9 weeks pregnant
At the 9th obstetric week, all the main organs and systems of the fetus are formed, its life support at this time is completely carried out through the umbilical cord. Only 7 weeks have passed since the beginning of conception, and the female body has already completely rebuilt under the influence of pregnancy hormones.
Content:
- What's going on with the baby?
- What does ultrasound show?
- What's going on with the woman?
- Feelings of a future mother
- Allocations - norm and deviations
- Pain at week 9
- Possible problems
- What tests to take at the 9th week of pregnancy?
- Diet and vitamins
- Attitude towards sex
- Recommendations and advice
What's going on with the baby?
At the 9th week of pregnancy, the fetus forms new important organs and endocrine glands:
- The cerebellum, which is responsible for the coordination of movements;
- The lymph nodes;
- The pituitary gland, which produces its own hormones;
- The middle layer of the adrenal glands, which produces adrenaline;
- Mammary gland.
The appearance of the fetus is undergoing changes - on the face it is already possible to distinguish lips, as well as eyes covered by eyelids. The neck is clearly expressed, the head is no longer pressed to the body. The fruit gradually begins to straighten, although its silhouette is still similar in shape to a pea pod. The baby's limbs grow, on their inner side facing the palms and feet, the rudiments of fingers have appeared.
Fruit size:
- Weight - about 4 g;
- Length - from 22 to 30 mm.
The movements of the arms and legs are more and more active, as the bone base of the fetus is strengthened, muscle tissue grows. At week 9, the cranial, spinal and intervertebral nerve nodes are actively developing, although the nervous system has already begun to function. The cardiac activity of the fetus improves, the frequent beating of a small heart is clearly determined during an ultrasound scan.
The formation of the lungs, intestines, genitals continues, a swallowing reflex appears. The kidneys of the fetus enter into water exchange - the swallowed amniotic fluid is excreted from the body in the form of a prototype of urine. These waste products pass through the umbilical cord and enter the mother's body, increasing the burden on her kidneys.
Video about what happens to the fetus, the importance of communicating with the unborn child, the employer's notice of pregnancy:
What does ultrasound show?
At the 9th week of pregnancy, ultrasound examination of the fetus is not carried out according to the plan of an obstetrician-gynecologist, but according to medical indications. At this time, you can determine the exact duration of pregnancy, assess the condition of the umbilical cord and the thickness of the placenta, listen to the fetal heartbeat (130-150 beats per minute). According to the research, it is not yet possible to find out the sex of the unborn child; for this, several more weeks must pass. Against the background of the dark uterus, at high resolution of the equipment, the head and body of the fetus are clearly distinguishable.
What's going on with the woman?
The pregnant uterus at 9 weeks reaches the size of a grapefruit, the increase in the abdomen at this time is minimal and does not allow for the time being to notice pregnancy by external signs. However, the growing layer of fatty tissue, provided as a supply of nutrients during breastfeeding, makes the female figure a little heavier.
Breast swelling is more noticeable, which by this time can increase by 1-2 sizes. It is important to monitor the health of the mammary glands, wear comfortable bras of the appropriate size from natural fabrics. Tight underwear makes breathing difficult, can cause fainting, lack of oxygen in the fetus.
The skin of a pregnant woman is influenced by hormones, it becomes smooth and tender, acne rashes disappear. Some expectant mothers may experience increased dryness of the hair and skin of the face due to the restructuring of water metabolism. To prevent such manifestations, it is necessary to establish a drinking regimen, introduce more plant fiber into the diet.
So that the lack of calcium, which a woman shares with her unborn child, does not affect the condition of her teeth and bones, more dairy products should be consumed.
Due to changes in metabolism and uterine pressure on the bladder, a woman may urinate more often. It is important to distinguish this process from the onset of cystitis, which is often found in pregnant women.
Feelings of a future mother
The most pronounced sensations are associated with early toxicosis, when a woman feels nausea in the morning and during the day, she vomits 1 to 5 times a day. You can help yourself with a mild form of toxicosis without the help of a doctor. It is enough to have breakfast without getting out of bed, carry with you and drink water during the day, in case of an attack of nausea, use a light "snack" in the form of an apple, a crouton, or a cookie. Frequent vomiting and severe symptoms of toxicosis require treatment under the supervision of a specialist.
Rebuilding the body causes the following symptoms:
- Increased fatigue;
- Lethargy and drowsiness;
- Appetite disorders;
- Increased need for fresh air;
- Emotional imbalance;
- Nasal congestion;
- Hypersensitivity to odors.
The increased sensitivity of pregnant women to odors leads to irritability and rejection of some aromas, to nausea when they are felt. Selectivity towards certain products, reluctance to eat previously favorite dishes and a desire for exotic and unusual food are noted.
Allocations - norm and deviations
Normal vaginal discharge is small, white or yellowish in color. A smearing brown discharge can occur with erosion of the cervix, a pathological condition that should be treated immediately after childbirth. A change in the color of vaginal discharge, the addition of an unpleasant odor can be a symptom of an STD infection and requires a visit to a specialist.
Bloody discharge of any intensity, accompanied by cramping pains in the lower abdomen and lower back, indicate the threat of miscarriage. Increased bleeding is dangerous not only for the fetus, but also for the life of the mother. You should go to bed immediately and seek emergency medical attention.
Discharge from the breast, leaving yellow spots on the laundry, is colostrum, which normally appears at a later date. With intensive colostrum secretion, you need to wear and regularly change bra pads, otherwise a bacterial infection may join.
Pain at week 9
With the threat of miscarriage, pulling, pronounced pains above the pubis appear, radiating to the lower back. They indicate the beginning of the detachment of the ovum. With timely measures taken, the process can be stopped, saving the pregnancy.
