8 weeks pregnant
The news of a pregnancy brings a whirlwind of emotions and changes to the woman. Knowing that it has been 8 weeks since a beautiful baby has been developing at a fast and steady pace within you is truly amazing.
Even though he is still very small, the baby is already making a real revolution in his body and in his life, which are already adapting to this novelty for approximately 3 months. But don’t worry, you’ll be fine.
To make this week a little more peaceful, keep reading and find out how your baby should be and what is likely to be happening to you. It is important to remember that each pregnancy is unique and not all women have the same symptoms, some go through all 40 weeks without any symptoms, for example.
Baby development
Your baby measures between 14 and 20 mm and is in full development, which will happen until the 20th week. The tail that existed disappears and the embryo officially becomes a fetus.
The arms have grown and already bend at the wrists. The fingers and toes are formed, although they are still connected. Upper lip, eyelids and the tip of the nose are formed.
The heart beats about twice the mother’s rhythm, at 170 beats per minute, which is absolutely normal. You still won’t feel it due to the small size, but your baby is already moving in the womb.
The teeth will only grow a few months after birth, however the dental buds are already formed. The skeleton starts to harden and it starts to have joints.
The formation of sex begins, the development of ovaries if it is a girl and the testicles for boys. Ultrasound is not yet possible to identify, but if you can’t wait any longer, there are other tests to find out.
What happens to mom
If you haven’t already, it is very likely that no one will realize that you are pregnant. Some curves of your body may even have changed a little and you will notice that certain clothes are tight, but if this is your first pregnancy, the belly continues without changes.
Sickness should be uncomfortable for a few more weeks, or it may not have happened at all, which for some women is completely normal without this being a problem in pregnancy. If you feel sick, it is best to eat 6 small meals a day and have some crackers close by in the morning.
Your breasts are bigger and more painful. Blood flow increases, preparing for future breastfeeding. A bra with greater support and without many irons is indicated to assist in this phase.
The hair is shinier and the skin may be more oily and with more pimples. Smears appear on the face, called melasma, which should disappear in the 3rd trimester or after delivery.
Tiredness and fatigue are normal in pregnancy, after all your body is working at a double pace. Do not refrain from resting whenever you can, preferably put your feet up to prevent the increase in varicose veins.
Feelings will be on edge and very confused. One hour you are crying, the other you are irritated. It’s the high levels of hormones that speak for you. Try to take a deep breath and try to calm down, it is not good for you, or for the baby, to be very stressed.
Care that should be taken at this stage
Start prenatal care as urgently as possible with the obstetrician of your choice, if you have just learned that you are pregnant, they will request a list of tests to see if everything is going well with you and the baby.
A first ultrasound may be ordered to see if everything is going well with the baby’s formation and if it is correctly positioned in the uterus and also to check if there is only one or more, that is, if it is a twin pregnancy.
Avoid using hair dye and cosmetic products that can harm your baby. Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and excess caffeine need to be stopped during pregnancy. Remember that it is your baby’s health that is at stake.
To help against the formation of melasma, use sunscreen whenever you are exposed to the sun and abuse moisturizing creams to prevent the appearance of stretch marks.
Consult your health plan to find out about shortages and childbirth assistance. If you do not have a health plan, check with health centers for assistance.
Fetal sex examination
The baby’s sex can be seen between the 22nd and 30th weeks, but mothers who do not want to wait until then can have a fetal sex test to see if they are expecting a boy or a girl.
The test is done based on an analysis of the fetal DNA present in the maternal plasma, detecting whether or not the presence of the Y chromosome is present. The test is non-invasive, requiring only a sample of the mother’s blood and has up to 96% chances hit.
The exam is not done in the public network and is not covered by health plans, costing between R$ 300 to R$ 700.
