Pregnancy Diary

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Your Baby During Pregnancy Calendar Week 9

This is your last week of the embryonic period. Your placenta is developing well and your baby looks like a human now – albeit a tiny human – approximately 13 – 17 mm or about 0.51 – 0.66 inches in length (about the size of a raspberry). At this point, he weighs approximately 1 – 1.5 grams (about the weight of a paperclip).

While the internal reproductive organs have now become either testes for boys or ovaries for girls, there’s nothing yet to tell you whether it’s a boy or girl even if you look closely. The skeleton has begun to form as cartilage and bones take shape. The baby’s intestine has begun to move out of the umbilical cord into the baby’s abdomen and your baby is now taking his first few drinks – he’s drinking amniotic fluid. Remember, a little of what you eat and drink ends up in the amniotic fluid so, it can end up in him. Reflex muscle movements continue and now your baby will move away if touched through the uterine wall. Other changes in your baby are the heart valve formation, the retina formation, and the tip of the nose becoming visible.

Your Changing Body

By pregnancy calendar week 9, you’ve missed your second period. You may notice a small amount of bloody spotting at this time. Break through bleeding is typically not a cause for concern. However, if the spotting is bright red or accompanied by severe cramps, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Many women in the ninth week of pregnancy experience heartburn and indigestion since their bodies are adjusting to changing hormone levels. Eating smaller meals, eliminating spicy foods in your diet, and avoiding lying down shortly after eating should prevent problems. In moderation, over-the-counter antacids are safe to use during pregnancy. However, drinking a glass of milk can provide natural relief.

Higher levels of progesterone and estrogen cause the mucus membranes to swell in a pregnant woman. This is beneficial for your cervix, but it also means that you may experience nose bleeds or nasal congestion. Using a humidifier or vaporizer should alleviate symptoms.

For most women, morning sickness symptoms peak during the ninth or tenth week of pregnancy. While it’s a major inconvenience for you, morning sickness will not harm your baby. However, you should be gaining weight regularly at this point in your pregnancy. If you’re losing weight as the result of severe morning sickness, speak with your healthcare provider.

During pregnancy calendar week 9, you may notice changes in your sexual desire. If you’re constantly tired and nauseous, you may have no interest in being intimate with your partner. However, your surging hormone levels may have you feeling like a sexual maniac. In either case, there’s no cause for alarm.

Although your body might seem a little boring right now, you can expect the creeping-up-effect of weight gain as you will gain roughly 1-2 lbs gain per week (some more and some less). It’s not a bad idea to chart this to make sure you’re not over or underfeeding both of you. As you’ve entered into the Fetal Period, it might be a good time to evaluate your personal health regimen—that is, if you haven’t already. Are you eating enough protein? Remember, protein can be found in beans, soy products and nuts—it doesn’t have to be a 12 ounce sirloin! Are you sleeping well, exercising right, drinking enough (non-sugary) fluids and getting your vitamin C? Having a baby is the ultimate test for your body—if you take care of your health now you’ll come out of the pregnancy on top of your health and ready to be an energetic mother, if not, well, let’s just say, you’re increasing the chances of suffering from depression, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, and a multitude of little nasty viruses (think colds and flues) that good health could’ve beat before you even noticed they’d invaded.

Staying Healthy

Many first-time mothers don’t realize that pregnancy can have a negative affect on their oral health. Pregnancy gingivitis is an unpleasant condition that affects between 50 and 75 percent of all expectant mothers. Symptoms include inflammation and swelling of the gum tissue.

Pregnancy gingivitis is thought to be caused by an increased concentration of estrogen and progesterone. However, poor oral hygiene can aggravate the condition. Regular flossing and brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste can help reduce the risk of dental problems during your pregnancy.

Treating gum infections during pregnancy is extremely important. Research has suggested gum infections can contribute to an increased possibility of premature and/or underweight births. Most dental treatments can be performed safely during your pregnancy, although you should always let your dentist know you are an expectant mother.

