Week 8 of Your Pregnancy

Wondering when your bump will show? Well, you won’t need looser clothing till the 14^th or 16^th week! (Healthhub) In the meantime, your baby’s facial features will start gaining definition, though morning sickness may be at its peak. Here’s also why zinc is so vital at this point. 

Your Baby

You've been filled with anticipation all week! Some of you may break the news right away, and some prefer to do it after the first scan. Whichever the case, know that your baby is no longer an embryo - it's medically termed a foetus! At the beginning of the 8th week, your baby’s heartbeat is visible on the ultrasound. In addition, even the small and deformed fingers have formed and the eyelids are grown. The nose and upper lip starts to form. All the internal organs have already been created. The embryo is now about the size of a kidney bean, at about 16 millimetres. At this point, your abby can make small little movements! But you won't be able to feel this for a few weeks yet.

Your body

Do not be surprised if your bra pinches because your body is preparing for milk production after birth. This means that the breast will increase significantly in size in the coming months. At the same time your facial features and whole body will also appear to be softer due to water retention. You should still be consuming plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Feeling Queasy?

Don't let morning sickness dampen your excitement! Morning sickness affects 2 out of 3 pregnant women and can occur anytime during the day. However, it’s usually at its worst around week 8. By weeks 12 to 14, these symptoms will usually fade. Cheer up though – feeling nauseous is a good sign of a healthy baby!

Here are some home remedies to ease morning sickness⁴:

• Get a good night’s sleep and plenty of rest during the day
• Eat a dry cracker, toast or plain biscuit before getting out of bed
• Eat little and often to keep something in your stomach
• Drink plenty of fluids. If drinking is proving difficult, home-made fruit juice ice cubes or simply sips of whatever you can stomach will keep you hydrated
• Include ginger in your diet
• Motion sickness bands can be effective. They are worn on the wrist and positioned to press on an acupuncture point

If your nausea is severe, or if your symptoms persist, speak to your doctor early. 

Stretch Marks

Have you started noticing some stretch marks? Don’t despair, because they are a result of a mother’s great love! To prevent these scars, slather stretchmark oils and cream all over your new curvaceous body, especially your hips, thighs and bum.  Small and easy lifestyle changes such as watching your weight can also help! 

Zinc: Supporting New Life

Your nutrition plays a huge role in the growth of your baby! A healthy, balanced diet is likely to provide all the zinc you need⁶. It:

• supports the body on a cellular level⁵
• plays a role in the division and protection of cells⁵
• helps allow for normal immune function and vision⁵
• contributes to normal cognitive development, reproduction, fertility and bone health⁵

Depending on your body weight, you need between 7.8 and 11.8 mg of zinc per day⁷. Excellent sources of zinc include:

• Zinc-fortified cereals
• Red meat
• Poultry, especially turkey
• Wholegrain bread and cereals
• Nuts
• Milk, cheese and eggs

While zinc deficiency is rare, keep a well-balanced pregnancy diet to reduce associated rsks!