8 weeks pregnant
From embryo to fetus this week.
In short
At 8 weeks your baby is about the size of a grape, around 1.5 cm long. From embryo to fetus this week.
- First trimester, week 8 of about 40.
- Your booking visit with a midwife at the maternity unit usually happens between 8 and 12 weeks. You'll be asked about your health and family history, have bloods taken and be offered a dating scan.
Turn your baby round in 3D every week in the free Lullagram pregnancy section
From about now your baby is called a fetus rather than an embryo. The legs are getting longer and look a little like paddles, though knees, ankles and toes haven't formed yet.
How big is my baby at 8 weeks?
At 8 weeks your baby is about the size of a grape, around 1.5 cm long. Before about 14 weeks babies are measured from crown to rump; after that the figure is head to heel. These are typical figures from fetal growth charts. Your own baby may be bigger or smaller, and your scans are what count.
What is my baby doing at 8 weeks?
- From about now your baby is called a fetus rather than an embryo.
- The legs are getting longer and look a little like paddles, though knees, ankles and toes haven't formed yet.
- Your baby floats inside a thin, fluid-filled bag called the amniotic sac.
- The placenta is anchoring itself to the wall of your womb, while the yolk sac keeps feeding your baby for now.
What changes for me at 8 weeks pregnant?
- Your emotions may swing from one moment to the next, which is a normal reaction to hormones and big news.
- Nausea, tender breasts and tiredness are often still in full swing.
- Mild twinges low in your tummy are common as your womb grows.
What is a good tip for this week?
Say yes to offers of help and rest whenever you get the chance.
What can a partner do this week?
Ask how they're feeling each day and listen without trying to fix everything.
What should I know in Ireland at 8 weeks?
- Your booking visit with a midwife at the maternity unit usually happens between 8 and 12 weeks. You'll be asked about your health and family history, have bloods taken and be offered a dating scan.
- Ask about antenatal classes at your booking visit and book them as early as you can.
When to get help: If worry or low mood starts to feel severe or constant, talk to your midwife, GP or maternity unit, as support is available. HSE: when to get help.
Want these updates on your phone? The Lullagram app has a free pregnancy section with this week-by-week guide, Irish dates worked out from your due date, a contraction timer and more. When your baby arrives, the baby tracker is ready in the same app.
Guides for your pregnancy: pregnancy care in Ireland · maternity leave and benefit · hospital bag checklist · popular baby names · free IVF in Ireland · due date calculator
Sources and guidance
This page is written to be consistent with the official guidance below. It is general information for parents in Ireland, not medical advice. Links checked 23 September 2026.
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