The ninth week of pregnancy is an exciting one! You can start to see the shape of a baby on your ultrasound, and the heartbeat can be clearly heard. While morning sickness and tiredness can still plague you, the first trimester is nearly over, and along with it, the sickness.
But what else is happening at nine weeks pregnant? Well, we are here to tell you! Keep reading to find out what happens during your ninth week of pregnancy, what you should avoid, and everything else you need to know!
What’s Coming Up In The Article?
- What Does It Mean To Be 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect Pregnancy At 9 Weeks?
- Should You Get An Ultrasound At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Big Is A Baby At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Body Changes Should You Expect At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Key Points
- The baby is now the size of a cherry
- The baby has doubled in size, and your womb is still expanding
- The baby has ear lobes, fingers, and a small nose
- The first prenatal appointment might happen this week or be booked in
- The risk of miscarriage drops to an average of 0.5%
- The common pregnancy symptoms include morning sickness, tiredness, and mood swings
What Does It Mean To Be 9 Weeks Pregnant?
At nine weeks pregnant, you are nearing the end of your first trimester. It will have been roughly nine weeks since your last period, and you might be experiencing morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms.
Your baby’s development continues, and is now the size of a cherry! It has doubled in size this week, and you might find that your jeans are feeling tighter. You might have the start of a baby bump now, but it might also be bloating.
There will be ridges where each finger and toe will be, although they won’t have separated yet. Your baby’s face is forming, too! The eyes are becoming bigger and will have some colour too! Your baby now has a mouth and tongue with taste buds developing.
Can You Detect Pregnancy At 9 Weeks?
Yes, you can detect pregnancy at nine weeks! By this point in your cycle, you will have missed two periods and will likely be experiencing pregnancy symptoms. You might feel sick, suffer from morning sickness, and feel exhausted.
A pregnancy test can be taken to confirm pregnancy. At-home pregnancy tests measure the human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG levels, in your urine. Known as the pregnancy hormone, hCG levels rise when you are pregnant and are used to confirm a pregnancy.
You can also have a pregnancy confirmed by your doctor. They will also measure the pregnancy hormones in your body, this time with a blood test. They might also perform an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy and provide you with an estimated due date.
Should You Get An Ultrasound At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
You can have an ultrasound at nine weeks if you want. Typically, ultrasounds are performed to the end of your first trimester, around the 11th or 12th week.
However, you can have an early ultrasound in some cases. They are often provided if there are concerns about the pregnancy or if you have had complications in the past. You might also have an ultrasound at this stage to measure your baby and establish how far along you are if you are unsure when you missed your last period.
An ultrasound at nine weeks is typically done transvaginally, which can feel a little uncomfortable. You will see your baby’s head, body, and limbs at nine weeks. You will also hear your baby’s heartbeat here too! Speak to your healthcare provider about an early ultrasound.
Are There Any Scans Or Tests I Should Consider At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
At nine weeks, your doctor will likely order a blood test if they have not already. This will test your hormone levels, red and white blood cell counts, and sexually transmitted diseases. You might also have a urine test to check for urinary tract infections (UTI) and protein levels.
Depending on your medical and family history, you might also be screened for genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and thalassemia. You can opt out of genetic tests if you prefer, and your doctor can provide more advice.
Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, you can detect a heartbeat at nine weeks pregnant. An ultrasound at this point will see your baby’s heartbeat, allowing you to hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time if you haven’t already.
The heartbeat will sound fast, with a rate of 170 beats per minute. Don’t panic; it is meant to sound fast at this time. Your baby’s heart is still developing, so the heart rate has not stabilised yet. Your doctor or sonographer will let you know the heart rate and answer any questions.
What Are The Common Symptoms At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
At nine weeks pregnant, the most common symptoms are extreme tiredness, morning sickness, and mood swings. You might experience some of these symptoms or all of them.
They will vary in severity from woman to woman and change daily.
Is There Any Change To HCG Levels At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Your hCG levels rise at nine weeks pregnant, doubling every seventy-two hours.
Should I Expect Any Cramping At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Cramping can happen at nine weeks pregnant. The cramping tends to be mild and will feel similar to period pains. Should the pain become severe or lower back pain, you should speak to your doctor.
