Pregnancy Week 9 Fetal Development
Theres a lot going on inside your belly during week 9 of pregnancy! Its still too soon to determine your babys sex through an ultrasound, but his or her reproductive organs will start to develop this week.
Other organs will continue to grow during this period. The babys heart has finished dividing into four chambers, and its beating loud and clear now. By now, muscles are starting to grow and allow the 9-week fetus to move its arms and legs around.
Your baby at 9 weeks pregnant is getting more defined facial features, including more prominent eyelids and a tiny nose. Your babys ears are also more distinct and moving into place. Inside the babys mouth, teeth and taste buds are also beginning to take shape.
Arms and legs are getting longer, too. Your babys fingers are longer now, and theyre wider at the end. This is where fingerprints will form later on. The baby is moving around now, but you wont be able to really feel these movements until later on in your pregnancy
Can I Hurt My Baby By Pressing On My Stomach
At 9 weeks pregnant, the uterus is still tucked well behind the pelvis. This means your little one is very well protected during the first trimester.
The bony frame of your pelvis is still housing the uterus, making it extremely unlikely that you would cause any harm to your baby by pressing on your belly.
Your body is well designed to protect its precious cargo during its most vulnerable stage, by keeping it tucked out of harms way.
So rest assured, if you are a tummy sleeper, enjoy those zzzzs on your belly while you still can.
Brown Discharge At 9 Weeks
Bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy is more common than you might think, and isnt always a sign of miscarriage. There can be many causes.
Although it can be worrying, a small amount of brown discharge without any other symptoms is usually nothing to be concerned about.
Brown discharge during pregnancy is actually the presence of old blood. Blood that has taken a while to leave the body becomes oxidized and will turn from fresh red to brown.
If youre experiencing cramping, pain, or heavier bleeding, contact your doctor or health care provider.
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The Difference Between Amniocentesis And Cvs
Both CVS and amniocentesis are diagnostic tests aimed at detecting chromosomal disorders. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, so its important to talk with your provider about your options.
The main advantage of CVS is that its performed earlier than amniocentesis, giving you an opportunity to learn about a potential chromosomal disorder earlier. CVS testing is typically done between weeks 10 and 13 of pregnancy, while amniocentesis is usually performed between weeks 16 and 18 and most often before week 22.
That said, CVS isnt the right choice for everyone. Amniocentesis can detect certain things that CVS cant, including neural tube defects like spina bifida, birth defects and Rh incompatibility. Possible risks, like miscarriage, are slightly higher for CVS, and the procedure is slightly more painful.
Your Baby’s Development At 9 Weeks

At 9 weeks, a baby is approximately 1 inch long . That’s about the size of an average cherry.
The baby is growing quickly and taking on a much more human-like appearance every day. The physical features, organs, and body systems continue to develop.
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Baby’s Heartbeat Is Audible On Ultrasound
While it’s way too early to feel anything, it’s not too early to possibly hear something. Your baby’s heart is developed enough and has grown large enough for its beats to be heard with a Doppler, a handheld ultrasound device that amplifies the lub-dub sound the heart makes.
But don’t worry if your practitioner can’t pick up the sound of your baby’s heartbeat yet. It just means your shy guy is hiding in the corner of your uterus or has his back facing out, making it hard for the Doppler to find its target. In a few weeks, or at your next visit, that miraculous sound is certain to be audible for your listening pleasure.
Symptoms And Body Changes At 9 Weeks
Your uterus is still growing, and should be close to the size of a cantaloupe at nine weeks pregnant. Youre probably feeling extra bloated and maybe a bit lethargic, but remember that this is mainly due to the hormones that are floating around in your system.
You may be noticing weight gain, but its likely more due to water retention than the baby. Many women experience severe mood swings and other pregnancy symptoms during this week, but again, this is due to the hormones in your system.
Some of the pregnancy symptoms that are still present such as aches and pains, bloating, and fatigue will last throughout your pregnancy.
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Things To Think About During Week 9 Of Pregnancy
Whether you’re feeling fabulous or flipping awful, to a certain extent life continues as normal once youre over the initial excitement of the little blue line and theres no reason why you cant get on with most of the activities you did before you were pregnant, in fact, staying active is recommended.
Sex in pregnancy
You might have assumed that once youd conceived, sex would be the last thing on your mind but many women find that pregnancy hormones ramp up their sex drive and even intensify the pleasure they get from sex. Others don’t.
If you’re feeling knackered and nauseous, getting passionate with your partner is quite possibly the last thing on your mind at this stage.
