Parents, waiting for their baby, want to know about everything that happens to their baby from the very first weeks of pregnancy. This is a fascinating process that allows you to develop the most complex creature of evolution - man. What happens to the baby and his mother at 8 weeks of gestation will be discussed in detail below.
general characteristics
At 8 weeks of pregnancy (the embryo is shown in the photo below), the expectant mother may already be registered with the gynecologist. In the antenatal clinic, the doctor will conduct important examinations and issue a referral for the necessary tests (blood and urine). A medical specialist examines a gynecological chair. A smear is taken and the condition of the cervix is evaluated. Then he measures the woman's pelvis, her weight.
Ultrasound at this time is carried out only if the woman has not yet had time to undergo an examination earlier. This is a completely safe procedure for the baby and mom. However, in this case, no other examination can be compared with its information content.
A woman at this time may feel unwell. Toxicosis may increase. Periodic minor pains, heaviness in the lower abdomen may also appear. These are early training fights. The muscles that hold the uterus are also stretched. If the pain is severe, prolonged, you need to urgently consult a doctor.
What happens at 8 weeks gestation? The baby at this time already corresponds to the size of the grape. He is actively developing. Important organs and systems continue to form in him. He eats through the placenta. Therefore, mom needs to carefully monitor her diet. She must provide her baby with everything necessary for normal growth, proper development of organs, systems. You also need to monitor your emotional state. Extra worries, stresses are now useless.
Feelings of a future mother
The 8th obstetric week of pregnancy is marked by a mass of changes both in the woman’s body and in the development of the fetus. This period completes the second month of pregnancy. Now the symptoms that most often accompany pregnancy manifest themselves much more clearly. In addition to delayed menstruation, the expectant mother can feel swelling, an increase in the mammary glands. The ducts in them increase, preparing for the production of milk.
Frequent mood swings, drowsiness and fatigue are also frequent companions of the 8th obstetric week of pregnancy. In some cases, a woman is followed by insomnia. Eating habits can change a lot. These are the first signs of toxicosis. It also manifests itself as vomiting or just nausea. Pungent odors can be annoying, and certain foods disgust. If you want unnatural products, for example, attract chemical odors, you want to eat chalk or even earth, this indicates a serious lack of vitamins and minerals. A woman should consult a gynecologist to prescribe an appropriate balanced complex of vitamins. Have to rethink your diet. It must be balanced.
Hormonal changes in the body of a woman causes discomfort. The level of hCG (the hormone that secretes the fetus) is constantly increasing. It stimulates the production of progesterone (a hormone supporting pregnancy). It is this hormone that tunes the body for weight gain. It relaxes the muscles of the intestines, bladder. Because of this, constipation may occur. Urination becomes frequent. The woman’s waist can increase, but this is not due to the growth of the uterus, but with the accumulation of gases in the intestine due to an increase in the body's progesterone.
Physical changes in a woman’s body
What happens to mom at 8 weeks of gestation? The fetus begins to develop genitals and hormones. This leads to sharp changes in the hormonal background in women. It looks like a real storm. In the body of a woman at this time, male hormones may appear. This does not affect the gender of the child. Of the cholesterol that is present in the mother's body, gestagens appear. These substances contribute to the preservation of pregnancy. Estrogens and androgens (female and male hormones) also appear from cholesterol.
All of these substances enter the mother’s blood at the same time. Because of this, nausea, other symptoms of toxicosis can increase. Due to androgens, some mothers have acne on their faces. Light hairs on the body (mainly above the upper lip) may also darken slightly. Sometimes hair loss may occur. These are temporary phenomena that will pass over time themselves. You don’t have to worry about it.
If the darkening of the hairs has become noticeable, you can get rid of them with a razor. Do not use chemicals for hair removal. This can adversely affect the health of the baby. Also, do not resort to procedures for tearing hair with a root (depilation, shugaring). Pain sensations also adversely affect the condition of the fetus. If the sensitivity of the skin is low, you can apply these methods. The use of radiation to remove vegetation is strictly prohibited.
The fetus at this time increasingly needs calcium. He has a bony system. Therefore, more and more of this mineral is removed from the venous vessels of a woman. Its stocks need to be constantly renewed. Otherwise, varicose veins may appear. Also, a lack of calcium will affect the health of teeth, nails of a pregnant woman. It is very important to supplement the diet with necessary products during this period.
Changes in the baby's body
The kid is now actively developing. He has grown a little. It is clearly visible on an ultrasound scan. A photo of the fetus at 8 weeks of gestation can be seen further. This is a very important period in the development of his body. During this period, a heart with four cameras begins to form. Blood is divided into venous and arterial.
Also at this time, the baby already has one kidney. This is the embryo of two systems (urinary and reproductive), which will develop later. They will form the genitals of the baby, depending on the chromosome set laid in the fusion of two parent cells. In the adrenal cortex, hormones (male or female) will be produced that will stimulate this process.
If the parents have a girl, then ovaries will form at this time. It is during this period that a reserve of follicles will be laid in their cortex, from which eggs will form in many years. In the process of intrauterine development, the number of reserve germ cells in the ovaries of the girl is about 7 million. By the time of her birth, all defective cells die. They remain about 1 million. By the time the first menstruation begins, only about 300 thousand eggs remain in the female body.
And what happens at 8 weeks of gestation with a male baby? During this period, the boy begins to produce testosterone. Testicles also begin to develop.
During this period, the baby's skin begins to be sensitive, since tactile and temperature receptors are already working. Still a very tiny creature in my mother’s tummy can feel itself and the surroundings. The growth of the fetus at this time increases sharply. Now its length is 15-20 mm. Weight, compared with last week, increases 3 times. Now the baby weighs 3 g.
