Day 56 of 280, first trimester
You are 8 weeks exactly
You're probably wondering whether it's a boy or a girl, but the physical signs aren't visible yet.
224 days until your due date
Your baby's sex was decided at fertilization, but you can't yet tell whether the embryo is male or female. The external genitals look exactly the same in both (and are barely there). In a girl, the uterus and tubes haven't formed yet, and the ovaries in a girl and testes in a boy are still just ridges of tissue.
Incredibly, your baby's heart already has four chambers, beating at about 160 beats per minute. The single tube leaving the heart has divided into the two main blood vessels: the aorta, carrying oxygen-rich blood to the body, and the pulmonary trunk, carrying blood to the lungs. Valves keep the blood flowing one way, and all the major blood vessels are now in place.
Your baby's eyes look open because the eyelids have only just started to form and haven't fused yet; they won't properly open until week 26. Pigment is starting to build up in the retina, and the developing lens is supplied by a single blood vessel in the optic nerve, which will later disappear.
Explainer
Curled up
Your baby is curled up with her chin on her chest. Her head is quite large because her brain is expanding rapidly, giving the impression of an overhanging forehead.
Ask a Doctor
I'm 8 weeks pregnant with an ear and throat infection. Can I take antibiotics?
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, because some are safe in pregnancy. Penicillin-based ones are usually used, and if you're allergic, your doctor can offer other safe options.
Never take antibiotics that weren't prescribed specifically for you. These should not be taken in pregnancy:
- Tetracyclines, which can affect the baby's bone development and discolor the tooth enamel.
- Streptomycin, which can damage the baby's ears and cause hearing loss.
- Sulphonamides, which can cause jaundice in the baby.
Appointments and key dates around now
- Booking appointmentUsually between 8 and 12 weeks
Read the full 8 weeks pregnant guide
This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.