Your Pregnancy at Week 8

It's safe to assume that by week eight, you are feeling pregnant, and even though your jeans are a bit snugger around the waistline, you probably still don't look it (aside from your breasts being a bit fuller). If your breasts are tender or sore, you're not alone. Pregnancy hormones are preparing your body for lactation, causing you to feel oh-so tired and doing all sorts of distracting things to your body.

Progesterone is to blame for your present fatigue.

And it's still important that you avoid large amounts of caffeine, even if you are tired.  A safe amount of caffeine for pregnant individuals is 1-2 cups daily. As to what is responsible for any thin, milky vaginal discharge you might be experiencing? That's estrogen. This discharge is called leukorrhea. It protects the birth canal from becoming infected and keeps bacteria at a healthy, balanced level, so it's tremendously important that you avoid douching and washing it away. Wearing a pad can help relieve it if it feels like a lot.

By now, 75 percent of expecting parents are familiar with morning sickness, aka "All-the-Time Sickness." The silver lining is in knowing these foods and smell aversions, and the nausea and vomiting typically tend to subside at the end of this trimester, around weeks 12-14, which is right around the corner! Staying hydrated will help. Are you drinking enough? Keep an eye on the color of your urine, which should be lightly colored. If it's dark, you are not getting enough fluid. Remaining hydrated is extremely important during pregnancy, so drink up! You might be surprised with how impactful proper hydration can be.

Everything is stinky. Everything makes you feel like vomiting. Everything... is different, now that you're eight weeks pregnant. Your body is all sorts of amazing madness. Here are few, but not all, of the pregnancy symptoms you may be experiencing:

Morning sickness, nausea, or vomiting: this notorious pregnancy symptom can vary drastically from pregnancy to pregnancy and despite the name may not be limited to the morning hours. Nausea may or may not be accompanied by vomiting and can be triggered by hunger, strong smells… or at times seemingly nothing at all. 

Food cravings and/or aversions: What sounds appealing (or disgusting) to eat may be unpredictable and change drastically from day to day, or even moment to moment during this trimester. Do your best to make an effort to eat healthy snacks to give you and your baby some level of nutrients and energy. 

Heartburn: Increased levels of progesterone cause your digestive system to slow down so nutrients can be more easily absorbed, but this can result in digestive discomfort including heartburn. Talk to your medical care provider about options for relief if you’re feeling too uncomfortable.

Cramps or bloating: Changes in your digestive system triggered by hormones can cause things to slow down, increasing uncomfortable symptoms such as cramps or bloating. Talk to your healthcare provider about options for relief if you are uncomfortable.

Frequent urination: eventually the pressure of your growing baby may press on your bladder, but for now your little one is too small to press against your organs so you can thank hormones for this symptom.

Vaginal discharge: increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy is called leucorrhoea. This symptom can serve as a protection for your growing baby as it prevents infection from traveling up the vagina and into the womb. You can wear a panty liner if it makes you more comfortable, but do not use tampons or insert anything into your vagina during pregnancy.  

Constipation: like heartburn and bloating, constipation can be the result of hormonal changes causing your digestive system to slow down. Try staying hydrated and increasing your fiber intake to keep things moving. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are still experiencing difficulty pooping.

Headaches: Hormones are usually to blame for first-trimester headaches, but factors could also include being hungry, dehydrated, tired, or having low blood sugar. Take care to rest, drink plenty of water, and eat small frequent meals when you can.

Amplified sense of smell: welcome to your new superpower! While foul scents can trigger nausea and vomiting, you may also find yourself able to “sniff out” the source of mysterious odors. Additionally, positive smells will be even more enjoyable than they were before pregnancy!

Crazy pregnancy dreams: vivid dreams can be some of the more interesting pregnancy symptoms. While the cause is unknown it may have something to do with hormones or the fact that nausea or frequent urination means you are not sleeping as deeply and can remember your dreams more easily. 

Mood swings: you may find yourself feeling extreme emotions from joy to irritation; sometimes switching without warning. If your reactions seem to be irrational, know that your growing baby may be the explanation.

If you have a cat, steer clear of the kitty litter! Changing cat litter may put you at risk for a parasitic disease, called toxoplasmosis, which can cause pregnancy problems and serious birth defects. If there isn’t anyone else to change the litter box for you, wear rubber gloves while you scoop and change it. And when you are done... wash your hands.

Managing Sickness

Sharing The News

• I don't know - do you have any I can steal? (sarcastic)
• We're working on it. (polite)

It's truly your choice how you handle the meddlesome folk. Just don't forget to write about it in your pregnancy journal!