Uterus and stomach
Since the fetus is actively growing at this time, the uterus begins to grow. She's about the size of an average apple. This process may be accompanied by minor discomfort. Do not worry if they are short and not very strong.
The abdomen at the 8th week of pregnancy does not particularly increase. Visually, the “interesting position” of the woman is not yet noticeable. However, fluctuations in weight may already be observed. If mom has toxicosis (and it is strong enough), she can lose weight. The necessary actions must be taken to prevent this negative phenomenon. The gynecologist will give some tips to help reduce discomfort. As a rule, toxicosis is associated with hormonal restructuring and a lack of vitamins, trace elements in the body of a woman.
In those women who do not suffer from toxicosis (which is also the norm and indicates the good health of the mother), the weight can increase. However, this is not yet associated with fetal growth, but with exposure to progesterone. The intestines work sluggishly, but I want more. From here comes weight gain. This is a normal process that is needed to maintain a pregnancy. Overeating should not be. This will negatively affect both the mother and the baby.
A gynecologist during the examination will already be able to determine that the uterus has become larger. Now it is round, which corresponds to its normal state at 8 weeks of gestation. Fetal development stimulates uterine growth.
Discharge
Discharge at 8 weeks of gestation should be whitish or clear. They have a uniform consistency. In this case, the discharge can be quite plentiful, but they should not have an unpleasant odor.
If they become thicker, lumpy, and itching also appears, you need to see a doctor. These are signs of thrush. This disease during pregnancy can appear even in those women who have never had candidiasis. The body's immunity is reduced, it is a natural process that does not allow to reject the fetus. A gynecologist will advise a drug that can be used at this stage of pregnancy. Most drugs are contraindicated right now. Therefore, the choice of medications should be carried out strictly on the advice of a doctor.
If the discharge has become brown or bloody, you need to go to the hospital. This may indicate different deviations in the development of the placenta. However, in most cases, negative consequences can be avoided if timely treatment is started.
You should also consult a doctor if the discharge has acquired a yellowish, greenish tint, an unpleasant odor has appeared. An infection that provokes a similar phenomenon can inhibit fetal development. Therefore, treatment must be carried out in a timely manner. The development of the fetus at 8 weeks of pregnancy largely depends on the state of health of the mother. Therefore, when signs of the disease appear, you need to contact a antenatal clinic.
Analyzes
To determine what happens at 8 weeks of gestation with the mother, the doctor may prescribe a series of tests. This occurs at a time when a woman is registered. After the examination, the doctor will give a standard list of tests and examinations that a woman must undergo.
Be sure to determine the height and weight of the woman. Her body temperature and blood pressure are also measured. After this, you will need to take an analysis for a blood group (including a Rhesus factor), for sugar, HIV, RW, the presence of infections is determined using antigen tests. They also make a coagulogram (blood coagulation). It is necessary to pass a general analysis of urine and bacteriosis.
During the examination, the gynecologist takes the material for cytological examination and the vaginal flora.
In addition to analyzes, you will need to undergo an examination with an ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, endocrinologist, dentist. After that, you need to visit a therapist. In some cases, a consultation with a geneticist, venereologist or other doctors is required if the mother has any chronic or congenital diseases.
The level of hCG in this period reaches 70-80 thousand mIU / ml. Less or more of this hormone is a negative factor.
Ultrasound scan
Some women get an ultrasound as soon as the test shows the treasured two stripes. This allows you to accurately confirm the pregnancy, to see the place where the embryo is in the uterus. It also eliminates the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy or implantation in an inappropriate place (in the abdominal cavity, on the cervix, etc.).
If a woman has not yet had time to undergo an early diagnosis using ultrasound, at 8 weeks of pregnancy she should do it. During this period, the fetus is not only visible, but you can also listen to its heartbeat, it is normally about 150 beats / min. During an ultrasound, the heartbeat may increase by 10-20 beats / min. This is quite normal if mommy is a little nervous. For her, this is a stressful situation. Therefore, the baby reacts to the excitement of his mother.
In some cases, ultrasound shows that the muscles of the uterus are tense. This may be mistaken for hypertonicity. However, such a diagnosis can only be made if there are other symptoms of this condition. If not, no treatment is required.
Factors That Affect Your Baby
At the 8th week of pregnancy, a full-fledged placenta in the fetus has not yet formed, so its protection against external adverse effects is still not good enough. Now all important organs are beginning to form, so any negative impact can be fatal for the crumbs. In order to prevent violations in the development or even death of the embryo, you need to abandon alcohol. Even a small amount of it can destroy part of the fetal cells.
Smoking is also prohibited. It causes oxygen starvation, spasm of blood vessels. This can lead to a miscarriage or inferior development of the baby. Also, most drugs are now banned. They can affect cell division processes. Now this is unacceptable. Antibiotics and anabolic agents are especially dangerous. It is necessary to limit contact with chemicals, radiation (x-ray). You can not be treated with herbs. Many of them can cause a miscarriage.
What can be done?
At 8 weeks of pregnancy, you need to start eating fractionally (especially with toxicosis) healthy foods, reduce the consumption of sweet, fried. It is important to eat fruits and vegetables. A complex of vitamins is added to the diet only if a woman cannot eat the necessary trace elements and vitamins.
At this time, all mothers take folic acid. She is needed for the proper development of the baby. In some cases, you can take iodine (as directed by your doctor).
Intimacy is not prohibited. Only in case of a threat of miscarriage, sexual intercourse should be abandoned at least until the second trimester of pregnancy. Physical activity needs to be reduced. Training should not be intense. Need to walk in the fresh air. You can enroll in the pool.
Having considered the features of the development of the fetus, the state of the mother at 8 weeks of gestation, you can prepare for all the changes in this period. By eliminating adverse factors and improving your lifestyle, you can give your crumbs everything that is needed now.