9-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips

BABY DEVELOPMENT

Your baby’s taste buds have recently started to form. The way their body is developing now allows for them to be measured in two ways during an ultrasound: from the top of their head to the coccyx and from the top of their head to their heels. They are now growing rapidly; their body length will be double what it is now by the 12th week. They have eyelids covering their eyes, and inside their chest cavity, their diaphragm now separates their heart and lungs from their digestive tract. Their heart beats at its own pace – at between 120 and 160 bpm (beats per minute), it beats much faster than yours.

YOUR BODY

From the outside looking in, it may be possible for some people to tell by looking at you that there is a baby growing in your belly, while others will be completely surprised when you choose to share your news. Amazingly, so many organs have developed, and many more are still under construction. As such, you may find that you are more tired than you would have thought and that is totally normal – you are growing a little human being inside your body!

NUTRITION

What about sugar and salt?  
Canada’s Food Guide recommends healthy eating when pregnant and breastfeeding which includes choosing foods that have little or no added sodium, sugars, or saturated fat. Making water your first choice of beverage means helping to reduce the amounts of calories, sodium, sugars, and saturated fat you consume. If you need a bit of fizz in your life, go for sparkling water flavoured with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime.  
Choose whole-grain cereals and oatmeal, which contain B vitamins and fibre to aid your digestion and may help keep you feeling full.  Also choose cereals fortified or enriched with folic acid, iron, and zinc. Folic acid is a B vitamin known to reduce the risks of certain neural tube defects. Iron and zinc are also important minerals. Iron helps carry oxygen around your body and zinc supports your immune system. Add a hint of natural sweetness to your cereal by topping with fresh fruit, such as berries or banana, or add some crunch with toasted nuts and seeds.

TIPS

The safest choice for a woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant is not to drink alcohol.