8 weeks pregnant doctor visit

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Your First Prenatal Visit

If you did not meet with your health care provider before you were pregnant, your first prenatal visit will generally be around 8 weeks after your LMP (last menstrual period ). If this applies to you, you should schedule a prenatal visit as soon as you know you are pregnant!

Even if you are not a first-time mother, prenatal visits are still important since every pregnancy is different. This initial visit will probably be one of the longest. It will be helpful if you arrive prepared with vital dates and information. This is also a good opportunity to bring a list of questions that you and your partner have about your pregnancy, prenatal care, and birth options.

What to Expect at Your First Pregnancy Appointment

Your doctor will ask for your medical history, including:.

• Medical and/or psychosocial problems
• Blood pressure, height, and weight
• Breast and cervical exam
• Date of your last menstrual period (an accurate LMP is helpful when determining gestational age and due date)
• Birth control methods
• History of abortions and/or miscarriages
• Hospitalizations
• Medications you are taking
• Medication allergies
• Your family’s medical history

Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical exam which will include a pap smear , cervical cultures, and possibly an ultrasound if there is a question about how far along you are or if you are experiencing any bleeding or cramping .

Blood will be drawn and several laboratory tests will also be done, including:

• Hemoglobin/ hematocrit
• Rh Factor and blood type (if Rh negative, rescreen at 26-28 weeks)
• Rubella screen
• Varicella or history of chickenpox, rubella, and hepatitis vaccine
• Cystic Fibrosis screen
• Hepatitis B surface antigen
• Tay Sach’s screen
• Sickle Cell prep screen
• Hemoglobin levels
• Hematocrit levels
• Specific tests depending on the patient, such as testing for tuberculosis and Hepatitis C

Your healthcare provider will probably want to discuss:

• Recommendations concerning dental care , cats, raw meat, fish, and gardening
• Fevers and medications
• Environmental hazards
• Travel limitations
• Miscarriage precautions
• Prenatal vitamins , supplements, herbs
• Diet , exercise , nutrition , weight gain
• Physician/ midwife rotation in the office

Possible questions to ask your provider during your prenatal appointment:

• Is there a nurse line that I can call if I have questions?
• If I experience bleeding or cramping, do I call you or your nurse?
• What do you consider an emergency?
• Will I need to change my habits regarding sex, exercise, nutrition?
• When will my next prenatal visit be scheduled?
• What type of testing do you recommend and when are they to be done? (In case you want to do research the tests to decide if you want them or not.)

If you have not yet discussed labor and delivery issues with your doctor, this is a good time. This helps reduce the chance of surprises when labor arrives. Some questions to ask include:

• What are your thoughts about natural childbirth ?
• What situations would warrant a Cesarean ?
• What situations would warrant an episiotomy ?
• How long past my expected due date will I be allowed to go before intervening?
• What is your policy on labor induction?

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8 Weeks Pregnant: Preparing for Your First Prenatal Visit

When you're 8 weeks pregnant, your little one is about the size of a ring and her fingers, toes, airways and brain cells are developing..

By week eight, your little one is about the size of a ring, and there are many tiny, yet important, parts of her developing—including the fingers, toes, airways and brain cells.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR BODY: Physical Changes During Pregnancy

Tip of the week: It may seem a little early at this point—particularly if the thought of labor is still a little scary—but now is actually a good time to start thinking about how you'll want to deliver. If your goal is to give birth at home or at a birthing center, it's important to choose a provider who works in those environments. If you have strong feelings about cesareans, use of drugs during labor and delivery or other issues, discuss those with your provider to make sure you're on the same track. Also do your research and talk with your partner about your preferences, so that you can make informed decisions now and throughout the rest of your pregnancy.

If you could see your baby, you'd notice that she has teeny webbed fingers and toes and perhaps even small eyelids that will soon cover her sensitive eyes. The very tip of her nose may also be starting to form, as well as the upper lip. Behind the face, nerve cells are beginning to connect with one another and form what will eventually become complex neural pathways.

A little farther down, your baby's breathing tubes are developing to reach her lungs. Moreover, her very important aortic and pulmonary valves in her heart have formed, helping the muscle to beat at an amazing 150 pulses per minute.

If your pregnancy is considered high risk, you'll likely have already been to see your health care provider. However, for many pregnancies, the first prenatal visit takes place somewhere between now and week 10.

At your first appointment, your health care provider will complete a comprehensive health history. He or she will ask whether you have any medical or psychosocial issues, the date of your last menstrual period, your history of birth control methods and other medications, if you've previously been hospitalized, whether you have any drug allergies and about your family's medical history. You may want to write down these details if you think you could have trouble remembering everything.

The visit will include measuring your blood pressure, height and weight, as well as a breast and pelvic exam, with a pap test if you haven't had once recently. They'll also likely take blood to test for your blood type, anemia and other medical and genetic conditions. It's still a little early to hear your baby's heartbeat, so this exciting milestone may have to wait until your next visit.

Your health care provider may also talk to you about more extensive genetic testing and offer you screening tests that can give you some information about your baby's risk for Down syndrome as well as other chromosomal problems and birth defects.

There is a new two-part prenatal screening that can be done between weeks 9 and 13. It combines a blood test and a specialized ultrasound to assess your baby's risk for Down syndrome or trisomy 18. This screening is less invasive than amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) but is not definitive. If risk is indicated, the screening may help you decide whether you want further testing.

If so, CVS is a genetic test that can be performed between weeks 10 and 12 of pregnancy. The doctor removes a small piece of your placenta to check for potential genetic problems. Although CVS cannot detect neural tube defects, some women prefer it because they can get results sooner than with an amniocentesis, which is usually done between weeks 15 and 18.

Both tests are invasive and include a very slight risk of complications, including miscarriage, so it's important to do your research and talk to your partner and health care professional to decide what testing is right for you. Click here to learn more about genetic testing .

Finally, your provider may speak to you about lifestyle considerations, including nutrition and exercise. Bring a list of questions regarding your concerns and current habits. Now is the time to ask about activities that you are concerned about continuing during pregnancy.

You also might want to ask about the practice's birth philosophy to make sure it's in line with your own. For instance, if your goal is to have a natural childbirth, talk to them about it and make sure they are supportive of your plans.

If you leave your visit doubting your choice of providers, keep in mind that you can always change practices if you feel uncomfortable or are concerned that their philosophy of childbirth differs from yours. If you want to continue with the provider you've chosen, you'll likely schedule an appointment for four weeks later before leaving the office.

