Pregnancy Calendar Week 8

Week 8


What's Happening to My Body?

The countdown continues: Eight weeks down, 32 to go. Your baby is now 6 weeks old and measures about 14 millimeters, or a little over half an inch.

By next week, the head will become more rounded and your baby will look a wee bit less like E.T. Eyelids are starting to form. The ears are developing internally and externally. The finger buds are visible and the toe buds will appear at the end of the week. The elbows have appeared, but the arms will not lengthen considerably. The spinal cord is evident, and the vertebrae and ribs are beginning to grow. Muscles and two layers of skin are forming.

Even though your tummy may not be showing yet, your uterus is about as big as a small grapefruit! You may feel some cramping, pain or tightening throughout your pregnancy as your uterus expands. This may be annoying, but it's hard to imagine something going from the size of your finger to a watermelon without a few cramps. Keep in mind that mild cramping is fine as long as the pain isn't severe and/or accompanied by bleeding.

Your breasts are probably still tender and heavy, and your nipples and areolas may be darker.