8-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
About the size of a robin’s egg, your little one measures about 30 mm long. Learn more about this week.
Baby development
Your baby is getting to be quite the human being! Their fingers and toes are fully formed and they are starting to move their limbs on purpose now. Their small intestine is still growing - it will reach 2.85 metres at birth, which is pretty impressive in someone so small, and their genitourinary tract is on its way as well. As for the sex of your baby, although it is already genetically defined, it isn’t visible yet. At the end of the eighth week, baby’s heart and vascular systems will be in place. By the time you get your next ultrasound, the pounding of their heart may now be audible, beating at an impressive rate of 130 - 160 bpm (beats per minute)!
Your body
It’s around week 8 that you may start to notice your figure changing. Some women may lose a little weight while others are already starting to gain some. Pregnancy often shows surprisingly early.
You stand on the scales and see that you have not gained any weight, even though there is a child on the way? Weight gain recommendations assume that during the first trimester women gain only about 0.5 – 2.0 kg. And, if you begin your pregnancy at a healthy weight, there is no need to add any extra calories to your diet during the first trimester. Weight gain recommendations are based on your body height and weight before you became pregnant.
Nutrition
Time to get hydrated! You should be maintaining good hydration while pregnant.
It is an essential component of your blood, of which the volume has increased significantly since the beginning of your pregnancy to ensure you pass on the necessary nutrition for your baby. It is therefore essential to avoid dehydration while maintaining this increased blood volume. Experts recommend limiting the amount of caffeine you drink during pregnancy to no more than 300 mg (2 cups of coffee) per day. Instead, stock your cupboards with a range of tempting caffeine-free options. And, if you’re not yet in the habit of drinking water with meals and throughout the day, now is a good time to start.
Tips
It’s good to know that weight gain varies among women in pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the recommended optimal range of weight gain e for you.
Reference
Sick Kids. About Kids Health. The first trimester: Month three. 2009. The first trimester: Month three (aboutkidshealth.ca) Accessed August 2021.
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