have found a type of exercise that you enjoy because movement will help you with stress, balance, mental health and labor
- Continue to limit caffeine, cut out alcohol and tobacco, and all medications that have not been approved by your doctor or midwife
- Have a colorful diet, full of fresh fruits and veggies of all varieties
- Practice good sleep habits and carry that drinking water with you everywhere
