Watch our video guide to Week 8 of your pregnancy journey:
What's Happening in Week 8?
Your baby is now approximately 16mm long (about 1.6cm) — roughly the size of a raspberry — and officially graduates from embryo to foetus. Despite being tiny, development is moving at an extraordinary pace.
Facial features are becoming more defined. The head is beginning to uncurl, the upper jaw and nose are taking shape, and little mounds are forming where the outer ears will be. Eyelid folds are partially covering the developing eyes (which won't open until around 28 weeks).
Limbs are growing quickly. Tiny fingers and toes are forming, though they may still be slightly webbed. Arms are now longer than legs, and elbows are becoming visible.
Organ development is progressing rapidly:
- Heart: beating at approximately 150-170 beats per minute — roughly twice your own heart rate. All four chambers are forming
- Brain: growing rapidly and forming distinct regions
- Lungs: forming the branching tubes that will eventually carry air
- Liver: developing and beginning to produce blood cells
- Kidneys: beginning to produce urine
- Intestines: starting to form
Your baby is even making spontaneous movements, though you won't feel them for many weeks yet. The embryonic tail has almost completely disappeared.
Your Body This Week
Symptoms often peak around weeks 8-10, so you may be finding this a challenging time:
- Morning sickness may be at its worst. Some women experience hyperemesis gravidarum (severe, persistent nausea and vomiting) — if you can't keep any food or fluids down, speak to your GP or midwife for support
- Extreme fatigue as your body produces significantly more blood (blood volume increases by up to 50% during pregnancy)
- Breast changes: continued tenderness, darkening areolas, and more visible veins
- Heartburn: progesterone relaxes the valve between your stomach and oesophagus, allowing acid to travel upward
- Bloating and constipation: hormonal changes slow your digestive system
- Heightened sense of smell: which can worsen nausea
Your uterus is now about the size of a large orange. You're unlikely to be visibly showing, but your clothes may feel tighter around the waist.
Your First Booking Visit
In Ireland, the HSE recommends your first "booking visit" at the maternity hospital between weeks 8-12. This appointment typically involves:
- Full medical history
- Blood pressure and urine checks
- Blood tests: blood group, Rhesus factor, full blood count, rubella immunity, hepatitis B, and HIV screening
- Discussion of your antenatal care pathway
- Information on diet, supplements, exercise, and vaccinations
Under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, combined care between your GP and maternity hospital is provided free of charge to all women ordinarily resident in Ireland.
What an Early Scan Shows at 8 Weeks
An early pregnancy scan at 8 weeks is one of the most reassuring experiences of early pregnancy. At this stage, you can expect to see:
- A clearly visible embryo with a measurable crown-rump length (CRL)
- A heartbeat — detectable in approximately 98% of viable pregnancies at this stage
- The gestational sac and yolk sac
- Whether you're carrying a single baby or multiples
- An estimated due date based on the CRL measurement
Once a heartbeat is confirmed at 8 weeks, studies suggest the chance of the pregnancy continuing is approximately 98%, though every pregnancy is individual — a hugely reassuring milestone for parents who may have been anxious.
Nutrition Focus
- Folic acid: the HSE recommends continuing 400mcg daily until 12 weeks
- Vitamin D: the HSE recommends 15mcg daily
- Iron-rich foods: lean red meat, poultry, beans, and lentils. Pair with vitamin C for better absorption
- Calcium: the HSE suggests 3 servings of dairy daily to support your baby's developing bones and teeth
- Omega-3 fatty acids: found in oily fish (limit to 2 portions per week), walnuts, and flaxseeds — these support brain development
- Managing nausea through diet: eat small, frequent meals. Keep plain crackers by the bed for mornings. Ginger tea or ginger biscuits may help
Common Concerns
"Should I worry about medications I took before I knew I was pregnant?" Many women don't discover their pregnancy until week 5-6 and worry about alcohol or medications consumed earlier. Discuss any concerns with your GP, but in most cases there is no cause for alarm.
"My symptoms suddenly decreased — is something wrong?" Symptoms naturally fluctuate throughout pregnancy. A sudden loss of all symptoms can understandably cause worry, but it doesn't necessarily indicate a problem. If you're concerned, an early reassurance scan can provide peace of mind.
"When should I tell people?" Many couples wait until after the 12-week scan, but there's no right or wrong time. You may need to tell your employer earlier if your work involves physical demands or workplace hazards.
This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. Always consult your GP, midwife, or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your circumstances.
Book your Early Pregnancy Scan at Ultrasound Ireland — see your baby's heartbeat and get accurate dating from just 7 weeks.