Week 9: Changes

Welcome to your third month of pregnancy! Take some time this week to bond with your baby! Take a weekly “bump” photo, or keep a journal as a way of investing in this pregnancy journey. As the pregnancy hormones continue to increase, your body will have more and stronger reactions to the changes. Some of these reactions are bloating, excess gas, and constipation. Your digestive tract is slowed down, which causes a buildup of gas that can be uncomfortable. Headaches are also common in the first trimester due to stress, lack of sleep, and dehydration. Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that even in these first few weeks, anxiety and fear can be a very real reality: fear of loss, fear of change, fear of the future, etc. Anxious thoughts may make it hard to sleep at night. Find someone safe and trustworthy to talk to about the pregnancy: your fears, anxieties, struggles, and joys. Building up this essential support network is not only of benefit during pregnancy but also postpartum.

Your baby is nine weeks old! The shape of your baby is looking more human. The tail is almost gone, and the rough outline of the facial features is present: eyes, ears, mouth and nose. Even joints and bones are forming. Something to look forward to this month is your dating ultrasound, (if you choose to have one) where you can see your baby for the first time! Because of how small your baby still is, you won’t be able to see all these details. Regardless, seeing the silhouette of your baby and hearing the heartbeat both help validate the pregnancy (for those struggling with this reality) and provide evidence of the miracle of life growing inside your womb.