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The Ultimate Pregnancy Appointment Guide: What to Expect Week by Week at Your Prenatal Visits

Central to ensuring the health and well-being of you and your growing baby is seeing your care team regularly for touchpoints and milestones that are part of your pregnancy appointment schedule. Diana Kaufman, MD , UnityPoint Health, shares the recommended timeline for prenatal visits, and the importance of each test and discussion that’ll prepare you for a safe pregnancy and delivery.

Confirming Your Pregnancy

Every woman’s body is unique, but it’s a good idea to visit a doctor to confirm a pregnancy when you’re experiencing early symptoms, such as a missed period or you’ve received a positive home pregnancy test. Typically, this visit happens at 6-8 weeks of pregnancy.

Your doctor may confirm your pregnancy through urine tests, blood tests or ultrasounds.

Initial Prenatal Appointment: 5-12 Weeks

Your first prenatal visit consists of important screenings and discussions, so your healthcare team can create a care plan that ensures you and baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy. Prepare a few things for this visit, including:

• Complete medical history: It’s important for your doctor to know your past and present health conditions or concerns, medications and any history of disease, substance abuse or known genetic conditions in your family.
• Insurance information: This includes consents for care, your insurance carrier and other paperwork

Here’s what to expect at your first pregnancy appointment

• A physical, which will likely include a breast and pelvic exam.
• A urine sample is collected to check for certain infections and conditions that can occur during pregnancy. Urine tests may be taken at your following prenatal visits as well. Urine drug screening tests are also recommended for women, or their partners, with a history of substance use — including smoking.
• Routine testing that includes blood draws to check your blood type and complete blood count (CBC) and look for specific diseases including hepatitis, HIV, syphilis and checking for immunity against rubella. Other testing that may occur includes genetic screening and testing for diabetes.

Your care team will review prenatal educational materials with you and remedies for any unpleasant pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting . Your team also will provide an estimated due date for baby.

It’s also important to take good care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy. Changing hormone levels make your gums more sensitive to disease, which increases your risk for a low-birth weight or premature baby. Consider making an appointment to see your dentist during your first trimester.

Prenatal Appointment: Second Trimester (13 – 26 Weeks)

During weeks 13-26, you’ll see your doctor every four weeks. It’s a good idea to write down questions or concerns before your appointments to ensure they’re addressed.

At each appointment throughout the rest of your pregnancy, your care team will check the following:

• Blood pressure
• Position of baby
• Baby’s heartbeat

Here are some additional things to expect.

• Prenatal genetic testing: There are many different options for prenatal genetic testing. Your care team will review these with you.
• Pregnancy blood tests: These are tailored to your specific needs. Most patients are tested for anemia and diabetes of pregnancy between weeks 24-28. Other recommended tests will be reviewed with you.
• Ultrasound: It’s common to have an ultrasound in the first trimester to confirm the estimated due date. Ultrasound is also common at 20 weeks to check on baby's growth and development. Further ultrasounds could be needed if changes in your pregnancy make it necessary, such as concerns about baby’s growth or to see if baby is head down.
• Discuss preterm labor signs: Preterm labor refers to labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy and requires medical attention. Knowing what to look for — such as contractions, changes in vaginal discharge  — is important for preventing potential complications.
• Childbirth classes: It’s a good idea to register for a class  to help you prepare for baby’s arrival.

When to Call Your Doctor

Pregnancy creates new and unfamiliar symptoms in many women. However, some symptoms need attention. Here’s when to call your doctor in the second trimester:

• Vaginal bleeding, even a small amount
• Leg pain with numbness or leg weakness
• Pain or tenderness in one of both calves that doesn’t go away
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others
• Severe headaches that don’t go away with Tylenol
• Persistent changes in vision such as blurriness or floaters
• More than five contractions in an hour

Now, your visits to your care team become more frequent — happening every two weeks until you’re 36 weeks pregnant. Your care team continues to monitor you and baby. Here’s what else to expect:

Prenatal Appointments: Third Trimester (27 Weeks – Baby’s Arrival)

• Check fetal movement: It’s important to be aware of your baby's movements. If you notice a sudden change or absence of fetal movement, let you care team know.
• Rhogam injections: If an Rh-negative blood type was found during your initial prenatal visit, you’ll receive an injection to prevent immune system complications for future pregnancies. This usually happens at 28 weeks.
• Additional prenatal testing: Around 35-37 weeks, you’re checked to see if you carry group B streptococcus bacteria . This is one of many bacteria that can live on our skin and typically does not cause problems. However, it can infect a newborn when you deliver. Antibiotics are given during delivery to prevent infection in a newborn if you test positive.

Prenatal Appointments: 36 Weeks – End of Pregnancy

Once you’ve reached 36 weeks, you’ll see your doctor every week until you deliver. These visits are essential for ensuring the well-being of both you and your little one, as well as preparing for a safe and smooth delivery. In addition to routine physical examinations and checking baby’s heartbeat and movement, here’s what else you can expect:

• Cervical exams: If you’re having frequent contractions or preparing to be induced, your doctor will likely need to perform this exam.
• Discuss labor signs: You’ll likely discuss signs of labor with your doctor and when to go to the hospital.
• Discuss birth preferences: It’s not necessary to have a birth plan. Your care team has that covered. Our goal is to keep you and your baby healthy throughout the entire pregnancy and delivery process. However, if you have strong desires or needs for delivery, please discuss those during a prenatal appointment. It’s also helpful to write these things down and bring them to the hospital, since you may not be able to fully express your wishes during labor.

Postpartum Visits

After delivering baby, but before you leave the hospital, call your doctor to make your postpartum appointment, if it hasn’t been scheduled yet. This visit typically occurs around 6 weeks after you deliver. Other visits are scheduled based on your individual needs.

These visits are a time for your doctor to check on your healing , discuss normal or abnormal postpartum bleeding, talk about your well-being and any signs of postpartum depression or anxiety , discuss when it’s safe to start exercising again and address other questions or concerns you may have .

Our UnityPoint Health care team is here to care for you and baby throughout the entirety of your pregnancy and beyond. Call us  to schedule your first appointment or if you have questions about any future appointments.