Will I Experience Morning Sickness At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Morning sickness is common at nine weeks pregnant, so you will likely experience it and nausea.
Will My Breasts Feel Tender At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
It is likely your breasts will feel tender at nine weeks pregnant. They might also feel heavier and tender to the touch as your milk glands enlarge.
Will I Have Food Cravings At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Food cravings can occur at any point in your pregnancy. They usually start near the end of your first trimester so you can experience them at week nine of your pregnancy!
Will I Pass Urine More Frequently At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
While most people see frequent urination around weeks ten to thirteen, it can also happen at week nine. The need to urinate more frequently
Will I Feel Tiredness Or Fatigue At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
You will likely feel tiredness or fatigue at nine weeks pregnant. It is completely normal and can last for your first trimester, so allow yourself time to rest.
Will I Feel Bloated At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Bloating can happen at nine weeks pregnant and might look like a baby bump! However, you might not start showing for another few weeks.
Will I Get A Headache At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Mild headaches can occur at nine weeks pregnant. Mild headaches are common in your first trimester, especially if you suffer headaches before conceiving.
Will I Experience A Metallic Taste In My Mouth At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
A metallic taste in your mouth is common at nine weeks pregnant and in your first trimester.
Will I Have A Heightened Sense Of Smell At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
A heightened sense of smell can happen around nine weeks of pregnancy. This can often be an early sign of pregnancy, with you noticing more smells or an aversion to smells.
Can You Experience Shortness Of Breath At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Shortness of breath usually occurs later in your pregnancy. You should speak to your doctor if you experience shortness of breath at week nine of your pregnancy.
Is It Normal To Get Diarrhea At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
It is normal to get diarrhea at nine weeks pregnant. It is usually mild and can be due to an upset stomach or food allergy.
Can You Get Vaginal Discharge At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Vaginal discharge at nine weeks pregnant is normal. You might find that you have more discharge than usual. Providing it is clear or milky with a slightly slippery consistency, it is normal.
Will I Experience Lower Back Pain At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Backache is common and can be one if your early pregnancy symptoms. Should the pain come with other symptoms, like severe cramping, you should speak to your doctor.
Will I Experience Mood Swings At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Mood swings can happen during the first trimester, including nine weeks. The influx of hormones like progesterone and oestrogen can cause mood swings.
Is Spotting Normal At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Spotting can happen at nine weeks pregnant and is normal. Light bleeding should not be a cause for concern. However, you should tell your doctor if the bleeding lasts longer than a day or becomes heavier.
What Other Symptoms Are Common When 9 Weeks Pregnant?
- Nasal congestion
- Food aversions
- Smell aversions
- Raised basal temperature
How Big Is A Baby At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
At nine weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a cherry. Your baby has doubled since conception, and your uterus is still expanding. Your baby is now 0.9 inches from crown to rump and weighs roughly 0.07 ounces!
These are average sizes and weights; there might be some discrepancies here. Your doctor or sonographer can provide more information about this if your baby is bigger or smaller than these average weights and sizes.
Your baby is big enough to be detected on an ultrasound, and you should see their head, body, and limbs forming. The baby now has ear lobes, too; it is starting. to look like a miniature baby!
Can You Feel The Baby At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
It is unlikely that you will feel your baby at nine weeks pregnant. While it will be moving around inside you, you will not be able to feel these movements. The baby is still too small for pregnant women to pick up on.
It will still be several weeks before you can feel the baby move. You might experience cramping in your abdomen at nine weeks, but this is usually associated with your uterus expanding rather than the baby moving.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of A Miscarriage At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
At pregnancy week nine, the common miscarriage symptoms are heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, and other pregnancy symptoms passing. Vagnal bleeding is the most common symptom, varying from light spotting or brown discharge to heavy bleeding.
It might be a heavier bleed than a normal period, and there could also be tissue in the blood. Typically, the heavy bleeding will start with abdominal pain. You will notice that morning sickness, sore breasts, or other pregnancy symptoms you experienced will pass.
