What to Expect in Week 9 of Your Pregnancy

Ninth Week of Pregnancy: Week by Week

You are 9 weeks pregnant and your baby is growing stronger each day. It’s muscles continue to develop as your baby moves around more and more. It’s facial features are forming as it begins to look more like the baby you will get to meet very soon!

IN THIS ARTICLE

• 9th Week of Pregnancy Symptoms
• Pregnant Belly at 9 weeks
• Baby Development at 9 Weeks
• Ultrasound
• Homework

Symptoms / What to Expect:

Nine week pregnancy symptoms can hit you like a ton of bricks. You may feel very fatigued during this week of pregnancy. Your body is working hard for you and for your baby’s growth and development. But, as you get closer to the 2^nd trimester, these symptoms will hopefully begin to decrease as your energy level increases. Urine frequency may increase, as there is more pressure being put on your bladder as baby and uterus grows. Other potential symptoms are heartburn and ingestion, bloating, gas, and constipation. Focus on several small meals per day to help provide some relief. Big meals may increase nausea and heartburn, but it is important to make sure you are receiving adequate calories and nutrition for you and baby. Avoiding spicy or greasy foods, and don’t lay down directly after eating to reduce heartburn.

Common Symptoms at 9 weeks include:

• Tender breasts
• Visible veins on your breasts
• Weight gain (but if you don’t yet, no worries. Every body has different needs based on factors like pre-pregnancy weight.)
• Lower back pain
• Lower abdomen pain due to your growing uterus
• Fatigue
• Food aversions or major food cravings
• Constipation
• Off-white vaginal discharge (if you have bloody discharge, please call your health care provider)
• Morning sickness or all-day sickness

Pregnant Belly at 9 weeks

The 9 weeks pregnant belly is a bit bigger than the previous month. This is due to the increase in the size of the uterus. You are 9 weeks pregnant and showing a little baby belly.

Baby’s Development

The baby is about 1 inch long and the size of an olive! At this week of pregnancy, the baby is preparing for weight gain. The eyelids have fully developed and closed. They will reopen around week 28. 

Belly Size: The uterus has doubled in size at this week of pregnancy. You may be beginning to show, but if not, that is okay and should not be considered as a sign that something is wrong. Every body is different.

Ultrasound

On the week 9 pregnancy ultrasound, you may be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat, but do not be worried if you cannot hear anything yet. The ultrasound will most likely be done transvaginally (probe inserted into vagina) as the uterus still sits behind the pelvic bone. 

Homework

Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep right now to help with fatigue and increase energy for continuing your daily activities + growing a baby.

• If you haven’t had your first OB appointment yet, make sure you have one scheduled. Take some time to write down any questions you may have for your health care provider.
• Make sure you are keeping up with regular dental check-ups and continue to floss and brush regularly. Pregnant women need to take extra-good care of their dental hygiene.
• Start taking a look at which classes are available either online or locally that can help prepare you for your new normal. From CPR classes to baby bootcamp, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
• Focus on fiber! Fiber is nutrient dense and can help fill you up quickly without having to eat large volumes in one sitting. Intake of 25-30 grams of fiber each day is recommended. But, make sure you are consuming plenty of fluid with fiber to increase movement through your digestive system.

Shopping List

• Try a pregnancy pillow that will help throughout pregnancy, right now it can be used to sit up after eating.
• Consider a fiber supplement if you are having a hard time getting it in via your diet.
• If nausea still persists, try some ginger tea. Just avoid any brands that include licorice root as an ingredient, as it may stimulate uterine contractions. (I like traditional medicinal)
• If your health care provider provided you with an image from your ultrasound, you may want to get yourself a cute ultrasound picture frame. What a lovely way to remember this memorable moment in time.
• If your breasts have started growing, invest in a quality maternity bra for maximum comfort.

Week 9 of pregnancy can be a doozy. But with the right planning and support, you can work through some common symptoms and know that many of these go away once you enter your second trimester, which is right around the corner. Which pregnancy symptoms have been most surprising to you? Let us know in the comments!