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Pregnancy Week by Week

8 Weeks Pregnant

Key Takeaways at 8 Weeks Pregnant

• Is it your imagination, or is that an itty-bitty baby bump? It might be! You could also be experiencing the consequences of early-pregnancy bloat. Either way, it’s possible you may need to size up on your pants!
• Ready for your first prenatal visit? It’s important you feel comfortable and supported with your ob-gyn or midwife practice; you’re going to be on this journey together for the next few months!
• If you haven’t had an early ultrasound yet, it could be happening in the next few days! That sweet pitter-patter sound of baby’s heartbeat will make your heart swell.

Being pregnant is probably finally starting to feel real to you. Like most women, you may have your first prenatal appointment right around now. It’s normal to be equal parts excited and nervous!

Video Recap at 8 Weeks

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See their progress for yourself with our 3D interactive tool.

Baby at Week 8

At week 8 of pregnancy, baby's fingers and toes are now only slightly webbed, and their tail (yes, there was one) is gone. Fun fact: baby's taste buds are now forming, gearing up for their first meals. It’s early still, but there’s a lot of development happening.

How big is baby at 8 weeks?

During week 8 of your pregnancy, baby is as big as a raspberry and weighs about .04 ounces and measures about .63 inches. Baby's growing about a millimeter each day.

What does baby look like at 8 weeks?

Like a cute little bean! Can’t wait to get a look at baby at 8 weeks? You won’t have to wait long. Sometime this week or next, you’re likely to get your first look during your 8-week ultrasound. So what does a baby look like at 8 weeks? Baby’s arms, legs, fingers and toes are all becoming more defined, and baby is less curled up, so you can see their constant little twitches and bounces. There is now an identifiable nose and upper lip, and wee little eyelids and ears. There’s a lot happening!

8 weeks pregnant is how many months?

You're two months pregnant at 8 weeks, although doctors generally refer to pregnancy by week instead of month.

8 week ultrasound

You might have your first prenatal checkup around this time (aka an 8-week pregnancy appointment), and if you do, you may get to catch a glimpse of your 8-week fetus on the ultrasound. Cue the awwws: You might be surprised to see baby’s arms and legs moving around like crazy in there. You can’t feel it yet, but it’s really happening! Get ready to coo over some 8 week ultrasound pictures, which you should get at this first appointment.

At your first prenatal appointment, you’ll likely have your blood drawn so your doctor can run tests. Your doctor will want to know your blood type and whether it’s Rh positive or negative (because if you’re negative and baby’s positive, you’ll need medication to prevent complications). Your hormone levels and red and white blood cell levels will also be checked to be sure they’re normal. Your blood will also be screened for Hepatitis B, STDs, HIV and certain immunities.

You may also get a pap smear to check for infections and abnormalities. And get ready to pee in a cup, because at this appointment—and possibly every appointment—you’ll have to give a urine sample to check for signs of a UTI and keep an eye on protein in your urine if you’re at risk of developing preeclampsia. Welcome to your new normal!

Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 8

Wondering what stinks? Probably anything and everything. Your hormones are doing some wild things at week 8, giving you a superhuman-like sense of smell and making your stomach do flip-flops. At 8 weeks pregnant, there are a host of pregnancy symptoms you could experience (don’t get us started on those wacky pregnancy dreams!), including:

Sore breasts

Your breasts may feel bigger, heavier, and let’s face it, sore . That’s because milk-producing lobules in your breasts are starting to expand. It’s all for a good reason: they’re prepping for breastfeeding.

Thestruggleisreal to nap at 8 weeks pregnant. Why? As your hormones fluctuate, your body produces more blood for baby, and your blood pressure and blood sugar levels may be lower than they were pre-pregnancy. Your body is also using energy to grow this tiny fetus. The best fix? Get more sleep . We know it sounds easier than it really is, but make it your number one priority to get to bed early or to sneak in a nap (or four) on the weekends.

Morning sickness

Nausea could be really strong at 8 weeks, again related to those pregnancy hormones. Stay hydrated and graze on healthy snacks throughout the day. If you’re experiencing severe pregnancy nausea at 8 weeks, it might be tough to keep food down, let alone eat right, so finding options you can actually stomach is key. Some moms-to-be swear by ginger, Vitamin B6 and acupressure wristbands to help with morning sickness—all worth a shot.

Heightened sense of smell

Along with morning sickness comes another fun symptom: an uncanny sense of smell . Catching a whiff of an offensive odor—perhaps something that’s totally innocuous or never bothered you before—could trigger nausea, so it’s best to try to avoid the smells you’ve become sensitive to.

Pregnancy cramps

At 8 weeks pregnant, cramping is normal. That’s because the ligaments in your abdomen are stretching as your uterus expands. If your cramping is severe or you’re worried in any way, let your doctor know.

Constipation

If you’re having trouble going number two, you’re not alone. Constipation during pregnancy happens to nearly 50 percent of us. To deal, drink lots of water, eat fiber-rich fruits and veggies, avoid constipating foods like white grains and rice and take lots of walks. If you’re still stopped up, talk to your doctor about other remedies.

Weird dreams

If you’re having vivid and strange dreams , guess what? They’re totally normal throughout pregnancy. It’s not clear what causes these dreams—it could partly be due to new thoughts and anxieties. You’ve certainly got a lot on your mind these days!

It can be alarming to find that you’re spotting at 8 weeks pregnant because, yes, blood can be a sign of miscarriage. But there are some other causes of spotting in the first trimester, including sex (since your cervix may be more sensitive these days). Let your doctor know, so they can rule out any problems.

How far along am I in my pregnancy symptoms?

Here’s the honest truth: You’ll have pregnancy symptoms all through your pregnancy. The (usually) good news is, those symptoms will change as your pregnancy progresses and your belly and baby continue to grow. For most people, the second trimester brings relief from the worst of the nausea, and you’ll feel your energy return until you get closer to the end of your pregnancy. And if you’re still symptom-free at 8 weeks pregnant, no symptoms may soon progress to plenty of symptoms. So take heart—whatever you’re tired of, it’ll change soon.

How you might feel at 8 weeks pregnant

With constant exhaustion and nausea, an achy 8 week belly and emotional swings that won’t quit, it’s understandable that you might be tired of this pregnancy thing already, and it’s normal to wonder how you’ll get through the next eight months. If you feel this way, don’t worry. Things should start to get better in about a month, when the wondrous second trimester begins. Until then, take it easy and be gentle with yourself. Growing a person is hard!