Commonly asked quesitions in week 9:

How do I avoid constipation during pregnancy?
Constipation throughout the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy is a common complaint from pregnant women. Some women, however, do not know that you do NOT have to suffer through it, and that there are things that can be done to prevent it. Read more…

What kind of ultrasounds are there? Are they safe?
But aside from the usual trans-vaginal ultrasounds (done early in the pregnancy to determine if there is a baby growing inside you) and pelvic ultrasounds (performed during the second and third trimester), there are three other specialized ultrasounds you may choose to have or that may be prescribed for you to get in the course of your pregnancy. Read more…

What exercises are safe during pregnancy?
Announcing a pregnancy can be a difficult thing. Once, my daughter stood up in the middle of church and announced to everyone that I needed prayer because I was pregnant. That was probably the easiest pregnancy announcement I’ve had to endure, because I didn’t have to make the announcement myself. Read more…

How & when do I tell my family/younger children I’m pregnant?
Along with proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, one of the most important things you can do to benefit yourself and your baby during pregnancy is exercise. Women who exercise regularly while pregnant have easier labor, deliveries, and recovery time. The majority of pregnant women are able to exercise at a level appropriate to their stage of pregnancy, but you should always check with your doctor to make sure you have no risks or conditions that would prevent you from exercising safely. Read more…

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Along with proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, one of the most important things you can do to benefit yourself and your baby during pregnancy is exercise. Women who exercise regularly while pregnant have easier labor, deliveries, and recovery time. The majority of pregnant women are able to exercise at a level appropriate to their stage of pregnancy, but you should always check with your doctor to make sure you have no risks or conditions that would prevent you from exercising safely.

Working out at home during pregnancy is fun and convenient when you use pregnancy workout videos as a part of your routine.

Through the use of one of the many excellent exercise videos that are available to you, you can exercise during all stages of your pregnancy in the comfort of your own home. The videos are fun and effective and you are sure to love the challenging yet pregnancy-oriented routines that will help keep you toned and fit throughout your pregnancy. Included in the many benefits of exercising during pregnancy are less fatigue, reduced lower back pain, stress relief, weight management, and a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight after delivery. Some forms of exercise are better than others for moms-to-be. Low-impact, low-risk exercises include walking, stretching, yoga, swimming, specialized prenatal aerobics, and Pilates.

Exercise during pregnancy is beneficial to both you and your baby. The wrong exercises however, can cause actually cause harm so it is important to do only those exercises that are known to be safe for both mom and baby. Pregnancy exercise videos will give you a safe, manageable workout routine that is appropriate for your stage of pregnancy. You can order pregnancy exercise videos featuring well-known exercise personalities or your favorite celebrities.

By exercising throughout your pregnancy you will help avoid many of the discomforts associated with pregnancy including constant feelings of exhaustion and lower back pain. An added bonus of regular exercise during your pregnancy is a faster recovery time after delivery and a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight.

Pregnancy exercise videos are a great way to keep fit and healthy during your pregnancy. Fun, easy to follow exercise routines designed especially for expectant mothers will give you to opportunity to keep your mind and body fit during your pregnancy and make it much easier for you to regain your pre-pregnancy shape after the birth of your child. You can be healthy and experience significantly less discomfort when you take the time to exercise regularly throughout your entire pregnancy. Pregnancy exercise videos can help you stay fit and will allow you to perform your workout in your own home at your convenience.

If you are an expectant mother or are planning to become pregnant, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. You will make labor and delivery easier for both you and your baby and the benefits will extend after the birth of your child. You will lose that extra pregnancy weight faster and your body will be considerably more resilient if you have a regular workout routine that you continue throughout your entire pregnancy.

Announcing a pregnancy can be a difficult thing. Once, my daughter stood up in the middle of church and announced to everyone that I needed prayer because I was pregnant. That was probably the easiest pregnancy announcement I’ve had to endure, because I didn’t have to make the announcement myself.

I’ve found, as with anything in life, there are always those folks who simply can not refrain from being negative, even during joyful occasions. Certainly, a pregnancy is a reason to be joyful and is a cause for celebration. Some people don’t see things like that though.

I know at this moment that there are several close relatives who I will eventually need to inform of my pregnancy who will NOT be happy for my husband and I. Even though we are financially and emotionally ready and able to deal with the responsibilities that children bring, these folks will still not be happy. They will find reasons why this pregnancy should not have happened, and they will feel obliged to tell me about these reasons. One or two of those relatives will probably be downright ugly about this pregnancy. I have come to these conclusions based upon their reactions to past pregnancy announcements and I ponder–how can I do this differently this time? How do I protect myself emotionally from the negativity?

I wonder–is it rude to just call them AFTER the child is born? I’ve noticed that after the child makes his or her grand entrance into the world, the negativity dissipates anyway.

I am “lucky” in that my family lives over 800 miles from the rest of my family members. Sometimes, it can be a difficult thing to have them so far away; sometimes, it is a good thing to have them so far away. For now, it means I have time to gather my strength and decide whether or not I should mention my pregnancy to my family or wait until shortly before(or after) the child is born to make the announcement.

