Pregnant 9

Pregnant 9

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? Download our Pregnancy Guide for handy advice and info on prenatal care, nutrition, weight gain, and more.
At nine weeks, the fetus is about the size of a cherry! Your little one may now measure 0.6 to 0.7 inch long and weigh about 0.12 ounce.

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

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.

How well do you know these and other pregnancy symptoms? Take our Early Signs of Pregnancy Quiz to find out!
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 12-ounce 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.

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?

Find out what your health insurance covers, or how to get care if you don't have insurance. Your healthcare provider's office is a good place to start, and you can also check Healthcare.gov for up-to-date information about programs and health plans that are available in your state.

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.

Even though you don't know your baby's gender yet, you can still have some fun with our Baby Name Generator . You've got plenty of time to choose a name you love!

Sign up for even more pregnancy tips here:

Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved

Holly Pevzner is an award-winning writer who specializes in health, nutrition, parenting, and family travel.

Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more .

Medically reviewed by
Andrea Chisholm, MD

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Next in Your Pregnancy Week by Week Guide

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Continue taking prenatal vitamins .
Continue drinking about ten to 12 glasses of water a day.
Write your feelings and experiences in a journal .
Talk with your partner about intimacy .
Talk to your doctor about symptom relief , if necessary.
Seek mental health support, if needed.

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved

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Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. She has over 20 years of clinical experience and is currently is in practice at Cody Regional Health in Cody, Wyoming.

The first two months of pregnancy are behind you. At 9 weeks pregnant, morning sickness is peaking, and you may be dealing with mood swings, heartburn, and other pregnancy symptoms . Meanwhile, your baby is growing, looking more human, and even moving around.

9 Weeks Pregnant Is How Many Months? 2 months and 1 week

At 9 weeks, a baby is approximately 1 inch long (2.5 to 3 centimeters). That's about the size of an average cherry.

The baby is growing quickly and taking on a much more human-like appearance every day. The physical features, organs, and body systems continue to develop.

Baby's body continues to straighten out while the embryonic tail disappears. Their paddle-like hands and feet are starting to transform as little fingers and toes are becoming more visible. Baby also has ear lobes and the very tip of their nose can be seen in profile. Baby's eyelids continue to form and cover more of the eyes.

Baby's heart and the arterial system continues to develop while the bones of the ribs and sternum are taking shape. Baby's pancreas, liver, and bile ducts are also forming at this stage.

The baby is moving around, bending, and wiggling. These movements are visible on ultrasound, but you can't feel them just yet.

Explore a few of your baby’s week 9 milestones in this interactive experience.

Watch all episodes of our Stay Calm Mom video series and follow along as our host Tiffany Small talks to a diverse group of women and top doctors to get real answers to the biggest pregnancy questions.

As for you, morning sickness typically peaks this week. Other symptoms, such as fatigue and frequent urination , may continue. You might also be dealing with heartburn, itchy breasts, and the emotional ups-and-downs of pregnancy .

Your emotions have likely taken you on a roller-coaster ride these past few weeks. You’re not alone. Generally speaking, mood swings hit the hardest between week 6 and week 10 , returning during the third trimester as you mentally and physically prepare for birth.

Mood changes are expected and are spurred, in part, by estrogen and progesterone fluctuations. These hormonal changes can affect the level of mood-regulating brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. But there’s more at play here than just hormones. The physical, social, and emotional stressors of pregnancy can all contribute to your up-and-down mood.

When it comes to heartburn during pregnancy , you can blame those hormones again—specifically progesterone. Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscle in your body and slows down digestion so you can absorb more nutrients from the food you eat.

But, there's a sphincter at the top of the stomach made of smooth muscle. It keeps food and stomach acid down. As it relaxes, it's easier for food and acid to go back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn or indigestion.

