Your pregnancy week-by-week: Week 8

Your pregnancy week by week | Your pregnancy in week 8

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Your baby's legs are now growing longer, and the feet are beginning to develop.

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You are now 8 weeks pregnant or in your 9th week if that's how you're counting it

How is my baby growing?

Your baby is now about 2.5cm long and weighs a little under 2g.

It's now known as a 'foetus' rather than an 'embryo' - the tadpole-like tail is completely gone and all the organs, muscles and nerves are beginning to function.

How are you feeling?

This is the point at which you may begin to experience some other pregnancy symptoms.

Increased blood flow can make you prone to varicose veins and piles, while hormone changes can also make you constipated.

Gentle exercise such as walking and swimming can prevent or relieve both of these, and eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains and drinking eight glasses of water each day should help to ease constipation.

Top tips

Family, friends and colleagues may already suspect that you are pregnant, but many soon-to-be parents like to wait until after their first scan before they share the good news.

However, it can be difficult to keep your pregnancy secret, particularly if you are feeling tired and unwell. So consider telling a couple of trusted friends or colleagues as their help and support will undoubtedly make your life easier.