Pregnancy: 8 weeks

The 8th obstetric week of pregnancy, determined by the day of the beginning of the last menstruation that preceded fertilization, completes the second stage of intrauterine development - the period of embryogenesis.

It is at the end of this period that the future child moves from the state of an embryo, that is, a fetus, to the stage of a fetus. And pregnancy will enter the fetal period of development.

Let's find out what pregnancy looks like at 8 weeks and what happens at 8 weeks of pregnancy with the future baby and its mother.

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Signs of pregnancy at 8 weeks

Signs of pregnancy at 8 weeks are already more than clearly noticeable. And without exaggeration, we can say that sensations at 8 weeks of pregnancy are very diverse.

All changes in the physical and emotional-psychological state of pregnant women, as well as their well-being in the 8th week of pregnancy - directly or indirectly - are generated and coordinated by the hormone progesterone. Although a pregnancy test, including a test in the 8th week of pregnancy, is based on the detection of another hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is produced only by the outer villous membrane of the fertilized egg (chorion) after its implantation in the endometrium of the uterus, and this occurs several days after fertilization. That is, menstruation in the 8th week of pregnancy should stop.

But let's return to progesterone, which is synthesized by the ovaries and adrenal glands (and after the 13th week, by the placenta) and thanks to which the fertilized egg (blastocyst) is fixed on the wall of the uterus. The pregnant woman's body responds to the sedative effect of this hormone with an increased feeling of fatigue and drowsiness, some imbalance and "unreasonable" mood swings.

The most typical signs of pregnancy at 8 weeks, which almost all expectant mothers note, are related to appetite, taste sensations and, in general, to digestion. Many suffer from morning sickness at 8 weeks of pregnancy, and vomiting at 8 weeks of pregnancy is also common. Obstetricians call this toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy. Its development is facilitated by many hormones. Thus, the adrenal cortex produces more cortisol and cortisone - to ensure optimal carbohydrate metabolism and accumulation of energy reserves in the liver in the form of glycogen. But the secretion of the digestive hormone gastrin (responsible for the level of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice) can both decrease and increase. In the first case, the pregnant woman loses her appetite and slows down the digestion of food, and in the second, a "wolfish" appetite awakens, heartburn torments, and excessive weight gain occurs.

Constipation in the 8th week of pregnancy is also a characteristic sign of this condition. The fact is that progesterone relaxes the myometrium of the uterus, and at the same time the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. And increased production of estrogen, aimed at the development of the pregnant uterus, simultaneously reduces the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, there is a decrease in the level of the hormone motilin synthesized in the small intestine, which should help in the movement of food through the digestive tract. All these factors cause not only constipation in the 8th week of pregnancy, but also flatulence - bloating in the 8th week of pregnancy.

Experts also note an increase in the blood of pregnant women of the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone, which, in addition to fluid retention in tissues, increases the production of melanin. And this is the reason for the appearance of pigment spots on the face of pregnant women - one of the external signs of pregnancy.

What does pregnancy look like at 8 weeks: uterus, breasts, belly

The uterus at 8 weeks of pregnancy under the influence of estrogen increases, but still remains within the pelvis, so the belly at 8 weeks of pregnancy does not yet give away the woman's "interesting position" to others. Although pregnant women (especially thin ones) often feel a slight increase in the volume of the abdomen in the hypogastrium - between the navel and the pubic area.

However, the uterus already begins to stretch the round ligaments, which outside of pregnancy hold it in an inclined position, as well as the sacrouterine ligaments. Because of this, pregnant women complain of a pulling stomach at 8 weeks of pregnancy or a pulling lower back at 8 weeks of pregnancy.

The gradually growing uterus at 8 weeks of pregnancy begins to put pressure on the bladder, as the peritoneal lining of the growing uterus moves onto it. So visits to the toilet inevitably become more frequent.

The mucous membrane of the cervical canal produces a special cervical secretion that prevents infection from entering the uterine cavity. During pregnancy, the mucus becomes thicker, forming a plug that completely closes the canal. However, there may be minor light discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy, associated with the characteristics of the local microflora and hormone levels. Discharge that indicates the presence of pathologies will be discussed a little later.

The changes that the breast undergoes in the 8th week of pregnancy make themselves known, first of all, by the enlargement of the mammary glands, which is necessary for the upcoming lactation.

