The shoulders, elbows, and wrists are flexed leaving the hands in front of the face. It's far too early to be aware of them but several fetal movements will start to become apparent on an ultrasound scan at this stage.
In the middle of your 9th pregnancy week, you are nearly through with your first trimester of pregnancy! You have about 2 and a half weeks left until you will enter your second trimester, and 31 weeks to go before you reach your due date.
While your due date is still many months away, your baby is undergoing rapid growth and change every day.
At this point in your baby’s development, the fetus is still very small, about 1 inch long or the size of a cherry.
At this stage of fetal development, your baby’s shoulders, elbows, and wrists are flexed leaving the hands in front of the face. Several fetal movements will start to become apparent on an ultrasound scan at this stage, although it will be several more weeks before you will be able to feel these movements.
Important bodily systems are continuing to develop, including your baby’s heart and arteries, bones, pancreas, and liver.
Many pregnant women experience early pregnancy symptoms at 9 weeks. Some of the common symptoms you might experience include food aversions, food cravings, breast tenderness, bloating, heartburn, constipation, and mood swings.
Morning sickness is another common symptom that you might experience at this stage of your pregnancy, although the name is a bit of a misnomer, as you can experience this nausea or upset stomach at any time during the day, not just in the morning.
Many pregnant women also experience frequent urination at 9 weeks pregnant. This increase in frequent urination occurs because of specific pregnancy hormones, namely progesterone and HCG, both of which increase blood flow to your pelvic area. This increased blood flow helps with important fetal development, but can also lead you to use the restroom more frequently! Rest assured, most pregnant women report that this symptom tends to go away as they enter their second trimester.
Your body is undergoing incredible hormonal changes during this period, which may feel unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.
If you’re experiencing mood swings or strong emotions at 9 weeks pregnant, you’re not alone. Most pregnant women report that their mood swings are most severe during the later weeks of their first trimester, between week 6 and week 10.
Although these mood swings may re-appear in your third trimester as you approach your due date, they should lessen as you reach the end of your first trimester. Do your best to be kind to yourself and ask for support as you experience these strong emotional changes.
If you and your healthcare provider decide to do any prenatal testing, these tests may be scheduled as early as week 9 or 10. Your healthcare provider will perform bloodwork to screen for any genetic disorders and an ultrasound to screen for possible abnormalities.
Your doctor may perform a chorionic villus sampling test (CVS) to test for chromosomal disorders. This test involves drawing a tissue sample from the placenta, which your medical provider can then use to test for any genetic abnormalities.
While these genetic screenings can be done for any pregnancy, most healthcare providers recommend them for pregnant women who are over the age of 35 or are at a higher risk for genetic disorders.
There are so many things to think about during pregnancy, but what should you be thinking about during this stage? Ensuring your little one has access to the right vitamins and nutrients is essential, so if you haven’t already, be sure to begin taking prenatal vitamins or supplements.
It’s also important to keep an eye on your blood pressure and blood sugar, as high levels could be dangerous for you and for your baby. If you have concerns about your book pressure or blood sugar, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider.
Continue to follow any prenatal care recommendations made by your doctor, including eating a variety of foods and exercising in a way that feels good for your body and your mind. This can help ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy.
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