You are now 9 weeks pregnant! You are now well and truly into your first trimester and are probably feeling it. Clothes are getting tighter; the bathroom is your new best friend (whether it’s an increased need to urinate or morning sickness), and your moods are up and down, which is often a side effect of pregnancy you don’t hear about as much. Finally, the good news – it is only a few more weeks until it all starts to settle down!

Artist Holly Priddis

How your baby is growing when 9 Weeks Pregnant?

Your embryo is around 1.7cm long and is now starting to look more like a baby. Their arms and legs are longer, and elbows and knees are developing. Additionally, your baby’s skeleton is also beginning to form, and their facial features are becoming much more defined. Moreover, the umbilical cord and placenta are developing and will soon take over hormone production.

What You May Feel

At Week 9, you are probably feeling exhausted more than ever. Indeed, this week, you have been dealing with mood swings, hormonal changes and morning sickness for a few weeks, and you are probably searching for the light at the end of the tunnel. By about 12 weeks, the baby’s placenta takes over hormone production, offering relief from morning sickness and other symptoms. In the meantime, try and rest as much as possible and listen to your body.

It is also usual to start gaining weight, up to 1kg, at this stage, even though you still aren’t showing. Also, it is helpful to know that weight gain in pregnancy varies from woman to woman, from 5kg to 18kg, depending on how much you weighed before your pregnancy.

Tips when you are 9 Weeks Pregnant

Undoubtedly, now is an excellent time to start focusing on your pelvic floor and start the exercises you can carry on throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that support the bladder, uterus and bowel. Also, doing small exercises every day helps strengthen your pelvic floor, having a lasting impact after pregnancy.

Published 17th January 2022