Your Baby’s Development at 9 Weeks
At 9 weeks, a baby is approximately 1 inch long (2.5 to 3 centimeters). That’s about the size of an average cherry. Which Trimester? First trimester How Many Weeks to Go? 31 weeks The baby is growing quickly and taking on a much more human-like appearance every day. The physical features, organs, and body systems continue to develop.
Appearance
Baby’s body continues to straighten out while the embryonic tail disappears. Their paddle-like hands and feet are starting to transform as little fingers and toes are becoming more visible. Baby also has ear lobes and the very tip of their nose can be seen in profile. Baby’s eyelids continue to form and cover more of the eyes.
Body Systems
Baby’s heart and the arterial system continues to develop while the bones of the ribs and sternum are taking shape. Baby’s pancreas, liver, and bile ducts are also forming at this stage.
Movement
The baby is moving around, bending, and wiggling. These movements are visible on ultrasound, but you can’t feel them just yet. Explore a few of your baby’s week 9 milestones in this interactive experience.
Your Common Symptoms This Week
As for you, morning sickness typically peaks this week. Other symptoms, such as fatigue and frequent urination, may continue. You might also be dealing with heartburn, itchy breasts, and the emotional ups-and-downs of pregnancy.
Emotions
Your emotions have likely taken you on a roller-coaster ride these past few weeks. You’re not alone. Generally speaking, mood swings hit the hardest between week 6 and week 10, returning during the third trimester as you mentally and physically prepare for birth. Mood changes are expected and are spurred, in part, by estrogen and progesterone fluctuations. These hormonal changes can affect the level of mood-regulating brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. But there’s more at play here than just hormones. The physical, social, and emotional stressors of pregnancy can all contribute to your up-and-down mood.
Heartburn
When it comes to heartburn during pregnancy, you can blame those hormones again—specifically progesterone. Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscle in your body and slows down digestion so you can absorb more nutrients from the food you eat. But, there’s a sphincter at the top of the stomach made of smooth muscle. It keeps food and stomach acid down. As it relaxes, it’s easier for food and acid to go back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn or indigestion.
Itchy Breasts
Sore breasts are mentioned in week 8. In addition to soreness, changing hormones, plus the growing and stretching of the skin on your breasts, can lead to itchiness. Itchy skin is more common in the second and third trimester, but it can start as early as the first trimester. Applying a moisturizing body oil or lotion can help ease the discomfort.
Self-Care Tips
It may be a more emotional week with some changing moods as you go from excited to worried or happy to nervous when you think about your baby, your symptoms, or even parenthood. Take time to care for your mental health and try to find some relief from those uncomfortable symptoms.
Caring for Your Mental Health
Just knowing that the ups-and-downs are a normal and expected part of pregnancy can help you feel better. But since fatigue, low blood sugar, and stress can contribute to mood changes, there are a few things you can do to help your mood:
Try to get enough sleep.Eat healthy meals throughout the day with more protein and less sugar.Get a little exercise.Spend quality time with your partner, family, and friends.Try meditation.
Breast Relief
If you have sore, itchy breasts, talk to your doctor about treatment options. You can also avoid hot baths and showers, soaps that dry out your skin, and detergents or clothing that are irritating. Instead, take cool showers and apply moisturizer.
Dealing With Heartburn
Heartburn is uncomfortable. If you’re suffering from heartburn, try: —Robin Evans, MD
Eating smaller meals, but eating more often. Eating slowly and chewing your food well. Avoiding lying down or go to bed right after a meal. Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol. Trying alternative treatments such as acupuncture.
If you cannot find relief, talk to your doctor about other treatment options, including medications that are safe during pregnancy.
Write Everything Down
A pregnancy planner, organizer, or journal can be so helpful. It’s a great place to write your thoughts and feelings and document your symptoms and body changes. As you think of questions for your doctor, you can write them down, so you don’t forget them. Then, bring your planner along to prenatal appointments. You can record what happens at each visit and write down the answers to all your questions. After your baby arrives, it will be a wonderful keepsake to look back on all the big milestones as well as the little memories about your pregnancy.
Advice for Partners
After the first prenatal visit, if your pregnant partner is experiencing a normal, healthy pregnancy, they are likely to get the official word that sex during pregnancy is OK. In fact, you can have sex throughout the entire 40 weeks—if you’re both feeling up to it. Sex during pregnancy won’t hurt the baby. Your baby is protected by amniotic fluid, the pregnant partner’s abdomen, and the mucus plug, which seals the cervix. As long as your partner does not have unexpected vaginal bleeding, a history of preterm labor or cervical insufficiency, or a concerning complication, sex during pregnancy is generally considered safe. —Allison Hill, MD, OB/GYN Of course, safety isn’t the only thing to consider. Your partner may be dealing with a slew of uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Fatigue, breast tenderness, and nausea are just a few issues that might leave your partner feeling not quite in-the-mood. Be patient and continue to show affection in other ways. Many symptoms subside in the second trimester.
At Your Doctor’s Office
If your very first prenatal visit is this week, refer back to week 6 or week 8 to learn what to expect when it comes to tests, visit length, and more. —Shara Marrero Brofman, PsyD
Special Considerations
It’s reasonable to expect some mood swings, changing emotions, and irritability during pregnancy. However, it’s important to know when your symptoms are going beyond what’s expected. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell on your own, so regularly talk to your partner and your doctor about how you feel.
Bloodwork to screen for genetic disorders. An ultrasound or nuchal translucency screening to measure the amount of fluid behind the baby’s neck. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) to test cells removed from the placenta for chromosomal disorders.
Screening tests are generally offered under age 35, while diagnostic tests are offered over age 35Screenings are also offered to people who are at risk of genetic disorders, and those who have a screening test showing a greater chance of an issue.
When to Seek Mental Health Help
If your mood swings last more than two weeks and don’t seem to be getting better or you’re experiencing significant changes in your appetite or sleep, it’s crucial to seek the care of a mental health professional. This advice holds true for everyone, but it’s especially true for those who have a history of depression, anxiety, or any other mood disorder. Around a third of the cases of postpartum depression begin during pregnancy. Getting help for prenatal depression and other mental health concerns early will not only improve your pregnancy but your baby’s well-being in utero and after birth. —Shara Marrero Brofman, PsyD You should also discuss your emotions and mood changes with your OB or midwife. Certain health concerns, such as a thyroid condition, can surface in pregnancy and lead to mood or anxiety issues.
A Word From Verywell
Now that your very first prenatal visit is likely under your belt, your new reality might be feeling that much more real. There’s probably a combination of excitement, relief, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty swirling around your household. And it’s all normal. Pregnancy is quite the life adjustment. Next week is your baby’s last week as an embryo. By the end of week 10, your little one graduates to the next stage of prenatal development.
