Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 8

First Trimester · 26 common symptoms at this stage

😴

Fatigue & Exhaustion Energy & Sleep

90%

Overwhelming tiredness, even after a full night's sleep. Your body is working hard to build the placenta and support your baby's growth.

Onset: week 4 Peak: week 9

Relief tips

Rest when you can - short naps of 20-30 minutes can help.
Go to bed earlier and maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
Light exercise like walking can actually boost your energy levels.

🤢

Nausea & Morning Sickness Digestion

80%

Feeling queasy or vomiting, often worse in the morning but can occur any time of day. Despite the name, it can strike at any hour.

Onset: week 4 Peak: week 9 Resolves: ~week 16

Relief tips

Try ginger tea, ginger ale, or ginger candies - shown to be as effective as vitamin B6 for nausea (ACOG).
Eat small, frequent meals rather than 3 large ones. Keep plain crackers by your bedside.
Vitamin B6 (10-25mg every 8 hours) is ACOG's first-line recommendation.

🩱

Breast Tenderness & Swelling Skin & Appearance

76%

Sore, heavy, or tingly breasts. One of the earliest pregnancy symptoms, caused by rising estrogen and progesterone preparing for breastfeeding.

Onset: week 4 Peak: week 8 Resolves: ~week 14

Relief tips

Wear a supportive, well-fitting bra without underwire.
A sports bra or sleep bra can help with nighttime comfort.
Tenderness typically eases as your body adjusts to hormonal changes.

🚽

Frequent Urination Urinary & Pelvic

74%

Needing to pee more often, including at night. In early pregnancy, caused by increased blood flow; later, by the baby pressing on your bladder.

Onset: week 4 Peak: week 38

Relief tips

Don't reduce fluid intake - staying hydrated is important. But limit fluids close to bedtime.
Lean forward when urinating to help empty your bladder more completely.
Avoid caffeine, which acts as a diuretic and increases urgency.

🎭

Mood Swings Emotional

65%

Rapid emotional shifts - feeling happy one moment and tearful the next. Driven by surging pregnancy hormones, especially hCG, estrogen, and progesterone.

Onset: week 6 Peak: week 10

Relief tips

Acknowledge your feelings without judgment - mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy.
Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and talking to supportive people can help.
If sadness or anxiety persists for more than 2 weeks, talk to your provider about prenatal depression (affects 10%+ of pregnant women).

🙅

Food Aversions Digestion

60%

Sudden strong dislike of certain foods or smells you previously enjoyed. Most commonly meats, eggs, and strong-smelling foods.

Onset: week 5 Peak: week 9 Resolves: ~week 14

Relief tips

Don't force yourself to eat foods that make you feel sick.
Find alternative sources of nutrition for avoided foods (e.g., beans/lentils if you can't tolerate meat).
Aversions usually ease in the second trimester as hormones stabilize.

🍫

Food Cravings Digestion

55%

Intense desires for specific foods. Most commonly sweets, chocolate, fruit, and salty snacks.

Onset: week 5 Peak: week 14

Relief tips

It's fine to indulge cravings in moderation.
If craving non-food items (ice, dirt, chalk), tell your doctor - this is called pica and may indicate iron deficiency.
Try to balance cravings with nutritious options when possible.

😤

Acne & Breakouts Skin & Appearance

43%

Breakouts on the face, chest, or back caused by hormonal changes increasing oil production.

Onset: week 6 Peak: week 14 Resolves: ~week 28

Relief tips

Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser.
Avoid retinoids (Retin-A), salicylic acid in high doses, and benzoyl peroxide above 5%.
Look for non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) moisturizers and makeup.

🦷

Bleeding Gums Oral Health

40%

Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing. Pregnancy hormones increase blood flow to the gums and make them more sensitive.

Onset: week 8 Peak: week 30

Relief tips

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle when brushing.
Continue flossing daily - stopping will make gum problems worse.
See your dentist for a cleaning during pregnancy. Dental care is safe and recommended.

😣

Constipation Digestion

30%

Difficulty passing stools or infrequent bowel movements. Rising progesterone slows your digestive system.

Onset: week 6 Peak: week 12

Relief tips

Increase dietary fiber to 25-30g per day (fruits, vegetables, whole grains).
Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Regular gentle exercise like walking can help keep things moving.

