The baby's development in the 9th week of pregnancy

Muscles get stronger:A few weeks ago muscle development began. Even if the mother can't feel it yet, the embryo now moves more in the uterus and is basically doing its own fitness program.

The baby stretches:The head no longer lies so close to the embryo's chest. The spine stretches increasingly as the 'tail' at the end of the back completely regresses. The baby's body shape increasingly resembles that of a small human.

Brain and skull are developing:Your baby's brain and nervous system develop rapidly in the 9th week of pregnancy. At the same time a cartilaginous layer around the brain that had been exposed until then, which hardens into the skull bones over the course of the pregnancy. This rounds out the head. Additionally, in the 9th week of pregnancy the development of the nerve pathways is a focus. With these, your baby will increasingly perceive initial stimuli with its senses in the coming weeks.

Lips and mouth are becoming visible:The jawbone is already firmer and the baby's mouth area is distinguishable from the head. The tongue inside the mouth has also already detached from the palate.

Hands and feet are developed:Bone formation begins and thus the fingers and toes are already more clearly visible than before. The little fingers are still connected by a thin layer of skin, similar to webbing. On the toes the webbing has almost completely disappeared.

Internal organs continue to develop:Your baby's liver and heart are developing with increasing differentiation. The liver is even already taking on its role in blood formation. In addition, in the 9th week of pregnancy the bladder and urethra: Even though it will take some time until all organs take up their function, they are fully developed by the end of the 9th week of pregnancy.With the completion of organ development the end of the embryonic phase

is reached. From now on until birth it is called a fetus.

The first ultrasound examination: prenatal diagnostics & further findings/magazine/expectant-mothers/pregnancy-course/pregnancy-week-1212th week of pregnancy taking place, i.e. in the first trimester. For the examination the gynecologist usually uses a vaginal ultrasound probe, which is inserted through the vagina to check whether the baby is correctly positioned in the uterus, whether the heart beats regularly and whether it is large enough for the calculated gestational age

consideration of the need for prenatal diagnostics. The risk group includes, for example, women over 35 years old, who have already had a complicated pregnancy, suffer from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, or are expecting multiples.Prenatal diagnostics

Prenatal diagnostics include a number of different tests to detect a disability or genetic defect in the child early. These include, for example, the

nuchal translucency measurement, the triple test or amniocentesis. As a rule these services are paid privately. But what weighs much more heavily is the fact that the expectant parents must also always consider the possibility of a termination of pregnancy if a severe fetal impairment is actually detected. Moreover, the tests do not always provide clear results. The

decision for or against prenatal diagnostics is not an easy one – and definitely not one you should make alone. Talk with your family, your midwife or your doctor and take time to weigh the pros and cons.By the way:

If you also want to have the nuchal fold examined in order to detect chromosomal abnormalities it is usually rescheduled to the 12th to 15th week of pregnancy. The next ultrasound examinations then take place between the /magazine/expectant-mothers/pregnancy-course/pregnancy-19-weeksand .22 as well as between the ./magazine/expectant-mothers/pregnancy-course/pregnancy-29-week32nd week of pregnancy 22take place. However, then by ultrasound through the abdominal wall. Another appointment in the 9th week of pregnancy: toxoplasmosis test

The toxoplasma pathogen is mostly transmitted via cat feces, but can also be present on unwashed fruits and vegetables. Normally a

toxoplasmosis infection goes unnoticed. Many people have therefore already formed antibodies against the pathogen. In pregnancy, however, an infection can lead to severe developmental disorders in your baby. Therefore the toxoplasmosis test as part of prenatal care should definitely be part of prenatal care. Often toxoplasmosis antibodies are automatically tested for in the first blood test. If nothing of this is recorded in your maternity record, you should

ask your doctor about it at the next examination. The toxoplasmosis test is an additional service that you usually have to pay for yourself.What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

In the 9th week of pregnancy the baby is

approximately 16 to 24 millimeters, i.e. max. 2.4 centimeters in size. From week 9 the size is generally given in centimeters. The size is comparable to that of a cherry. The baby assumes increasingly human features, so you can already on the ultrasound clearly see where the head, arms and legs are located. Your little one also increasingly shows its fingers and toes. The ultrasound can also for the first time determine whether there might even be twins on the way. Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 9 of pregnancy?

As a rule outsiders still do not notice that you are pregnant. In the 9th week of pregnancy the

abdomen and the rest of the body are usually still unchanged. Only a few women already have the problem that they can no longer properly fasten their trousers. Others still perceive their belly as "normally sized". What becomes more noticeable now are usually other /magazine/expectant-mothers/pregnancy-course/pregnancy-32-week such as cravings or bloating. Often expectant mothers feel that the symptoms from previous weeks have still not subsided or are even more noticeable. However, these are all signs that may occur but do not necessarily have to.Cravings:

Does the thought of pickles on chocolate spread make your mouth water? What sounds like an absolute cliché is in fact true for many mothers in a similar way. Maybe it's not that extreme, but the a pregnant woman's sense of smell and taste changes enormously in the 9th week of pregnancy. Now you perceive smells and tastes much more intensely. They either seem much more pleasant or unpleasant to you than before. Nature gives you this 'keenness' to protect your miracle in your belly from dangers – strange food combinations are a side effect. Breast sensation:

By now you will probably notice significant changes to your breasts. They are preparing for future breastfeeding. As a result they feel increasingly heavier and more sensitive . With advancing pregnancy your breasts continue to grow. However, breast sensitivity usually decreases again by the end of the 4th month of pregnancy. In addition it is possible that you notice small white bumps on the nipples that you perceive. These are the so-called Montgomery glands (tubercles), which secrete an oily substance to keep the nipples soft and supple during breastfeeding.Discharge:

Besides the relatively common spotting, many women also notice in the first months of pregnancy increased discharge. As long as this is not associated with pain in the intimate area or an unpleasant odor, it is usually not a cause for concern. If you are unsure, you can discuss it with your doctor and your midwife.Nausea:

If you are still struggling with nausea, let it be said: "Hang in there!" Usually this pregnancy symptom disappears by the /magazine/expectant-mothers/health-care/pregnancy-complaints By then hormone levels and metabolism have fully adjusted. Bloating: 

A woman's digestion becomes slightly disrupted during early pregnancy by hormonal changes. Bloating or constipation often occur. Usually help regular exercise, sufficient fluids and a healthy, <LINK> high-fiber diet, which can help alleviate digestive problems somewhat.Skin and hair:

Some mothers notice a change in their skin and hair. For many women the hair becomes thicker and shinier. Other women, on the other hand, notice thinner hair. These changes are caused by the hormonal balance, which has strongly tuned itself to the little miracle during pregnancy.For women who are considered high-risk, the first ultrasound usually also involves the

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