If you’re 8 weeks pregnant with twins, you may feel extra tired and nauseous, since you’ve likely got a higher level of those pregnancy hormones that are needed to create two babies.

Remember: If you’re feeling nauseated, extra hungry or extra tired, it’s all because baby’s growth is in overdrive—and because your body’s still adjusting to all those hormonal changes. Try to remind yourself it will be worth it. (Especially once you reach the second trimester, when most moms-to-be bounce back and feel more energized.)

Also, know that having no pregnancy symptoms at 8 weeks is totally normal too. So don’t worry if you’re not feeling too different yet. We promise—soon you will!

Your Pregnant Belly at 8 Weeks

Wondering if your belly is the right size at this stage? At 8 weeks pregnant, showing a bit can be normal, but not showing is, too! That’s because every mom and baby are different. Know that inside your 8 weeks pregnant belly your uterus is expanding, but it just takes longer for some to show it on the outside. If, say, you’re 8 weeks pregnant with twins, it may be easier to tell you’re pregnant than it is to tell that a singleton mom is expecting at this point.

Starting in the second trimester, your OB will likely begin measuring your pregnant belly, but for now, size really doesn’t matter. Healthy weight gain in the first trimester is about one to five pounds total, so at 8 weeks pregnant, you may have gained a few pounds already. If you’ve been dealing with morning sickness, though, you may have gained next to nothing—and that’s okay too. Diets and eating habits can change a lot in the first trimester to help with nausea, which can cause an increase or even decrease in weight as well. That’s okay. Your doctor will keep an eye on it and look for weight gain over the long term too. Let your doctor know if you have any concerns about your weight gain or belly size.

Morning sickness is a joke because it can happen all day. Carry oyster crackers, lemon heads or peppermints with you at all times. While it’s not cool to “eat processed carbs” these days, this is exactly the food you should be trying to eat. Make sure you’re at least drinking—popsicles, gatorade, something with some calories in it.”

Heather Bartos

MD, ob-gyn and medical director of Be. Women’s Health & Wellness

Tips for 8 Weeks Pregnant

You might want to sleep away the day—especially if you’re dealing with nausea. But there are some things you can do to take better care of yourself and baby. Here are some tips to consider.

Take advantage of hunger

For the next few weeks, you might swing between feeling barfy and feeling like you could eat everything in the fridge. Use the times when you do feel hungry to eat nutritious, healthy foods that might be hard for you to swallow (literally!) when the nausea kicks back in.

Fend off headaches

Because your blood volume has increased, you might start getting headaches ( sigh ). Try resting and drinking more water. If you can’t control your headaches without medication, talk to your doctor about taking acetaminophen (which is safer during pregnancy than aspirin or ibuprofen).

Getting outside and taking a 30 minute walk each day is great exercise and helps manage other pregnancy symptoms. Unfortunately, if you’re experiencing skin changes like chloasma or melasma, sun exposure can make the dark patches worse. Wear SPF 30+ everyday, plus a hat, to protect your skin and prevent worsening patches.

Don’t hold it in

You probably still have to pee a lot, and that’s normal. Just don’t hold it in! You have a higher risk of getting a UTI while pregnant , so make sure you pee when you need to, empty your bladder completely and wipe carefully to prevent infection.

I was so nervous and so excited. I had known I was pregnant for a few weeks, but somehow seeing the ob-gyn for the first time made it all feel real.

Katie M., mom of one

Pregnancy Checklist at Week 8

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Exercise During Pregnancy , March 2022

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy? , August 2021

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Routine Tests During Pregnancy , August 2023

American Pregnancy Association, 8 Weeks Pregnant

American Pregnancy Association, Fatigue During Pregnancy

American Pregnancy Association, Headaches During Pregnancy

American Pregnancy Association, Multiples Pregnancy: Twins, Triplets and More

American Pregnancy Association, Pregnancy Dreams

American Pregnancy Association, Prenatal Tests

American Pregnancy Association, Relieving Constipation During Pregnancy

American Pregnancy Association, Uterus Size During Pregnancy

American Pregnancy Association, Your First Prenatal Visit

Cleveland Clinic, Fetal Development

Cleveland Clinic, Healthy Pregnancy

Cleveland Clinic, Round Ligament Pain , July 2021

Coll Antropol, Chloasma--the Mask of Pregnancy , October 2008

Front Psychol, Pregancy and Olfaction: A Review , February 2014

March of Dimes, Bleeding and Spotting From the Vagina During Pregnancy , April 2020

March of Dimes, Common Discomforts of Pregnancy , March 2022

March of Dimes, Morning Sickness , September 2020

Mary Greeley Medical Center, Your Baby’s Development Timeline

Matern Child Nutr, Nausea and Vomiting In Early Pregnancy: Effects On Food Intake And Diet Quality , October 2017

Mayo Clinic Health System, 5 Tips to Prevent a Urinary Tract Infection , June 2022

Mayo Clinic, Fetal Development: 1st Trimester

Penn Medicine Lancaster Health General, Why Prenatal Urine Tests Are Important

Psychol Sci. Flavor Sensing in Utero and Emerging Discriminative Behaviors in the Human Fetus , October 2022

Ultrasound Med Biol. Early Fetal Movements are Useful for Estimating the Gestational Weeks in the First Trimester of Pregnancy , 1983

Learn how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process .

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• > Prenatal Visit Schedule: What To Expect During Each Appointment

Prenatal Visit Schedule: What To Expect During Each Appointment

Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy and allows your doctor to regularly monitor you and your baby . But what should you expect when it comes to your prenatal visit schedule?

Basically, you’ll visit your doctor once a month at the beginning of your pregnancy and then once a week at the end of your pregnancy. That said, it’s important to schedule your first prenatal visit as soon as you see a positive pregnancy test!

In this article, the experts at Mustela discuss how your prenatal visit schedule will most likely look and what to expect during each appointment.

Prenatal Visit Schedule: First Trimester

This is such an exciting time in your life! When you saw the positive pregnancy test , you were probably four to six weeks pregnant, so go ahead and call your doctor to schedule your first appointment.

During the first trimester , you will have your initial prenatal visit, and then your doctor will schedule your visits every four weeks or once a month.

Check with the doctor or staff for a printout of your prenatal visit schedule.

What To Expect At Your First Appointment

Your first prenatal visit will be around six to nine weeks and will most likely be the lengthiest of all your appointments, so block out a good bit of time on your calendar.