However, if you’re in the first camp, or if your energy levels peak in later weeks and you find you’re in the mood, there’s no issue with having sex while you’re pregnant.
You may think it’s a little weird doing the deed with a baby inside you, but rest assured he is entirely separate . As always, if you experience any discomfort or bleeding, you should speak to your doctor.
Exercise in pregnancy
Yep, the other kind of exercise is not just OK, but to be encouraged, too. Obviously, you need to take it slightly easier and there are a few exercises you cant do in pregnancy such as anything with a high risk of falling or being hurt, contact sports and things like scuba diving. But most activities are ok as long as you arent new to them.
Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist
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Find out what your health insurance covers, or how to get care if you don’t have insurance. Your healthcare provider’s office is a good place to start, and you can also check Healthcare.gov for up-to-date information about programs and health plans that are available in your state.
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Ask your healthcare provider to give you the green light on beginning a simple fitness routine or activity, if you’re not already doing some form of exercise.
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Even though you don’t know your baby’s gender yet, you can still have some fun with our Baby Name Generator. You’ve got plenty of time to choose a name you love!
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Sign up for even more pregnancy tips here:
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Pregnancy Week 9 Tips
If youre struggling with pregnancy stress and anxiety during this week, find a support group to join. This will help you get out of the house, and talking to other moms-to-be will help you cope with the feelings you are experiencing.
These support groups can be found on the Internet, and they exist in nearly every town or city. There are also professionals who deal specifically with pregnant women and can help calm your emotions and help your spouse or partner cope as well.
You should also learn to keep communication lines open with your partner. This will help him understand what you are going through and why.
The way you are feeling right now is completely normal, even though its probably anything but normal for you. Talking with others, especially your partner, will help everyone understand what is going on.
Has it occurred to you yet, that by this time next week youll be 10 weeks pregnant?! Times flying!!
What Is Happening With Your Baby During The 9th Week Of Pregnancy
While still extremely small, your baby is now ready for rapid weight gain. Your baby is beginning to look more like a little person since the embryonic tail is completely gone by week 9. The eyelids are fully formed, have fused shut, and will open again during week 28. All the babys joints, including the knee, elbow, shoulder, ankle, and wrist joints, are working and allowing the baby to move about freely within the amniotic sac. Your babys heart began beating around day 24. Now the heart has divided into four chambers, and the valves are beginning to develop. Your baby can also make a fist and may begin sucking his/her thumb.
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Unusual Symptoms To Look Out For During Week 9 Pregnancy
Remember to call the midwife or your doctor if you’re having any concerns and you’re experiencing any of the below symptoms.
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Look out for abdominal pain and belly cramping
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Are you having any bleeding?
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Fluid leak
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Speak to a medical professional if you’re feeling particularly lonely or sad
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Check with a midwife of GP if you have vaginal discharge and in particular if it smells unpleasant
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Likewise if you feel itchy, sore or it become painful to pee
Week 9 Your 1st Trimester

Your breasts will be bigger now and your waist may be thickening a little. Your pregnancy hormones are flooding your body, which may still be causing you to feel unwell. Thankfully this will not last forever. In a month, you’ll be entering the second trimester when many people start to feel lots better.
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Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms Your Belly And What To Expect
At nine weeks pregnant you’ll be coming up to your third month of pregnancy and it’ll really be starting to settle in that your whole world will change forever in a matter of months!
Right now your baby’s head is more developed and although they are still webbed, fingers and toes are now visible .
Now is the time you might want to start thinking about saving up the pennies for when baby arrives! It’s also a good idea to look into your companies maternity leave policy so that when you do break the exciting news to your boss, you’ll be clued up enough to discuss what will happen in the coming months.
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Read more on what to expect in terms of symptoms, changes to your body and your baby’s at nine weeks pregnant.
Your symptoms at 9 weeks pregnant
Your Babys Development At 9 Weeks
Though it might sound like a message from outer space, that sound is actually your babys fetal heartbeat. And if you havent heard it yet, you soon will: most fetal heartbeats can be heard between 8 and 12 weeks. For some, hearing the heartbeat for the first time is thrilling. But theres no right way to feel
- Heart development: Your babys heart now has four distinct chambers, and its valves are forming. That heartbeat may now be strong enough to be heard with a fetal doppler.
- Eyes: Your baby has eyes that are fully formed now, too, but they wont open for a while. In fact, the lids will be fused shut until about 27 weeks.
