PREGNANCY

Pregnancy Week 9

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The ninth week of pregnancy

Your changing body
Although you may still not look pregnant, but a slight bulge in your lower abdomen has begun to show up. A couple of pounds are visible around your waistline and your clothes and bra may now start fitting too snugly.

Hormonal changes may make you feel more exhausted than in the earlier weeks and also cause you to experience sudden emotional ups and downs. Anxiety spells bundle up, as you seem to be rather puzzled about changes taking place in yourself and to your growing Fetus. Some antenatal visits leave you elated, while some may caution you.

Your growing baby
Week 9 nears the end of the embryonic period and your baby starts looking more like a human. Your little baby is now approximately 2–3 cm in length (size of a grape) and weighs around 1.5–2 g (the weight of a paper clip).

All the baby's joints such as the knees, elbows, shoulders, ankles and wrists are more developed by around this week. Your baby's heart has divided into four chambers and the valves are beginning to shape.

The eyes are fully formed and the tiny earlobes, mouth, nose and nostrils have become more distinct. By around this week, your baby’s genitals also begin to develop. The Placenta has now started functioning well. The warm and cozy confines of the amniotic sac provide an environment that helps your baby to move about freely and feel nurtured throughout pregnancy.

Tips for the ninth week of pregnancy
Pregnancy does play havoc on your hormones that leads to frequent mood swings. Try to relax whenever possible and keep a positive outlook. Going for walks and meditations will also help you to relax.

A moderate exercise program incorporating low impact activities can be undertaken under the guidance of your obstetrician and fitness professional can also help you remain active in pregnancy. It would ease your mental stress and help alleviate complaints more commonly experienced in the earlier weeks of pregnancy (fatigue and morning sickness).

Activities for the ninth week of pregnancy
Get new lingerie! From now onwards, your body and breasts are going only to increase in size. It will be a good idea to buy a bra that is comfortable and takes into account your blooming size.

Supplements to be taken during the ninth week of pregnancy
Folic acid, iron and calcium supplements. Another important nutrient that is crucial for you and your baby’s health is DHA, an omega -3 long chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid.

It is considered to be one of the building blocks of human brain tissue. It is present naturally in mother’s milk, also found in egg yolk and oily fishes like salmon and sardines. Studies have reported that when mother’s intake of DHA was deficient, increased instances of babies born with low head circumference and Low birth weight was observed.

Your developing baby receives the DHA through blood via the Placenta and Umbilical Cord. Since a major percentage of brain Cells (composed of Essential Fatty Acids - DHA) are formed before birth, adequate intake of DHA is essential to provide flexibility to the cell membranes. This flexibility in turn will facilitate fast and accurate signal transmission in the brain. The recommended intake is about 300 mg per day during pregnancy, from food sources and supplements.

Common problems in the ninth week of pregnancy
Heart burn, sudden twinges and bloating in the abdomen are commonly observed around this period. Problems of Miscarriage also hover around this time till about 12 weeks in many women.

Excessive vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum) may occur in some women. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can affect your gums, causing them to become swollen and inflamed. This condition is called pregnancy Gingivitis. Usually Gingivitis appears between the 3rd and 9th month of your pregnancy. If you experience the symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis, be sure to visit your dentist.

The best way to prevent pregnancy Gingivitis is to practice good oral hygiene. Dehydration is also another common problem observed in pregnancy as most often the increased need for fluids is not met. So hydrate yourself well by drinking plenty of water.

Common tests in the ninth week of pregnancy
Screening for abnormalities during the first Trimester is essential. Specific tests especially help to know if you are carrying a baby with Down syndrome.

Blood test to detect the levels of hemoglobin in the blood can be useful to see if you are Anemic. Abnormalities in the red blood Cells can also be detected through certain tests.

This would prove useful to identify sickle cell disease and thalassaemia that can be easily passed on to your baby. Blood tests can also help know about your blood group and presence of other viruses in your blood such as hepatitis B and HIV virus.

Apart from these tests and a few more, your antenatal visit will also include ultrasonography (commonly know as Ultrasound) to track the progress of your growing Fetus.

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