8 weeks pregnant
Read time: 4 minutes
During week 8, your baby’s facial features are becoming more defined. Less excitingly, morning sickness may be reaching its peak around now.
- Learn how to ease the queasiness of morning sickness.
- Discover how zinc supports your baby’s cells and which foods are good sources.
What's happening with you
Feeling queasy?
Morning sickness affects two out of three pregnant women during early pregnancy. It can occur at any time, day or night and is usually at its worst around week 8. By 12 to 14 weeks most mums are relieved to feel the symptoms fade completely.
Some mums-to-be experience morning sickness beyond the first trimester, and queasiness may come and go throughout pregnancy. It’s worth remembering that nausea is usually a sign of a healthy pregnancy.
Try these suggestions to ease your symptoms4:
- Get a good night’s sleep and plenty of rest during the day.
- Eat a dry cracker, toast or plain biscuit before getting out of bed.
- Eat little and often to keep something in your stomach.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- If drinking is proving difficult, ice lollies, ice cubes or simply sips of whatever you can stomach will keep you hydrated.
- Include ginger in your diet, either as a freshly infused tea or non- alcoholic ginger beer.
- Try motion sickness bands. They are worn on the wrist and positioned to press on an acupuncture point.
- Bear in mind that your body may respond differently on different days. Keep experimenting and if you’re concerned that you’re not eating enough because of your nausea, let your midwife or GP know.
Stock up on zinc
Zinc plays an important role during your pregnancy. Try to include the following foods in your diet to top up your intake:
- Zinc-fortified cereals
- Red meat such as beef and lamb
- Poultry, especially turkey
- Wholegrain bread and cereals
- Nuts
- Milk, cheese and eggs
What's happening with your baby
Your baby's development at 8 weeks
By the time you’re 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is roughly 1.6cm long1. At this stage, their newly formed jawbone gives more definition to their tiny mouth, and the tip of their nose is now visible, featuring two distinct nostrils2.
Internally, cartilage is being replaced by bone cells and joints2, and their legs are growing longer, although it’s too early to see knees and upper or lower legs yet3.
At 8 weeks, your baby is medically called a foetus, which is Latin for young one or offspring. Incredibly, they are already starting to make small, jerky movements as their muscles begin to function. It will be several weeks before these are strong enough for you to notice2.
Zinc supports the body on a cellular level, playing a role in
constructing, dividing and protecting cells, as well as normal immune
function and vision. It also contributes to normal cognitive
development, reproduction, fertility and bone health5. A healthy, balanced diet is likely to provide all the zinc you need6.
While most prenatal multivitamins contain high levels of zinc, it’s
wise to eat food sources too. The Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) of
zinc for women of childbearing age is 7mg per day7.
Last reviewed: 1st July 2019
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Questions about feeding and nutrition?
Our midwives, nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. So if you have a question, just get in touch.