Your doctor will ask a good bit of detailed questions and perform a pretty thorough check. Let’s take a look at what they’ll do during this appointment.

Medical History

Your doctor will ask questions about your:

• Last menstrual cycle so they can give you a due date
• Gynecological history
• Obstetrical history (any past pregnancies)
• Personal and family medical history
• Supplements or medicines you’re taking (if any)
• Lifestyle (use of tobacco products, alcohol, and caffeine; eating and exercising habits)
• Recent travel adventures
• Feelings of depression or anxiety (if any)

Your doctor will order various lab work to check your blood for:

• Blood type and Rh status
• Hemoglobin levels
• Infections such as hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV
• Thyroid levels
• Any other important screenings

Physical Exam

To give you and your baby the best care, your doctor will need to do a thorough physical exam, which most likely will also include a Pap smear to detect any abnormal cervical cells.

Your doctor’s observation also includes:

• Checking your blood pressure
• Measuring your height and weight to determine your recommended weight gain for a healthy pregnancy
• A breast exam
• A pelvic exam
• Screening your heart, lungs, and thyroid

Discuss any pregnancy discomforts , such as nausea and fatigue, with your doctor. Be honest with your doctor so they can take care of you and your baby to the best of their knowledge.

Some doctors also do an ultrasound during the first trimester to confirm or date your pregnancy. (Your first prenatal visit will vary based on the specific policies of your doctor’s office.)

What To Expect At Your 12-Week Appointment

You're nearing the end of your first trimester! During this appointment, you can expect your doctor to check the following:

• Weight and blood pressure
• Urine for sugar and protein levels
• Your baby’s heartbeat (This will be the first time you’ll hear it!)
• Size of your uterus
• Hands and feet for any swelling

Prenatal Visit Schedule: Second Trimester

Assuming you have a healthy pregnancy and no further examinations are necessary, this is what your prenatal visit schedule will look like during your second trimester :

• Four-month appointment (around 16 weeks)
• Five-month appointment (around 20 weeks)
• Six-month appointment (around 24 weeks)

What To Expect During Routine Appointments

Many of your appointments from here on out will look similar regarding what your doctor will check for. During these visits, you can expect your doctor to look at:

• Your baby’s heartbeat
• Your fundal height (The size of your uterus is used to assess fetal growth and development. Your doctor will get this measurement by measuring the length from the top of your uterus to the top of your pubic bone. This measurement should match how many weeks you are. Example: If you’re 20 weeks pregnant, your fundal height should equal 20 centimeters.)
• Hands and feet for swelling
• Any symptoms you’ve been experiencing

At this point in your pregnancy, you may notice your skin becoming dry and starting to stretch a bit. Don’t worry; it’s completely normal!

To tackle dry skin, try Mustela’s Stretch Marks Cream . This velvety, hard-working cream delivers immediate moisture and comfort to your skin!

And our Stretch Marks Oil treats recently formed stretch marks. It’s a fast-absorbing oil that hydrates your skin throughout your pregnancy!

What To Expect During Your 20-Week Sonogram:

Sometime around your 20-week appointment, your doctor will schedule an ultrasound to determine the gender of your baby! During this sonogram, your sonographer will take a look at:

• Baby’s size and all their major organs
• Amniotic fluid
• Location of placenta

Your sonographer passes this information to your doctor to give them a clear picture (literally!) of the overall health of your baby and your pregnancy.

Prenatal Visit Schedule: Third Trimester

During your third trimester , your prenatal visits will be every two weeks until the last month of your pregnancy, when you’ll have them every week. So that means your prenatal visit schedule will look like this:

What To Expect At Your Seventh- and Eighth-Month Visits

During your seventh and eighth months of pregnancy, expect your doctor to check the following:

• Urine for sugar and protein
• Your fundal height (top of your uterus)
• Size and position of your baby
• Feet and hands for swelling
• Varicose veins in your legs
• Glucose screen test (read below for more information)
• Group B strep test (read below for more information)
• Blood test for anemia
• Any symptoms you’ve been having

Glucose Screen Test

This test is used to determine if you have gestational diabetes. Once you arrive at your doctor’s office, be prepared to have your blood drawn first.

Next, you’ll drink a very sugary drink that tastes like flat orange soda. Some women enjoy the taste, while others feel a little queasy afterward!

After you consume the entire drink, you’ll wait one hour before having your blood drawn again. If your blood work comes back with elevated numbers, your doctor will order the next level of tests, which is used to officially diagnose gestational diabetes.

Should you need to take the second test (no studying required!), you’ll have to fast before the appointment. Just like with the initial round of tests, your doctor will draw your blood first and then have you consume the drink.

The only difference is this time, your blood will be drawn every hour for three hours. Be prepared to stay in your doctor’s office for three to four hours.

If the results from this test also come back elevated, your doctor will discuss management techniques for gestational diabetes.

But don’t let this information worry you. Most women who monitor their blood sugar levels and work closely with their doctor have perfectly normal pregnancies and healthy babies!

Group B Strep Test

Group B Strep (GBS) is bacteria that can be found in the vaginas of healthy women. (It’s not related to strep, the throat infection.)

If you are a carrier of GBS, your baby can catch the infection during delivery when they pass through the birth canal. While this bacteria isn’t harmful to you, it can be dangerous for your baby.

To check for GBS, your doctor will perform a test just like they would a Pap smear. If the test shows that you’re a carrier, you’ll receive antibiotics through an IV once you’re in labor. This way, you won’t pass the infection to your baby!

You’re routinely tested for GBS around the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy so your doctors can be prepared to give you the antibiotics at the onset of labor.

What To Expect During Your Ninth Month

Similar to months seven and eight, your doctor will closely monitor you and your baby during this time. Since you’re getting closer to your due date, expect a few additional observations from your doctor.

During your last month of pregnancy, they will take a look at:

• Your cervix by an internal examination to check for effacement (thinning) and dilation (opening)
• Baby’s heartbeat
• Baby’s size (At this point in your pregnancy, your doctor may give you an estimation of your baby’s weight. They can tell your baby’s presentation: head or bottom first, and their position: front- or rear-facing.)
• Any questions or concerns you may have about delivery

A Beautiful Pregnancy And Beautiful Skin

Throughout these nine months , your prenatal visits are special moments of checking on your sweet little baby. It’s exciting to see your belly grow with each visit! But that also means possible stretch marks.