How have you handled “negative” reactions to your pregnancy announcements? Would you tell relatives who you knew were going to be negative about your pregnancy? Is it rude to just send relatives a birth announcement without them knowing about your pregnancy?

All ultrasound systems help in determining the following:

~ Determining the age of the baby
~ Analyzing development of the baby
~ Evaluating multiple pregnancies
~ Detecting structural problem with uterus
~ Detecting placental abnormalities
~ Detecting abnormal bleeding
~ Determining ectopic pregnancy
~ Detecting ovarian tumor/fibroids
~ Locating the placenta

But aside from the usual trans-vaginal ultrasounds (done early in the pregnancy to determine if there is a baby growing inside you) and pelvic ultrasounds (performed during the second and third trimester), there are three other specialized ultrasounds you may choose to have or that may be prescribed for you to get in the course of your pregnancy:

The 4D ultrasound
The latest in ultrasound technology, this type allows live action images of the unborn child. For 20-40 minutes, you can watch your baby smile and turn in living color. Usually, you also get a video or printed shots. Keepsake clinics where these can be gotten (aside from hospitals) are generally strictly-monitored, with this ultrasound having to be medically ordered/required (usually tied up with a congenital anomaly scan) and performed by a licensed sonologist. Usually performed between the 20th-27th week.

the congenital anomaly scan/screening
This is a very detailed scan where special attention is given on the fetus’ body parts. It can also detect possible congenital anomalies with varying detection percentages like Spina Bifida (90%), Anencephaly (99%), Hydrocephalus (60%), Congenital heart disease (60%), Exomphalos /gastroschisis (90%), Major kidney problems (85%), Major limb abnormalities (90%), Diaphragmatic Hernia (65%), Cleft lip and palate (80%) and Down Syndrome (50%). It is also performed between the 20th-27th week of pregnancy.

biophysical profile (BPP)
A BPP is usually performed in the last trimester of a pregnancy, often ordered for women with high-risk pregnancies. This test measures the health of the fetus by measuring the baby’s heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing, and the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby.

High-risk pregnancies or strong illness histories could prompt your OB to order the above, whether you like it or not. But parents also have a choice to request for a 4D ultrasound or congenital anomaly scan. However, it will be good to note of the controversies surrounding these two.

Some from the medical field believe that a 4D ultrasound usually has “non-medical indications”, after all, having a keepsake usually overwhelms the true purpose of the ultrasound for the expectant parents. Obstetricians are also divided when it comes to congenital anomaly scans since it does not really offer guarantees, something that was detected now could still mend itself in due time or something could not be detected at all.

Such scans purport to forewarn about possible medical problems a baby might have so parents can deal with it accordingly, like having a heart doctor ready for a baby detected to have a heart anomaly. But it also raises the issue of depression among parents during a time when ignorance could may very well be bliss (e.g. in minor cases as a cleft palate which wouldn’t require URGENT surgery or intervention, but would nonetheless burst the expectant parents’ happy bubble). And in case there is a major anomaly detected, like Down’s Syndrome, will the parents abort the baby? Can they still enjoy the pregnancy knowing they are to expect a child with disabilities? Will they have anyone to support them?

Thus, it is very important for parents to talk about the negative possibilities and their implications first before getting such tests.

Constipation throughout the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy is a common complaint from pregnant women. Some women, however, do not know that you do NOT have to suffer through it, and that there are things that can be done to prevent it.

Early in pregnancy, constipation is caused by a change in your hormones which can make your digestive system sluggish and often uncooperative. Later in pregnancy, the constipation can be aided by the increased size of your uterus and the baby pushing down on the intestines and inner organs, not allowing as much room for food to pass.

What You Can Do?

There are several things you can do to help ease or prevent the occurrence of constipation.

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated has been proven to help keep your system regulated, both while pregnant and not pregnant. Doctors recommend that both pregnant and unpregnant women drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
• Get more fiber. Fiber in your diet will help your bowel movements remain loose and regular. You can get fiber in fruits and vegetables, as well as grains. If you don’t feel like you are getting enough fiber, ask your doctor about taking a fiber supplement.
• Watch the calcium. Too much calcium while pregnant can cause your bowels to harden and lead to constipation. Try to avoid eating more than the recommended amount of dairy foods.
• Keep active. Exercise can help keep your system regulated. Keep up a walking routine, swim if you can, or lift some light weights if your doctor says it is safe.

If you are trying all this and the constipation still is not letting up, ask your doctor or midwife about the possibility of taking extra supplements or laxatives. There may be additional remedies that your provider can recommend to help bring you relief.