9 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Belly Size & Ultrasound
Find out what to expect when you’re 9 weeks pregnant. Find out whether you can feel baby yet and what your uterus looks like. What size is a 9-week-pregnant uterus? What are the 8th week symptoms? When does baby start to move?
Your baby at week 9 of pregnancy
Your baby is busy growing during the 9th week of pregnancy. Her face is becoming more baby-like by the day, with her eyes developing but remaining hidden, and her nose, lips, and ears becoming more distinct. She’s also starting to work out her growing muscles. Her fingers and toes are no longer stubs.
Although she wiggles (as seen on an ultrasound), she is so small that you won’t feel her motions. Her reproductive organs are developing, but even if you had a glimpse, you wouldn’t be able to tell she’s a woman (and neither could your doctor at this point).
9 weeks pregnant is how many months?
When you are 9 weeks pregnant, you are officially in 3 months of your pregnancy. Just another 7 months to go! Congratulations, you’ve already made great progress!
How big is your baby at 9 weeks pregnant?
At 9 weeks your “little bean” baby is small yet growing quickly: From head to tail, the embryo is around 1.7 cm long. Although it is large in comparison to the rest of the body, the head now resembles that of a baby.
9 weeks pregnant: baby’s development
During the tenth week of pregnancy, it’s time to start thinking about what to wear. In spite of the fact that your bump is still rather little, you’re likely to have gained some weight in the center. Some weight growth during pregnancy is to be expected at this point, though the bulk of the weight gain will occur later.
Pregnancy is a time of extremes, wherein women often experience extreme highs and lows, rapid mood swings, and irrational conduct. Hormones have a role, but it’s also just an extremely sentimental time of year.
You must be exhausted, even if you aren’t grumpy. In the early stages of pregnancy, many women feel so weary that they can hardly keep their heads over water. Do everything you can to get some rest, get to bed on time, and hand over as much as possible. Keep in mind how hard you’re actually working. It’s tough effort to bring another human into the world!
Your body at 9 weeks pregnant
A lot of stuff is happening to your body right now. From nausea and exhaustion in the morning to teenage-like breakouts and a lack of energy throughout the day. What’s the reason? Hormones!
While nausea and vomiting during the morning hours get all the headlines, exhaustion is actually the first symptom of pregnancy. As your baby develops, your body goes through a whirlwind of changes. The energy level decreases as a result of these modifications. You can feel physically and mentally drained.
First Signs of Fatigue
According to Dr. Timothy R.B. Johnson, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Hospital and research institution, women frequently experience unexplained fatigue before discovering their missed periods. Dr. Johnson stresses the need of understanding that weariness is common.
Get the Rest You Need
Don’t forget to give your body a chance to unwind. Reduce the intensity of your workouts and focus on doing things that relax you instead. You may maintain your fitness and your mental health by taking prenatal yoga or swimming lessons.
Extend your daily sleep schedule. Getting more sleep can help you feel refreshed and give you more mental space to think through the many uncertainties of motherhood. Additionally, you might find that a quality pregnancy sleep pillow is worth the investment.
Fatigue and Stress
It’s natural to feel both joy and stress as you anticipate the arrival of your new baby. Perhaps you’re worried about whether or not to continue working after the baby is born, and how you’ll manage the additional expenses that come with having a child. Even mundane things, like worrying about your new kid, can prevent you from getting a good night’s rest.
If you want to make the most of your downtime, you should figure out a way to deal with your worries. Breathing techniques can be calming for some women, while others rely on their loved ones for emotional support. You might also try a warm bath to calm your nerves (just avoid hot tubs because the high temperatures can pose serious health risks to your developing baby).
If you don’t want to take baths, try applying warm (not hot) compresses to trouble spots like your back and stomach. A heating pad can be bought, or one can be made by stuffing a sock with rice. Secure the end and warm it in the microwave until it’s just right. You can further benefit from the aromatherapeutic effects of the rice you eat by selecting a fragrant variety like jasmine.
9 weeks pregnant: possible symptoms
The first trimester (0 to 12 weeks) of pregnancy is different for every woman, and every pregnancy. According to the Office on Women’s Health, one of the most common early signs is a missed menstrual period.
Common signs and symptoms
The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:
- Spotting.You may see some spotting in the first trimester; call your healthcare provider if you see any more than a few drops of blood.
- Cramping.Mild cramping during pregnancy is common during week 9. As your baby grows, your uterus and other tissues around it will grow as well. It’s important to see a doctor right away if you experience discomfort that’s worse than period cramps, especially if it’s followed by a high temperature or diarrhea.
- Morning sickness. This could be the week that morning sickness finally hits you if it hasn’t already. Nausea that usually occurs in the morning can strike at any moment. It could be set off by anything, including certain motions, odors, an empty stomach, or perhaps nothing at all. Keep some crackers or other simple starchy snacks on hand for those unexpected spells of nausea.
- Exhaustion. It’s normal to feel wiped out from pregnancy exhaustion. Naps may assist when your progesterone levels rise and cause you to feel increasingly sleepy, and some women report that modest exercise and small meals help, too. Too little iron can lead to anemia, which in turn can make you feel weary all the time.
- Moodiness.The surge of hormones that occur during pregnancy can cause a woman to experience an outpouring of feelings, including sadness and even tears. Additionally, it is not uncommon to notice shifts in one’s mood.
