We are in the eighth week of pregnancy, and in "Madres Hoy”, we continue with a new installment to show you what changes happen inside you, how our baby grows and what effects the mother usually experiences in each of these stages.
It's been six weeks from fertilization and we could say without mistake, that we are at a key stage. It is a phase in which it is very possible that we continue with nausea, But where are very important changes in our body that we are going to notice clearly will also begin to take place. We offer you all the information.
Week 8 of pregnancy: the fetus and cell specialization
The eighth week of the pregnancy calendar is not perceived too much in our womb, but inside it happen, as we have pointed out before, very special things.
- The embryo begins to lose its tail or its "small bean" shape to acquire human characteristics and become a little more elongated. What is known as the fetal stage begins.
- It measures between 1,5 and 2 centimeters and usually weighs about 3 grams. Despite its small size, cell specialization already begins a highly relevant process where structures as small as the retina, eyelids, upper lip, nose and ears appear.
- The body, as it lengthens, also generates the process of ossification, the hardening of the bones and joints of the elbows, wrists, ankles, knees ... The webbed feet and the hands are separating and we can almost count all 20 fingers.
- Another fact to take into account is that during this phase, and thanks to the increasingly defined formation of the limbs, the small fetus already has muscles. What does this mean? That throughout this eighth week of gestation their first movements may appear, but yes, they are still involuntary and as a consequence of their own cell specialization.
Organs begin to form
The fetus during this stage has a very characteristic appearance: It seems to us “very stubborn”. This is because the embryo has been changing in the previous weeks. until throughout this eighth week the formation of the brain, liver, eyes and even the gonads takes place, which will define the formation of testicles or ovaries.
- For their part, the lungs and the heart continue to mature (their beats can already be audible), and an aspect that is worth taking into account is that of the intestines. These grow so fast that there comes a time when they "tend to collapse" with the liver. This is when what is known as a "physiological umbilical hernia" is formed.
- However, it can be said that it is something completely natural. The intestines project into the umbilical cord, but this small bump disappears in the 12th week of the fetus (XNUMXth week of pregnancy).
Our first ultrasound.
The moment that every mother and every father anxiously awaits has come: the first ultrasound. Until that eighth week it is most likely that no one outside of your personal circle even knows that you are pregnant.
Until now, you were wearing the same clothes, but it can be said that from this week many things are going to happen, such as weight gain (more or less than a kilo). For this reason, it is vital that we carry out the pertinent analyzes, blood pressure control and of course the first ultrasounds.
The fetus has new needs and we will notice it
- Until recently, the embryo has been feeding on the yolk vesicle, a small sac loaded with nutrients, but now, it needs more oxygen and food, and has to make use of the placenta.
- Over the past few weeks, the umbilical cord has formed and is already working by taking blood to the placenta and returning it to the fetus. This implies that our blood volume will increase, that the placenta will continue to grow and that in a short time, we will no longer be able to wear our usual clothes.
- Due to the aforementioned increase in blood volume, we are already starting to run the risk of developing a varicose vein, it is something to take into account.
- We must also pay special attention to our breasts. They are going to increase in size and we are going to need to buy new bra sizes. Due to hormonal changes, the areola (the skin around the nipples) may start to darken.
However, we must remember that each body is unique and exceptional and that each woman will experience her own more or less obvious changes.. But this does not mean that we should not be prepared as well.
Care and recommendations
- It is important to maintain a varied and balanced diet where vitamin D and folic acid are not lacking. You can consult with your doctor about the convenience or not of taking vitamin supplements.
- Being pregnant does not mean "eating for two" but rather worrying a little more about covering all our nutrients, without a doubt without neglecting the proteins, iron and folic acid mentioned above.
- Feel free to get a little light exercise each day, especially those that help you take care of the health of your back and pelvis.
- Take care of your emotional health, factors such as stress or anxiety can become very dangerous during pregnancy. The mother's emotions are a great regulator of the physiology of the woman and of the fetus itself, so even if we are only in the eighth week of pregnancy, do not forget this essential aspect as well.
Next, we leave you an explanatory video about the changes that happen in the creature that grows inside you:
Don't miss the next installment in Madres Hoy about the ninth week of pregnancy.