Week 9 of Pregnancy

Key Takeaways at Week 9

• Your little one is now around three-quarters of an inch long and weighs 2.8 grams.

• The baby's digestive system and anus have developed, although they will not produce waste for quite some time.

• As your baby's face becomes larger, the small tail-like tip of the spinal cord shrinks significantly and will practically vanish by the end of this week.

• The small heart in there is now pumping 150 times per minute, almost doubling your heart rate.

• The baby's bones and small muscles are expanding, and the development of the brain and nerves means the elbow can bend this week.

• Around week 9 of pregnancy, you should start searching for methods you and your partner can budget so that you have extra money when the baby comes. You could also go through your company's handbook to discover how maternity leave is normally handled. That way, when you announce the news to your supervisor, you'll be ready to discuss your expectations and begin planning for maternity leave.

• If you are in Week 9 of your pregnancy you are in your first trimester and in the third month.

• 31 more weeks remaining in your pregnancy.

Baby's Development at Week 9

Inside your tummy, the baby is developing more distinct facial characteristics. A foetal doppler may now be able to detect the baby's heartbeat.

Now that the baby is approximately an inch long, it resembles a small baby! Baby now has earlobes, clear fingers and toes, and a little nose. This is the final week of the baby's embryo state, which results in a more rounded and straighter head. Baby has lost its tail and is beginning to roam freely about the amniotic sac, moving around in their comfortable environment. Their knee, elbow, shoulder, ankle, and wrist joints are all functional, and their arms are now bent at the elbow, which is excellent for working out all of those newly formed muscles! They could even develop a new behaviour this week: sucking their thumb!

• Baby Weight: Around 2 grammes
• Baby Length: Very Small (0.9 inches)
• Baby Size: Comparable to a cherry

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

The pregnancy hormone hCG is now circulating at its highest level in your body. That implies that several pregnancy symptoms may be at their peak severity. Your hormones will level out in a few weeks, leaving you feeling much more like yourself. Here are the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Mood swings: You may find it difficult to regulate your emotions due to the sudden surge in hormones and other symptoms such as nausea and exhaustion. It is okay to decrease your typical pace, take pauses, and avoid stressful circumstances for the benefit of your sanity.

• Morning sickness: Approximately 80 per cent of pregnant women suffer some sort of morning sickness. However, it actually should be dubbed "all-day sickness." If you're experiencing nausea, you might be feeling a bit unwell or vomiting frequently. If you are pregnant with twins, you may have more severe morning sickness symptoms. The good and bad news is that around 9 weeks, morning sickness is most likely at its worst. Do some trial and error to determine what helps you feel better—many expectant mothers find that ginger, regular meals and snacks, and vitamin B6 assist with nausea.

• Frequent urination: Because your uterus is enlarging and there is increased blood flow to your pelvic region, you may be going to the toilet more often than you were before pregnancy. Don't let this stop you from drinking plenty of water. It is crucial that you stay hydrated. Just add extra pit stops to your mental to-do list.

• Fatigue: While your hormones work tirelessly to build and develop your foetus, you may feel completely exhausted. Sleep more if possible, and prepare to eat more (healthy) snacks; most pregnant women cannot handle missing meals, even if they did so often before pregnancy. In the second trimester, you will regain part of your energy.

• Nasal congestion Pregnancy may produce an increase in mucus production in the body, which is an unexpected symptom, so have tissues nearby.

• Headaches- The hormonal changes may cause headaches, as can dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, hunger, lack of sleep, and stress. Deal with your other symptoms by eating every few hours, getting enough sleep, and drinking enough water. A warm or cold compress, as well as relaxation, might help to relieve a headache. Before taking any medication, consult with your doctor.

If you are experiencing a lot of pregnancy symptoms at 9 weeks, you could be carrying twins! This might be a bit of a shock, so be kind to yourself while you process it. You may feel delighted or afraid if you are pregnant with twins, but you will grow accustomed to it. Speak with your doctor about what to anticipate with twins and what you may need to do differently.

