What's happening with your baby at 8 weeks
At 8 weeks, your baby is an embryo about 1.6cm long, crown to rump — roughly the size of a raspberry. Arm and leg buds have grown longer, and the hands and feet are starting to look like tiny paddles with ridges where fingers and toes will separate.
The embryonic tail your baby had a few weeks ago is shrinking and will be gone soon. Eyelids are forming to cover the eyes, and the upper lip and nose are taking shape.
The heart, which started beating around week 6, now beats faster and steadier — often 150 to 170 times a minute. On an ultrasound, this is frequently the point where a heartbeat becomes clearly visible.
Common symptoms at 8 weeks pregnant
Morning sickness, breast tenderness, and fatigue often peak around 8 weeks as hCG and progesterone rise. Nausea can happen at any time of day, not just morning, and can range from mild queasiness to vomiting.
You may also notice frequent urination, bloating, food aversions, a heightened sense of smell, and mood swings. All of these are common and driven by hormonal changes, not something you're doing wrong.
Some people feel very little at 8 weeks, and that's normal too. Symptom intensity varies enormously between pregnancies and doesn't reliably predict how a pregnancy is progressing.
Can you see a heartbeat at 8 weeks?
Yes — a heartbeat is often visible on ultrasound by 8 weeks, usually beating between 150 and 170 times a minute. If you have a dating scan this week, this is one of the main things your provider will check.
Timing varies a little between pregnancies, partly because of how ovulation and conception dates line up with your cycle. If a heartbeat isn't seen at exactly 8 weeks, providers will often suggest a repeat scan in a week or two before drawing conclusions.
What to do this week
If you haven't had your first prenatal visit yet, this is a good time to schedule or attend it — many providers see new patients between weeks 8 and 12. Bring a list of your medications, supplements, and any symptoms you've had.
Keep taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, and ask your provider when to expect screening options like NIPT, which can be done from around 9 to 10 weeks. Continue avoiding alcohol, smoking, raw or undercooked meat and fish, and unpasteurized dairy.
If nausea is a problem, small frequent meals, ginger, and staying hydrated can help. Ask your provider about vitamin B6 or anti-nausea medication if it's affecting your ability to eat or drink.
When to call your provider
Call the same day for heavy bleeding (more than light spotting), severe abdominal pain, or one-sided pain, which can occasionally signal an ectopic pregnancy. These are uncommon but need to be checked promptly.
Also call if you can't keep any food or fluids down for more than 24 hours, feel dizzy or faint, or have a fever. Severe, persistent vomiting can be a sign of hyperemesis gravidarum, which sometimes needs treatment beyond what you can manage at home.