You have probably already noticed that your bra has become too small and you need a larger size. Changes in hormonal levels, as well as other tissue changes, are explained by preparation for breastfeeding. Breasts can continue to increase in size throughout pregnancy.

Under the influence of estriol, progesterone and chorionic somatotropin, more milk lobules, alveoli and excretory ducts are formed in the breast. And thanks to the intensive synthesis of the pituitary hormone prolactin, which begins in the 8th week of gestation, the process of colostrum production is launched. All these physiological changes cause such sensations in the 8th week of pregnancy as tingling in the mammary glands, some soreness, increased sensitivity of the nipples, darkening of the nipples and areola.

Hormonal changes - particularly a sharp rise in progesterone - can cause fatigue. Nausea and vomiting can also sap energy. You may have trouble sleeping, especially if you constantly have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.

An idea to combat fatigue "Short 15-20 minute walks helped me cope with chronic fatigue in the first trimester of pregnancy. It was the only way I could fight sleep during work hours" - Gabriela.

Fetus at 8 weeks of pregnancy

Obstetricians determine the physical and physiological parameters of the fetus at this stage based on an ultrasound scan at 8 weeks of pregnancy.

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How does the child grow?

This week: Fingers and toes are forming, eyelids are almost completely covering the eyes, and breathing tubes are leading from the throat to the lungs. Nerve cells in the brain are developing and connecting to form primitive neural pathways, but external genitalia have not yet developed to determine baby's gender. Baby is already moving and shifting constantly, although you may not feel it yet.

Important: Each baby's development is unique. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of fetal development.

Given the characteristic position of the embryo in the uterus, its length is usually determined from the coccyx to the crown. The norm of the coccyx-parietal size - CTE at 8 weeks of pregnancy - is no more than 2-2.5 cm, with half of this length falling on the head. The weight fluctuates in a fairly wide range - from 5 to 13 grams. Also, the ultrasound determines the average internal diameter of the fetal egg - SVD

It should be emphasized that, despite such dimensions, at this stage all the tissues of the fetus have already differentiated and almost all of its internal organs have formed: the brain (there is a wall of the hemispheres, the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata, the rudiments of the cortex and the medulla), the heart (which already has 4 chambers), the stomach, intestines, kidneys, and liver (with bile ducts). The eyes have become closer to the bridge of the nose, but are not yet covered by the eyelids; the tip of the nose and the upper lip are distinguished. The lower and upper limbs are clearly visible on ultrasound. Moreover, the fetus is already beginning to move them, which indicates the functioning of neurons.

The last stage is the formation of the fetal blood vessel system. Although its blood circulation is still chorionic (placental will begin only from the 13th week, when the placenta is fully formed), the fetus at the 8th week of pregnancy already has its own blood group. The first lymph nodes are also present.

The 8th week of pregnancy is crucial in the development of the fetus's sex glands, i.e. in determining the sex of the future child. If the Y-chromosome gene, which potentially determines the male sex, is present in the embryo's genome, the embryo has a "chromosomal set" of 46XY, and will be a boy. In the absence of the Y-chromosome, the karyotype 46XX is activated, and then the female sex organs begin to form from the urogenital ridges of the embryo, and a girl will be born.

By the way, twins at 8 weeks of pregnancy develop identically to a singleton pregnancy, but the expectant mother may feel a little more nauseous and a little longer - not until the 12th week, but until about the 16th week.

Pathologies in the 8th week of pregnancy: uterine tone, pain and various discharges

The tone of the uterus in the 8th week of pregnancy – that is, the tension of its muscular membrane (myometrium) – is constantly changing. And this is a physiologically normal process, caused by the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation of the body of the uterus and its cervix.

Outside of pregnancy, no attention is paid to the degree of tension or relaxation of the longitudinal and circular fibers of the myometrium.

But hypertonicity – increased tone of the uterus at 8 weeks of pregnancy – is a cause for concern, especially since the period from 8 to 12 weeks is considered a period of increased risk in clinical obstetrics. And this risk is that a spontaneous termination of pregnancy at 8 weeks or, more simply, a miscarriage at 8 weeks of pregnancy may occur.

With an increase in the tone of the anterior wall of the uterus at this stage, pregnant women feel how the abdomen becomes hard, at later stages there may be pain in the lower abdomen of a pulling nature. Treatment of this symptom is carried out by taking the drug Duphaston - a synthetic analogue of endogenous progesterone (standard dosage - 20 mg per day, taken only as prescribed by a doctor - according to a special scheme); No-shpa (one tablet three times a day), as well as magnesium preparations (citrate, gluconate or lactate of magnesium, Magne B6) - in an individually prescribed dosage by the doctor.