- Arms and legs: Bones and muscles are starting to develop. Help those bones develop by getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Soon, your body will be supplying baby the calcium they need through the placenta. Aim for about 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day to make sure you have enough for your baby without depleting your own supply . Vitamin D helps your body absorb all that calcium take about 200 to 400 IUs of it daily.
- Fingers and toes: Those webbed buds on your babys hands and feet are starting to turn into actual fingers and toes.
- Weight gain: Babys about to undergo major growth. Over the next three weeks, theyll double in length, and will go from about .07 ounces to .49 ounces. Thats seven times their weight!
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Your Emotions In Pregnancy
Progesterone and oestrogen flood your body in the first trimester and can bring on a rollercoaster of emotional changes in pregnancy. Hormones aside, worrying about your babys health, finances and the future can also leave you feeling anxious.
Making some me time is an important part of looking after your emotional health in pregnancy. And avoid stress as much as you can these five ways to relaxmight help.
If you’ve had an argument with your partner, friends or parents, or if you are just fed up and feel tired, take a warm bath, chill out to some music, read a book or just close your eyes.
Find more top tips for looking after your wellbeing.
What Is The Ninth Week Of Pregnancy
In the ninth week of pregnancy, a woman is at the end of the first trimester. The gestational age of the fetus is 7 weeks. Major changes develop in the body of the mother and baby. The baby develops from the embryonic stage to the fetal stage. There is continued rapid growth with developmental changes. Increasing levels of pregnancy hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone cause the peak increase of early pregnancy symptoms in a woman. At this stage of pregnancy, the woman cannot feel the babys movements, but the placenta starts to develop to take over the hormone production and to provide the required nourishment for the fetus . The uterus expands and grows double its size to accommodate and groom the growing fetus.
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Week 9 Pregnancy Checklist
Knowing what to do week-by-week can help you feel prepared and alleviate stress. Add these new items to your to-do list this week. Youve got this, mama!
Week 9 Pregnancy To-Dos | Complete |
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Read up on what to expect at your prenatal appointment | |
If you havent already, come up with a fun way to tell your family and/or friends. |
Learn more about your pregnancy, including pregnancy planning and pregnancy nutrition, to feel prepared to continue this magical adventure. Youre armed with the facts and what to do, so now you can take time to connect with the little one growing inside you.
With week eight in the rearview mirror and week 9 going strong, look to the future and what’s coming up in week ten!
When Is Morning Sickness Classed As Something More Serious
Some pregnant women experience severe or excessive pregnancy sickness. If this is something that youre going through, dont hesitate to seek medical advice from your doctor.
You could be suffering from a pregnancy condition, known as hyperemesis gravidarum . This is a very severe form of pregnancy sickness, which can result in complications in your pregnancy, and can lead you to become severely dehydrated.
HG usually wont go away on its own. It extends well beyond the first trimester and, for some, even into their third trimester.
You might need treatment in hospital, with IV fluids and medication to stop the nausea and vomiting. You and your baby will need to be monitored closely to prevent problems occurring, and to ensure your baby grows as expected.
A pregnant woman might have increased risk factors for HG if:
- There is a family history of HG
- She has suffered previously with HG
- She is carrying twins or multiples.
Find out more in our article When Is Morning Sickness Classed As Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
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What To Expect At 9 Weeks Pregnant With Twins

If you have had hefty 9 weeks pregnant symptoms, you might be surprised to learn at your 9 week ultrasound that youre having twins! This can be a bit of a shock, so be gentle with yourself as you absorb the information. You might feel elated or terrified to be 9 weeks pregnant with twins, but youll get used to the idea. Talk to your doctor about what to expect with twins and what you might need to do differently.
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You At 9 Weeks Pregnant
Most women will start to put on some weight at this stage, which is normal. But most still wont have a noticeable baby bump.
Headaches are common. You can take paracetamol according to the instructions on the packet. Also, nausea peaks around this time. Talk with your health professional if there are health problems or changes that are really bothering you.
Youre more prone to dental infections during pregnancy, so take extra care of your teeth and gums. Use soft toothbrushes and dental floss. Consider seeing your dentist for a check-up.
Pelvic floor muscles The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that support the bladder, uterus and bowel. Its recommended that all women exercise their pelvic floor muscles every day to prevent weakness and improve strength.
Pelvic floor exercises will help to prevent urinary problems like incontinence later in pregnancy or after the birth. Pelvic floor exercises can also help with labour and recovery after birth. Regular light exercise like walking can also help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.