9 weeks pregnant: Symptoms, tips, and baby development
Yay! You're 9 weeks pregnant and will enter double digits by the end of this week!
Right now, pregnancy may feel a lot like surfing: You’re either winding the waves or being tossed around by the ocean.
Your baby, on the other hand, is roughly the size of a green olive and making some major developmental leaps this week.
Here’s the inside scoop on your pregnancy.
Pregnancy at 9 weeks
Your new houseguest now weighs around 2 grams and is about the size of a grape or a green olive. While there’s still a long way to go, all the essential parts (arms, legs) and organs are in place—and now it’s just a matter of developing and growing.
- This week, your baby’s heart has been divided into four chambers and even the valves are starting to form.
- Your baby’s also developing tiny teeth and the little tail has nearly disappeared. Their eyes have grown bigger and developed a little colour.
- The face is forming, complete with a mouth and a tongue with tiny taste buds.
- Your baby’s head is starting to look, well, like a head. It’s bigger than the body and curves towards the chest.
- Cartilage is beginning to turn into bone, laying the foundation for your little one’s skeleton.
- Your baby is also developing tiny muscles that will help him move around.
With most of the groundwork done, things will speed up from here. So get ready for your baby to start rapidly jumping up in size from here on out!
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Week 9 pregnancy symptoms
While excited about this adventure, you quickly realise it isn’t as easy as it looks: nausea, fatigue, the metallic taste and, to top it off, that constant need to pee.
Here’s what to expect from your body at nine weeks:
How you’re feeling
At 9 weeks pregnant, your body is working overtime to build this little being inside of you and it can feel like your body is not yours anymore. You feel tired, emotional and even overwhelmed.
It can be hard to manage work during this time or keep up appearances for your boss and colleagues. So lean on your partner and maybe even give yourself plenty of downtime in the evenings and weekends to rest and unwind.
Morning sickness, cramps, heartburn and other symptoms
Early pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue will persist at 9 weeks pregnant. And with the pregnancy hormone progesterone soaring through your body, you’ve got a new foe: heartburn.
If that’s the case, it may be time to lay off the spicy and greasy foods and trade in for a more bland buffet. Skip big meals for smaller portions and ask your doctor to prescribe an antacid.
In this pregnancy week, many mums-to-be also find themselves face-to-face with the following symptoms:
- A metallic taste in the mouth
- A heightened sense of smell
- Sore breasts
- Milky white vaginal discharge
- A constant need to pee ( But hey, that’s no excuse to cut back on drinking plenty of water)
- Cramping
- Darkened skin
While some spotting is usually not problematic, vaginal bleeding that is heavy, painful, or resembles a period needs immediate medical attention.
Luscious mane and unwanted hair
Not all pregnancy symptoms are created equal. Hormonal shifts also contribute to hair health, which may result in luscious locks! The increase in oestrogen levels during pregnancy may lead to a healthier and fuller mane.
These hormone levels don’t just boost hair growth and reduce hair fall, they also alter the overall hair texture.
However, oestrogen doesn’t just impact your mane. You may also experience growth in body hair. Stick to non-invasive hair removal methods, like tweezing, plucking, and waxing.
And don’t worry—post-delivery, those hormones will chill out, and you’ll shed that extra fuzz along with some of that precious hair on your head.
Nasal congestion
Nasal stuffiness during pregnancy is a real thing, and many mums-to-be start feeling it just about now. Pregnancy rhinitis, the gift that keeps on giving, might kick in as early as the first trimester and refuse to go away, like morning sickness.
As expected, pesky hormones (mainly progesterone and oestrogen) cause the nasal passage blood vessels to swell, resulting in that icky, stuffy feeling.
Oh, and be prepared to be told by your partner that you’ve started snoring.
Treating it? That’s up for debate, but pregnant mamas can try some of these tricks to find relief and survive the week.
- Elevate your head while sleeping
- Use a room humidifier, or try steaming/nebulising (with your doctor’s blessing)
- Avoid irritants (smoke, strong perfumes, etc)
Just keep an eye out for high fever, green or yellow nasal discharge, or facial pain—they might signal a sinus infection that actually needs attention.
Headaches
At 9 weeks pregnant, pregnancy hormones are soaring through your body, which can lead to throbbing headaches. It’s time to rethink your diet and sleep routine because, surprise, most medications aren’t exactly pregnancy-friendly or pregnancy-safe.