Pain in the 8th week of pregnancy can be different and have several causes. First of all, the stomach hurts in the 8th week of pregnancy due to excessive physical activity and increased uterine tone. And also with constipation and problems with the passage of intestinal gases, with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, fibroids, endometriosis, endometrioid cysts and other pathologies not related to pregnancy.

But most often, doctors at antenatal clinics listen to complaints from patients that they have lower back pain at 8 weeks of pregnancy or that their back hurts at 8 weeks of pregnancy. What is the cause of this pain, because the period is still short, and women do not yet feel the heaviness of the abdomen? And the reason is that the trophoblast of the chorion of the fetus, as well as the endometrium of the uterus and the ovaries of the pregnant woman begin to produce a special hormone, relaxin, the task of which is to gradually prepare the woman's musculoskeletal system for childbirth during the process of bearing a child. Relaxin promotes relaxation of the ligaments of the pubic symphysis of the pelvic bones, however, this hormone is not selective, which is why the ligaments of the spinal column also weaken.

With an increase or decrease in blood pressure, with an acute respiratory viral infection or a cold, with too much sleep during the day, headaches often occur at 8 weeks of pregnancy.

Discharge during the 8th week of pregnancy is also different, but you need to treat them with equal care.

Thus, minor yellow discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy, which does not cause pain and does not have an unpleasant odor, is considered a completely normal phenomenon. But with abundant vaginal discharge with itching, one should suspect the development of vaginal candidiasis - thrush (Thrush at 8 weeks of pregnancy - see below).

Menstruation at 8 weeks of pregnancy, in theory, should be absent: after all, the endometrium in the pregnant uterus cannot be rejected. However, there is so-called spotting at 8 weeks of pregnancy, which specialists in the field of diseases of the female reproductive system classify as bleeding. In particular, implantation bleeding can be a one-time pink discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy, provoked by the introduction of a blastocyst into the mucous membrane of the uterus. Pale pink discharge from the uterus associated with its anatomical anomalies or fibroids is also possible. But the most common cause is a very low level of progesterone or hCG in a pregnant woman, which cannot suppress luteotropin, which initiates cyclical changes in the ovary during ovulation. And in such situations, the only way to maintain pregnancy is hormone-correcting therapy.

Brown discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy, and even more so bloody discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy - against the background of general weakness and pulling painful sensations in the lower abdomen - are a sign of such a dangerous pathology as detachment at 8 weeks of pregnancy. And this means that the fertilized egg with the embryo has come off the endometrium. Partial detachment of the fertilized egg leads to the formation of a bruise. Using professional medical terminology, this is a retrochorial hematoma at 8 weeks of pregnancy. With partial detachment, doctors manage to save the pregnancy.

Minor bleeding in the 8th week of pregnancy “signals” to a woman: the pregnancy is at risk of miscarriage – see a doctor immediately!

And bleeding at 8 weeks of pregnancy (especially if it is intense, blood clots are released, and there is also severe pain in the lower abdominal cavity) means that a miscarriage occurred at 8 weeks of pregnancy, or the pregnancy was ectopic.

According to gynecologists, an ectopic pregnancy at 8 weeks of pregnancy has no other options except for the rupture of the fallopian tube under the pressure of the growing blastocyst. In this case, severe peritoneal bleeding can have fatal consequences.

In addition, there is a frozen pregnancy at 8 weeks - a particularly dangerous stage of intrauterine development. In the presence of a viral infection (rubella, cytomegalovirus, etc.), a lack of progesterone in the pregnant woman's body or an excess of testosterone, as well as in the case of embryonic anomalies of a genetic nature, the development of the fetus stops. The woman herself most often does not notice this, and everything results in a spontaneous termination of pregnancy at 8 weeks.

Tests at 8 weeks of pregnancy

The following tests are considered mandatory for expectant mothers in the 8th week of pregnancy:

• general blood test (with determination of blood type and Rh factor);
• biochemical blood test;
• blood test for β-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin);
• blood test for progesterone levels;
• blood test for prothrombin (determination of coagulation);
• blood test for the presence of antibodies to the Rh factor (if the child’s father has a positive Rh factor);
• blood test for RPR (syphilis), HIV, HbsAg (hepatitis B), anti-HCV (hepatitis C);
• blood test for rubella antibodies;
• blood test for herpes (anti-HSV IgG and anti-HSV IgM);
• general urine analysis and urine protein analysis;
• stool analysis;
• general smear for microflora.

