What’s going on?
Your baby is starting to take on a more human-like form, while all the essential organs have begun to develop. On the other hand, you are probably starting to “feel” more pregnant now that the symptoms of pregnancy are coming out in full force.
Baby at Week 9
This week, your baby will move on from the embryonic stage to the foetal period. He/she will measure approximately 1 inch long, about the size of a large olive.
All your baby’s major organs, nerves and muscles are starting to function, and although you won’t be able to feel it, his/her heart is now beating strong and steady. You can hear the heartbeat by using ultrasound devices such as the Doppler – however, this largely depends on the position of your baby in the uterus. If your shy little one happens to hide in the corner of your uterus or has his/her back facing out, this can make it hard for the Doppler to pick up the heartbeat.
Also happening this week: your baby’s ears are starting to develop and his/her eyelids are in place (although they will remain shut until week 26). The once-webbed fingers and toes are also starting to take shape.
What is mum up to?
You may feel like you’ve gone through it all when it comes to pregnancy symptoms at this point. But apart from the frequent bathroom trips (either to pee or due to morning sickness) and the fact that your clothes are starting to get a little snug, you may also be struggling to get out of bed in the morning and find yourself going to bed earlier at night.
Pregnancy fatigue is a common symptom, which often peaks in the first trimester as both your baby and body are working hard on their designated roles. As your body prepares to develop the placenta (your baby’s lifeline), your body’s metabolism and hormone levels increase which triggers a drop in blood sugar and blood pressure. However, you can look forward to increased energy levels over the next few weeks as the placenta construction wraps up. This is likely to remain until the third trimester when your body strives to cope with the demands of carrying your almost-full-term baby.
Top tips for Week 9
By Week 9, most of your regular clothes might be getting a bit too snug and uncomfortable, even if your bump is not visible yet. With the waves of nausea still lingering, you might want to make some changes to your daily outfit so that you feel comfortable enough to get through the day.
Here are some things to take note of:
- Stretchy, breathable fabric make the best choices
- Length matters – so make leggings, jeggings and longer tops part of your daily do
- As your pregnancy progresses, you might want to get measured for some comfortable bras for now – until you transition to maternity bras
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