8 Weeks Pregnant

Along with your expanding belly may come new aches and pains above the neck. Your blood volume will increase by just under 50 percent, which — along with those pregnancy hormones — may spur headaches.

Got one? Talk to your doctor about trading aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen for baby-safe alternatives like acetaminophen.

It's not too soon to start thinking about what you'll need to buy before baby's arrival. Baby registry must-haves range from big-ticket items (like the crib and stroller) to everyday essentials (think: diapers, wipes and burp cloths). 

If you'd prefer to let us do the research about where to register and what should go on your baby registry, you can use What to Expect's Registry Builder to get customized recommendations.

Out, out damned spot! For many women, hormone surges in pregnancy can cause melasma, or dark spots on the skin and face, or at the very least, make the skin more sensitive.

That means your skin, freckles and moles may look darker, and there's probably a dark line down the center of your abdomen (the linea nigra). Your areolas could be a deeper shade too.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone — this condition affects 50 to 75 percent of expectant mothers. You may be able to prevent melasma from getting worse, however, by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when you’re outside, since sunlight makes the condition more pronounced.

During pregnancy, your cervix becomes tender in preparation for childbirth. Those changes could cause you to feel extra sensitive during sex, leading to light bleeding.

While spotting — even if it’s not after sex — is usually normal this early on in your pregnancy, it’s smart to check in with your doctor about it, even if it’s only for extra reassurance.

Remember, too, that vaginal bleeding early in the first trimester can be a sign of implantation.

Unless your doctor tells you that intercourse is unsafe, keep it up (for now). Regular sex can help lower your stress levels and boost your relationship with your partner.

You don’t have to switch to cold showers, but it’s smart to skip the hot tubs and saunas until after you deliver.

Anything that raises your core body temperature to over 101 degrees Fahrenheit and keeps it there for a while could be harmful to your developing baby, especially during the early months of pregnancy. 

If you can’t resist a soak, make sure the temperature is set at around 97 to 98 degrees and try to limit your time in the tub to less than 10 minutes.

If you’ve already gone in a hot tub or sauna, don’t stress. Most women get out before their body temperature reaches the uncomfortable level of 101 degrees, so it’s likely you did, too.

Wondering if you’re having a boy or a girl? You’ll have to wait until the 20-week ultrasound to be certain, but there’s no harm in guessing baby’s sex with the Chinese gender predictor. 

The chart takes the mother’s birth date and the estimated date of conception or the baby’s due date and converts the numbers into the mom’s lunar age during pregnancy and the lunar date of conception. The result: a prediction about whether you’ll be having a boy or a girl.

Sure, there’s no real evidence to show that Chinese gender calendars can work, but they can certainly be entertaining!

Need to quell a queasy stomach? Try noshing on a snack that's rich in protein and complex carbs, like whole wheat crackers and cheese or some granola and yogurt. Or skip the solids and sip on soup or a smoothie.

Make sure you get eight to 10 glasses of fluids from all sources a day, especially if vomiting is leaving you dehydrated. Ginger can also be good for what ails you. Use it in cooking — like in ginger-carrot soup or ginger muffins — infuse your tea with it, nibble on some ginger biscuits, nosh on some crystallized ginger, or suck on some ginger candy.

And if your symptoms are particularly rough, ask your practitioner about taking a vitamin B6 supplement or switching your prenatal vitamin from one loaded with iron to one higher in B6.