The good news is that Mustela offers a line of prenatal products, including our Stretch Marks Cream and Bust Firming Serum , to soothe and hydrate your skin while you manage the busyness of your prenatal visit schedule.

Let Mustela help you start your beautiful pregnancy with beautiful skin!

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8 Weeks Pregnant—Your First Prenatal Visit

At eight weeks pregnant, you’re about to finish up your second month of pregnancy. You’ll likely hear a heartbeat and confirm your due date during your first prenatal visit. Meanwhile, your baby continues his growth spurt. Now about the size of a raspberry, he has nearly quadrupled in size in the last two weeks.

How big is my baby?

Baby’s Length: 0.63 inches.

Baby’s Weight: 0.04 ounces.

How is my baby developing?

Besides a stronger heartbeat—which can typically be detected via vaginal ultrasound—fingers start to develop and leg buds begin to show feet, though your baby’s hands and feet are still slightly webbed. On the ultrasound, you’ll see him moving these little hands and feet. He can now move around in your womb though you won’t feel this movement for quite a while. By the end of this week, all of your baby’s essential organs and body systems have begun to develop.

During this time, your baby’s face will also further develop, starting to show ears, the tip of the nose, and eyes with very thin eyelid folds. Even your baby’s retinas, which will reveal her eye color, have started to form. The trunk of her body is starting to straighten out of the curved c-shape of the first several weeks of development. Your baby is growing about one millimeter every day.

On an ultrasound, you may notice how big your baby’s head is. This is completely normal. Right now, his brain is divided into three parts—the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain—and all that growing takes up a lot of room. His proportions will start to balance out in no time.

What’s happening in my body?

Even if you didn’t have a keen sense of smell before pregnancy, now you might be able to smell your neighbor cooking lasagna three doors down or the scent of garbage from halfway down the block. Many women become very sensitive to scents around this time. Foods and smells you used to love may cause waves of queasiness. Though the exact cause of this heightened sense of smell is unknown, many researchers attribute it to heightened levels of estrogen.  

In a study comparing 36 pregnant women with 36 nonpregnant women, researchers found that pregnant women had better absolute odor sensitivity, meaning they could detect smells at a weaker concentration than the nonpregnant women. The pregnant women were also more likely to perceive odors as unpleasant. The researchers noted that the changes existed in olfactory functions at a perceptual level—not only in cognitive evaluations or interpretations of the odors.

Body changes

Your uterus is continuing to expand, and ligaments are stretching, which can cause cramping and mild, minor pain. Of course, if the pain is severe or worrisome, you should contact your doctor right away. You may also experience some spotting. Light spotting is normal and nothing to worry about, but contact your doctor if you experience heavier bleeding.

You’re probably feeling exhausted as your baby continues to grow and your body adjusts to changes in your hormones, especially progesterone. Progesterone is also responsible for relaxing the muscles in your bowels, causing slower digestion and constipation. This may be unpleasant, but it allows you and your baby to absorb more nutrients. Drink plenty of water, go for lots of walks, and keep reaching for fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to keep things moving.

You’re also pumping 50% more blood per minute for your baby; your blood volume increases to accommodate this. Don’t be surprised if you’re making more trips to the bathroom. Headaches are another potential side-effect of this increase in blood volume. As with any other medical issue during your pregnancy, be sure to talk to your doctor about pregnancy-safe treatments before reaching automatically for the medication you’ve used in the past.

Even though you’re now, as they say, eating for two, it’s more important than ever to focus on a healthy eating plan. As tempting as it is to reach for whatever your body is craving, you only need about 300 extra calories per day to keep your baby nourished. At this point in your pregnancy, you should be gaining about a pound or two per week. If you’ve had a tough time with morning sickness, it’s even normal to have gained nothing at all.

Eat a varied, healthy diet

Researchers have discovered another good reason to reach for varied, healthy foods while pregnant: a mother’s dietary choices during pregnancy appear to affect the sensory development of her child . According to this research, a mother’s diet sensitizes her fetus to the smells and flavors of the food she eats while pregnant. This physically changes the structure of the brain, teaching the child that the food and drink the mother consumes is safe—even if it isn’t.  

Prenatal visit (finally!)

Since you’re likely seeing a doctor for your first prenatal appointment, this means you’re going to see your baby and hear his tiny heartbeat for the first time. Aside from a vaginal ultrasound to measure the fetus, listen to the heartbeat, and determine your estimated due date, you’ll have blood drawn to check your hCG hormone levels and to determine your blood type and Rh-factor. During your exam, your doctor will probably perform a pap smear to screen for STDs, unless you’ve had one recently.  

Urine tests will now become the norm; doctors will check your protein levels to monitor for preeclampsia and glucose levels to screen for gestational diabetes. Your doctor should also present you with information on genetic testing. While prenatal testing is not mandatory, the results can provide valuable information.

Take care of yourself

As tempting as it is to let thoughts of your baby consume all your time and energy, it’s important to take time for yourself. Pamper yourself a bit; you’re growing a new person—you deserve to rest and relax, too. Higher stress levels during pregnancy can affect your baby through the amniotic fluid, potentially leading to mood disorders in female offspring, issues with brain connectivity development, and a higher risk of asthma.

What else should I do?

Schedule your 12-week doctor’s appointment.

Discuss genetic testing with your doctor and your partner to determine if it makes sense for you.

Drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet rich in fiber to stave off constipation.

Talk to your doctor before making any radical changes to your diet and exercise. While it’s safe to work out while pregnant, don’t jump into anything new or strenuous without discussing things with your doctor.

This Week’s FAQs

How much pregnancy weight gain is healthy?

Does stress cause miscarriage?

Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?

Why I Made My Pregnancy Announcement Early

Lindsay Meisel

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8  weeks  pregnant

• Pregnancy Symptoms Week 8
• Pregnancy Checklist

Highlights this week

Your baby's fingers and toes.

Your baby's hands and feet – which look like paddles – are sprouting webbed fingers and toes . Nerves, bones, and muscles are developing inside your baby's tiny limbs.

Breast changes

Your breasts may be tender and swollen by now. If your old bras are feeling tight, buy a few good maternity bras  for support.

Pregnancy and work

If you work with other expecting moms or people with young children, you may want to ask for their support and advice on being pregnant at work .

Your baby registry

It's not too soon to check out Registry Builder , which finds the best baby registries for you and helps you manage them in one place.

