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You and your baby at 8 weeks pregnant

Your baby at 8 weeks

By the time you're 8 weeks pregnant, your baby is called a foetus, which means offspring.

The legs are getting longer. The different parts of the leg are not properly distinct yet. It'll be a bit longer before the knees, ankles, thighs and toes develop.

The foetus is still inside its amniotic sac and the placenta is continuing to develop, forming structures that help attach the placenta to the wall of the womb.

At this stage, the foetus still gets its nourishment from the yolk sac.

You at 8 weeks

Your womb has grown to the size of a lemon by the time you're around 7 or 8 weeks pregnant.

You're probably feeling tired. Your breasts might feel sore and enlarged, and you're probably needing to pee more often than usual.

You'll probably have missed your second period. But you may experience a little bleeding in pregnancy from your vagina.

Always mention any bleeding in pregnancy to your midwife or GP, particularly if it continues and you get stomach pain.

Things to think about

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In this video, a midwife gives advice on how to deal with morning sickness during your pregnancy.

Media last reviewed: 25 January 2023
Media review due: 25 January 2026

Page last reviewed: 12 October 2021
Next review due: 12 October 2024