In week 8 of pregnancy, your pregnancy symptoms will be at their peak and in full swing. You might even notice that your dresses are starting to become tight. There is a lot your body may go through this week. Here are the answers for how your body change during week 8 of pregnancy.
However, the most beautiful thing that will happen during the 8th week is that you might feel the heartbeat of your little one for the first time. It will fade away all the discomforts. Meanwhile, you need to keep sending balanced nutrition for the little one to grow well.
How Does Your Body Change During Week 8 of Pregnancy?
By the eighth week, your little one is the size of a kidney bean, measuring about 1.6 cm in length and 1 g in weight. The Pregnancy symptoms will be very active and keep hitting on you continuously. You may not face any specific symptom kicking in during week 8 of pregnancy, the existing ones may fluctuate. However, if you have been experiencing a particular symptom called hyperemesis gravidarum or extreme nausea, report that to your doctor before it leads to dehydration which is not good for both you and your baby.
1. Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a situation in which the pregnant woman experiences extreme nausea and vomiting till late pregnancy. This can be annoying and can also cause dehydration during pregnancy. Although the cause of hyperemesis gravidarum remains unknown, doctors predict that it can occur because of the fluctuations in hormones during pregnancy.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is different from normal nausea and morning sickness. Women with this condition will not be able to eat or drink anything because of the severe vomiting. This condition usually goes away when you hit the 20th week of pregnancy.
What to Do?
Hyperemesis gravidarum can be unusual and hard to deal with during pregnancy but not uncommon. Here are a few tips with which you will be able to manage this condition to an extent.
- Try to keep yourself hydrated.
- Avoid smells and fragrances that trigger nausea.
- Take this to the notice of your doctor. They may prescribe you some anti-nausea medications.
- Doctors may administer IV fluids to keep you hydrated.
- In rare cases, for severe hyperemesis gravidarum, doctors may place a tube into the stomach.
2. Fluctuations in Pregnancy Symptoms
In the eighth week, you may feel that your symptoms have gone away for a day or two and come back again the next day. It is widespread for the pregnancy symptoms to fluctuate, and this is not a cause for concern. These symptoms usually follow a pattern, and you need to track it down. However, if you notice your pregnancy symptoms have gone on for a long time and don’t seem to appear again, it can be a cause for concern. Ensure to check with your doctor immediately.
Here are a few common symptoms from the previous weeks 6 and 7. They may continue to linger.
- Frequent Urination
- Cramping / Abdominal Pain
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Vaginal Discharge
- Light bleeding or spotting
What to Do?
It is common to have symptom-free days. You just need to relax and feel happy. But, if you feel the cessation of symptoms for more than two days accompanied by any other abnormalities, it is essential to talk to your doctor immediately.
3. Other Red Alarm Symptoms
The following are some of the symptoms to be aware of and be very cautious about in the eighth week of pregnancy.
- Extreme Lower Back Pain
- Bleeding
- One-sided abdominal Pain
What to Do?
- Though back pain is widespread in pregnancy, extreme lower back pain could be a cause of concern. Sporadic cases could be symptoms of osteoporosis, vertebral osteoarthritis, or septic arthritis. You need to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing continuous extreme lower back pain.
- Other than light bleeding and spotting, extreme bleeding can be a cause of concern and a red alarm. Talk to your doctor immediately.
- One-sided abdominal pain is usually not a cause of concern. But, if the pain is unbearable and stabbing, consult your doctor immediately to avoid other complications.
You have come to the eighth week and just have 32 weeks to go. Pick the right food and keep yourself healthy and hydrated. Your pregnancy symptoms will continue the same way for a few more weeks. You might feel over-tired, so take adequate rest and sleep well to keep yourself fresh and active. All the above-mentioned symptoms are quite generic and may not apply to all. There are women with very few symptoms and there are women with little symptoms, who are happy with their tiny tots in hand. So, relax and embrace the journey of being pregnant.
Happy pregnancy!
Read Also: How Does Your Body Change During Week 9 of Pregnancy?
