Pregnancy Week 8

Written by Lone Parenting Advisor

Pregnancy week 8 is where the embryo is now referred to as a foetus, this means "Young one" in Latin.

The sensations that you are feeling become more intense and most women are certain about their pregnancy by this stage.

As the uterus expands to cope with the new foetus your figure and shape will also undergo changes that will become noticeable as the trimester carries on. larger breasts are to be expected so ensure that you replace your bras with new sizes to accommodate these changes. A certainty is that your waistline will also expand and maternity sizes are a better option than trying to squeeze into existing clothing.

You may want to consider your intake of fluids at this stage of your pregnancy because the foetus will be in need of fluoride, calcium and phosphorus in order to develop healthy teeth and bones. eight glasses of fluoridated water is the recommended intake that you should consume daily.

Foetal Development

The foetus has grown again by another 5mm this week making a measurement of 1.5cm in length.

The head is now taking more shape and has become more rounded in appearance and reduced in size now about 25% of the entire body size. The facial features are looking more human like and vivid with more definition to the mouth, cheeks, lips and chin. The nasal passage is in early development meaning that the foetus can create a nose tip. Eyelids are developing and will cover over the eyes, but will remained sealed in position until about pregnancy week 24. Primitive taste buds are developing on the growing tongue.

The intricate details of the inner and outer ear are forming and the development of the middle ear is still ongoing. this will eventually provide the foetus with balance and hearing, although this will not be completed until around pregnancy week 19 to week 24 and hearing will not be possible until then. The tissue paper thin skin has developed more, but is still translucent revealing blood vessels that are co-ordinated throughout the body of the foetus.

The tadpole like embryonic tail has now completely disappeared as the trunk has straightened and the muscles and organs are beginning to function well.

The foetus begins creation of the skeleton during this stage of pregnancy and the process begins to give more definition and extension to the arm and legs. The limbs become slightly bet and stretch out in front of the body of the foetus. The hands have lost the webbed like appearance due to the separation of the individual fingers and is now able to bend at the wrist. The feet also began to form the toes, but unlike the hands and fingers the toe digits are still very much in resemblance to being webbed.

Ultrasound

The crown to rump length of the foetus is about 1.5cm to 1.7cm at week 8 of pregnancy.