- Frequent urination. It is also typical to have to use the restroom more frequently than usual during this time. Your kidneys are putting in extra hours of effort in order to handle the more fluid that is currently in your body.
- Mood swings. The remainder of your pregnancy could be rife with emotional ups and downs. The first trimester is when mood swings are most likely, the second is when they tend to lessen, and the third is when they can return. You can quickly and easily feel better by doing things like eating healthy, talking to friends, sleeping, and doing modest exercise.
- Food aversions. It’s possible that you will become more sensitive to certain odors and tastes when you’re pregnant. Hormonal changes can explain these food preferences, as well as most other pregnancy symptoms.
- Nasal congestion. A rise in hormone levels and blood production can cause your mucous membranes to swell, dry out, and bleed easily. As a result, you may feel stuffy or have a runny nose.
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An increase in hunger. You may feel hungrier than normal, so eat more snacks, keeping in mind that 300 calories is all you need to add to your daily diet.
- No symptoms week 9 pregnant. That’s right, it’s possible to be nine weeks pregnant with no symptoms whatsoever! Every pregnancy and every woman is different. For example, some women never experience morning sickness, so if you’re one of the lucky few, enjoy these nausea-free days without worry.
9 Weeks Pregnant: Wellness and Nutrition
What should you avoid during pregnancy? Doctors agree that you should avoid the following:
- Activities that may cause you to fall, or that place pressure or force on your belly
- Intense, overly vigorous exercise – if you’re too out of breath to talk, you’re probably exercising too hard.
- Drinking alcohol, smoking, and caffeine (ask your doctor how much caffeine you should consume each day)
- Sweeteners such as saccharine and herbal sweeteners (ask your doctor if artificial sweeteners are appropriate)
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications (check with your doctor about what’s safe during pregnancy)
- Paint, cleaning products, and solvents can expose you to chemicals and fumes. Acrylic and latex paints are generally considered safe. However, you should consult your doctor before helping around the house or in the nursery.
- Saunas and hot tubs
- Chemical treatments for your hair, such as dye and perms
9 weeks pregnant belly size
Your belly is tiny at 9 weeks. It probably doesn’t even look like it could be growing anything but a few cells at this point. In fact, it’s more likely that the rest of your body has grown more than just the embryo itself! Even though it’s small, there are many changes happening inside that are preparing for life outside of you.
Most first-time pregnancies don’t show until around week 12. If you’ve had previous pregnancies you may show earlier as a result of stretching of the muscles in your uterus and belly.
Even if you’re only starting to exhibit a tiny baby bump by week 9 of pregnancy (or none at all), you can definitely feel your lower tummy getting firmer. This is your uterus, which is growing to accommodate your developing kid and will give rise to a more noticeable baby bump in the near future.
9 weeks pregnant ultrasound
The baby’s head, body, and limbs can all be clearly seen on an ultrasound performed at nine weeks. In addition, a Doppler monitor will allow you to listen to your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. You might want to bring a box of tissues, because this could get really touching.
Can you see a baby at 9 weeks on an ultrasound?
The 9-week mark is when most expecting parents report seeing their child’s face, hands, and feet. In addition, a Doppler monitor will allow you to listen to your baby’s heartbeat for the first time.
Preparing for Pregnancy
Start your pregnancy out on the right foot by taking prenatal vitamins, consuming enough of orange juice (which is a good source of folic acid), and engaging in regular physical activity. Do not drink alcohol, use drugs, or smoke cigarettes if you are trying to conceive; you may not know when you became pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether or not any medications, including those you use regularly, pose any risk to your unborn child.
The importance of prenatal vitamins during pregnancy
During pregnancy, you need a greater amount of folic acid and iron. Why? Here are some reasons:
- Folic acid prevents neural tube defects. These defects affect the fetal brain and spinal cord in a significant way. Preferably, you should begin taking extra folic acid three months before you become pregnant.
- The placenta and baby require iron to develop. The body uses iron to make blood to supply oxygen to the baby. Additionally, iron helps prevent anemia, a condition in which the blood lacks healthy red blood cells
It’s important to consult your doctor or healthcare provider to find out which are the best prenatal vitamins to take before pregnancy, and how to calculate your expected delivery date.
9 weeks pregnant hCG levels
At 9 weeks pregnant, your hCG levels can range from about 59,109–135,901 mIU/m.
Explore more in your pregnancy week-by-week
Follow your pregnancy week-by-week to find out how your baby is growing and what is happening to your body.
First Trimester Weeks:
Second Trimester Weeks
Third Trimester Weeks
Pregnant Women Also Asked:
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Articles Sources:
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https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/how-pregnancy-happens - Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (HCG). (2018.)
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https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-get-pregnant/knowing-if-you-are-pregnant - Navigating your pregnancy. (n.d.).
https://www.marchofdimes.org/it-starts-with-mom/bleeding-and-spotting-during-pregnancy.aspx - Pregnancy. (2017).
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy - Pregnancy: Sensitivity and specificity. (n. d.).
http://getthediagnosis.org/diagnosis/Pregnancy.htm - Pregnancy tests. (n.d.)
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/pregnancy-tests - Pregnancy week by week. Weeks 1–2. (n.d.).
https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/week-by-week.aspx - Stages of pregnancy. (n.d.).
https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/stages-pregnancy