Normal hCG levels at 8 weeks of pregnancy, or more precisely from 7 to 10 weeks, are 21,000-291,000 mIU/ml. Such a wide range of this indicator is explained by the fact that from the moment the fertilized egg is fixed in the uterus until the 10th gestational week, the content of chorionic gonadotropin in the blood of a pregnant woman almost doubles every 48 hours. Therefore, a deviation from the hCG norm towards a decrease is considered by doctors as a dangerous symptom that may be associated with the threat of spontaneous termination of pregnancy, ectopic (extrauterine) or frozen (non-developing) pregnancy. Naturally, twins at 8 weeks of pregnancy will show a twice as high hCG level.

Progesterone at 8 weeks of pregnancy is considered normal with values that fluctuate in the range of 9-468 nmol/l (in other units of measurement - 30-39 ng/ml or 4.7-34 mcg/l).

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Prenatal diagnostics at 8 weeks of pregnancy

Your doctor may recommend a variety of tests during pregnancy, ranging from genetic screening to diagnostic tests. Some are simple blood tests, while others involve more invasive procedures. Before you agree to a test, ask your doctor to explain the need for it, the potential risks, and the possible results. Many prenatal tests are intended for screening, not diagnosis. Tests to detect hidden diseases also make sense in certain circumstances. But only a diagnostic test can tell you for sure whether your baby has a health problem.

During the first trimester, the following may be prescribed:

• Combination screening test: This relatively new test for detecting hidden forms of the disease consists of a nuchal translucency test and a blood test to measure protein levels. The test is performed between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. The combination screening test will provide information about the likelihood of Down syndrome, as well as other disorders and problems.
• Chorionic villus sampling: one of the main methods of prenatal cytogenetic and molecular genetic diagnostics, involves taking a small piece (biopsy) of chorionic tissue using a transvaginal plastic catheter. Chorionic villus sampling can help identify chromosomal disorders and other genetic abnormalities. This test is performed in the first trimester of pregnancy, usually between 11 and 12 weeks.

Abortion at 8 weeks of pregnancy

An abortion at 8 weeks of pregnancy - an artificial termination of pregnancy - can be performed in a medical institution if the woman does not want to give birth. The deadline for such a "problem solution" is no more than 12 weeks. Since 2004, the possible period for an abortion in Ukraine has been reduced to 22 weeks, but in the period from 12 to 22 weeks of gestation, termination of pregnancy is considered a medical abortion. Its implementation, in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (No. 144 of February 15, 2006), must have certain medical prerequisites.

The list of such indications includes: tuberculosis (all forms), syphilis, severe forms of viral hepatitis, rubella (including contact with it), HIV (AIDS), cytomegalovirus infection, leprosy, the presence of cancer, severe heart failure, aortic aneurysm, acute and chronic renal failure, rheumatoid arthritis, hemolytic and aplastic anemia, purpura, psychosis, epilepsy, chronic alcoholism, substance abuse, etc.

It should be borne in mind that artificial termination of pregnancy at 8 weeks cannot be performed by vacuum aspiration, since it is only performed at a period of no more than 5 weeks. Therefore, abortion at 8 weeks of pregnancy can be performed either with the use of medications (the permissible period of performance is no more than 8 weeks), or by conventional surgical means.

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How You Feel at 8 Weeks of Pregnancy: Colds, Thrush, Herpes

Unfortunately, the state of health at 8 weeks of pregnancy does not always please expectant mothers. The hormones mentioned above, among other things, perform an immunosuppressive function, inhibiting the ability of the woman's body to resist infections. And this is necessary - to prevent rejection of the embryo.

So the complaint that I got sick in the 8th week of pregnancy is heard from many women: in the cold season, more than half of pregnant women get an acute respiratory viral infection or a cold in the 8th week of pregnancy.

Obstetricians assure that a temperature of 37 at 8 weeks of pregnancy is not a cause for concern, since such an indicator on the thermometer is given by the same progesterone. But subfebrile (37.5-38 ° C) and high temperature at 8 weeks of pregnancy (more than 38 ° C) require special attention and mandatory consultation with a doctor. During this period, high body temperature of a pregnant woman threatens the normal development of the future child due to hypoxia. And subfebrile can be not only with a cold, but also with cytomegalovirus infection, urogenital infections, and thyroid disorders.