Speak to your midwife or doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
What Are The Chances Of Miscarriage At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
The chances of miscarriage at nine weeks pregnant are around 0.5%. According to Pub Med, the risk of miscarriage drips at nine weeks, especially if a heartbeat is heard or there are no symptoms of miscarriage.
It is worth noting that these statistics are an average and do not take into consideration women who have had pregnancy loss or complications before or any pre-existing health conditions. To find out your risk of a miscarriage, you can speak to your doctor.
What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
You can take a few precautions to maintain your health and enjoy a healthy pregnancy at nine weeks pregnant. We have outlined them below for you.
Prevent Heartburn
Heartburn is a common side effect of pregnancy and can become an issue as your pregnancy progresses, causing discomfort and making it harder for you to eat. You can prevent heartburn by eating smaller meals throughout the day. This also helps with nausea and morning sickness!
You can also avoid large meals at night and avoid spicy and greasy foods entirely. This can minimise the heartburn and keep you comfortable as your pregnancy progresses.
You can also speak to your doctor about taking an antacid to relieve heartburn and provide your body with calcium, too!
Switch Your Clothing
While this isn’t necessarily focused on health, switching to stretchy fabrics will make you feel more comfortable. Look for clothes with elastic waists, like joggers, leggings, and dresses without a defined waist.
These will offer you a comfortable fit but will fit your body better than maternity clothes will at the moment.
Stay Hydrated
Keeping hydrated will help you to stay healthy throughout your pregnancy. Drinking water and staying hydrated can help with digestion, forming amniotic fluid around the foetus, and circulating nutrients around the body.
Research done by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)has proven this and suggests drinking eight to twelve cups of water a day throughout your pregnancy.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
You should start taking prenatal vitamins if you have not already. Prenatal vitamins will not only improve your health but help your baby develop normally, too. You should take folic acid and look for multivitamins that contain iron or calcium.
You can speak to your doctor or midwife about the correct dosage that you need to take.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
The following foods should be avoided at nine weeks pregnant:
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Raw or undercooked seafood
- Raw or undercooked poultry
- Undercooked or runny eggs
- Deli meats
- Prepared salads
- Seafood with a high mercury level
- Unpasteurized milk and soft cheese
- Food that has sat out for too long
- Raw sprouts
- Unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Freshly squeezed juice
Are There Any Drinks I Should Avoid At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid all alcoholic drinks at nine weeks pregnant. You should also reduce your caffeine intake, monitoring how much caffeine you consume across coffee, soft drinks, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate.
Are There Any Supplements I Should Avoid At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid all supplements that your doctor has not approved of. You should also not take any supplements that are unsuitable for pregnant women. The label on these supplements will confirm whether you can use them while pregnant or not.
Can I Exercise While 9 Weeks Pregnant?
You can exercise while nine weeks pregnant, but you should take care. You should avoid contact sports, sports with bouncing like horse riding, and where you could fall. You should also avoid exercises where you lie flat on your back for long periods and not exercise at heights over 2,500m.
There are plenty. You can incorporate exercise into your routine at nine weeks pregnant, including walking, cardio sessions, and swimming. Speak to your doctor if you have not previously exercised to see what exercises you could start with.
Is It Safe To Travel When 9 Weeks Pregnant?
It is considered safe to travel when nine weeks pregnant, but there are some considerations to take. You should speak to your doctor if you have high blood pressure or deep vein thrombosis before flying.
Before travelling to another country, check to see if any vaccinations are needed and if there are any advisories for pregnant women.
Are There Any Acitivites I Should Avoid At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
The following activities should be avoided during your first trimester of pregnancy.
- Roller coasters, bumper cars, and water slides
- Motorcycles and four-wheelers
- Contact sports
- Diving
- Downhill skiing
- Gymnastics
- Hot Yoga
- Hot pilates
- Horseriding
- Hot tubs
- Sauna
- Scuba diving
- Skydiving
- Snowboarding
- Waterskiing
- Cleaning cat litter
Is It Safe To Have Sex When 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, it is considered safe to have sex at nine weeks pregnant.
How Should I Sleep At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
You should sleep as usual at nine weeks pregnant. You might notice that you sleep longer or nap during the day, but this is normal.
