Your pregnancy is progressing nicely in Week 9, and you and baby are both growing rapidly. Week 9 will be the last of the embryonic stage. Sit back and relax as you find out what’s happening in your body…
MOM
At this stage in your pregnancy you may be suffering with a bad bout of indigestion. Indigestion is caused by the pregnancy hormone called progesterone, relaxing the valve between the stomach and the oesophagus. This allows stomach acid to seep back up the oesophagus, causing discomfort. There are several things you can do to alleviate this problem – the easiest of which is to take an antacid. Leading antacid brands are safe for you to take during pregnancy as they are absorbed by your body – not your baby’s. Other methods of alleviating heartburn are eating smaller meals, staying upright after eating and remaining well hydrated. Being well hydrated is actually advisable throughout your whole pregnancy, as dehydration is known to cause constipation and, later, premature contractions. It’s recommended that you drink six to eight glasses of water a day.
BABY
This week marks the beginning of the foetal period. Yes, your baby is officially a foetus! In Week 9 of your baby’s existence all of his or her major organs, muscles and nerves have formed. Baby also measures in at a whopping one inch long, and is a heavyweight contender at two grams in weight. Eyelids are beginning to form, and the trunk is straightening and elongating. Cartilage and bones continue to form and the tongue is beginning to develop. Fingers and thumbs are visible, although they are still short and webbed.
DAD
Right now your partner might be a little over-emotional. Infomercials on television might bring a tear to her eye, and soppy movies are simply a no-go zone. She may also be more irritable than usual. Just be patient with her, as she unfortunately has no control over her hormones. There is good news, however. As the placenta matures and takes over the production of some of these hormones, your partner will no doubt return to her normal state of mind.
Baby is developing well and Mom is starting to show physical signs of pregnancy, though most people won’t have noticed by now. Keep well rested and try to keep your emotions in check. Before you know it, Week 10 of your pregnancy will be here.
Make healthy food choices as your baby has no say in what it’s taking in; give him/her the best start.
Getting down on all fours and imitating a rhinoceros stops babies from crying. I don't know why parents don't do this more often. Usually it makes the kid laugh. Sometimes it sends him into shock. Either way it quiets him down. If you're a parent, acting like a rhino has another advantage - Keep it up until the kid is a teenager and he definitely won't have his friends hanging around your house all the time. P.J. O'Rourke
Optimum Nutrition Before, During and After Pregnancy by Patrick Holford and Susannah Lawson. This volume is a guide to nutrition for women who are either planning to conceive, are pregnant or have given birth. It should also help women who are having difficulty conceiving or taking their baby to term.
Girls:
Daisy
Danielle
Deja
Desirae
Boys:
Colton
Conor
Cruz
Dalton
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