Although a cold at 8 weeks of pregnancy is not so harmless: according to the results of constant obstetric monitoring, on average 15% of pregnancies up to 12 weeks end in miscarriage due to a cold or flu.

And here a problem arises: practically no medications can be taken by pregnant women in the first trimester. Therefore, in case of fever, you need to rub down with cool water or a mixture of water and table vinegar (in a 2:1 ratio). Despite the salicylic acid contained in raspberries, pregnant women can drink tea with raspberry jam for colds - without overdoing it, two teaspoons of jam per day at a temperature is quite enough. And a runny nose in the 8th week of pregnancy is recommended to be treated by rinsing the nasal passages with a solution of table salt (a dessert spoon per 200 ml of boiled water) or sea salt (which is sold in all pharmacies). In case of a severe runny nose and stuffy nose, you can sniff a cut onion or lubricate under the nose with "Zvezdochka" balm.

When your throat hurts in the 8th week of pregnancy, a warm water-alcohol (3:1) compress on the neck, gargling with a warm saline solution, calendula decoction (a tablespoon of flowers per glass of water), furacilin solution (1 tablet per glass of water) helps. Relieves pain and inflammation in the throat by gargling with warm boiled water, in which you need to place a teaspoon of natural honey and 50 ml of apple cider vinegar (which can be replaced with fresh lemon juice).

Remember that the use of lozenges and throat and cough drops, sprays and drops for a runny nose in the first three months of pregnancy is contraindicated. This even applies to such a cough mixture as Pertussin: due to the licorice root it contains. By the way, such popular medicinal plants as mint, chamomile, sage, oregano, elecampane, yarrow, St. John's wort, savory and even aloe are prohibited during pregnancy.

Thrush at 8 weeks of pregnancy

Thrush in the 8th week of pregnancy (vaginal candidiasis or candidal vulvaginitis) is a fungal disease that manifests itself in the form of vaginal discharge resembling cottage cheese crumbs with a characteristic sour smell, itching and redness of the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals.

Obstetricians warn that thrush in the 8th week of pregnancy, like other infections of the external genitalia and reproductive tract of pregnant women, is dangerous because it can lead to:

• infection of the amnion (the internal amniotic sac), which is accompanied by the formation of adhesions that prevent the normal development of the fetus;
• infection of the chorion (villous amniotic membrane) and inflammation of its walls;
• reducing the child's body weight;
• spontaneous termination of pregnancy;
• infection of the birth canal during childbirth.

The drug prescribed by most doctors for the treatment of thrush during pregnancy is Pimafucin in the form of vaginal suppositories. According to the instructions, it is necessary to insert one suppository into the vagina once a day (lying down, before going to bed). The standard course of antifungal therapy is from 3 to 6 days; it is recommended to use Pimafucin for three days after the discharge and itching stop.

We would like to remind you that during pregnancy, any health problems cannot be solved on your own.

Herpes at 8 weeks of pregnancy

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is not at all simple, since, existing only in the human body, it waits for the right moment when its host's immunity weakens. That is why herpes in the 8th week of pregnancy, as well as throughout the entire gestation period, occurs quite often, against the background. But in the first trimester it is especially dangerous.

Herpes HSV-1 appears on the lips, herpes type HSV-2 "has taken a fancy" to the genitals. Of course, genital herpes is more dangerous, but in any case, herpes in the 8th week of pregnancy can serve as a reason for a medical recommendation to terminate the pregnancy. Infection of the expectant mother with this virus in the early stages can cause: fetal death and miscarriage, fetal infection (neonatal herpes) and neurological pathologies, congenital malformations, the birth of a premature baby.

Wherever herpes appears - as an itchy "bump" on the lip or painful blisters in intimate areas that cause severe burning - see a doctor immediately!

Herpes HSV-1 is treated with Acyclovir ointment (Herpevir, Zovirax, etc.), which is considered safe for pregnant women. The following algorithm can be used to treat urogenital herpes in pregnant women up to 12 weeks: Acyclovir (intravenous drip infusions), human immunoglobulin (three intravenous injections every other day); brilliant green (externally).

Some doctors prescribe the drug Viferon (based on interferon-α2) to pregnant patients, which is available in the form of an ointment, gel and vaginal suppositories.

