Week 8: All Basic Organs Formed

An incredible amount is happening inside you this week. All the basic organs are now established, and the baby is starting to look more and more like a tiny human. The embryo measures around 1.6 cm — about the size of a raspberry — and weighs only a few grams.

You are well into the first trimester, and your body is working hard to support this rapid development. For many, this is the week of the first prenatal appointment with a doctor or midwife.

The first prenatal appointment is recommended between weeks 8 and 12. This is an important visit where blood tests are taken, your health history is reviewed, and a care plan is made going forward.

Baby's Development

All main organs formed: The heart, brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys are all in place and continue to mature through the rest of pregnancy
Fingers separating: The tiny fingers begin to separate, and the webbing between them gradually disappears. Soon each finger will be fully distinct
Eyes developing: Eyelids form and begin to fuse together to protect the developing eyes. They will not open again until around week 26
Face forming: The tip of the nose, the upper lip, and the ears are beginning to take shape. The baby is slowly starting to look like a tiny person
Heart beats fast: The tiny heart now beats at about 150–170 beats per minute, almost double the rate of your own
First movements: The baby makes its very first movements — small, uncoordinated jerks too faint for you to feel yet
Size: The embryo is about 1.4–2 cm long (crown to rump) and weighs about 1 gram
Intestinal development: The intestines are so long that they temporarily protrude into the umbilical cord — they will retract back into the abdomen around week 12

Organ Development in Detail

All the major organs are now established, but they are far from finished. The heart already has four chambers and pumps blood through a primitive blood vessel system. The lungs have begun to branch, but contain no air yet. The kidneys are already producing small amounts of urine that go into the amniotic fluid. The intestines are so long that they temporarily protrude into the umbilical cord — they will retract back into the abdomen around week 12.

The skeleton is still cartilage, but the outlines of arms, legs, and fingers are already visible. The skin is transparent and so thin that blood vessels are visible. The nervous system is developing rapidly, and the first nerve pathways between the brain and body are forming now.

Your Body

Nausea at its peak: Many find that pregnancy nausea is at its worst around week 8. This is caused by rising hCG levels and is actually a sign the pregnancy is developing normally
Frequent urination: The growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder, so you may need to urinate more often than usual. This usually improves in the second trimester
Extreme fatigue: The body is using enormous energy for the baby's development. It is completely normal to feel exhausted even after a good night's sleep
Uterus grows: The uterus is now about the size of an orange. It is still hidden inside the pelvis, so the bump is not visible yet
Breasts are tender: The breasts may feel heavy and tender. The nipples may be darker, and your bra may feel tighter
Mood swings: Hormonal changes can make emotions unstable. It is completely normal to swing between joy, worry, and irritability
Heightened sense of smell: Strong smells can trigger nausea. Some pregnant people react to perfume, cooking smells, or even their partner

Nausea and Pregnancy Sickness

Pregnancy nausea is one of the most common complaints in the first trimester, affecting up to 80 percent of pregnant people. Nausea is generally harmless and a sign of normally rising hormone levels. It is often worst between weeks 6 and 12, and improves for most people after weeks 14–16.

If nausea is so severe that you cannot keep food or fluids down, this may be hyperemesis gravidarum. This condition affects 1–3 percent of pregnant people and requires medical treatment. Contact your doctor if you are vomiting everything you drink for more than 24 hours, or you notice signs of dehydration such as dark urine, dizziness, or infrequent urination.

Good to Know

Even though nausea can make eating difficult, it is important to try to get some nutrition in. Small, frequent meals are often easier to keep down than large portions. Dry crackers or crispbread by the bed can help with morning sickness.

Folic acid is still very important at this stage. According to WHO and ACOG, 400 micrograms of folic acid daily is recommended throughout the entire first trimester. Folic acid protects against neural tube defects and is found naturally in dark green vegetables, citrus fruits, and legumes. Supplements are absolutely valuable even now if you have not started yet.

Drink enough water, even if it means more trips to the bathroom. Dehydration can intensify nausea and fatigue. Try to drink at least 1.5 liters of water daily, spread throughout the day.

If nausea is very troublesome, there are safe medications you can use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or midwife about the options. Certain antihistamines such as doxylamine are considered safe and often effective.

First Prenatal Appointment

All pregnant people have the right to prenatal care through their healthcare system. The first appointment is usually between weeks 8 and 12, and you can choose whether you want to be seen by a doctor, a midwife, or both.

What Happens at the Appointment?

Health card: You receive a pregnancy health record that follows you throughout. Bring it to all appointments
Blood tests: Blood type, Rh factor, hemoglobin, hepatitis B, HIV test, rubella antibodies, and syphilis
Urine sample: Checks for protein, glucose, and bacteria
Blood pressure: Baseline measurement used as a reference going forward
Weight and height: BMI is calculated to tailor care
Health history: Review of previous illnesses, surgeries, medications, and family conditions
Lifestyle factors: Discussion about diet, exercise, tobacco, and alcohol

Prenatal Screening

You will receive information about optional screening tests:

NIPT (blood test): Can be done from week 10. Checks for trisomies 13, 18, and 21 (Down syndrome). This test is voluntary and available in many healthcare systems
Combined screening (nuchal translucency + blood test): Done between weeks 11 and 14. Measures nuchal translucency and is combined with blood tests
Anatomy scan: Between weeks 18 and 20, where the baby's organs are examined in detail

Prenatal Schedule Going Forward

First-time parents are typically offered around 8–12 prenatal appointments. The schedule is designed to align with important milestones in the baby's development.