Baby development at 8 weeks

Baby movements.

Your baby is moving! These first movements are more like spontaneous twitches and stretches. They start at about 7 to 8 weeks and are visible on ultrasound. You won't feel your baby move until sometime between 16 and 22 weeks, though. Until then, your baby's movements aren't strong enough for you to notice.

Getting ready to breathe

Your baby's respiratory system is forming. Breathing tubes extend from your baby's throat to the branches of their developing lungs .

Nerve network

A network of nerves is spreading through your baby's body, making connections not only with each other but also with muscles and other tissues, as well as organs like the eyes and ears.

Having twins?

Learn more about being  8 weeks pregnant with twins .

Your baby is about the size of a kidney bean

Pregnancy symptoms during week 8, white discharge.

You may notice an increase in white creamy discharge early in pregnancy, due to higher levels of estrogen. White vaginal discharge (called leucorrhea) is nothing to worry about: This discharge is normal and can be clear to milky white, thin or thick, and mild-smelling or odorless. But vaginal discharge that's green, smells unpleasant, causes pain or itching, or seems unusual in any other way could be a sign of infection or another problem.

Growing breasts

Rising levels of hormones cause your breasts to grow in preparation for making breast milk. Don't be surprised if you go up a cup size or two, especially if it's your first baby. Other breast changes you may see include visible veins on your breasts, darker nipples, and more pronounced bumps on your areolas.

Abdominal bloating

Hormonal changes in early pregnancy may leave you feeling bloated , similar to the feeling some women have just before their period. That's why your clothes may feel more snug than usual at the waistline, even early on when your uterus is still relatively small.

Heightened sense of smell

You might feel like you have a superhuman sense of smell right now. Unfortunately, most of what you're smelling may make you want to throw up. A heightened sense of smell often goes hand in hand with food aversions – both are linked to surging levels of pregnancy hormones, and both tend to fade by the second trimester.

Weird pregnancy dreams

First you give birth to ... your partner. Then you make a speedy getaway in a school bus. Finally, you're engulfed by a tidal wave. Pregnancy dreams are all over the place, and can reflect the excitement you feel, as well as the fear and worries you may have about becoming a parent.

Headaches are common during pregnancy due to factors including increased blood flow and fatigue. Cutting back on caffeine during pregnancy , though important, can also lead to an aching head. Ask your provider before you take pain medicine for a headache. In general, acetaminophen is safe to take as directed during pregnancy, but aspirin , ibuprofen , and most prescription migraine drugs are not. You can also try a number of natural headache remedies to ease your discomfort, like getting a massage, using a compress, practicing relaxation techniques, exercising, and taking a shower.

Severe morning sickness

Most women feel nauseated during pregnancy at some point, and about half vomit. But an unlucky 3 percent of expecting moms experience hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), an extreme form of morning sickness that can lead to dehydration , weight loss , and other complications . Call your provider if you can't keep anything down (including fluids); vomit blood; have lost more than 5 pounds; feel weak, faint, or dizzy; have a fever or abdominal pain; or have dark and strong-smelling urine.

Don't see your symptom?

Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page .

Pregnancy checklist at 8 weeks pregnant

Start documenting your bump.

Create a fun time lapse of your pregnancy by documenting your growing bump every week or so. Check out these tips on how to get the best bump photos week after week. Even if you don't see a noticeable bump yet, start taking photos now so you have a starting point for comparison.

Pay attention to your mental health

It's common to feel moody during pregnancy . But if you're feeling more than a little blue, or if these emotions persist for more than two weeks, take our prenatal depression quiz and discuss the results with your healthcare provider.

Focus on good pregnancy sleep

In early pregnancy you may be more exhausted than you ever imagined you could be. It takes a lot of energy to make a new life! Pregnancy also brings a host of sleep disturbances such as frequent urination, nausea, heartburn, leg cramps, and snoring. Get more rest by turning in early – you'll be glad when you wake up refreshed the next day. Practice the basics of good sleep during pregnancy by watching what and when you eat, using the right pillows, learning how to relax, and practicing good "sleep hygiene." Sleep hygiene means sticking to a sleep schedule, establishing a bedtime routine, and blocking light and noise in your bedroom.

Use sunscreen

It's always important to use sunscreen, but during pregnancy it can help you avoid a condition called melasma or chloasma – darker patches of skin on your face or body, which may be triggered by hormonal changes. Women with darker skin are more likely to experience melasma, but it can happen to any expecting mom. Melasma is also sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy because the splotches typically show up around your upper lip, nose, cheekbones, and forehead in the shape of a mask. These darker spots will eventually go away after pregnancy. Staying out of the sun and using a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day (whether or not it's sunny) is the best way to prevent melasma.

Learn about pregnancy weight gain

Wondering how much pregnancy weight to gain? It depends on your pre-pregnancy body mass index and whether or not you're carrying twins or multiples. If you're at a healthy weight, aim to gain 1 to 5 pounds in the first trimester and about 1 pound per week after that. Check out our pregnancy weight gain calculator to find your target weight range.

8 weeks pregnant bellies

For many expecting moms, it's still too early to have a true pregnancy bump. But it may be getting harder to hide the changes your body is undergoing. If you're not ready to share your news, you may have to get creative with loose clothing that hides your chest and belly. An oversized cardigan, button-down shirt, or sweatshirt over leggings may do the trick for now.

The first trimester isn't usually a beauty enhancer. Thanks to fatigue and nausea, you may have dark circles under your eyes and a pale or greenish tint to your skin. (Early pregnancy can bring new meaning to the phrase "green around the gills.") But never fear, it won't be too long before you're sporting a beautiful bump, thicker hair , and glowing skin . Pregnancy affects women differently, but many expecting moms feel (and look) amazing in the second trimester, so hang in there.

This week's video

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

ACOG. 2020. How your fetus grows during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy Opens a new window  [Accessed March 2022]

Mayo Clinic. 2020. Fetal development: The 1st trimester.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20045302 Opens a new window  [Accessed March 2022]

MedlinePlus (ADAM). 2021. Fetal development.  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htm Opens a new window  [Accessed March 2022]

Marcella Gates is Director of Content Operations at BabyCenter, the world's number one digital parenting resource, and is an expert on pregnancy and parenting. As a mom of three, she loves that her professional life is focused on supporting and empowering parents and expecting parents. Gates lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Pregnancy and work: Your complete guide

Everything you need to know about your second pregnancy

Breast changes during pregnancy

How big is my baby? Week-by-week fruit and veggie comparisons

8 Weeks Pregnant

Medical review policy, latest update:, your baby at week 8, at a glance, 8 weeks pregnant is how many months, how big is my baby at 8 weeks, baby's growing fast, baby's got lips, a nose and eyelids, baby is on the move, your body at week 8.

