 |
8 Week Ultrasound
By 8 weeks pregnant you will be able to see on your ultrasound scan that the aortic and pulmonary valves of the baby's heart are present. The tubes that lead from the throat to lungs are branching and the body is beginning to straighten. Now the limbs are becoming recognisable: the elbows are actually present and the arms and legs extend forward and have grown longer. You may also be able to see the baby's fingers and toes! About You Going for a scan at this early stage of pregnancy and seeing for the first time the small, tadpole-like creature who is growing inside you is a memorable event. The fetus is about the size of a kidney bean and your uterus will have already grown from its origianl size - about the size of a lemon - to something that your doctor can now feel, more like a grapefruit in size. Around 8 weeks your breasts may start to feel tender and engorged and you may become aware that your waistline is feeling thicker. It's unlikely anyone will notice you are pregnant just yet. Many parents-to-be tend to be a little reticent about telling the world until the 3 month mark is past and the main risk of losing the pregnancy is over. Make sure you get plenty of rest and good nutrition and teach yourself relaxation techniques. If you experience any symptoms that worry you at this stage, don't hesitate to contact your medical practitioner. If you should get excessive spotting or severe abdominal pains, put your feet up right away and call to get advice. It's estimated that between 10-25% of all diagnosed pregnancies end in miscarriage, most of them early, so in the unfortunate event that you or anyone you know should be faced with this, it's good to have some information at your fingertips. You may find it helpful to check out the American Pregnancy Association 's advice on this. Another good website is Mothers 35 Plus, and whether you're 35+ or not, if you wish to learn more about miscarriage, I recommend going to their page http://www.mothers35plus.co.uk/losing.htm Once you're past the first 12 weeks of pregnancy the risks lessen considerably and you can look forward to that bloom of health that characterises so many expectant mothers. To read more on pregnancy, click on 8 Week Ultrasound
|