Use the due date calculator to calculate your due date and keep track of important appointments.

Diet in Week 8

Foods That Can Help With Nausea

Dry crackers, crispbread, or toast
Ginger tea or ginger biscuits
Cold dishes (smell less than hot food)
Citrus fruit and lemon water
Salty snacks such as popcorn or pretzels
Ice lollies or frozen berries

Key Nutrients

Folic acid (400 mcg/day): Still critical for neural tube development. Supplements recommended through the entire first trimester
Iron: Blood volume is already increasing. Lean meat, beans, and dark greens are good sources
Vitamin D (10–15 mcg/day): Recommended throughout pregnancy — especially important with limited sun exposure
Iodine: Important for the baby's brain development. Found in dairy, fish, and iodized salt
Omega-3 (DHA): Important for brain development. Aim for fish 2–3 times per week

Foods to Avoid

During pregnancy, avoid the following:

Raw fish (sushi with raw fish), refrigerated smoked salmon and cured fish (risk of listeria)
Unpasteurized dairy and soft cheeses such as brie and camembert
Liver pâté in large amounts (vitamin A content) — normal amounts as a spread are fine
Alcohol — WHO and CDC recommend zero alcohol in pregnancy
Caffeine should be limited to 200 mg per day (about one cup of filtered coffee)
Certain fish high in mercury (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, large quantities of tuna)

Meal Tips for Nausea

Nausea often makes normal eating difficult. Try these strategies:

Eat something small before getting out of bed in the morning (keep crackers by the bed)
Eat small meals every 2–3 hours instead of three large ones
Avoid an empty stomach — low blood sugar intensifies nausea
Choose foods you can tolerate and do not force yourself to eat "healthily" if it triggers nausea
Cold dishes smell less and are often easier to tolerate
Drink between meals, not with food

Exercise in Week 8

Major health bodies recommend pregnant people to be physically active for at least 150 minutes per week at moderate intensity. Exercise is safe and beneficial throughout pregnancy, unless your doctor has advised otherwise.

Good Activities in the First Trimester

Walking: Low-threshold and adaptable to how you feel. Fresh air can also help with nausea
Swimming: Gentle on the joints and gives a good workout without strain
Prenatal yoga: Strengthens the body and promotes relaxation. Avoid positions that put pressure on the abdomen
Pelvic floor exercises: Start early — the pelvic floor is under load throughout pregnancy
Light strength training: With lighter weights and focus on technique

Exercise to Avoid

Contact sports (football, basketball, martial arts)
Activities with a high risk of falling (skiing, climbing, horse riding)
Scuba diving
Exercising in intense heat (hot yoga, sauna)
Heavy lifting and exercises that create pressure in the abdomen

If Nausea Makes Exercise Difficult

Many struggle to exercise in the first trimester due to nausea and fatigue. It is completely fine to reduce intensity or take breaks. Even 10-minute walks count. Listen to your body and be kind to yourself — you can increase activity again when nausea eases.

Mental Wellbeing

The first trimester can be an emotional rollercoaster. Hormones, nausea, fatigue, and uncertainty can all affect mood. Looking after your mental health during pregnancy matters.

Tips for Mental Wellbeing

Talk to someone: Share thoughts and worries with your partner, a friend, or your midwife
Accept your feelings: It is normal to feel both joy and worry — often at the same time
Get enough rest: Sleep deprivation intensifies negative thoughts
Reduce stress: Say no to unnecessary commitments
Maintain social contact: Social support is important for wellbeing

When to Seek Help

Talk to your midwife or doctor if you:

Feel persistently sad or low for several weeks
Have lost interest in things you usually enjoy
Experience severe anxiety affecting daily life
Have thoughts of harming yourself
Have difficulty sleeping for a prolonged period

Depression during pregnancy is more common than many think, and there is effective help available. Do not wait until after the birth to seek support.

Workplace Rights in Pregnancy

In most countries, pregnant employees have legal rights including:

Adaptation of work tasks if needed
Time off for prenatal appointments without loss of pay
Protection against dismissal due to pregnancy
Reassignment if the work environment poses a risk

If you have a physically demanding job, work with chemicals, radiation, or heavy lifting, it may be a good idea to inform your employer early so adjustments can be made.