Morning sickness

Eating fruit during pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms week 8, tips for you this week.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting , 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Headaches During Pregnancy , July 2021. WhatToExpect.com, What Sunscreen Is Safe During Pregnancy? , April 2022. WhatToExpect.com, 18 Best Foods to Eat During Pregnancy , April 2022. Mayo Clinic, Fetal Development: The 1st Trimester , June 2022. KidsHealth From Nemours, Week 8 , May 2022. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Fetal Development , July 2021. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy , December 2021. Johns Hopkins Medicine, The First Trimester , August 2021. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy , December 2021. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy , June 2011. UpToDate, Patient Education: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy (Beyond the Basics) , April 2023. Society for Endocrinology, Relaxin , Jul 2021. American College of Gastroenterology, Belching, Bloating, and Flatulence , January 2022. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Skin Conditions During Pregnancy , July 2022. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Exercise During Pregnancy , March 2022. WhatToExpect.com, Morning Sickness and Nausea During Pregnancy , December 2022. WhatToExpect.com, How Many Weeks, Months and Trimesters in a Pregnancy? , May 2022. WhatToExpect.com, Home Remedies for Pregnancy Morning Sickness , October 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Chinese Gender Predictor , May 2023. WhatToExpect.com, Hot Tubs and Saunas During Pregnancy , October 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Bleeding After Sex During Pregnancy , July 2022. WhatToExpect.com, Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy) , March 2023. WhatToExpect.com, Sensitive Skin During Pregnancy , February 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Baby Registry Checklist: Exactly What to Put on a Baby Registry , April 2023. WhatToExpect.com, Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy (Leukorrhea) , January 2022. WhatToExpect.com, Fatigue During Pregnancy , November 2022. WhatToExpect.com, What to Do About Bloating During Pregnancy , February 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Food Cravings and Aversions During Pregnancy , April 2021.

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You might be feeling bloated and you may have slightly swollen breasts, but it will probably be a few more weeks before you start looking pregnant.

For information on your pregnancy journey, sign up for regular emails tailored to your stage of pregnancy or baby's age.

What's happening in my body?

Your baby is growing very quickly. The placenta is getting ready to provide nutrients and oxygen and take away the waste.

As part of this process, your placenta is sprouting little branches that will enable it to attach itself to the wall of your womb.

Beating the pregnancy blues

There may be times when you feel anxious and stressed. Look after yourself and get as much rest as you can. Try to eat 6 small healthy meals a day.

You could also experiment with mindfulness . You can read NHS advice on how to cope with feelings and relationships during your pregnancy .

The important thing is to share your worries, as there is lots of support available. A good start would be to talk to your midwife or doctor.

Early pregnancy symptoms (at 8 weeks)

You may be feeling tired and sick, you could find yourself peeing more often as your expanding womb pushes onto your bladder. If this starts to affect your sleep, try to drink lots of fluids in the day but less in the evenings.

Your symptoms could also include:

• a metallic taste in your mouth
• sore breasts
• morning sickness (read some ways to cope with morning sickness on week 6's page )
• mood swings
• new likes and dislikes for food and drink
• a heightened sense of smell
• a milky white pregnancy discharge from your vagina
• light spotting (see your doctor if you get bleeding in pregnancy)
• cramping, a bit like period pains
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma faciei or the "mask of pregnancy"
• thicker and shinier hair
• bloating and the feeling of being bloated (read ways to cope with bloating on week 10's page )
• morning sickness ( see week 6 for morning sickness remedies )

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby is now around 16mm long, which is about the size of a raspberry. By next week, they will be twice the size!

The tiny head has started to uncurl a bit. Their arms are getting longer and are bigger than the legs as the upper part of the body grows faster than the lower part. The legs are getting longer too, although the knees, ankles, thighs and toes have not developed yet.

Around now, your embryo becomes a "foetus", which means offspring in Latin.

Action stations

Share the news with your GP or ask for an appointment with a midwife at your doctors' surgery. Alternatively you can refer yourself to your local hospital – look for contact details on their website.

You'll need to arrange a booking appointment . This usually takes place between weeks 8 and 12, and takes around an hour.

You can talk about the options for your pregnancy and the birth. Plus you'll be offered screening tests for infectious diseases, and conditions such as Down's syndrome. You could ask about the Maternity Transformation Programme and how it could benefit you.

You will get your first dating scan at 8 to 14 weeks.

If it's your first pregnancy you will probably have around 10 appointments and 2 scans in total. Ask if it's possible to see the same carer for your entire pregnancy, to give you continuity.

Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.

Antenatal classes will give you the chance to meet other people and prepare you for parenthood. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.

Do your best to stop smoking, give up alcohol , and go easy on the tea, coffee and anything else with caffeine .

Ask your midwife or GP for support.

Take prenatal vitamins . You're advised to take 400mcg of folic acid every day, until at least week 12. This helps to form your baby's nervous system and offers some protection from conditions such as spina bifida.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin.

However, between October and early March, consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round – find out if this applies to you on the NHS website.

You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins .

It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant .

You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise – perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section).

Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

There's no need to eat for 2. You just need to eat a healthy balanced diet, with a variety of different foods every day, including plenty of fruit and veg. Have a look at our guide to healthy eating in pregnancy .

You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme .

How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor. They can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.

You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live.

Don't keep it to yourself. It's important that you ask for help if you need it.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Do you think you or your partner could have an STI ? If so, get checked out, as this could affect your baby's development. Talk to your midwife or GP, or visit a sexual health clinic.

Long-term conditions

If you have a long-term health condition, then let your specialist or GP know you're pregnant as soon as possible.

Don't stop taking any regular medication without discussing it with your doctor first.

Want to know when the baby's due?

Use the NHS's pregnancy due date calculator . You'll get a more accurate date from your doctor or midwife when you have a dating scan (usually at 8 to 14 weeks).

More in week-by-week

Your pregnancy hormones are flooding your body, which may still be causing you to feel unwell. Thankfully this will not last forever.

More in week-by-week guide to pregnancy

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