Overview
Fingers, toes, and tiny facial features start to take shape. Week 8 often feels like a practical turning point because booking visits, blood tests, and early pregnancy paperwork begin to enter the picture.
Around week 8 · Nausea & digestion
Morning sickness may be more noticeable or peak around this stage.
Morning sickness is very common in early pregnancy and usually harmless. Learn what's normal, what helps, and the warning signs that need a doctor.
First Trimester · Weeks 1–13
Week 8 Pregnancy
Fingers, toes, and tiny facial features start to take shape.
About the size of a raspberry3 min read10 sections
On this page
Baby Development
Fingers, toes, eyelids, and tiny facial details are becoming more recognisable, while the heart and nervous system keep refining their early structure. The embryo is starting to look more clearly human in shape.
Baby Size
A playful size comparison for this week is raspberry. That tiny raspberry now carries the outline of fingers, toes, and a face in progress.
Mother's Body Changes
You may find that your bra feels tighter, your stomach feels temperamental, and your energy drops unpredictably. The uterus is growing, but for most people the more obvious changes are still internal and hormonal.
Common Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, breast tenderness, constipation, and dizziness can all show up together in week 8. Some people also feel more emotional simply because being physically uncomfortable all day is draining.
Nutrition Tips
Think in terms of tolerance, not idealism: curd, toast, fruit, soups, dal water, smoothies, or small rice meals may be easier than heavy food. Continue supplements and ask about alternatives if tablets are making nausea worse.
Exercise & Movement
Light movement is still useful, but many people need to scale back intensity around week 8. A short walk, gentle mobility, or even just standing and stretching through the day can count.
Emotional Wellbeing
This is often the week when pregnancy starts feeling administratively real as well as physically real. That mix can be grounding for some people and overwhelming for others.
Partner Support
Partners can help by joining the planning side of pregnancy, from booking appointments to noting questions for the doctor. Carrying some of the mental load is a real form of support.
Warning Signs
Urgent warning signs this week include heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fever, fainting, leaking fluid, or a severe headache with vision changes. Call your clinician for bleeding, strong cramps, fever, or vomiting that leaves you unable to sip fluids, because severe dehydration can escalate quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
It often covers due date dating, blood tests, supplements, medical history, and questions about symptoms. Different clinics schedule it a little differently.
ParentVibes Tip
Book your first antenatal (booking) appointment if you haven't. Make a small list for your first antenatal visit so symptom questions do not disappear the moment you sit down.
Continue your journey
Explore the full first trimester guide.
ParentVibes offers general information, not medical advice. Always follow your doctor or midwife.