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Your baby's development is continuing at breakneck speed and in this 8th week of pregnancy it is already beginning to take on human characteristics. This week is an excellent time for the first check-up. Your little miracle's heartbeat is now very likely to be visible on the ultrasound - a moment you've probably been looking forward to for a long time. You may well be a little short of breath in week 8. You can find out why this is the case and what other symptoms may occur in part 8 of our pregnancy calendar.
Your baby is around 9 to 16 millimetres in size in the eighth week of pregnancy and it is slowly becoming apparent that this really is a little person. It is floating in the amniotic sac, which is filled with just a few millilitres of amniotic fluid at this early stage of pregnancy. In this intact world, your baby is well protected against noise, pressure and external shocks.
While the shape of the embryo was still very curved in the previous week, the head now stretches and straightens up a little. The little arms and legs also continue to develop. In the 8th week of pregnancy, the tiny fingers and toes begin to develop. These are still connected by delicate "webbed feet", which will disappear again later in the pregnancy. The embryonic tail also disappears again. In the end, only the coccyx will remain. Your baby's face will become more and more human. It now has eyelids, a lower lip and a jaw in which the teeth are already attached.
"Umbilical hernia" - that sounds kind of dangerous, doesn't it? But it's a completely normal process in the development of your baby during pregnancy. The intestine grows so quickly during this week that it no longer has enough room in the embryo's stomach. For this reason, a loop of the intestine passes into the umbilical cord. But as early as the 10th week of pregnancy, this part of the intestine is moved back into the abdominal cavity.
Not only the intestines, but also your baby's other organs are developing rapidly. His little heart now consists of four chambers and beats 150 to 160 times a minute). The liver can be recognised as a bulge between the heart and the umbilical cord. From this week onwards, it takes over the production of red blood cells.
In addition, the nervous system continues to mature. The brain already contains structures such as the cerebellum, the thalamus and the cerebral cortex. Sensory organs such as the eyes and inner tube continue to develop. Isn't it incredible how quickly all these body structures are formed from a single fertilised egg cell?
While your baby is developing at breakneck speed and your body has completely adjusted to being pregnant, you may still feel a little overwhelmed yourself and be constantly overwhelmed by your feelings. Mood swings are common for many women in these first few weeks of pregnancy. Don't worry, these ups and downs are completely normal. What usually helps: talk. Talk to your partner, your mum, your friend, your midwife. Early pregnancy courses are also being offered more and more often. Midwife Katharina accompanies you with the free workshop "Starting your pregnancy" through this exciting first trimester.
Your uterus has now doubled in size and is about the size of a goose egg. As a result, the uterus may already be pressing on your bladder and you may have to go to the toilet more often, not only because of the pregnancy hormones but also because of the pressure from the uterus.
At the same time, the maternal ligaments that support the uterus continue to stretch. This can cause abdominal discomfort and slight pain in week 8. As in the previous week, nausea, vomiting, constipation and tiredness are also typical pregnancy symptoms.
Do you now get out of breath quickly when climbing stairs and feel less powerful during physical exertion? From this week onwards, many women notice a slight shortness of breath. This is because some of the oxygen you inhale is diverted and channelled to your baby. Your baby is not yet able to breathe and is therefore supplied with nutrients and oxygen via the umbilical cord. To ensure this, your blood and respiratory volume will gradually increase over the course of your pregnancy. Don't overexert your body, but make sure you get enough exercise, for example by going for regular walks. This will get your circulation going and fill your lungs with fresh air.
Some pregnant women are downright radiant and are delighted that their skin looks refined and their hair is particularly shiny. Others struggle with skin blemishes due to the hormonal changes. The high oestrogen levels in particular can lead to a changed complexion with spots and blackheads on the face and décolleté. You can alleviate these symptoms through good hygiene and skincare with the right products. It is best to choose organic cosmetics and please consult your doctor if you want to use acne medication. Some of these can be harmful to your unborn baby.
The 8th week of pregnancy is considered the perfect time for a first ultrasound, as the embryo and its heartbeat can now usually be easily recognised. For this reason, if possible, take your partner with you to the gynaecologist's appointment. That way you can experience this exciting moment on your journey to becoming parents together. If it is a high-resolution ultrasound machine, the tiny arms and legs can already be visualised.
Like many pregnant women, you may have your first follow-up appointment with your gynaecologist in this 8th week of pregnancy to confirm the pregnancy. As I said, this is an ideal time, as a lot can already be seen on the ultrasound. Your gynaecologist can determine whether your baby has implanted in the right place (and thus rule out an ectopic pregnancy, for example). They will also use this vaginal ultrasound to check whether your little miracle has developed on time. Before the ultrasound, however, your doctor will probably ask you a few questions, such as whether you have any complaints. You will also give the date of your last period. This is retroactively considered the start of the pregnancy. Your gynaecologist will also ask you about any previous illnesses and diseases in your family as well as any previous pregnancies or miscarriages.
At this appointment you will also be weighed, your blood pressure will be measured and your blood will be drawn. You will also be examined:
You will also provide a urine sample. This will be tested for protein, sugar, chlamydia and other bacteria.
All the results of the medical history and laboratory tests are then recorded in your Maternity passport registered. This booklet should have a permanent place in your handbag during your pregnancy and be your constant companion. It contains all the test results and can provide life-saving information about you and your baby in the event of an emergency.
Is the maternity pass a closed book for you? Then take a look at our workshop "Maternity passport" to. There, midwife Katharina explains what the various entries mean.
Your midwife can also fill out the maternity record. Because many pregnant women don't realise this: With the exception of the three ultrasound examinations, your midwife can take care of all your antenatal care. Like the doctor, she will check the position of your baby's fundus, listen to your heartbeat, check your weight and blood pressure and have your blood and urine analysed. At the same time, she will always have an open ear for your questions and can use her experience to give you the best advice on pregnancy complaints, nutrition and birth preparation, for example.
If you are a healthy pregnant woman, there is no reason why you should not have all your antenatal care (apart from the ultrasound) carried out by your midwife. If she identifies a health problem, she will refer you to a doctor. You also have the option of alternating between going to the gynaecologist and your midwife for your check-ups. Regardless of whether the examinations during pregnancy are carried out by a gynaecologist or a midwife - the health insurance companies will cover the costs.
After your initial examination, pregnancy check-ups take place every four weeks until the 32nd week of pregnancy, then every 14 days. If you have acute symptoms, you can of course also contact your midwife or gynaecologist in between.
Having trouble finding a midwife in your region? Midwife Katharina offers you Individual online support, free of charge Workshops and helpful online courses, for example on Birth preparation, to the Regression or to the Infant care.
Many couples only confide in a few family members and friends at the beginning of the pregnancy and otherwise wait until the end of the first trimester to announce the good news. But when is a good time to inform your employer? There is no legal obligation to announce the news immediately. You can therefore wait until the first twelve weeks of pregnancy if you wish.
However, if you are doing a job that could pose a risk to your unborn baby, you should inform your employer of your pregnancy as soon as possible. This applies, for example, if you have to carry out heavy physical labour or come into contact with chemicals, or if you could contract diseases at work that could endanger your little treasure in your belly. In such cases, you may be banned from working during your pregnancy. Even if you continue to work, the Maternity Protection Act stipulates certain rules, such as a ban on night work, overtime and working at weekends. Your employer is obliged to protect you as a pregnant woman. They can only do this if you tell them about your situation. The sooner you tell them, the better they can take you and your new pregnancy needs into consideration. You have very special protection against dismissal during your pregnancy.
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