Week 9 of 40
What's happening with the baby
At around 9 weeks the baby is about 22mm long from head to bottom, roughly the size of a strawberry. The face looks more recognisable, with eyelids, a mouth and a tongue with tiny taste buds. The hands and feet are developing, with grooves where fingers and toes will be. The major organs, including the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys and gut, are developing, and bones are starting to form. See the NHS week 9 guide.
The baby's muscles have developed enough for them to move around (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's week 9 page), but you won't feel it yet. Most people start to feel their baby move between 16 and 24 weeks, and in a first pregnancy it may be after 20 weeks (NHS baby movements page). Mayo Clinic notes that the arms are growing, elbows appear and eyelids form.
What you might notice
The pregnancy hormone hCG has been doubling every 2 or 3 days and is at its peak around now. Extreme tiredness, feeling sick, mood swings, sore breasts and headaches are common. Your breasts may be bigger and your waist may be thickening a little. Many people start to feel better in the second trimester. See the NHS.
Pregnancy hormones can make your skin oilier, or drier for some people. Headaches are common at this time, and you may need to pee more often. See Pregnancy, Birth and Baby.
Morning sickness often eases by the second trimester, though for some people it lasts up to weeks 14 to 20 (healthdirect).
Things worth doing
- Eat little and often. The NHS suggests healthy snacks through the day, which can keep your blood sugar stable and may reduce morning sickness. You don't need extra calories at this stage, just a healthy diet with enough nutrients (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby).
- Headaches. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says it's OK to take paracetamol in pregnancy at the lowest dose for the shortest possible time. If you have migraines, or you're unsure what's right for you, check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. See the NHS medicines page.
- Drink enough. 6 to 8 glasses of water a day can help with dry skin (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby).
- Folic acid. Keep taking 400mcg a day until at least week 12, unless your doctor has advised otherwise (NHS).
For partners this week
- Hormones are at their peak and it can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Be patient, and offer practical help without being asked.
- Keep healthy snacks in the house and in the bag.
- Ask how they're feeling, and listen. Encourage them to tell the midwife or doctor about worries that stick around.
When to get help
See your doctor or midwife if:
- you have a burning or stinging feeling when you pee, or need to pee very often, which could be a urine infection (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby)
- you're vomiting and can't keep fluids down (healthdirect)
- you have migraines and need to know which medicines are safe
- you have any bleeding from the vagina
Call emergency services if you're bleeding and have severe tummy pain, shoulder pain, feel faint or dizzy, or the bleeding is heavy. See the NHS bleeding in pregnancy page. If you're unsure about anything, check with your doctor or midwife.