🤕

Headaches Pain & Discomfort

30%

Tension headaches or migraines, often triggered by hormonal changes, dehydration, fatigue, or stress.

Onset: week 6 Peak: week 15 Resolves: ~week 20

Relief tips

Stay well hydrated and eat regular meals to keep blood sugar stable.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered safe during pregnancy. Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin.
Rest in a dark, quiet room and apply a cool compress to your forehead.

🌙

Insomnia & Sleep Difficulty Energy & Sleep

30%

Trouble falling or staying asleep. Caused by hormones, discomfort, anxiety, frequent urination, and difficulty finding a comfortable position.

Onset: week 10 Peak: week 38

Relief tips

Sleep on your left side with a pregnancy pillow for support.
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine and limit screens before bed.
A warm bath or warm milk before bed can help you wind down.

💫

Dizziness & Lightheadedness Circulation

30%

Feeling faint or dizzy, especially when standing up quickly. Your cardiovascular system is adjusting to increased blood volume.

Onset: week 6 Peak: week 14 Resolves: ~week 28

Relief tips

Stand up slowly from sitting or lying down positions.
Eat regular meals and snacks to keep blood sugar stable.
Stay well hydrated and avoid overheating.

🔥

Heartburn & Acid Reflux Digestion

25%

A burning sensation in the chest or throat caused by stomach acid backing up. Progesterone relaxes the valve between stomach and esophagus.

Onset: week 8 Peak: week 37

Relief tips

Eat smaller meals and avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime.
Elevate the head of your bed or use a wedge pillow when sleeping.
Avoid trigger foods: spicy, fatty, citrus, chocolate, and caffeine.

💭

Vivid Dreams Energy & Sleep

25%

Unusually intense, strange, or emotionally charged dreams. Hormonal changes and more frequent waking (which helps you remember dreams) are likely causes.

Onset: week 10 Peak: week 30

Relief tips

Vivid dreams are completely normal and common during pregnancy.
Journaling before bed can help process anxieties that may fuel intense dreams.
If dreams are causing significant anxiety, talk to your healthcare provider.

🔙

Back Pain Pain & Discomfort

20%

Aching in the lower back caused by your shifting center of gravity, loosening ligaments, and extra weight.

Onset: week 14 Peak: week 30

Relief tips

Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees and under your belly.
Wear supportive, low-heeled shoes and consider a maternity support belt.
Prenatal yoga, swimming, and walking can strengthen supporting muscles.

🦵

Varicose Veins Circulation

15%

Swollen, twisted veins visible under the skin, usually in the legs. Increased blood volume and uterine pressure on veins contribute.

Onset: week 12 Peak: week 36

Relief tips

Wear compression stockings from early pregnancy if you have a family history.
Avoid crossing your legs and elevate your feet when resting.
Regular walking helps improve circulation.

🦵

Leg Cramps Pain & Discomfort

10%

Sudden, painful muscle spasms in the calves, often striking at night. More common as pregnancy progresses.

Onset: week 14 Peak: week 34

Relief tips

Magnesium supplementation has the strongest evidence for prevention (magnesium citrate or lactate).
Stretch your calf muscles before bed: flex your foot upward, toes toward shin.
Stay hydrated and avoid pointing your toes when stretching.

🫁

Shortness of Breath Respiratory

10%

Feeling winded during normal activities. Progesterone changes how you breathe, and later the growing uterus pushes up against your diaphragm.

Onset: week 14 Peak: week 32

Relief tips

Stand and sit with good posture to give your lungs more room.
Slow down and take breaks during physical activities.
Sleep propped up with extra pillows if breathlessness is worse at night.

🤧

Nasal Congestion Respiratory

10%

A stuffy or runny nose not caused by a cold or allergies. Increased blood volume causes the nasal membranes to swell.

Onset: week 14 Peak: week 30

Relief tips

Use a saline nasal spray or rinse - safe and effective during pregnancy.
Run a humidifier in your bedroom, especially in dry weather.
Elevate your head with an extra pillow when sleeping.

📏

Linea Nigra Skin & Appearance

10%

A dark vertical line running down the center of your belly. Caused by increased melanin production from pregnancy hormones.

