Week Nine of Pregnancy
Baby’s Development
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have movement. In its ninth week of gestation, your embryo is starting to flex, twitch and quiver deep within. Of course, it’s still only approximately an inch long, so you won’t be able to feel it. However, ultrasounds show embryos at this stage trying out movements for the first time. Even if it’s just a shiver, your little one is asserting itself already!
This week, your embryo’s new organs are starting to function by themselves. The heart is divided into four distinct chambers, fluttering diligently in its chest as its liver churns out red blood cells. Interestingly enough, your embryo’s eyelids fuse together this week. Now that it’s developed retinas and lenses, the skin flaps that will be its eyelids shut tight and won’t be opened again until it reaches 27 weeks gestation.
Another monumental physical change is the disappearance of your baby’s tail. It’s now taking a distinctly human shape as its head and neck begin to develop away from what will soon be a torso. The arms and legs continue to lengthen and tiny sensitive pads show up on the end of the finger buds. It’s hard to believe these little appendages will be exploring its world in only seven more months!
Your Body and Emotions
Right in the midst of your first trimester, you may be feeling tired, nauseated and dizzy. Try to remember that in only a few more weeks you should start to feel better as your placenta begins to take over the production of hormones. If you’re struggling with acne, it should start to clear up and you should get a burst of energy.
Food aversions and cravings are very common throughout pregnancy. In the first trimester however, you may find the aversions to be stronger than the cravings due to your increased sensitivity to smells, taste and texture. You may be able to tell if someone is a smoker or not just by standing beside him or her and the odor of stale cigarettes may just send you rushing to the bathroom. Eating can become difficult for you due to the amount that your senses are on ‘alert’. Your favorite tuna fish sandwich could become a major turn off or perhaps you start craving bacon for the first time…nothing is unusual when it comes to pregnancy. If however, you start intensely craving non-food items such as dirt, ashes, clay or laundry soap, you need to see your doctor right away. Known as ‘Pica’ this condition has confused medical scientists for years. Some people believe it occurs when a woman is severely lacking in an essential nutrient while others maintain it is a psychological response to the hormone changes in your body. Your doctor can run tests to determine if your body is actually asking for something specific through these cravings. If any deficiency is found, it can be treated through proper supplementation.
Dad’s Tips
The communication gap between men and women is notoriously large and as pregnancy related moodiness sets in, it may become massive. If your partner has become frighteningly moody lately, you can safely blame her rampaging hormones. One minute she’s telling you how much she loves you and the next the sound of your breathing is driving her nuts. Women have been known to spend an hour or so vacillating between hysterical laughter and tears. Just hang on. It’ll be hard, but try not to take anything she says personally at this point. If you strike back when she’s in the midst of a tirade, the chances are it’ll only make it worse. Try to stay calm. However, if you feel her moodiness has turned to abuse, take it up with her when she is calmer. Hormones are one thing, but you still need to be treated with the respect you deserve.