Nutrition in the 8th week of pregnancy

How to eat properly and what to eat in the 8th week of pregnancy are pressing issues for many expectant mothers who are afraid of gaining extra pounds.

Let us remember that during the 20 weeks from the beginning of pregnancy, women gain 30% of their total weight, and the weekly gain is on average 300 g. The diets you were on before pregnancy are out of the question!

Nutrition in the 8th week of pregnancy should provide the body with everything it needs: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, microelements, vitamins. The energy value of the diet at this stage should not be less than 2000 kcal per day.

If we start listing all the products that are good for pregnant women now, you simply won’t have the strength to read this list… So let’s be brief: you need to eat meat, fish and seafood, cereals (porridge and grain bread), dairy products (not very fatty), vegetable oil (raw pressed) and, of course, vegetables, fruits and berries – in any form. As they say, nothing new. And you’ll notice that no nutritionist will recommend cakes, candies, ice cream cakes or hot dogs during pregnancy. And yes, sweet carbonated drinks!

In general, what to eat in the 8th week of pregnancy, you now know approximately. And we will briefly dwell on how nutrition can help in solving such problems of pregnant women as constipation and flatulence (bloating).

In the first case (with constipation), you need: fiber in the form of whole grain cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, well-cooked pearl barley), bran bread, legumes (peas, beans, etc.), fresh kefir (a glass every day), cabbage (any) and all our usual seasonal vegetable set, starting with beets. Do not forget to eat apples, pears, plums (prunes) and citrus fruits, as well as nuts and seeds (very little).

And now, what you shouldn’t eat to avoid bloating in the 8th week of pregnancy: animal fats; rye and freshly baked white bread; millet and oatmeal; beans, peas and other legumes (including peanuts); cabbage (any); milk (fresh and dry) and ice cream; potatoes (especially fried); radishes and spinach. And also grapes, even in the form of raisins.

Now - by comparison - you can easily make your own list depending on the presence or absence of constipation and flatulence. But what absolutely everyone needs is vitamins in the 8th week of pregnancy.

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Vitamins in the 8th week of pregnancy

There is no such thing as too many vitamins during pregnancy. So, eating foods containing them, as well as taking vitamin supplements prescribed by a doctor, should be enough to cover the needs of both the mother and the child growing in her womb.

At any time of the year, vitamin C is needed, which promotes resistance to any microbes and viruses, actively regulates lipid metabolism (reducing cholesterol levels in the blood), has a positive effect on hematopoiesis (the process of blood cell formation) and the hemostasis system (ensuring normal blood clotting).

The most essential vitamins for pregnant women are considered to be B vitamins: folic acid (vitamin B9), pyridoxine (B6) and cyanocobalamin (B12).

Thanks to vitamin B9, the probability of not carrying a child to term is reduced. With its participation, the process of formation of neurons in the future child proceeds normally, and, therefore, the risk of developing congenital anomalies of the fetal neural system (neural tube) and the central nervous system of the newborn is reduced. Folic acid is especially effective during pregnancy in combination with vitamins B6 and B12.

In addition, vitamin B6 improves well-being in the 8th week of pregnancy, reducing the intensity of nausea and vomiting. And vitamin B12 reliably protects the liver from any negative effects that it is often exposed to during pregnancy.

To help vitamin B12 - that is, for the benefit of your liver - you can use inositol (vitamin B8) and choline (vitamin B4). Vitamin B8, found in beans, whole grains, grapefruit, sesame seeds, as well as vitamin B4 (which is rich in cabbage, leafy greens, rice, oatmeal, egg yolk, dairy products) will not only help the liver stay healthy, but also take care of the skin and hair, the normal functioning of the heart muscle, the elasticity of blood vessels, and will certainly activate intestinal motility.

In conclusion, it remains to answer two frequently asked questions: is it possible to have sex at this stage of pregnancy and... fly on an airplane?

As obstetricians and gynecologists assure, sex in the 8th week of pregnancy in "moderate doses" and "without excesses" has no contraindications - in the absence of complications (bloody discharge, hypertonicity of the uterus, etc.). It is also necessary to take into account that intimate closeness can disrupt the normal process of bearing a child in women who had spontaneous terminations of previous pregnancies.

Flying during the 8th week of pregnancy – with similar nuances of its course – can also lead to undesirable consequences. So it’s better to… walk.

The 8th week of pregnancy is a difficult period, try not to complicate it, because you still have 32 (±2) weeks ahead of you. Take care of yourself!