You're Now 9 Weeks Pregnant: What To Expect & What You Need To Do

No bones about it, your baby’s growing a skeleton.

Your baby's development

The skeleton and intestines are taking shape.

When you're on your ninth week of pregnancy, your baby's body parts and proportions continue to develop and change quickly:

Your baby grows to about 2.5 cm—about the length of an olive.
Beginning with the formation of cartilage, the skeleton begins to harden (ossification).
Fingers, toes, knees, and elbows develop.
Nipples and hair follicles form.
Intestinal system forms, including the pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder, and anus. Intestines elongate.
Reproductive organs begin to develop internally.
Muscles develop and your baby may start to move — you might feel His/her movements in a few more weeks.

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Your nutrition and health

More than ever before, focus on healthy habits

Being pregnant gives you a new perspective on how your health habits can affect your body and your baby. There are many benefits to good nutrition during pregnancy.

Good nutrition includes a healthy diet supplemented with a prenatal multivitamin as recommended by your doctor. Starting now in your first trimester will help you maintain these habits throughout your pregnancy.

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Things to think about now

“Want to hear the heartbeat?” “Uhhhh, yes please.”

Your second doctor visit, which most often occurs sometime between the 8th and 12th weeks, might be shorter than your first prenatal visit, but it will include a check of many of the same vitals: