Pregnancy Weeks 9-10

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Your Pregnancy Week 9

What is happening with your baby at pregnancy week 9?^1,2

• The baby's face is gradually taking shape. The eyes are larger and more noticeable, and they contain some color. A mouth and a tongue with small taste buds are present.¹
• The hands and feet are growing - ridges mark the location of the fingers and toes, though they have not yet split.¹
• The heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, and intestines are among the major internal organs that continue to develop.¹
   

How big is your baby?

Your baby is about the size of a strawberry.³
 

Your Body¹

• Your breasts will have grown larger, so consider wearing a supportive bra.
• You may also notice that your emotions swing, making you happy one minute and unhappy the next. Do not worry; these emotions are natural and will pass.
• When you're pregnant, it's typical to experience increased vaginal discharge.
  • However, if the discharge smells unpleasant or odd, you feel itchy or sore, or you experience pain when you urinate, notify your doctor.
  • These could be symptoms of vaginal infection that your doctor should check.
     

Your Pregnancy Week 10

What is happening with your baby when you are 10 weeks pregnant?^4,5

• A scan will reveal the baby's jerky movements.
• Your child is experiencing yet another big growth spurt.
• The head is still far too large for the body, but the face is shaping out nicely.
• Although the small eyes are half-closed, they may react to light.
• The little nose now has two nostrils, and the simple mouth has a delicate upper lip.
• The baby's jaw bone is also growing, and it contains tiny versions of all the baby's milk teeth.
• The heart is beating at 180bpm, which is about three times your normal heart rate.
   

How big is your baby?

• Your baby is about the size of a small apricot.⁵
   

Your Body⁵

• The size of your uterus is like that of a big orange.
• You might bloat, burp, or pass wind, and you can blame it on your hormones!
• Progesterone, a female hormone, is simply doing its job, relaxing the muscles in your womb so that it may expand to suit your growing baby.
• However, the muscles in your digestive tract loosen because of this process, which can cause a variety of symptoms, including heartburn.
   

Tips for making your pregnancy better

Beating bloating⁵

Changing your diet can help you overcome digestive problems such as bloating and burping.

• Make six small meals a day for yourself,
• don't eat late at night,
• eat slowly,
• drink plenty of water,
• avoid smoking
• Taking a short walk after meals may be beneficial.
• Some women notice their symptoms worsen after they consume coffee or eat hot, fatty foods. Try to figure out what your triggers are and then stay away from them!
   

References:

1. NIH. You and your baby at 9 weeks pregnant. Page last reviewed: 17 July 2018. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/1-to-12/9-weeks/.   Last accessed at: 31.10.2021.
2. Nemours KidsHealth. Parents: Week 9. Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/week9.prt-en.html . Last accessed at: 31.10.2021
3. NHS. Start 4 life. Week-by-week guide to pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/1st-trimester/week-9/#anchor-tabs .  Last accessed at: 31.10.2021
4. NHS. Start 4 life. Week-by-week guide to pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/1st-trimester/week-10/#anchor-tabs.  Last accessed at: 31.10.2021
5. Nemours KidsHealth. Parents: Week 10. Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/week10.prt-en.html . Last accessed at: 31.10.2021.