9 weeks pregnant: baby is the size of a cherry

Your baby this week

The fingers and toes are now separate, though they are still tiny. The elbows and knees bend, and the wrists and ankles have formed. The head is still large compared with the body, and the face is becoming more recognizable, with eyelids that will soon fuse shut and stay closed for several months.

The heart, which beat first as a simple tube, has become a four-chambered organ. The muscles are developing, and your baby can move its limbs in short bursts. Small tooth buds are forming under the gums.

How it happens. Nerve cells are connecting to muscles, and they are setting up the first pathways between brain and body. These connections are why early movements appear, though they are reflexes rather than deliberate actions.

Your body this week

Your uterus is growing, and you may notice your waistband is tight. Your blood volume is rising, and some people feel warm or flushed. Nausea is often at its peak, and it may be worse when you are tired or hungry.

You may also be dealing with something that gets less attention: how you feel. Emotional changes in pregnancy come from several sources at once. Hormones affect the brain chemicals that regulate mood. Tiredness and sickness reduce your resilience. Thoughts about health, money, work and your relationship all appear at the same time.

Normal worry, or something more?

Feeling anxious, sad or overwhelmed in early pregnancy is common. Some worry is a normal part of getting used to a major change. The difference between ordinary worry and a mental health condition is how long it lasts and how much it interferes with life.

Depression and anxiety can happen during pregnancy, and they are more common than many people expect. They are medical conditions and not personal failures, and they respond well to treatment.

Speak to your provider if, for two weeks or more, you have:

• Low mood, emptiness or sadness on most days.
• Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy.
• Constant worry that you cannot control, or panic attacks.
• Trouble sleeping even when you have the chance, or sleeping far more than usual.
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or hopelessness.
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
• Withdrawing from people.

Having a history of depression, anxiety, a previous pregnancy loss, a difficult relationship or money worries can raise your chance of struggling, but anyone can be affected.

If you have thoughts of harming yourself or feel unsafe, get help now. Call your local emergency number, or contact a crisis line. In Canada and the United States you can call or text 988. In the UK you can call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time. If you live elsewhere, look for your national crisis line, or ask a trusted person to help you find one.

What helps

• Tell someone. Naming what you feel to a partner, friend, midwife or doctor reduces its weight.
• Ask about support. Many areas have perinatal mental health services, counselling and peer support groups. Your provider can refer you, and some services take self-referrals.
• Keep to a routine. Regular meals, fluids and a fixed bedtime steady your mood.
• Move outside. A short daily walk helps sleep and mood for many people.
• Limit the news and social media. Constant comparison and worst-case stories raise anxiety.
• Ask about medicine and therapy. If you already take a medicine for depression or anxiety, do not stop it on your own. Talk to your provider about the options. Stopping suddenly can make things worse, and there are often safe choices.

How partners and family can help

Partners are often unsure what to do at this stage. These actions make a real difference:

• Take on tasks. Cooking, shopping and cleaning are easier for you when you feel sick. Offer before being asked.
• Learn about the pregnancy. Read the guide, attend appointments when possible and ask questions.
• Listen without fixing. Sometimes what someone needs is to be heard.
• Watch for change. If your partner seems low, anxious or withdrawn for more than a couple of weeks, encourage them to see a provider, and offer to go with them.
• Look after yourself. Partners can also experience anxiety and low mood during pregnancy and after the birth. Support is available for them too.