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Pregnancy week 9

A week by week guide to what’s happening to you and your baby

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Your breasts may be feeling full and tender. This can be one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy. The areola typically darkens and Montgomery's glands, lubricating sweat glands on the areola, may become prominent and more numerous. Especially for those with a light complexion, veins in the breast often become more pronounced. Emotionally, you may feel like you are suffering from an ongoing bout of PMS. Even TV ads may make you cry more than usual.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

This week, your baby-to-be grows to between 18 and 20mm long, or between a half-inch and an inch. Weighing in at one gram, your baby is very active, although you can't feel its movements. He or she now has all the major organs, muscles and nerves. While testes and ovaries are formed, external genitalia appear sexless, which is why it is too early for an ultrasound to reveal gender.

HEALTHY EATING

Protein is important as the amino acids it contains build your baby's body. Protein is found in meat, milk, yoghurt, cheese and beans. Iron helps to make haemoglobin which carries oxygen to your baby through your bloodstream. Get it from dried fruit, green leafy vegetables, red meat and wholegrain bread. Calcium builds strong bones and teeth, and is found in green vegetables, sardines and dairy products. You also need carbohydrates to provide you with energy and prevent constipation so eat cereal, pasta, potatoes and rice. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. This will help your body process the nutrients in the food.

FACT OF THE WEEK

Women who consume more than three alcoholic drinks per week during the first trimester have double the risk of miscarriage compared with non-drinking women. This news comes from an intensive study based upon more than 5,000 women. Women who drank before pregnancy have no increased incidence of miscarriage over the non-drinker. Bottom line? Drinking any amount during pregnancy can be unsafe for the developing foetus.

Find out what's happening when you get to week 10 of your pregnancy.

For a list of all the pregnancy week by week articles click here

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