Pregnancy calendar

The 1st trimester: Week 9

Did you know that the embryo is now essentially a complete little human being, although only the size of a small prune (about 2.5cm). it can even hiccup and react to a loud noise outside the womb!

Your baby

How your baby’s growing:

Thanks to increased muscle development, your little one may start to move for the first time. The embryo will begin to turn somersaults, stretch and hiccup. Although these stirrings can be detected in an ultrasound, they're too small for you to feel now. Your uterus is now double it’s original size and your baby’s eyelids are forming as well as his fingernails and toenails.

Your body

You’ll soon be feeling a little better! Pregnancy-related nausea usually peaks around week 9, then improves as the placenta takes over hormone production.

Feeling hungry lately? Don't be surprised if your appetite has increased, thanks to elevated hormone levels and the fact that your metabolic rate may have risen by up to 25%.

Even though your due-date might seem eons away, now is actually a good time to read up on what to expect during labour. Start preparing now in order to have the support you need on the day.

For the guys

Now is the time for your partner to start taking it easy and look after herself. Indulge her a little and make her feel good by taking her away on a romantic weekend or buying some sexy lingerie!

Tip of the week

Your Appetite:

Enjoy the increase in appetite, but keep eating healthily. Make sure you're keeping to all those daily good nutrition resolutions:

• Eat eight to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables
• Eat six or more servings of wholegrains
• Include three servings of calcium-rich foods
• Eat three servings of lean protein
• Drink eight or more glasses of water
• Choose healthy fats (found in nuts, olive oil and cooked fish)
• Eliminate alcohol and limit caffeine to no more than 2 cups of coffee or tea per day
• Limit junk food
• Take a prenatal supplement with folic acid