8weeks
pregnant

Highlights this week

Your baby's hands and feet are beginning to take shape and her tail is almost gone.

Bra feeling snug? It's not too soon to upgrade to a maternity bra.

Should you be drinking more water now you're pregnant?

Baby development at 8 weeks

The tiny tail is disappearing and so many changes have taken place that your baby has changed from an embryo and is now officially a fetus. This is the critical stage when your baby's organs are forming. Read more information on your baby's development this week

The baby is now constantly moving and shifting, though you won't be able to feel anything for several weeks. The arms have grown and the hands are now flexed at the wrists and meet over the heart. The legs are lengthening and the feet may be long enough to meet in front of the body. It's still almost impossible to tell whether you're going to have a boy or a girl - although reading old wives' tales for predicting your baby's sex can be fun.

The outer ear takes shape, and internal parts are forming too
The eyes become darker as new, pigmented cells are formed
The legs and toes develop more slowly than the arms and hands

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Your baby is the size of a kidney bean

length

1.6

head to bottom

weight

How your life's changing

Though you're unlikely to have gained much weight, parts of you are certainly growing, like your breasts. Less obvious is the increase in your blood volume but by the end of pregnancy, you'll have 45 to 50 per cent more blood running through your veins to meet the demands of your baby. The extra demands on your circulation can make you prone to varicose veins and piles - read our self-help suggestions to help prevent problems developing.

What are your holiday plans? Being pregnant may affect your choice of destination. You need to think about insurance, how you're going to travel and vaccinations before you decide where to take your holiday. If you have morning sickness, you may be worried that it will make you travel sick or get worse at high altitudes or temperatures. Help is at hand - follow our top tips for pregnant travellers to help plan a safe, relaxing and happy holiday.

Find out whether other BabyCenter mums are getting a baby bump at 6 to 9 weeks of pregnancy.

Your breasts are growing, and you may need a more supportive bra
Your baby is moving but you can't feel it yet

Parent tip: Turning the Day Round

"I found it really tiring going to work by bus and train so my husband gave me a lift very early. He'd drop me off at 7.30 so I went swimming and had breakfast before I started work and made sure I had plenty of early nights. I felt brilliant." -- A.V.

Things to consider

A balanced, healthy diet will give your baby all the nutrients your baby needs to grow. The bad news is that you may not feel like eating it. Don't worry - your morning sickness will soon pass. In the mean time you could try taking vitamin B6 to get some relief.

Have you chosen your caregiver yet? Find out more about homebirth.

The surge in the hormone relaxin may mean you need to alter your diet to cope with constipation.

Try to increase your calcium levels. Tired of milk? Try calcium-fortified orange juice or low-fat cheese.

Do you like essential oils in your bath? How to make sure they are safe to use in pregnancy.

If you're feeling very sick or tired, you won't feel much like socialising. Try to reschedule or get plenty of rest if there are any major celebrations coming up.

Polly Logan-Banks

Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a keen interest in producing evidence-based content. Polly is passionate about ensuring that every child gets the best start in life.

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