Week 9 of pregnancy, or just a little over 2 months, is an exciting time. You haven’t begun to show yet, but your little one is making their big presence felt in your life.
Baby Development
You are now on week 9 of pregnancy, and aside from the different emotions that you are feeling right now, you most probably also have a lot of questions racing through your mind.
Here is what you should expect and know for week 9 of pregnancy.
How Is My Baby Growing?
From a little bean, your baby is now the size of a plump grape, measuring 2.54 cm long and weighing around 28 grams.
By week 9 of pregnancy, your baby’s face is also now becoming more defined with eyelids and a mouth. Inside the mouth is a tongue with tiny taste buds beginning to form.
Your baby’s heart is almost complete and it has developed into four separate chambers. This pregnancy week 9, the valves will begin to form, and soon you will be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat.
In addition to the heart, the brain, lungs, kidneys, and gut are continuing to develop, with the formation of bones also starting to occur.
Body & Life Changes
How Is My Body Changing?
Your baby is fast growing week by week, so it is okay to be feeling extra tired this pregnancy week 9. But while your body may be working double time, you may also be looking exceptionally glowing! This is due to the increase in blood volume — around 120ml — which is giving you your rosy hue. Accompanying this glow, however, may be slight dizziness, lightheadedness, and feeling hot and sweaty.
At this time, pregnancy week 9, the pregnancy hormone, HCG, is continually increasing in the body and will peak production around this time. It may make you feel unwell, but HCG is necessary as it helps secure your baby in the womb. Along with HCG, the hormones, estrogen, and progesterone are increasing in volume in your blood, causing you to feel intense mood swings.
On the upside, around pregnancy week 9, you will be enjoying thicker, shinier hair due to the hormones.
Prenatal Yoga: What Effects Does It Have on Your Health?
What Should I Be Concerned About?
For those who have been trying to conceive or for those who have had previous miscarriages, they usually wait until the end of the trimester to make their big announcement when the pregnancy has become more stable.
However, around pregnancy week 9, you may be experiencing the peak of your pregnancy symptoms, such as frequent urination, fatigue, breast tenderness, heartburn, bloating and constipation. As a result, you may want to inform your work colleagues and supervisors about your pregnancy so that they may take into consideration your unique needs at this time. Your boss and the HR department can help make work arrangements that are better suited for you.
Your Doctor Visit
What Should I Tell My Doctor?
As the body is flooded with more hormones and produces more blood in week 9 of pregnancy, this may trigger migraines, irritability, or even intense pain. Consult your doctor about therapies or treatments that are safe for you and the baby.
Migraines, which may occur more often, are triggered by stress, dairy, caffeine, and chocolate. Avoiding these may help avoid and lessen the migraines. To help alleviate this, you can take a nap in a dark, quiet room for a few hours.
It is reported that 20% of expectant mothers experience low mood, anxiety, and depression during their pregnancy. To combat this, you may want to seek out a support group or engage in the following.
- Yoga. This is a gentle activity that helps to strengthen the body as well as calm the mind.
- Meditation. This can help you increase focus and uplift your mood.
- Exercise. Light exercise can also help as endorphins released during exercise can help improve overall mood.
Some women may opt for a date to the spa for some pampering. This is a great idea, especially if it relaxes you. However, do avoid massages as massaging the abdomen or putting pressure on it can lead to complications.
What Tests Should I Know About?
By week 9 of pregnancy, you must be wary of any infections, caused by both viruses and bacteria. In the previous weeks, you may have been requested to take some STI tests.
This week, you may want to be more mindful of bacterial vaginosis, which is a common vaginal infection. This is caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally present in your vagina. Around 20% of women will get bacterial vaginosis during their pregnancy.
Its symptoms include:
- White or gray discharge
- Discharge that has a fishy smell
- Irritation around the vagina
It is important to have bacterial vaginosis treated immediately with antibiotics as this poses a risk to your pregnancy. When left untreated, it can lead to miscarriage and the premature rupture of membranes around the baby. As with any infection, consult your physician.
Health & Safety
What Should I Know About Being Healthy and Safe While Pregnant?
As your body adjusts to the new changes, you must also take into consideration making several lifestyle changes. This may include gradually lessening intense activities, reducing stress, and quitting bad habits such as smoking and drinking.
As more and more people learn of your pregnancy, you may have to limit social drinking. Though there is a study that says that drinking a little alcohol poses little threat in the early stages of pregnancy, it is best to avoid habits that are unhealthy such as drinking, smoking, and drugs.
Some birth conditions that are linked to these are:
- Low birth size of the child
- Premature birth
- Miscarriage
- Learning and behavior problems
- Growth problems
- Facial defects
- Breathing problems in the first six months
Week 9 of pregnancy is an especially trying time when it comes to enduring pregnancy symptoms. However, be rest assured that these will lessen in the coming weeks, and these are necessary to ensure a safer and healthier pregnancy. Everything you are going through is to help the baby become stronger.
Learn more about Being Pregnant here.
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