For Your Partner

Be patient with mood swings and fatigue. Offer to cook or shop, especially when nausea is bad
Attend the first prenatal appointment. It is good to plan this together and ask questions together
Read up on pregnancy via the pregnancy timeline. The more you understand what is happening, the easier it is to be supportive
Help with practical things like housework and grocery shopping — your partner needs extra rest right now
Be prepared that cooking smells may be overwhelming — you may become the main cook for a while

Tips for Week 8

Book your prenatal appointment: If you have not done so, schedule an appointment with your doctor or midwife for the first check-up
Always have a snack available: Dry foods like crackers, nuts, or fruit can ease nausea throughout the day
Rest when you can: Go to bed early and take breaks. Your body needs extra rest right now
Keep taking folic acid: Make sure you take your folic acid supplement daily. It is the most important supplement in the first trimester
Start pelvic floor exercises: It is never too early to train the pelvic floor — it is under load throughout pregnancy
Follow the timeline: Keep track of the baby's development week by week in the pregnancy timeline

When to Contact a Doctor

Contact your doctor or midwife if you experience:

Heavy bleeding (more than light spotting)
Severe abdominal pain or cramps, especially on one side (may indicate ectopic pregnancy)
Nausea so severe you cannot keep fluids down for more than 24 hours (hyperemesis gravidarum)
Fever over 38°C (100.4°F)
Pain when urinating (urinary tract infection)

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a serious form of pregnancy nausea affecting 1–3 percent of pregnant people. It is characterized by persistent vomiting leading to weight loss and dehydration, and requires medical treatment. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you suspect this.

Ectopic pregnancy (outside the uterus) is rare but serious. Seek emergency care if you have one-sided abdominal pain combined with bleeding or dizziness in early pregnancy.

Miscarriage — What You Should Know

The risk of miscarriage is highest in the first trimester, and many pregnant people worry about this. According to WHO and ACOG, miscarriage occurs in approximately 10–15 percent of known pregnancies, and most happen before week 12.

Common Causes

Most miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo that are incompatible with life. There is nothing you did wrong, and it is rarely something you could have prevented.

Signs to Be Aware Of

Bleeding from the vagina (from light spotting to heavy bleeding)
Cramping in the lower abdomen
Loss of pregnancy symptoms

Light spotting is common in the first trimester and does not necessarily mean something is wrong. But contact your doctor if you experience bleeding, so it can be investigated.

After Week 12

After week 12, the risk of miscarriage drops significantly. For many, this is a milestone that brings reassurance and relief.

Did You Know?

Your baby has grown from a single cell to over a billion cells in just 8 weeks — one of the most explosive growth periods in all of human life!
The baby's heart beats at about 150–170 beats per minute, almost double the rate of your own heart. On ultrasound, you can actually see and hear this tiny beating heart
In week 8, the baby begins to move for the very first time, but it is far too small for you to feel anything yet. The first movements are small, uncoordinated jerks
The eyelids that are forming now will fuse together and keep the eyes closed until around week 26. This protects the developing eyes while the retina matures
All pregnant people have the right to prenatal care through their healthcare system, including appointments, blood tests, and ultrasound scans

Frequently Asked Questions About Week 8

Is it normal to not feel pregnant yet?

Yes, completely normal! Many people notice little in the beginning, and symptoms vary greatly from person to person. Some get nausea and fatigue early, while others notice nothing special until weeks 10–12. Absence of symptoms does not mean something is wrong with the pregnancy.

Can nausea harm the baby?

Normal morning sickness does not harm the baby. The baby gets the nutrients it needs even if you vomit occasionally. Nausea only becomes a problem if you cannot keep fluids down for more than 24 hours, or if you are losing significant weight. In such cases, contact your doctor for help.

Should I tell my employer now?

You are not required to tell your employer until you choose to. Many wait until after week 12, when the risk of miscarriage is lower. But if you have a physically demanding job, work with chemicals or heavy lifting, or need adjustments because of nausea, it can be wise to inform your employer earlier. Pregnant employees have legal rights to reasonable adjustments in most countries.

Is it safe to dye my hair during pregnancy?

Research suggests that hair dyeing is safe in pregnancy, particularly after the first trimester. Many choose to wait until after week 12 as an extra precaution, and to choose ammonia-free products. Ensure good ventilation and wear gloves when applying.

What is NIPT and should I have it?

NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) is a blood test that can be taken from week 10. It analyzes fragments of the baby's DNA found in your blood and can with over 99 percent accuracy detect trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13. The test is voluntary, and you will receive information and counseling from your midwife or doctor before deciding.

How much should I drink during pregnancy?

Aim to drink at least 1.5–2 liters of water daily during pregnancy, but needs can be higher with nausea, vomiting, or physical activity. Water, milk, and unsweetened tea are good choices. Limit caffeinated drinks to a maximum of 200 mg of caffeine per day, which is approximately one cup of filtered coffee or two cups of black tea.

How often should I have prenatal appointments?

First-time parents are typically offered around 8–12 prenatal appointments through the pregnancy. The frequency increases as pregnancy progresses. In the first and second trimesters, appointments are typically every 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks from around week 28, and weekly from around week 36. The schedule is tailored to your individual needs.

Next week: The baby officially transitions from embryo to fetus, and all vital organs are in place!