9th week of pregnancy

Your baby is 22mm long, roughly the size of a strawberry. Yes, it might still feel like the baby is small, but this is the stage when he/she is growing rapidly.

To recap: by week 8, your baby’s eyes, nose, upper lip, arms, legs and eyes had started to develop and his/her tummy and neck were starting to look more upright. You might have already heard his/her heartbeat during an ultrasound in week 8. These rapid developments will continue, as you start the third month of your pregnancy this week.

Here’s what you can look forward to: your baby's embryonic tail is completely gone now and he/she is gaining weight rapidly. Your baby looks more like a human now. This is more so because of the rapid development of his/her joints - knees, shoulders, ankles and wrists. Your baby is now able to move within the amniotic sack, and is possibly even forming a fist and sucking on his or her thumb!

The eyelids have also formed completely, even though they are fused shut. They will open during the 28th week of pregnancy. The eyes are bigger already and will show signs of pigmentation (even though the final colour of your baby’s eyes will develop when he or she is three years old). Your baby’s heart is also growing rapidly now. It starts beating on the 24th day of conception, but now it’s developing into a full-fledged organ with four chambers and valves.

You might not be showing a baby bump yet, but a lot is changing in your body. Your breasts are getting bigger as they prepare for lactation - this might be a good time for you to get a more supportive bra. The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone level has been shooting up in your body, and it’s at its peak in the ninth week. Just like in the eighth week, your blood volume has increased by half at this stage.

Read more: Breast changes during pregnancy

Be mindful and pay heed to any discomforts you experience - even at this early stage. Of course, some symptoms like morning sickness are quite normal. Understanding what’s happening to your body will help you deal with the signs and discomforts of pregnancy in a much better way. Here are some things you might experience in the ninth week of pregnancy:

• Mood swings: Your estrogen and progesterone levels have shot up, and these hormonal changes can affect the neurotransmitters in your brain and, in turn, affect your mood. Fatigue and stress can make pregnancy mood swings worse, so it’s important to manage these symptoms as well. Get enough rest, eat well, meditate and get some fresh air to manage your mood swings. The benefits of meditation include reduced stress and pain reduction.
• Heartburn: That painful, burning sensation in the centre of your chest might feel like a heart attack, but it’s actually happening because your stomach acids have risen up to the oesophagus. The best way to deal with heartburn is to eat smaller meals and avoid greasy and spicy foods.
• Sore breasts: Apart from feeling fuller and tender, your breasts can also feel sensitive and they may hurt. This is because of rising progesterone levels in the body - breast tenderness is a sign that your body is preparing for lactation after you give birth. Apply a cold compress or take a hot bath, and ask your doctor if you need to take any topical cream to relieve the soreness and pain.
• Fatigue: A feeling of tiredness and fatigue is quite normal during this time, especially because your body is pumping a huge amount of blood and your hormone levels are increasing. You might feel more lethargic and sleepy. The best way to handle this lethargy is to get enough rest, eat healthy and exercise.
• Changing tastes: Dysgeusia or a change in your tastebuds is a common symptom at this stage, and you can blame it on your hormones. You might start hating dishes you used to love, and start craving foods that you didn’t even like before. You might even get a metallic taste in your mouth. Include plenty of foods rich in vitamin C - like kiwi, guavas, strawberries, rose hip, papayas, lychees, lemons, Brussels sprouts, and capsicum (especially yellow peppers) - in your diet and you will be able to manage this symptom much better.
• Vaginal discharge: Some vaginal discharge is quite common during pregnancy, but if this discharge is yellow in colour or starts stinking, then it could be a sign of infection and you should consult your doctor immediately. If you start spotting or you have vaginal bleeding of any kind, then you should take it seriously and visit a doctor immediately.
• Dark skin patches: Getting patches of dark skin on your face, or Chloasma faciei, is quite normal during pregnancy. It usually goes away after you give birth or are done with breastfeeding, but do refer to your doctor if you are worried about it. Chloasma faciei is also known as the mask of pregnancy or melasma.