Sore breasts are mentioned in week 8 . In addition to soreness, changing hormones, plus the growing and stretching of the skin on your breasts, can lead to itchiness. Itchy skin is more common in the second and third trimester, but it can start as early as the first trimester. Applying a moisturizing body oil or lotion can help ease the discomfort.

It may be a more emotional week with some changing moods as you go from excited to worried or happy to nervous when you think about your baby, your symptoms, or even parenthood. Take time to care for your mental health and try to find some relief from those uncomfortable symptoms.

Just knowing that the ups-and-downs are a normal and expected part of pregnancy can help you feel better. But since fatigue , low blood sugar, and stress can contribute to mood changes, there are a few things you can do to help your mood:

If you have sore, itchy breasts, talk to your doctor about treatment options. You can also avoid hot baths and showers, soaps that dry out your skin, and detergents or clothing that are irritating. Instead, take cool showers and apply moisturizer.

“Ice packs and cool baths work to reduce inflammation and numb the pain. I also recommend lotions with both menthol and camphor. Both have been shown to cool and relieve itch while moisturizing.”

Heartburn is uncomfortable. If you're suffering from heartburn, try:

If you cannot find relief, talk to your doctor about other treatment options, including medications that are safe during pregnancy.

A pregnancy planner, organizer, or journal can be so helpful. It's a great place to write your thoughts and feelings and document your symptoms and body changes. As you think of questions for your doctor, you can write them down, so you don't forget them. Then, bring your planner along to prenatal appointments .

You can record what happens at each visit and write down the answers to all your questions. After your baby arrives, it will be a wonderful keepsake to look back on all the big milestones as well as the little memories about your pregnancy.

After the first prenatal visit , if your pregnant partner is experiencing a normal, healthy pregnancy, they are likely to get the official word that sex during pregnancy is OK. In fact, you can have sex throughout the entire 40 weeks —if you're both feeling up to it.

“A lot of partners worry that having sex during pregnancy will hurt the baby. It won’t. The cervix, which is the opening to the uterus, is at the end of the vagina and is at least two inches long. This acts as a barrier that keeps anything in the vagina safely away from the baby.”

Sex during pregnancy won't hurt the baby. Your baby is protected by amniotic fluid , the pregnant partner's abdomen, and the mucus plug , which seals the cervix. As long as your partner does not have unexpected vaginal bleeding, a history of preterm labor or cervical insufficiency , or a concerning complication, sex during pregnancy is generally considered safe.

Of course, safety isn't the only thing to consider. Your partner may be dealing with a slew of uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Fatigue, breast tenderness, and nausea are just a few issues that might leave your partner feeling not quite in-the-mood. Be patient and continue to show affection in other ways. Many symptoms subside in the second trimester.

"The key here is to communicate how you’re feeling to your partner. Work together to find other ways to connect and feel close, physically and emotionally.”

If your very first prenatal visit is this week, refer back to week 6 or week 8 to learn what to expect when it comes to tests, visit length, and more.

If you and your partner decide on prenatal testing or screening, it will be scheduled between week 10 and week 13 . These tests may include:
Screening tests are generally offered under age 35, while diagnostic tests are offered over age 35 Screenings are also offered to people who are at risk of genetic disorders , and those who have a screening test showing a greater chance of an issue.

It's reasonable to expect some mood swings, changing emotions, and irritability during pregnancy. However, it's important to know when your symptoms are going beyond what's expected. Sometimes it's difficult to tell on your own, so regularly talk to your partner and your doctor about how you feel.

If your mood swings last more than two weeks and don’t seem to be getting better or you're experiencing significant changes in your appetite or sleep, it’s crucial to seek the care of a mental health professional. This advice holds true for everyone, but it's especially true for those who have a history of depression, anxiety, or any other mood disorder.

“But there’s absolutely no need to wait until you meet these criteria to get help. If you’re concerned or engaging in any unhealthy coping strategies, never hesitate to reach out for mental health help."

Around a third of the cases of postpartum depression begin during pregnancy. Getting help for prenatal depression and other menta
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