Onset: week 14 Peak: week 30

Relief tips

This is purely cosmetic and completely harmless.
Sun exposure can darken it - use sunscreen on exposed skin.
It typically fades within a few months after delivery.

🎭

Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy) Skin & Appearance

10%

Dark patches on the face, especially the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. Caused by increased melanin production.

Onset: week 14 Peak: week 30

Relief tips

Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen daily - sun exposure significantly darkens melasma.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors.
It usually fades after pregnancy, but may take several months.

🦴

Pelvic Girdle Pain Pain & Discomfort

Pain in the pubic area, hips, or lower back where the pelvis meets the spine. Caused by the hormone relaxin loosening pelvic joints.

Onset: week 14 Peak: week 34

Relief tips

Keep your knees together when turning in bed or getting out of a car.
A pelvic support belt can help stabilize the joint.
Avoid standing on one leg, heavy lifting, or pushing heavy objects.

💧

Urinary Leakage Urinary & Pelvic

Accidentally leaking small amounts of urine when sneezing, coughing, laughing, or exercising. The growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder.

Onset: week 14 Peak: week 36

Relief tips

Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor - aim for 3 sets of 10 daily.
Use a panty liner for peace of mind on the go.
Cross your legs when you feel a sneeze or cough coming.

😖

Hemorrhoids Digestion

Swollen blood vessels in the rectal area causing discomfort, itching, or bleeding. Caused by increased blood volume and pressure from the growing uterus.

Onset: week 20 Peak: week 36

Relief tips

Prevent constipation with fiber and fluids to reduce straining.
Use a warm sitz bath for 10-15 minutes several times a day.
Avoid sitting or standing for long periods.

⚡

Round Ligament Pain Pain & Discomfort

Sharp, stabbing pain in the lower belly or groin area, especially when changing positions, coughing, or sneezing.

Onset: week 12 Peak: week 20 Resolves: ~week 28

Relief tips

Change positions slowly, especially when getting up from sitting or lying down.
Bend your knees toward your belly when you feel a sneeze or cough coming.
A warm (not hot) bath or heating pad on low can help relieve the pain.

💚 Is This Normal?

The vast majority of pregnancy symptoms are a normal part of growing a baby. Your body is undergoing incredible changes — hormonal shifts, increased blood volume, and physical adaptations to support your developing baby. While symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are usually signs that your pregnancy is progressing normally. If any symptom feels severe or unusual, always contact your healthcare provider.

🚨 When to Call Your Doctor

🚨

Heavy vaginal bleeding

Soaking a pad in an hour. Call 911 or go to the ER immediately.

🚨

Severe abdominal pain

May indicate placental abruption or other emergency. Call your doctor or go to the ER.

🚨

Severe headache with vision changes

Could be a sign of preeclampsia or eclampsia. Seek emergency care.

⚠️

Fever over 100.4F (38C)

May indicate infection. Call your healthcare provider.

⚠️

Painful urination

Could be a urinary tract or kidney infection. Contact your provider.

⚠️

Persistent vomiting, unable to keep fluids down

Risk of dehydration. Contact your healthcare provider.

🚨

Severe one-sided lower abdominal pain

With bleeding, may indicate ectopic pregnancy. Seek emergency care.

🚨

Shoulder tip pain with bleeding

Can indicate ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Call 911.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What symptoms are common at 8 weeks pregnant?

The most common symptoms at week 8 include fatigue & exhaustion, nausea & morning sickness, breast tenderness & swelling. About 90% of women experience fatigue & exhaustion at this stage.

Is fatigue & exhaustion normal at 8 weeks pregnant?

Yes, fatigue & exhaustion is very common at week 8, affecting about 90% of pregnant women at this stage. It is a normal part of pregnancy caused by hormonal and physical changes in your body.

When should I call my doctor during the first trimester?

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, sudden severe headache with vision changes, fever over 100.4F, or persistent vomiting with inability to keep fluids down. These may indicate complications that need urgent attention.

Do pregnancy symptoms get better in the first trimester?

Many first trimester symptoms like nausea and extreme fatigue improve significantly by weeks 13-14 as hormones stabilize. The second trimester is often called the "honeymoon period" of pregnancy.

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This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about any pregnancy symptoms or concerns.