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8 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby, Your Body and What to Do
Fingers and toes are forming, and your baby is already making tiny movements.
Before you use this guide: Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period. Sizes are rough averages, and healthy babies vary. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor or midwife.
How your baby is growing
Your baby is about the size of a raspberry. Fingers and toes are beginning to separate, the eyelids and ears are taking shape, and the upper lip and nose are forming.
Muscles are developing, and your baby is already making small movements, though you will not feel them for many weeks. The lungs, kidneys and intestines continue to develop.
How you may be feeling
Nausea and tiredness may be strongest around weeks 8 to 10. You may have headaches, feel dizzy when standing quickly, and notice sore breasts with darker nipples. Your clothes may feel tighter because of bloating, even though your womb is still tucked behind the pelvic bone.
Your to-do list for week 8
- Stand up slowly to avoid dizziness, and eat regularly to keep blood sugar steady.
- Ask your doctor or midwife about early blood tests, such as blood group and anaemia checks, and when your booking appointment will be.
- If you come into contact with someone who has chickenpox, rubella or a new rash, contact your doctor.
- Use mild, fragrance-free skincare if your skin is sensitive.
When to ask for help
Contact your doctor or midwife straight away for heavy bleeding, passing tissue, or severe cramping. Many healthy pregnancies include light spotting, but it is always right to ask.
For heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache with vision changes, or a baby who is moving less than usual, do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Our guide to pregnancy warning signs has more detail.
Not sure which week you are in? Use the due-date calculator to estimate your due date and current week.
Useful at this stage: conception date calculator.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- NHS: Pregnancy — Pregnancy care, common symptoms, screening and complications.
- NHS: Week-by-week pregnancy guide — Pregnancy development and care by week.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.