9 weeks pregnant
At 9 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a cherry: around 2.3 cm crown to rump and 2 g. Tiny movements begin, though you won't feel them for weeks yet.
Your baby at 9 weeks
Tiny movements begin, though you won't feel them for weeks yet.
| Size | About the size of a cherry |
|---|---|
| Length | 2.3 cm crown to rump |
| Weight | 2 g |
Your baby's little tail has gone, and the embryo now looks much more like a tiny baby. The heart has divided into four chambers, and tooth buds are forming under the gums. Muscles are developing, so your baby is moving more, stretching and wriggling. The external genitals have started to form, but it is far too early to tell boy from girl on a scan.
How far along are you at 9 weeks?
At 9 weeks pregnant you are in the third month of your pregnancy and the first trimester. You have about 31 weeks to go until your due date. Doctors count pregnancy from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at 9 weeks your baby has been growing for about 7 weeks. Not sure of your dates? Use our due date calculator.
Your body at 9 weeks
Nausea often peaks around now. Small, frequent meals and dry crackers in the morning can help. Smells may feel much stronger.
Common symptoms at 9 weeks
Every pregnancy is different, and you may have some, all or none of these.
- Peak nausea. For many women, sickness is at its strongest around weeks 9 and 10.
- Dizziness. Pregnancy hormones relax your blood vessels, which can lower your blood pressure.
- Heartburn. A burning feeling in your chest, especially after spicy or fatty meals.
- Headaches. Drink plenty and rest. Tell your doctor if they are severe.
- Mood swings. Very common while you feel tired and sick.
- Food aversions. Tea, coffee and meat are common ones.
Your checklist for week 9
- Stand up slowly from lying or sitting, and sit down if you feel light-headed.
- In hot weather, drink regularly and avoid being out in the midday heat. Dehydration makes dizziness and nausea worse.
- Arrange your dating scan and screening tests if they aren't booked yet.
- Have the flu vaccine if it is flu season. It is safe at any stage of pregnancy.
- Start thinking about when and how you want to share your news.
Tip of the week: Eating when you feel sick
Don't worry about a perfect diet if you are struggling to eat. Your baby takes what it needs, and your folic acid and vitamin D cover the most important early nutrients. Eat what you can keep down, little and often, and focus on drinking enough. Your appetite usually returns in the second trimester.
For your partner
Nausea is real and can last all day.
- Keep crackers and water by the bed
- Handle strong-smelling chores like the bin
- Don't take mood swings personally
When to call your doctor at 9 weeks
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit the same day if you have:
- Fainting, or dizziness with bleeding or tummy pain.
- Signs of dehydration: dark wee, very little wee, a dry mouth, or feeling faint.
Call your doctor or hospital straight away for bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, severe headache or vision changes.
Questions about 9 weeks pregnant
When does morning sickness stop?
For most women it eases between 12 and 14 weeks, and is gone by 20 weeks. A small number of women feel sick for longer. If sickness is severe, your doctor can prescribe medicines that are safe in pregnancy.
Is it normal to feel dizzy at 9 weeks?
Yes, mild dizziness is common because pregnancy hormones lower your blood pressure, and low blood sugar or dehydration can add to it. Eat regularly, drink enough and get up slowly. Fainting, or dizziness with pain or bleeding, needs checking.
Can I tell the baby's sex at 9 weeks?
No. The external genitals start forming now but look the same in boys and girls until around 12 to 14 weeks. A scan can usually show the sex at the 18 to 21-week anomaly scan, where local law allows it to be shared.