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First trimester

9 weeks pregnant

At 9 weeks, the face is becoming more recognizable, with eyelids, a mouth and a tongue, and fingers and toes are starting to take shape. The pregnancy hormone hCG peaks around now, which may be why many people still feel tired and unwell.

This page covers 9 weeks 0 days to 9 weeks 6 days (9+0 to 9+6), counted from the first day of the last period. Check how far along you are

Enter it to see the calendar dates of your week 9.

Botanical illustration of a green olive

About the size of a green olive

Typical crown-rump length 2.4 cm to 3.2 cm (0.9 in to 1.2 in) across this week, from the Robinson equation.1

A reference value, not a measurement of your baby.

How your baby is developing

  • The face is looking more recognizable. The eyes are covered by eyelids, and there is a small mouth and a tongue with tiny taste buds.2,3
  • Arms are growing and elbows are developing. Hands and feet are taking shape, with fingers and toes beginning to form from grooves.2,4
  • All the major internal organs, including the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys and gut, are developing, and bones are starting to form. Nipples and hair follicles are forming too.2,4
  • Muscles are forming and the body is taking on a more human shape, though the head is still large compared with the body.3
  • The genitals are starting to take shape, but the sex usually cannot be seen on a scan until much later in pregnancy.2

Changes you may notice

Everyone’s experience is different. You may notice some of these, or none.

  • Levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG have been rising quickly and reach their peak around 9 weeks. Estrogen and progesterone are also higher, helping increase blood supply to the uterus.2
  • Extreme tiredness, nausea, mood swings, sore breasts, headaches and a heightened sense of smell are all common. Some people describe this stage as an emotional rollercoaster.2
  • Your breasts may be bigger and your waist may be starting to thicken a little.2
  • Eating little and often keeps your blood sugar steadier, which may ease nausea. Simple snacks such as a boiled egg, hummus with carrot sticks, or bread with cheese can help.2

Care around this week

  • In the US, genetic screening options should be offered to everyone. Cell-free DNA screening can be done from 10 weeks, and first-trimester screening is done between 10 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days.5
  • Cell-free DNA screening (also called NIPT) is a blood test that looks at small fragments of DNA, mostly from the placenta, in your bloodstream. It is a screening test, so it estimates whether the chance of certain chromosome conditions is higher or lower rather than giving a definite answer.6
  • UK note: if you have not yet had your booking appointment with a midwife, it usually happens between 8 and 12 weeks. You will usually be given information about screening for Down's, Edwards' and Patau's syndromes at this appointment.7,8

Questions to ask your provider

  • Would cell-free DNA screening or first-trimester screening suit me better, and what does each one look for?
  • When will I have an ultrasound to confirm my due date?
  • What can I safely take or try for nausea and tiredness?
  • Is my prenatal vitamin giving me what I need, including folic acid?
When to contact your provider straight away

Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) in an emergency, such as heavy bleeding or bleeding with severe pain, a seizure, chest pain, or severe trouble breathing.10,11,12,13

These symptoms are not always serious, but each one needs prompt advice from your provider, midwife or maternity unit (or NHS 111 in the UK if you cannot reach them) rather than waiting for your next appointment, and it helps to tell them you are pregnant.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting at any stage of pregnancy. Call 911 or 999 if the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, or feeling faint or dizzy.12,14
  • Fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you. Get checked straight away if the fluid is greenish, colored or smells bad.12,13,15,16
  • Your baby moving less than usual, not moving, or a change in their usual pattern of movements. Call immediately, even in the middle of the night, and do not use a home Doppler to check yourself.12,17
  • A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers or gets worse, or sudden changes in your vision such as blurring or seeing flashing lights.10,12,13
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, or swelling, redness or pain in a leg.10,12,13
  • Belly pain that is severe or does not go away after resting, or pain just below the ribs.10,12,18
  • Regular tightenings or contractions, period-type pains, or backache that is unusual for you before 37 weeks, which can be signs of preterm labor.16,18
  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.12,13,16
  • Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or happens when you lie flat, chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, or dizziness or fainting.12,13
  • Very itchy skin, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night.19
  • Being sick so often that you cannot keep food or drink down, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine, peeing very little, or feeling dizzy.12,20
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Get help right away, and call 911 or 999 if you think you might act on them.12,21

Questions about 9 weeks

When will I start feeling better?

It varies, but many people find early symptoms ease in the second trimester, which starts at 14 weeks. hCG peaks around 9 weeks, so the coming weeks are often a turning point.2,9

Can you tell the baby's sex at 9 weeks?

Not on a scan. The genitals are only starting to take shape, and the NHS says most people will not find out the sex on ultrasound until the anomaly scan at around 18 to 21 weeks.2

Is cell-free DNA screening a diagnosis?

No. It is a screening test that estimates whether the chance of certain conditions is higher or lower. Results can occasionally be falsely reassuring or falsely worrying, so a higher-chance result needs diagnostic testing to confirm it.6

Sources

  1. A critical evaluation of sonar “crown-rump length” measurementsBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 82(9):702–710, 1975
  2. Week 9 – week-by-week guide to pregnancyNHS Best Start in Life
  3. Fetal development: stages of growthCleveland Clinic
  4. Fetal developmentUS National Library of Medicine
  5. Practice Bulletin No. 226: Screening for Fetal Chromosomal AbnormalitiesAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2020
  6. What is noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and what disorders can it screen for?MedlinePlus Genetics, US National Library of Medicine
  7. Your antenatal appointmentsNHS (England)
  8. Screening for Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndromeNHS (England)
  9. How Your Fetus Grows During PregnancyAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  10. Pre-eclampsiaNHS (England)
  11. Epilepsy and pregnancyNHS (England)
  12. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms (Hear Her campaign)US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  13. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help forNHS (England)
  14. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancyNHS (England)
  15. Signs of going into labourNHS Best Start in Life
  16. Premature labour and birthNHS (England)
  17. Your baby's movementsNHS (England)
  18. Stomach pain in pregnancyNHS (England)
  19. Itching in pregnancyNHS (England)
  20. Severe vomiting in pregnancyNHS (England)
  21. Depression in pregnancyNHS (England)

Links checked November 12, 2026. Citing a source does not mean it endorses this site.

Written from the sources above and checked against them on 2026-11-12. Not reviewed by a clinician. Our editorial policy