The ninth week will probably be your “wake up call” time. You might feel a little overwhelmed with what’s happening in your life now that you're 9 weeks pregnant. Don’t worry: everything’s due to your hormones.
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How Big Is My Baby?
Your baby is probably the same size as that of a cherry. On average, babies this age weigh around 0.7 ounces and are 0.9 inches in length.
My Baby’s Development
The ninth week is also the transition from an embryo to a fetus. Hence, this is the time that the main organs and body parts already exist. They are just now growing fully. Your baby is most likely developing distinct facial features such as the earlobes, mouth, nostrils, and nose. What a cute sight!
What Is My Baby Doing?
During this time, your baby might be hiding in the corner of your uterus. With the baby’s back facing the outside, it makes it harder for the doctor to find its heartbeat.
Belly Ultrasound
The first visit to your OB usually happens around the ninth week. When you view the ultrasound, you might see the tiny heartbeats of your baby. During this time, the doctor may also point out three important aspects of the growth of your baby—the fetal pole, gestational sac, and yolk sac.
My Changing Body – Week 9
During the ninth week of your pregnancy, you might find yourself annoyed by the fact that it takes you minutes to button your pants. That’s pretty normal in this stage due to your uterus expanding to make way for the growth of your baby.
In addition, you should also ask your doctor what your recommended weight should be. It’s a must that you follow this recommendation for the proper growth of your baby. Your target weight will depend on your body mass index (BMI) during your pregnancy. On average, a doctor might tell you to add around 25 to 35 pounds throughout the pregnancy.
Common Symptoms
Right now, the pregnancy hormone called hCG is at its peak level in your body. Hence, you will be experiencing severe pregnancy symptoms because of this significant change. Here’s a list of what you might expect this week:
- Morning Sickness: Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll probably have the worst morning sickness this week. To cope, make sure to eat frequent meals and snacks and drink vitamin B6.
- Nasal Congestion: Pregnancy sometimes results in high mucus production. Hence, make sure to keep a box of tissue on your bedside!
- Frequent Headaches: Hormone surges might cause frequent headaches. A cold or warm compress may ease this discomfort.
- Frequent Urination: Since there is major blood flow in your pelvic area and your uterus is expanding, there may be days that you go to the bathroom more than ten times a day. Don’t let this stop you from drinking a large amount of water. It is crucial for you and your baby to stay hydrated.
How Is My Life Changing?
This week might be the time you’ll feel the abnormality in your daily schedule. Some tasks you find easy before might be difficult to accomplish now. Extreme pregnancy fatigue is normal in the first trimester (especially if you are on your eighth to 12th week). Fret not: relief will come over you in no time.
Week 9 Mommy Checklist
Here are some reminders for the week:
- Create a budget plan. Estimate how much your prenatal care and delivery will cost.
- Buy a maternity bra you can use comfortably.
- Start a daily ritual which can establish a connection with your baby.
Tips For The Partners
Make sure to give emotional support to your partner. This stage involves mothers freaking out because of the sudden changes in their physical and emotional state. Hence, make sure that you compliment them on how beautiful they are and assist them in all their errands. Be patient with them as well since this is the time they are experiencing intense mood swings.
A Sneak Peek to Your Week 10
Next week, expect to see the forming of your baby’s organs. With that, all your stress might disappear quickly.