Body Changes in Week 9

Weight gain at this stage is not only acceptable but also desirable. The amount of weight your doctor suggests you gain during pregnancy is determined by your pre-pregnancy BMI. For example, if you started with a normal BMI, you will most likely be instructed to gain 11 to 15 kg throughout pregnancy, with roughly 2kgs added in the first trimester. If you're 9 weeks pregnant with twins, you should aim to gain roughly half a kg per week right now.

However, many expectant mothers are so plagued by morning sickness and dietary aversions at this stage that they may be losing weight rather than gaining it! Naturally, you'll want to speak to your doctor about any concerns you have about your weight gain or reduction, especially if it's unexpected or dramatic. However, most physicians will advise you that moderate weight loss is quite normal at this point. Once your hunger returns, you'll have a chance to get your weight gain on track.

You may detect red or blue spider (or varicose) veins on your legs. Try to avoid activities that limit blood flow, such as crossing your ankles or legs or wearing tight socks.

Believe it or not, it is completely possible to be 9 weeks pregnant with no signs in sight. If you've been fortunate enough to avoid pregnancy symptoms so far, bear in mind that they may yet appear. Regardless, if you are not experiencing pregnancy symptoms, notify your doctor at your first prenatal checkup. If you've never experienced symptoms and still don't, you're probably fortunate!

9-week ultrasound

The first prenatal checkup is normally scheduled between weeks 8 and 12. So, you may have already visited the OB; if not, you will soon! At the first session, you may even see the baby's heartbeat on ultrasound.
Ultrasounds at 9 weeks are often performed transvaginally. Since your uterus is still behind your pelvic bone, the doctor or ultrasound technician will need to place a probe into your vagina. (Don't worry, it doesn't hurt!) The probe will generate sound waves, allowing you to see a picture of your foetus on a screen.

The ultrasound will not only let you view the baby, who will look like a lima bean, but it will also confirm that the pregnancy is uterine. The doctor could point out the gestational sac, the yolk sac, and the foetal pole.

At this stage, many women are concerned about the chance of miscarriage. Rest confident that if you see or hear a heartbeat, your risk drops to 2 to 9 per cent, depending on your age, and will continue to decrease in the following weeks.

Your Baby Bump at Week 9

Many expectant mothers struggle to button their pants by now. Your uterus is enlarging to accommodate your developing child. In fact, the size has doubled! You may even be showing. In the next few weeks, your uterus will start to develop outside of your pelvis.

Tips for Week 9

• You will be coming in for your first prenatal visit. There will be many tests, but the most exciting part will be hearing your baby's heartbeat for the first time.
• Educate yourself on what is safe to eat and do while pregnant. The information out there might surprise you, however, do check with your doctor about everything you read.
• Most women have heartburn at some point throughout their pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes. Avoid acidic or spicy meals, carbonated drinks, and fried items that cause heartburn.
• Drinking extra water can assist with a variety of pregnancy issues, including bloating, headaches, and constipation. Drink eight full glasses of clear, caffeine-free water every day to keep hydrated and avoid pregnancy-related discomfort.

Checklist for Week 9

• Read about what to anticipate during your prenatal checkup
• If you haven't already, find an entertaining method to inform your family and/or friends
• Review coverage with your insurance carrier
• Estimate your prenatal and delivery expenditures
• Learn what kind of parental leave you are entitled to

Medically approved by Dr Sushma Tomar, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai

Frequently Asked Questions on Week 9 of Pregnancy

1. When will my symptoms start to improve during pregnancy?
   Morning sickness usually improves or goes away by the 13th week of pregnancy (the end of the first trimester). Some individuals, however, continue to suffer symptoms throughout the second trimester (weeks 14–27 of pregnancy).
2. How can I manage stress and anxiety during pregnancy?
   Try calming exercises such as prenatal yoga or meditation. They may help you deal with stress and prepare for labour and delivery. Take a childbirth education class to learn what to anticipate throughout pregnancy and after your baby comes. Practice the breathing and relaxation techniques you learnt in class.