Be sure to rest and hydrate by drinking lots of water. You can also use a warm or cold compress to alleviate the pain. Do not self-medicate if you have a headache.
If the headaches don’t go away, call your doctor or healthcare provider. Your doctor will prescribe medications after assessing your health and your medical history.
Mood swings explained
Being 9 weeks pregnant is no easy feat, and mood swings make it all the worse—for you and your unsuspecting partner.
Many women find themselves experiencing shifting moods and can have a hard time relaxing, and it’s completely normal. One minute you are laughing and the next you are ugly crying over a commercial. The levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are also sky-high in pregnant women and can lead to emotional vulnerability and instability, which can be hard to manage for many. And it’s even harder for their partners to predict and decipher.
You can manage the entire ordeal by:
- Staying hydrated
- Engaging in relaxation techniques
- Maintaining a supportive network
- Communicating with your partner
9 weeks pregnancy tips
The reality that you’re pregnant might be sinking in now, but it can be scary to let yourself get “too excited” before you reach the end of the first trimester. So comes the question, “Is 9 weeks too early to announce your pregnancy?”
While it was deemed bad luck to announce your pregnancy this early, it is important to have a support network ready that can make your pregnancy easy. So this is a personal one, but it might be a good time to discuss it with your partner to see if you should share the news or wait a bit longer.
Here are some tips for the week:
1. Eat healthy
Your body is working overtime so nourishing it from within is non-negotiable. Over the next few weeks, build a healthy diet of vitamin and mineral-rich food options. Aim to eat a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables.
While meat may be difficult for many to digest, add some protein and be sure to incorporate whole grains as well. These foods may not be what your baby’s tiny taste buds may be craving, but they will lay the foundation for your baby’s health.
To beat the fatigue during early pregnancy, hydrate and rest. Keep your blood sugar stable by spacing your meals into 5-8 small meals, as it won’t overload your digestive system. Avoiding spicy food can help with heartburn.
2. Don’t skip the prenatal vitamins
Your baby’s neural development can be significantly boosted if your intake of necessary vitamins is adequate, which can be achieved by taking suitable prenatal vitamins.
Consult your OB/GYN to find out which ones will work for your specific requirements. Follow your doctor’s advice from your first prenatal visit and always run new supplements through your healthcare provider first.
3. Resting but staying active
While snoozing during the day may sound excessively appealing, you should incorporate some form of activity to help with a smooth pregnancy and easier birth.
Working out may not necessarily support your delivery, but being physically equipped with muscles and endurance can help you push through the delivery hours. Opt for low-impact, pregnancy-safe options, like yoga, walking, or even swimming. If you’re used to working out for an adequate amount of time, you may be allowed to keep up with your existing workout routine.
But this does not mean you have to skip on those precious naps.
Aim to have at least 7-9 hours of sleep daily (you will regret not doing this when the baby’s here) to manage stress and tiredness.
4. Prenatal care
Tame your inner chaos with some ancient wisdom. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle stretching (or whatever is possible) to manage stress and mood swings.
Stay connected with friends, family, or support groups to share your experiences and feelings, which can provide emotional support.
Keep up with regular prenatal appointments to monitor your health and the baby’s development, and don’t hesitate to discuss any concerns or symptoms with your healthcare provider.
5. Harmful substances and dental health
Smoking and alcohol are off your list, but be sure to also avoid passive smoking, cat litter and other toxic chemicals that are present in everyday household cleaning supplies.
As for caffeine, the best way is to talk to your doctor and find a medically safe consumption level.
Gum issues are prevalent in pregnant women, so it is a good idea to have good dental hygiene to overcome this concern. Brushing twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash regularly can help you avoid those pesky dental issues and also save you a visit to the dentist.
9 weeks pregnant: checklist
Keep those prenatal appointments—because nothing says “fun” like regular check-ins to ensure your tiny human isn’t plotting world dominance from within. Here’s a checklist for the week:
- See a midwife or GP if you haven’t had your first prenatal visit yet.
- Sign up for antenatal class: This is a great way to meet other pregnant mamas and compare notes.
- Ask your doctor about NIPT (noninvasive prenatal testing).
Save your sanity and skip the OTC fetal doppler. Those devices aren’t accurate and all they do is cause chaos. You don’t need that kind of drama! So hang loose, mama, and keep surfing those pregnancy waves with style and grace.
Sources
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, First trimester, May 2022
Better Health Channel, Pregnancy – week by week, February 2012
Raising Children, 9 weeks pregnant, November 2023
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