Inside Pregnancy: What Happens from Weeks 1 to 9

The first nine weeks of pregnancy are a time of incredible transformation, both for your developing baby and your own body. Even though you may not be showing yet, a lot is happening inside your womb! Let’s explore the stages of fetal development and the changes your body experiences during this exciting time.

Week 1-2: Conception and Implantation

Technically, you aren’t pregnant during the first two weeks of pregnancy. Healthcare providers calculate pregnancy from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), so week one includes your period. Around the second week, ovulation occurs, and if an egg is fertilized by sperm, it will travel down the fallopian tube to implant in your uterus.
What’s Happening:

• Conception: This is when the egg and sperm unite to form a zygote, which starts to divide and grow.
• Implantation: By the end of week 2, the fertilized egg (now called a blastocyst) implants itself in the uterine wall, where it will develop over the coming months​​.

Week 3-4: Early Development and Hormonal Changes

By week 3, your body is already producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone that pregnancy tests detect. At this point, the baby is still an embryo, and major developmental processes are beginning.
What’s Happening:

• Embryo Formation: The embryo has two layers of cells that will eventually form all of your baby’s organs and body parts.
• Placenta Development: The placenta is starting to develop, which will nourish your baby throughout the pregnancy​.

Week 5: Your Baby’s Heart Starts Beating

By week 5, your embryo is growing quickly, and one of the most exciting milestones occurs – the formation of the heart. This week, you may also start feeling early pregnancy symptoms like nausea or fatigue as your body adjusts to the rise in hormones.
What’s Happening:

• Heart and Circulatory System: Your baby’s heart starts beating, though it’s still very primitive.
• Neural Tube: The neural tube, which will become the brain and spinal cord, is forming​.

Week 6: Facial Features and Limb Buds Appear

During week 6, your baby’s facial features are beginning to take shape, and small buds are forming that will develop into arms and legs. Though still very tiny, your baby is growing at an astonishing rate.
What’s Happening:

• Limb Buds: These tiny buds will grow into your baby’s arms and legs.
• Facial Development: The beginning of eyes, ears, nose, and mouth are forming​.
• Morning Sickness: If you haven’t felt it yet, this is when morning sickness might hit.

Week 7: Organs Begin to Form

Your baby is now about the size of a blueberry. At this point, many of the major organs are starting to develop, and the brain is growing rapidly. You might notice that your clothes are feeling a bit snug as your body continues to change.
What’s Happening:

• Brain Development: The baby’s brain is growing, and the head is much larger than the body at this stage.
• Umbilical Cord: The umbilical cord is now fully functional, supplying your baby with oxygen and nutrients​​.

Week 8: Fingers and Toes Emerge

By week 8, your baby is constantly developing new features, and the tiny buds that formed in earlier weeks are beginning to look more like little fingers and toes. Though you can’t feel it yet, your baby may be making small movements.
What’s Happening:

• Fingers and Toes: Your baby’s hands and feet are becoming more defined, with little fingers and toes starting to form.
• Eyes: Eyes are taking shape, although they remain fused shut​​.

Week 9: The Embryo Becomes a Fetus

Week 9 is a significant milestone because your baby is now officially a fetus. The rapid development continues, and your baby’s organs, muscles, and nerves are beginning to function.
What’s Happening:

• Heartbeat: Your baby’s heartbeat is strong enough to be heard via a Doppler.
• Muscles and Nerves: Your baby can now make small, involuntary movements​​.
• Facial Features: The face is becoming more defined, with the ears, nose, and eyes in their respective places.

What You May Be Feeling

During the first 9 weeks, your body is going through an incredible amount of change, both visible and invisible. Here are some common experiences during this phase:

• Nausea and Fatigue: Rising hormone levels can leave you feeling nauseous and exhausted.
• Breast Changes: Your breasts may become more tender and swollen as they prepare for breastfeeding.
• Frequent Urination: The increase in blood flow can make you need to use the bathroom more often​.

Tips for Managing the First Nine Weeks

1. Rest as Much as You Can: Fatigue can be overwhelming in early pregnancy, so make sure you’re getting enough sleep and taking naps when needed.
2. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if you’re experiencing morning sickness.
3. Eat Small Meals: If nausea is hitting you hard, try eating small, frequent meals to keep your energy levels stable.
4. Start Prenatal Vitamins: If you haven’t already, begin taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid to support your baby’s development​​.

Looking Ahead

By the end of week 9, you’re nearing the end of your first trimester, and your baby’s development is in full swing. From here, your baby will continue to grow and develop rapidly, and your pregnancy symptoms may begin to ease up as you approach the second trimester.

Enjoy these early weeks of pregnancy as a time of growth and anticipation!