It is week 9, the beginning of the third month of pregnancy, and after month 3, you will be entering your second trimester. This week, you will notice your baby growing at a remarkable rate of one millimetre every hour, and your baby is over 2 centimetres.
The placenta is rapidly developing, and the feeling of exhaustion or fatigue is considerably seen in pregnant women this week. The baby’s growth and the other pregnancy symptoms are discussed below.
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In this Article
How is the baby’s development @ Week 9 of Pregnancy?
If you happen to take a doctor’s appointment this week or go through an ultrasound, you may be able to hear your little one’s heartbeat. The baby is similar to the size of an almond and is taking a human shape. The baby now measures 0.6 to 0.7 inch long and weighs 3.4g .Some of the other miraculous developments happening within the womb this week are,
Developing reproductive organs, intestines, and more
This week, the testes or the ovaries develop, and the intestines grow through the umbilical cord to get into the baby’s stomach. The pancreas, liver, bile ducts too are forming at this stage. The neck is taking shape, and the head is straightly aligned.
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Tiny fingers cropping out
By week 9, the ten little fingers and the ten little toes are emerging out of the paddle structures. The ultrasound shows baby movements more prominently. However, the mother is yet to feel these wiggling and bending movements.
What can the pregnant mother expect if she undergoes an ultrasound this week?
If the would-be mother undergoes an ultrasound, she can hear the baby’s heartbeat and observe the small movements of the baby within her. By chance, if you do not follow these movements during her ultrasound, do not panic, as the baby must be resting from momentary activities or the heartbeat is delicate enough to be captured by the ultrasound. Albeit, you are more likely to observe the same in the coming months.
Let’s understand how the mother-to-be is feeling this week.
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Mom to-be @ Week 9 of Pregnancy
At week 9, the placenta is developing at a faster pace. There is an increase in nutrient absorption, and the hormones such as estrogens, progesterone, and hCG double every two to three days. The hormone levels are at their peak, and so will the pregnancy symptoms. However, these signs of pregnancy are momentary and subside gradually in the second trimester.
- Hypersensitivity to smell, weird food aversions
- Unusual food cravings
- Morning sickness or nausea and vomiting trigger anytime during the day.
- Erratic fluctuations in moods- depression, anxiety can overwhelm you
- Frequent urination
- Excess exhaustion
- Ultrasensitive enlarged breasts with dark areolas and visible veins due to increased blood flow and pregnancy hormone levels
- Heartburn, indigestion, and constipation
- Excess saliva generation
- Abdominal bloating and gas
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Things to consider in Week 9 of Pregnancy
Since the pregnancy hormones and hCG levels are highest by now and pregnancy symptoms overrule the to-be-mother, she will need to take care of her health while providing enough nutrition to the growing womb and baby within. Some of them include:
- Increase your fibre intake along with nutrient-rich foods, fruits, and vegetables. A fibre inflow of nearly 25-35 gms per day can help you fight constipation, heartburn, and bloating. On the other hand, cut down on refined grain intake such as cereals, white rice, white bread, and oily, greasy, or spicy foods.
- At the same time, increase your fluid intake. It is essential to beat constipation, and your baby needs a good amount of liquids to grow.
- Grab adequate sleep, and stack your bedside table with roasts, dry snacks to counter your morning sickness. Hot water and lemon can also work out in such conditions.
- If you are out in the sun, consider an SPF30 sunscreen. This can avoid skin irritation and sensitivity like melasma.
- Keep a constant eye on UTIs (urinary tract infections) symptoms such as less frequent urination and acute pain while urinating.
- Consider having small meals frequently to improve your energy levels.
- Do not overindulge in unhealthy food cravings and have a healthier version of foods.
- The tummy and breasts are increasing. You will need to wear loose clothes giving good breathing space for your body and baby’s growth.
- Take guidelines from experts on the exercises, yoga postures to perform this week. Keep the walking or swimming routines going through this week as well.
Is a genetic test required this week?
Pregnant mothers above 35 or having a family history of genetic conditions will need to consider a genetic screening after consulting the doctor. This includes NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing), performed after week 9 of pregnancy. In NIPT, the foetal DNA is extracted from the maternal blood sample and tested for congenital disorders. CVS (chorionic villus sampling) is another genetic screening option performed only between 11 -14 weeks of pregnancy.
Conclusion/Take-Away
The beginning of the third month marks the development of the baby’s reproductive tract, fingers, and toes. Observing the baby’s movements in ultrasound is a precious moment for the to-be parent(s). And remember, every pregnancy experience is unique and is different from the other. Connect with your doctor for information on the genetic tests and know how to go about this week and the coming weeks of pregnancy.
References:
Pregnancy symptoms | healthline
Overview | Web MD
