Week 8 is when many people have their first prenatal visit and ultrasound. Seeing (or hearing) the heartbeat for the first time is a powerful moment. The embryo now looks distinctly human, with recognizable facial features and tiny fingers beginning to separate.
Your Baby This Week
Size: Raspberry (about 16 mm, or 0.6 inches)
- Fingers and toes: Webbed but starting to separate
- Face: Upper lip, nose tip, and eyelids are forming. Ears taking shape on the sides of the head.
- Movement: The embryo is making spontaneous movements, though you cannot feel them yet
- Heart: Beating at around 150 to 170 beats per minute
- Tail: Nearly gone
- Reproductive organs: Beginning to develop internally, though the sex is not visible on ultrasound yet
Next week, the embryo officially graduates to being called a "fetus."
Your Body
- Nausea remains common. For most people, it peaks between weeks 8 and 10.
- Uterus expanding: Now about the size of a large orange, though still not visible from the outside
- Constipation: Progesterone slows gut motility. Fiber and water help.
- Vivid dreams: Hormonal changes and disrupted sleep can make dreams more intense.
You may notice your bra feels tighter. Breasts can grow a full cup size during the first trimester.
What to Do This Week
- Attend your first prenatal visit. This typically includes a health history review, blood work (blood type, Rh factor, iron levels, rubella immunity, STI screening), urine test, and possibly an ultrasound.
- Ask about genetic screening options. Your provider can explain first-trimester screening, NIPT, and what they look for.
- Eat fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to help with constipation.
Common Questions
What will the first ultrasound show?
At 8 weeks, a transvaginal ultrasound typically shows the gestational sac, the embryo, and a flickering heartbeat. Your provider will measure the embryo (crown-rump length) to confirm or adjust your due date.
What if no heartbeat is detected?
In some cases, dates may be off, and the pregnancy is earlier than expected. Your provider may schedule a follow-up ultrasound in one to two weeks. Try not to panic. Inconclusive early ultrasounds are common and often resolve at the next visit.