How does my baby grow at 9 weeks?

Your baby is now around 22mm long (the size of a strawberry). All major body parts are developing; however, they’re not yet fully formed. This includes their genitals, although these won’t be clearly visible for a few weeks yet. Their face is developing as well, with a little mouth and tongue (complete with taste buds!).

Hands and feet are still developing, but there won’t be any fingers or toes just yet, only grooves.

Your placenta is almost fully functioning and will begin absorbing nutrients and oxygen from your blood, giving them to your baby.

What are the pregnancy symptoms at 9 weeks?

You may have noticed that your breasts have grown bigger, so consider wearing a supportive or maternity bra. Choose soft fabrics that don’t use metal wires.

You might experience headaches that can be quite severe. Paracetamol is considered the safest painkiller to use in pregnancy, but try to stay away from ibuprofen.

As well as morning sickness and tiredness, you can find that your emotions can swing at a moment’s notice. Make sure you rest up and communicate to your partner how you’re feeling. They might not understand just how tiring it really is unless you tell them how you are feeling.

If you find yourself craving a snack, try to reach for healthy options. Opt for a boiled egg, hummus with carrot sticks, or wholemeal pitta bread with grated cheese. Let nothing stop your creativity; you’ve earned a treat, but try and make it a healthy one!

You may also experience vaginal discharge. This is completely normal and helps prevent infections from travelling up the vagina into the womb. However, if it smells strange, is green or yellow, is itchy, or hurts when you pee, contact your doctor. These could be the early symptoms of a vaginal infection.

What else do I need to know about being 9 weeks pregnant?

Exercise and a healthy, active lifestyle don’t need to stop simply because you’re pregnant. but it's important to choose exercises that are safe. Low-impact exercises like yoga or swimming are ideal, so aim for about 30 minutes of exercise per day (don’t overdo it).

How can exercise help me during pregnancy?

It helps you maintain a healthy weight.

It helps you get a better night’s sleep.

It helps you feel better about the changes that are happening to your body.

It keeps pregnancy niggles at bay. For example, backache, pelvic girdle pain, constipation, and fatigue

It helps to reduce or prevent depression and improve your mood.

It helps prepare your body and mind for labour and birth.

It helps you recover after your baby is born.

What is the best type of exercise during pregnancy?

Examples of safe types of exercise include:

Swimming.

Brisk walking.

Aquanatal classes.

Cycling.

Try out activities such as pilates or pregnancy yoga. Find a registered, qualified teacher who is experienced in teaching pregnant women.

Are there any reasons why I shouldn’t exercise?

Although exercise during pregnancy is generally safe, there are some exceptions. Talk to your doctor before exercising if:

You are a heavy smoker. You should have been advised to stop several times at this stage. Please stop immediately. Beyond your health and that of your child’s, secondhand smoke exposure can also harm other women’s unborn babies.

You have a heart or lung problem, or chronic bronchitis.

You have significant medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.

You were underweight before you became pregnant.

You have high blood pressure that isn’t being controlled with medication.

You have a history of miscarriage.

You have very low iron levels in your blood.

As usual, keep up the daily supplements of folic acid and vitamin D (400mg and 10mg per day, respectively). This helps your baby’s development.

What Does My Pregnancy Look Like at Nine Weeks?

What does my pregnancy look like at 9 weeks?