8 weeks pregnant
A tiny body, a growing gut
A short illustrated look at week 8, including growing limbs and the temporary extension of the developing gut into the base of the umbilical cord.
45-second Short by Family Health, Clearly.
Watch on YouTubeIf the player is unavailable, open the Short on YouTube.
Educational 3D illustration with AI-assisted narration. Shapes, movement and scale are simplified; this is not an ultrasound.
What does your baby look like?
About 16 mm from head to bottom. NHS estimate
Head-to-bottom length is also called crown–rump length. Individual measurements and dating vary.
The body begins to straighten
The head is still large compared with the body. The neck and trunk are beginning to straighten, while the nose and upper lip are taking shape. [2]
Arms and legs are growing
The limbs are lengthening, with the arms developing ahead of the legs. The hands and feet still look very different from a newborn's. [1]
The gut needs room to grow
Part of the developing intestine temporarily extends into the base of the umbilical cord. This early developmental stage is called physiological midgut herniation. [3]
Why does the gut extend into the umbilical cord?
The growing intestine temporarily occupies space at the base of the cord while the abdomen develops. It usually returns to the abdomen around the end of the first trimester. This animation explains the general process; it cannot interpret a finding on your own scan. [3]