What Position Is It Safe To Sleep In When 9 Weeks Pregnant?
Any comfortable position is considered safe to sleep in at nine weeks pregnant. It is worth practising side sleeping, though. Side sleeping is the recommended position later in pregnancy, so it is worth getting into the habit of sleeping on your side now.
How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 9 Weeks Pregnant?
You can calculate your due date at nine weeks pregnant based on your last period. You can use cycle tracking apps to find the date of your period, which we recommend doing to help you keep track of your cycle.
Pregnancy due dates are based on your last menstrual period. Use this date and count forward 40 weeks or 280 days to see your estimated due date. You can also use due date calculators online if you wish. On average, pregnancies run for forty weeks, which is why this number is used.
Your doctor can also provide you with a due date if you are unsure when your last period was. They will use an ultrasound to measure the size of your baby, calculate how far along you are in your pregnancy and provide you with an estimated due date.
While due dates are helpful, it’s worth noting that many women have their babies before or after the due date. It should be used as a rough date rather than a guarantee for your baby’s arrival.
What Body Changes Should You Expect At 9 Weeks Pregnant?
At nine weeks, you might notice that your clothes feel tighter around your belly. While this might be bloating, it is also a sign that your baby bump is coming!
The biggest changes you will notice are extreme tiredness, nausea, morning sickness, and mood swings. These changes are all attributed to the changing hormone levels in your body and are a normal part of pregnancy.
Every woman is different; you might have experienced these symptoms for a few weeks or be starting to feel them.
What Is Your Body Doing During This Process?
Your body is working hard at this point! It is growing your baby to the size of a cherry, with the baby’s ears and facial features continuing to develop. The growing baby is now developing eyes, a mouth, and even a tongue. No wonder you are tired; it takes a lot of energy to create these features!
Your body will also have high levels of hCG, which are at their peak at week nine. Oestrogen and progesterone levels will also be high, increasing the blood supply to your womb for a healthy pregnancy. This can lead to mood swings, which are normal at this stage.
Your body might also show signs of a pregnant belly. For a pregnant woman, the uterus is expanding and can start to show as a rounded belly; not all women start to show this early, so don’t panic if you still don’t have a bump.
How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Below are some tips that will help you prepare for the rest of your pregnancy.
Book A Prenatal Appointment
Prenatal appointments tend to happen between weeks eight to twelve of your pregnancy. Book an appointment if you have not already had one or booked one. Here, you will find all the information you need about your pregnancy and have a chance to ask any questions you might have.
You can also ask about any prenatal tests here and book them in.
Make Lifestyle Changes
You might also need to make lifestyle changes, including stopping drinking alcohol and smoking. You should also stop taking any illegal drugs and can speak to your doctor if you need help.
Eat A Healthy Diet
Try to eat a healthy and as balanced of a diet as possible. You will want to fuel your baby with the right foods to ensure that you and your baby have all the necessary nutrients.
Try to eat a diet consisting of lean proteins, fruit and vegetables, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. entirely, but keep an eye on your caffeine intake.
Allow Yourself To Rest
Pregnancy can be tiring, and so can trying to conceive. It can take its toll on your body, with many women experiencing tiredness and exhaustion in their first twelve weeks of pregnancy. `so allow your body to rest. Make sure you get plenty of sleep every night and nap throughout the day where possible. Your body will tell you when it is tired, so listen to it!
Create A Support Network
Pregnancy can be a lonely time for some women, so surround yourself with people who can support you. Look to your partner, friends, and family as the basis of a support network. You want people you can rely on for advice, guidance, and somewhere to vent your feelings and worries.
But you should also look further afield. Social media pages and apps are a great place to meet other expecting mothers in your area. It can be nice to have someone to go through pregnancy with, sharing concerns, milestones, and more with one another.
Final Thoughts On Week 9 Pregnancy
The ninth week of your pregnancy is an exciting one, especially if you get to see your baby on an ultrasound and hear their heartbeat! The chances of miscarriage are dropping, and while the morning sickness may be at its worst, it will soon pass.
Don’t forget to book your first prenatal appointment and take your vitamins for a smooth and healthy pregnancy.