Pain localized to the sacrum indicates compression of the sciatic nerve by the uterus. For severe pain, wearing a special bandage is indicated. Abdominal pain that is not accompanied by bleeding may be associated with intestinal colic. After consultation with a specialist, the drug No-shpa is prescribed and diet correction.
Possible problems
In addition to early toxicosis, which significantly aggravates the woman's condition, other complications may appear:
- Frozen pregnancy. If the signs of toxicosis suddenly stopped, bloody discharge with an unpleasant odor appeared, this may be a symptom of the termination of the development of the fetus and its death. Such a serious complication requires careful examination of the woman in order to avoid a recurrence of the problem. Possible causes of pregnancy fading can be abdominal trauma, falling, the influence of bad habits, genetically determined fetal malformations, and insufficient nutrition.
- Abortion. A woman has the right to terminate an unwanted pregnancy for up to 12 weeks. Abortion is performed under the influence of painkillers in a hospital setting. Every decision to terminate a pregnancy must be balanced, since in addition to moral problems, infertility and other serious complications can arise.
- Constipation. Difficulty defecation is a problem for many pregnant women caused by changes in the functionality of the body. In order not to provoke hemorrhoids, you need to consult with your doctor about the use of safe laxatives, include vegetable fiber in the diet.
- Fever and colds. At the 9th week of pregnancy, a constantly felt temperature rise of up to + 37.0 + 37.4 ° C is still possible, caused by the action of the pregnancy hormone progesterone, an intensive metabolism. Higher rates, accompanied by a cough, runny nose, sore throat, are signs of ARVI or ARI. Their treatment should be agreed with a specialist, do not use medications that are not intended for pregnant women. If there are no contraindications, you can drink tea with raspberries, lingonberry juice, decoctions of medicinal herbs, gargle with a soda solution, and rinse your nose with products based on sea water.
- Multiple pregnancy. Two or more fetuses in the uterus require close attention to the state of health of the woman, careful management of pregnancy. Until a multiple pregnancy does not require increased nutrition, it does not manifest itself in a special way. It is enough to follow the general recommendations, register with the antenatal clinic in a timely manner. There may be restrictions associated with sexual contacts at the 9th week of multiple pregnancy due to the threat of miscarriage.
What tests to take at the 9th week of pregnancy?
The ninth obstetric week is the optimal time for registration with an antenatal clinic. Now you will have to regularly visit your doctor for examination and timely solution of problems related to the health of the woman and the fetus.
At the initial visit, the doctor will collect anamnesis about previous births and pregnancies, family genetic pathologies, living and working conditions of a woman. He will measure the height and weight of a woman, blood pressure, pelvic parameters, the height of the uterus in the small pelvis.
Laboratory tests when registering for pregnancy:
- General urine analysis to determine the protein content - an indicator of inflammatory processes;
- General blood analysis;
- Blood to determine the group and Rh factor;
- Blood biochemistry analysis;
- Blood for sugar, HIV and syphilis;
- Vaginal smear for cytology and flora;
- A smear to identify the causative agents of STDs.
The doctor will conduct a gynecological examination and colposcopy to determine the exclusion of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs. A woman should also be examined by an ophthalmologist, dentist, otolaryngologist, hematologist and therapist to make sure that there are no somatic diseases that can affect the course of pregnancy.
The woman will receive recommendations on the organization of proper nutrition, work and rest, the use of vitamin and mineral complexes.
Diet and vitamins
There are no special instructions for the formation of the menu for this period. It is enough to adhere to general recommendations, eat foods and meals with a sufficient content of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Lean meat and fish, dairy products, various cereals, natural sweets (marshmallow, marmalade), fruits and vegetables have such properties.
The appearance of constipation requires the elimination of fresh bread, tea, cocoa, coffee, rice dishes from the diet. It is useful to eat figs, cucumbers, grapes, carrot and cabbage salads.
If, during a blood test, it turned out that a woman has a low hemoglobin level, she needs to take drugs based on it and use the following products:
- Boiled and steamed beef, liver;
- Red fruits - pomegranates, apples;
- Pomegranate juice;
- Dried fruits - dried apricots, prunes, raisins;
- Nuts.
A woman should drink enough liquid - kefir, fruit and vegetable juices, green tea, milk.
Video about the organization of nutrition at week 9, its effect on fetal development:
Attitude towards sex
If the doctor has not found grounds for terminating intimate relationships (the threat of miscarriage, genital infections in a woman and her partner, multiple pregnancies), they should not be limited. Positive emotions will be beneficial, since in the early stages, many pregnant women have increased libido. The opposite is also possible, when due to hormonal changes, sex does not bring satisfaction. In any case, you should reckon with your needs.
Recommendations and advice
During this period, the number of prohibitions organizing a woman's life increases. They are associated with respect for their well-being and fetal health.
- Alcohol and smoking are unacceptable from the first days of pregnancy due to the high teratogenic danger (the formation of deformities), and passive smoking is also harmful.
- You can't go to the sauna, stay on the beach for a long time, take hot baths.
- A sharp change in climate can negatively affect a woman's well-being.
- It is forbidden to lift and carry weights, repairs and summer cottage work will also have to be postponed.
- Contact with aggressive chemicals, household chemicals is undesirable.
- It is better to avoid negative impressions, conflicts and stress, only positive emotions will be beneficial.
- Shoes with high heels help to increase the tone of the uterus; for winter walks, it is better to choose stable non-slip shoes.
In order not to cause the appearance of varicose veins, it is advisable to wear compression stockings, not to stand or walk for a long time.
Increased attention to one's health, following the doctor's recommendations, timely examinations, good nutrition and positive emotions will certainly lead to the birth of a healthy child.
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
