8 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Development

At 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is approximately the size of a kidney bean. Fingers and toes begin to form. Facial features become more defined and organs develop.

Eight weeks is a significant milestone. Your baby — officially called an embryo until week 10, when they become a foetus — is growing at a remarkable rate. Though you may have very little to show for it on the outside, an extraordinary amount is happening inside.

Baby Size
Development Milestones
Your Symptoms at 8 Weeks
Antenatal Care at This Stage
Frequently Asked Questions

Baby Size at 8 Weeks

Your baby is roughly the size of a kidney bean — around 1.6 cm from crown to rump. That might not sound like much, but the pace of development at this stage is extraordinary. In just a few weeks, your baby has gone from a cluster of cells to a recognisable tiny human form with a distinct head, body, and emerging limbs.

Development Milestones

At 8 weeks, a great deal is happening simultaneously:

Fingers and toes are forming. The hands and feet have developed paddle-like buds, and the webbing between the digits is beginning to break down, allowing individual fingers and toes to emerge.
The heart is beating. By now, the heart has four chambers and is beating regularly. A heartbeat is usually visible on an early scan at this stage.
Facial features are becoming defined. Eyes, nose, lips, and ears are all developing. The eyes are covered by fused eyelids, which will not open fully until much later in pregnancy.
All major organs are forming. The brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, and digestive system are all developing rapidly. The stomach has begun to form, and the intestines are growing.
Movement begins. Your baby is starting to make spontaneous movements, though you won't feel them for many weeks yet. The nervous system is already sending signals to the muscles.
The tail disappears. By week 8, the small tail-like structure that was visible in earlier weeks has nearly vanished as the body straightens and lengthens.

Your Symptoms at 8 Weeks

Many women feel at their most pregnant around this time, even though the bump hasn't arrived yet. Common experiences include:

Morning sickness — which can strike at any time of day. Nausea often peaks around weeks 8 to 10 for many women. Eating small, frequent meals and keeping plain crackers nearby can help.
Extreme tiredness. Your body is doing enormous work. Rest whenever you can; this fatigue typically eases in the second trimester.
Sore or tender breasts. Hormonal changes are preparing your breasts for feeding.
Frequent urination. Your kidneys are processing more fluid, and your uterus is beginning to press on your bladder.
Food aversions and heightened sense of smell. Foods you previously enjoyed may suddenly feel intolerable.
Bloating and constipation. Pregnancy hormones slow digestion.

Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, and their intensity varies widely. If your symptoms are severe — particularly vomiting that prevents you keeping any food or fluid down — speak to your midwife or GP, as you may need treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum.

Antenatal Care at This Stage

If you haven't already, now is the time to register with your GP for antenatal care if you haven't done so. Your GP or midwife will arrange your booking appointment, which usually takes place between 8 and 12 weeks. At the booking appointment, your midwife will:

Take a full health history
Arrange blood tests to check your blood type, iron levels, and screen for infections
Discuss your options and preferences for your pregnancy care
Arrange your dating scan, which typically happens between 10 and 14 weeks

If you have not yet made contact with your GP about your pregnancy, do so this week.

Frequently Asked Questions

### How big is my baby at 8 weeks?

Your baby is approximately 1.6 cm from crown to rump — roughly the size of a kidney bean. Despite being tiny, the basic structure of all major organs and body parts is already forming.

Can I see my baby on a scan at 8 weeks?

Yes. An early reassurance scan at 8 weeks will show your baby and, in most cases, the heartbeat flickering on screen. This kind of early scan is not routinely offered on the NHS but is available privately. Your NHS dating scan will take place between 10 and 14 weeks, when measurements are most accurate for confirming your due date.

Is it normal to have no symptoms at 8 weeks?

It is possible. Some women experience very few pregnancy symptoms throughout, especially in early pregnancy. Lack of symptoms alone is not a sign that something is wrong. If you have had symptoms that suddenly disappear, or if you have any bleeding or pain, contact your midwife or early pregnancy unit for reassurance.

Speak to your midwife or GP if you have any concerns about your health or your baby's development at 8 weeks.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

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