Louise 
At 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is still tiny — but your body might feel anything but at 8 weeks pregnant.
Whether you’re thriving, nauseous, overwhelmed, or all three before breakfast, you’re right on track at 8 weeks pregnant. This week often comes with big feelings, big hormones, and very little energy. And that’s okay.
Here’s what’s going on behind the scenes (and under the surface) at week 8 of pregnancy.
👶 Your Baby at 8 Weeks
Your baby is now about the size of a raspberry — around 1.5–2cm long — and starting to look less like a tadpole and more like a mini human.
Here’s what’s happening this week:
🧠 The brain is growing rapidly, especially the forebrain
💓 The heart has now formed four chambers and beats around 150–170 bpm
👁️ Eyes are developing, though the lids are still sealed
👃 The beginnings of a nose and upper lip are forming
✋ Little limb buds are becoming arms and legs — and teeny fingers are appearing at 8 weeks pregnant.
They’re still curled up and floating in amniotic fluid — but already doing little twitchy movements, even if you can’t feel them yet.
🤰 Pregnancy Symptoms at 8 Weeks
This week can be a hormonal high tide — and it can be rough. Most people at 8 weeks pregnant are well into the land of symptoms. You may feel like you’ve got a hangover and a stomach bug at the same time… without the fun night out to justify it.
Some of the most common symptoms at this stage include:
Nausea (with or without actual vomiting)
Sore, tingly or growing breasts
Bloating or trapped wind
Mood swings (rage-crying is real)
Tiredness that feels next-level
A strong sense of smell — and weird food aversions at 8 weeks pregnant.
Needing to wee all. the. time.
💡 Reassurance moment: If you’re not feeling many symptoms, that can also be completely normal. It doesn’t mean anything’s wrong — everyone’s body reacts differently to early pregnancy.
📅 What Should You Be Doing This Week?
There’s no long to-do list right now, but here are a few key things to check in with:
Have you booked your first midwife appointment (aka the booking appointment)? It usually happens around 8–10 weeks.
Keep taking your folic acid (or methylfolate) and vitamin D
Stay hydrated at 8 weeks pregnant — tiny, frequent sips are your best friend
Eat what you can manage — don’t feel guilty about beige food
If you’re worried about anything (bleeding, pain, or severe sickness), contact your midwife or GP — you’re never a burden. You can find more information about early pregnancy on the NHS information pages.
If you’re starting to wonder how on earth you’ll manage birth, or if it’s too soon to think about it — we’ve got you. You can dip your toes in now with our calm, no-pressure, free Natural Labour & Birth class 👇
💬 Honest Midwife Thoughts
Week 8 is deep in the first trimester — the bit where you’re growing a whole new human, often without anyone else knowing. It can be emotional, isolating, and really, really tiring.
If your body feels completely out of your control right now, you’re not alone. You don’t have to love pregnancy to be doing an incredible job of it. You’re allowed to find it hard. And you’re allowed to rest.
💜 When you’re ready to learn, plan or just get some reassurance from real midwives — I’m here.
