9 Weeks Pregnant

9 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby's Development

This week, your little one (now officially known as a fetus) is looking less and less like a little pink blob and instead has more of a mini baby shape. Even the tail that had been present in earlier weeks has almost disappeared.

Tiny facial features continue to develop this week, including a more prominent nose and eyelids. Up top, the head is large compared to the body, while down below, little toes are now visible.

Internal organs are also forming, including the digestive and reproductive systems, meaning that the intestines as well as testes or ovaries are growing.

Now that you’re nine weeks pregnant, your little one may be starting to move, thanks to some recent muscle development. But you’ll have to wait until sometime in the second trimester to actually feel these movements.

Curious about what else is happening during your pregnancy? Ask for our Pregnancy Guide for handy advice and info on prenatal care, nutrition, weight gain, and more.

The Size of the Fetus at 9 Weeks Pregnant

At nine weeks, the fetus is about the size of a cherry! Your little one may now measure 1.5 to 1.7 cm long and weigh about 3.4 grams.

Check out the illustration below to help you imagine how things are taking shape within the uterus when you are nine weeks pregnant.

Mom's Body at 9 Weeks Pregnant

Symptoms at nine weeks pregnant may include changes to your breasts. They are probably fuller, heavier, and tender to the touch due to the enlargement of your milk glands and an increase in fatty tissue. Although your breasts will likely continue to grow throughout your pregnancy, the sensitivity will usually subside once your body adjusts to the surge of pregnancy hormones.

Read more about breast tenderness here.

You may see that your veins appear a little darker now as your blood supply increases, and your nipples and areolas (the skin around your nipples) may darken as a result of hormonal changes.

Now is a great time to talk to your healthcare provider about exercising during pregnancy. If you're already active, you may need to make some adjustments to your fitness routine. If you haven't been as active, you can still choose a safe activity to help get you moving during your pregnancy.

Walking and prenatal yoga are excellent choices, as well as swimming and water aerobics. These options are ideal for pregnant women because they're gentle on your joints.

Moderate exercise will help you develop the strength and stamina you'll need during labor and delivery, but try to avoid activities that involve bouncing or sudden changes of direction, which could put too much strain on your joints. Consult your healthcare provider for advice about what type of exercise is right for you.

9 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At nine weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Growing waistline. Your belly at nine weeks pregnant may not have a pronounced, rounded look, but your pre-pregnancy clothes are probably feeling a little snug due to a combination of a thickening waistline and some bloating brought on by your old friends — pregnancy hormones. Read more about when you may start showing.

• 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.

• Mild uterine cramping. This is a time of rapid change in your body, and you may experience mild uterine cramping. If the cramping is severe, or if you feel other pain like lower back pain, call your doctor to rule out any problems.

• Morning sickness. If you haven’t experienced morning sickness by now, you could be one of the lucky ones who will avoid this common symptom. But if you do get morning sickness, keep on eating smaller meals frequently throughout the day and remember to stay hydrated.

• Being hungrier. You may start to feel a bit hungrier than usual, so munch on some extra snacks, keeping in mind that you only need to add about 300 calories to your daily intake. Foods like fruit, cereal, and yogurt are great choices. Download our Pregnancy Nutrition Guide for more helpful tips.

• Food cravings and aversions. Your sense of smell is heightened now, and foods and smells you once enjoyed may now seem unpleasant. On the flipside, you may now find you crave certain foods. You can feel free to indulge any food cravings you have, as long as they seem healthy! Just make sure you’re sticking to a balanced diet. Always talk to your healthcare provider if you crave non-food things like dirt or chalk.

• Fatigue. Thanks to an increase in your levels of the hormone progesterone during the first trimester, you may find yourself sleepier than usual. Rest as much as you can during the day, particularly if you’re having trouble sleeping at night.

• Feeling moody. If you’re feeling on top of the world one minute and doomed the next, you can thank pregnancy hormonal changes. Speak to loved ones about how you’re feeling — it may help you feel a little better — and seek help from your healthcare provider if your mood swings are severe.

• Frequent urination. Yes, those extra trips to the bathroom may still be a part of your day as your baby grows and your uterus presses against your bladder. This need to pee more often may also be caused by the increased volume of blood in your body, which makes your kidneys work overtime. Don’t drink less water, as staying hydrated is important, but try to go to the restroom before you head out the door or before you go into a long meeting. If you notice a burning sensation or pain when you pass urine, call your doctor, because this can be a sign of a urinary tract infection.

• Acne. If you’re experiencing acne now and didn’t before you got pregnant, or if your acne is worse now than before, it may be one of your pregnancy symptoms. Read up on how you can combat some of those spots and blemishes in our article on pregnancy acne, and remember that it’s just one of those pesky pregnancy hormone-related symptoms that should clear soon after your baby is born.

9 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

• Make sure you get fitted regularly for the correct size bra to keep yourself comfortable. You may need to get some supportive maternity bras now or in the coming weeks.

• If you haven't spilled the beans yet, here are some fun ways to share the big news with your partner, from writing it in frosting on a cake, to letting your dog wear an announcement around his neck. Enjoy the moment!

• During pregnancy, experts recommend keeping an eye on your caffeine intake. Caffeine comes from a variety of sources, like coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate, so try to limit your overall daily consumption to 200 mg — about the amount in a single 340 grams cup of coffee.

• During the coming months you may have a few additional pregnancy-related expenses and extra outgoings related to buying baby gear. Of course, you may get a lot of what you need gifted at the baby shower or as hand-me-downs from other parents, but it might help to create a budget for those extra expenses you might have anyway. Speak to other parents you know about what to budget for, what you don’t necessarily need to buy, and how you can save on those must-have purchases. They will have lots of tips and tricks up their sleeve based on their past experiences. You may also like to speak to your healthcare provider about what free or discounted resources are available to you in your area.

• Don’t be surprised if you’re not showing yet. Although every mom-to-be and every pregnancy is unique, most start showing only after 13 weeks. You can read more on when you will start showing if you’re interested in this topic.

9 Weeks Pregnant: Ask Your Doctor

• When is it time for an ultrasound? Depending on your situation, you may or may not have an ultrasound exam in the first trimester. Check with your healthcare provider to find out what yours has in mind for you.

• Is it normal to have an unusual vaginal odor? Pregnant women are more susceptible to vaginal infections, so it’s best to ask your doctor to check it out. You can also read more about pregnancy discharge here.

• What's the best approach to eating well, getting the right nutrients, and maintaining a healthy weight gain during pregnancy? Tell your doctor if you're feeling hungry all the time, or if you can't keep anything down due to morning sickness.

• What genetic tests may be recommended for you?

9 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

• Find out what your health insurance covers, or how to get care if you don't have insurance. 

• 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.