9 Weeks Pregnant

Are you feeling the burn — heartburn, that is? For many, heartburn is among the earliest symptoms of pregnancy, beginning around the second month.

If avoiding spicy and greasy foods isn’t helping, try taking antacids. They contain extra calcium, which you need during pregnancy anyway. You can also try to cut out citrus and tomatoes from your diet and avoid lying down for four hours after eating and try to sleep more upright, if it’s comfortable.

Talk to your doctor about whether you should get a blood test called noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) — a screening for chromosomal abnormalities that many pregnant moms now take. It can be given as early as week 10 of pregnancy, and can also tell the sex of your baby! 

Just remember that it only tells the likelihood or probability of certain conditions, unlike amnio or CVS, which are invasive but give more definitive answers about your baby’s health. And be sure to check with your insurance about whether NIPT is covered or not.

If you’re 35 or older or if you have a family history of genetic conditions, you’ll definitely want to consider not only NIPT but also CVS (chorionic villus sampling), performed between 10 and 13 weeks, and amnio (amniocentesis), typically done between week 15 or 16 and week 20.

If your favorite sleep position is tummy-down, that’s perfectly fine — at least, until your tummy is the size of a watermelon, at which point you’ll have to switch positions for obvious reasons.

During the second and and third trimesters, sleeping on your side is ideal for you and your baby-to-be.

This position allows for maximum blood flow and nutrients to the placenta, since it puts less pressure on a large vein called the vena cava and enhances kidney function.

It’s around now that your baby’s heart is developed enough to potentially hear it on a Doppler device, though it's not likely you'll be given the chance until around week 15.

If you're feeling more excited than patient about that pregnancy milestone, you may be tempted to buy an at-home Doppler so you can check — and hear — that little pitter-patter early at your house, or any time (and place!) you like.

Not so fast. While the variety used by doctors is reliable and safe, those sold for home use aren’t accurate and can cause unnecessary anxiety among expectant parents.

So skip the OTC Dopplers and save the heartbeat jam sessions for your prenatal appointments.

Has the word “carb” become synonymous with “saltines”? You have more options to nourish your baby and fuel your energy needs.

Here's a list of complex carb options that reads like the roster of a nutritional all-star team: fresh fruits, dried and freeze-dried fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grain breads, crackers, cereals, baked potatoes (with skins on), beans, and peas.

Constipation — it's a pregnancy symptom that no one wants to talk about.

Need some tips to get things moving? First, scrutinize your supplements. Ironically, many of the supplements that do a pregnant body good (prenatal vitamins, calcium and iron supplements) can also contribute to constipation.

Talk to your practitioner about possible alternatives, such as a slow-release formula, an iron-free prenatal or a vitamin that contains a stool softener.

You can also get things going more smoothly by fitting in some kind of exercise (a brisk walk, yoga, even a swim) daily.

And don't forget, when you gotta go — go. As soon as possible. Holding it in can weaken your bowel muscles, making it harder to push out the poop. And remember to stay away from medications, including herbal ones, until you've checked in with your practitioner.

Breast tenderness is extremely common among the pregnant set, with symptoms ranging from a dull ache to feelings of fullness and sharp, shooting pains.

There's a reason for all this activity, though: Your body is building fat and increasing blood flow to the area, which will help prime you for breastfeeding once baby is here.

Until the pain subsides — usually in the second or third trimester — apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to your breasts. Or, if you prefer heat, take a warm (not hot) shower.