1. How Big Are You?
Your uterus is getting bigger, so
you should be noticing a change in your waistline and the fit of your
clothes. Your healthcare provider will see that your uterus is enlarged,
if you have a pelvic exam.
2. How Your Baby Is Growing and Developing
Eyes are moving toward the middle of the
face. Eyelid folds appear on the face, and nerve cells in the eye are
beginning to develop.
The tip of the nose is present. Internal
and external ears are forming. The body’s trunk area is getting longer
and straightening out.
Embryo at 8 weeks (fetal age—6 weeks).
Crown-to-rump length is about ¾ inch (20mm).
Arms are longer and bend at the elbows.
Arms are
longer. Elbows are present, and arms now bend at the elbows and curve
slightly over the heart. Arms and legs extend forward. The beginning of
fingers and toes can be seen.
3. Changes in You
As your uterus grows, you may feel
cramping or even pain in your lower abdomen or at your sides. Some women
feel tightening of the uterus throughout pregnancy. If you don’t feel
it, don’t worry. But if you also have bleeding from the vagina, call
your healthcare provider immediately.
4. Headaches and Migraines
Some pregnant women have headaches during pregnancy. Tension headaches
can be caused by stress, fatigue, heat, noise, thirst, hunger, loud
music and bright lights. Be careful what you eat. Some foods can trigger
a headache, including peanuts, chocolate, cheese and some meats. If
your sinuses are clogged, that may also increase headaches.
Cluster headaches come in groups,
last about an hour and can continue for weeks or months. Acetaminophen
is OK to use for these types of headaches.
A headache or migraine that doesn’t go away in late pregnancy could signal problems. Call your healthcare provider immediately!
Don’t want to take medicine for a pounding
headache? There are other things you can try. Exercise may help.
Massage your neck and shoulders to help relax tight muscles. If you have
a sinus headache, put a warm wash cloth over your nose and eyes. Or put
a cold pack on the base of your neck. Fold a scarf lengthwise to make a
2-inch-wide band, tie it around your head and knot it at the point
where pain is most intense. It can help.
Migraines.
Migraine headaches are often an inherited problem. Nearly 20% of all
pregnant women have a migraine at some point in pregnancy. A
migraine can last for a few hours up to 3 days. Some women suffer more
during pregnancy because of their changing hormone levels.
Ginger may help with migraines—a pinch of
powdered ginger in water may be as good as prescription medicine. When
you first feel symptoms, mix ⅓ teaspoon of powdered ginger in a cup of
water. Drink this three or four times a day for 3 days.
Tip for Week 8
Wash your hands thoroughly throughout
the day, especially after handling raw meat or using the bathroom. This
simple act can help prevent the spread of many bacteria and viruses that
cause infection.
5. Sciatic-Nerve Pain and Sacroiliac-Joint Pain
Many women experience an occasional
excruciating pain in their buttocks and down the back or side of their
legs as pregnancy progresses. It is called sciatic-nerve pain or sciatica. Some people may mistakenly refer to it as sacroiliac pain. However, sciatica pain and sacroiliac pain are not the same thing.
Sciatica is a sharp, searing pain that
travels down your buttocks, legs and thighs. The best treatment is to
lie on your opposite side to help relieve pressure on the nerve. Sitting
on a tennis ball on a hard surface may also help.
Sacroiliac joint pain (SJP) is
joint related and feels like a sharp jolt of pain on either side of the
back or hips. It may extend down your legs. Warm baths (not hot) and
acetaminophen may help.