• Hair growth: Now this is the enjoyable part of estrogen rise in your body: your hair will feel thicker, longer, more lustrous, and you will observe almost no hair loss. Enjoy this phase and get a haircut now if you want to pamper yourself.
• Frequent urination: Thanks to your growing uterus, your bladder will feel constantly pressured and lead to frequent urination.
• Bloating and constipation: You’re probably eating an iron-rich diet and taking iron supplements by now. Plus, your body is making a hormone called relaxin to help your uterus stretch, so it can accommodate your growing baby. Relaxin relaxes your intestines and makes digestion a bit sluggish; producing these symptoms. You’re probably also stressing a little. All of these factors can contribute to constipation during pregnancy.
• Oily skin: A rise in the androgen hormone can lead to oily skin in a lot of pregnant women. This in turn can lead to acne breakouts. It’s important to drink enough water and eat healthy to deal with this, but you should ask your doctor about topical creams to treat acute acne breakouts. Remember not to self-medicate at any point during your pregnancy.

Read more: Home remedies to remove dark spots from the face

Even when you take ample care and get enough rest during your pregnancy, there are some things that are out of your control.

• A miscarriage can happen in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can be quite traumatic, of course. But you need to remember that a miscarriage does not mean that you won’t get pregnant again.
• An ectopic pregnancy can happen if the fertilised egg or ovum gets attached in the fallopian tubes (or anywhere else) instead of the uterus. Early diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy are important since it can terminate your pregnancy - the fallopian tubes may also burst if you are not careful.

Both a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy can be quite traumatic, and you must get counselling and support from your family if either happens.

Being prepared for the full term of your pregnancy is very important. Here are a few things you must get done by the end of the ninth week:

• Make an appointment with an obstetrician: Fixing an appointment with your obstetrician is as important as scheduling all the routine checkups you will need throughout your pregnancy. Make sure you give your doctor your full medical history, plus a medical history of your immediate family.
• Discuss tests, screenings and vaccines for pregnancy with your doctor: Your doctor may recommend some common screenings and tests for pregnancy - first trimester tests include complete blood count, urine test, ultrasound, Rubella test and Hepatitis B test. These tests will help your doctor get a more complete picture of the care you and your baby will need to have a successful pregnancy and delivery. Your doctor may also recommend some vaccines for pregnant women. Get all the tests and vaccine your doctor recommends.
• Join an antenatal class and/or support groups: Pregnancy and motherhood are life-changing events, and you will need all the support you can get. Register yourself and your spouse or partner for antenatal classes or join a group (online or locality based) of women who are also new mothers or going through varying stages of pregnancy. This will ensure your mental wellbeing and help you stay stress-free.
• Take prenatal supplements regularly: All pregnant women are recommended iron and vitamin supplements for the period of their pregnancy to counter the risk of any deficiencies or abnormalities in their baby. Depending on the results of your tests and screenings, your doctor might recommend supplements suited to your specific needs. (By now, you would already be taking folic acid tablets. Please continue taking more than 400 micrograms of this vital vitamin B9 daily till the 12th week of pregnancy at least. Check with your doctor before discontinuing them.) 
• Exercise during the ninth week of pregnancy: Staying active and fit during your pregnancy can ensure the birth of a happy and healthy baby. But do not start rigorous exercises after you get pregnant if you weren’t doing them before. Light exercises, walking and an active lifestyle should help.
• Healthy diet during the ninth week of pregnancy: Increase your folic acid, iron and vitamin intake and make sure that you eat smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day. Avoid eating spicy, rich and greasy food and cut off alcohol, tobacco and drugs completely.

Being informed and updated is very important. Reading up, watching videos and talking to experienced mothers and healthcare providers about pregnancy can be an enriching experience - it will help to calm any nervousness you might have about your symptoms or what to do next.

Stay in touch with your doctor and don’t shy away from asking questions or discussing your symptoms clearly.

Avoiding stress and anxiety during pregnancy is very important. For starters, enlist the support of your spouse, family and friends on this front.

Take ample care of yourself and do not take any medication without consulting your doctor first.

Read more: 3 months pregnant: baby size, ultrasound, diet and symptoms