9 Weeks Pregnant

Enjoy the last days of recognizing your body. Things are about to change in big and beautiful ways. Enjoy every minute of the future weeks. It is something you will only experience once in a lifetime. Even with more pregnancies, each is unique. Most women only get pregnant twice in their lifetimes.

MOM

Many people talk about 'the glow of pregnancy', referring to the way a pregnant woman's skin looks. This glow is caused by an increase in oil on skin due to pregnancy hormones. But not all women feel this glow, and some may notice pimples because of this extra oil. Some women have the opposite problem and their skin becomes very dry. Either way, make sure you drink plenty of water (6–8 glasses per day) which helps to purify the skin.

The enlarging breasts will distract from a little thickness developing in other areas as your body prepares to carry your baby to term. Your uterus has grown to about the size of a cantaloupe. Your weight will fluctuate because of fluid retention. The body will need the added fluid while it eats, drinks, and excretes for two. There is more to weight gain than the baby’s weight; there is the placenta, amniotic fluid, and increase in mom’s blood volume. Your breasts may become lumpy and there could be changes around the areola including small bumps.

There may be mood swings and an increase in anxiety at 9 weeks pregnant. The increase in progesterone can contribute to feeling ecstatic about being pregnant one minute and crying over a dead bug the next. Try to roll with it and not take it out on those around you who love and care about you, when you are feeling edgy.

As things are rearranging inside to make room for your baby, don’t be surprised if you are burping more and excusing yourself often due to gas. Following a diet with fruit, vegetables, yogurt (with live culture) and fiber will keep things moving along so they don’t accumulate and produce gas. There may be new and unusual growling sounds coming from your stomach after eating. Progesterone contributes to these digestive changes. Morning sickness should be decreasing.

BABY

Your baby is about an inch long and is now called a foetus, not an embryo, it doesn’t quite weigh an ounce yet. Once the baby gets things like limbs and organs, it will be ready to put on some weight. The organs and muscles are functioning now. Week 8 is the last time the baby will be able to look around because the eyelids will fuse shut until about week 27. Facial features are becoming more distinct and visible. Even though the sex of the baby cannot be determined yet, your baby’s sex organs are developing and so are hair follicles. The pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, and anus are all in place. Your baby’s skeleton, which started as cartilage, is now changing to bone. The heart has four distinct chambers and can probably be heard beating with a Doppler. Your baby is enjoying swimming around in its roomy home.

LIFE

Slip into something sexy and enjoy some great nights out with your partner before you really show. Have some quality time with each other and enjoy looking like you do now because it will be a few months after the birth of the baby before you will return to this size. There is lots to do to prepare for the baby, but don’t sacrifice your relationship with your partner.

There will be time next week to check into insurance and coverage for the baby after its birth. Take some time to enjoy the end of the first trimester.

10 Weeks Pregnant

8 Weeks Pregnant

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