So much around pregnancy is focused on the mother, but your partner also faces many changes. Remember to talk openly to each other about your feelings without judgment.
The apple of my eye
During week 8, your baby’s eyes become more developed, and they will be covered by the eyelids. The eyes will remain closed and protected until around weeks 25-27. The arms and legs are getting longer, but the different parts (elbows, knees etc.) are not yet distinct.
By the end of week 8, your baby measures 2-3 centimetres, roughly the size of a grape. 🍇
Excuse me, where is the ladies’ room?
You might think that frequent peeing is only something you need to worry about later in your pregnancy, but we hate to break it to you: it’ll probably begin now. At this point in your pregnancy, it’s not because the baby or uterus is pressing on your bladder. It is because of – you guessed it – hormones. HCG (the hormone measured by pregnancy tests) increases the blood flow in your body, especially around the pelvic area, and to your kidneys, prompting them to become more efficient. As your kidneys work harder, your body removes more waste through your urine. So, while it can be pretty inconvenient, it´s really good for you and the baby.
Later in the pregnancy, it’ll rather be the increasing pressure from the uterus and your baby that makes you feel like you’re running (or, well, trudging at this point, let’s be honest) back and forth to the toilet constantly.
But no matter how annoying it is, never try to drink less to avoid going to the toilet; it’s very important that you get enough to drink for yourself and the baby.
Attention to your partner
So much around pregnancy is focused on the mother (and rightly so, it takes a lot of energy to grow a small human being), but your partner is also facing many changes. Remember to talk openly to each other about your feelings without judgment. A great way for your partner to feel more involved and attached to the entire process is by ensuring they are present at all of your scans and pregnancy check-ups. It can also be a great idea to find books relating to their situation; there are various pregnancy books out there meant for the partner rather than only the mother.