|
Welcome To Week 9
Your Baby: Gender Differences
The growing embryo is about 1 inch long (25.4 mm).
As its embryonic tail disappears and the face rounds
out, the embryo is looking more human in shape. On the
outside, hands and feet that looked like paddles just
a week ago are now forming fingers and toes. On the
inside, the pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder have
formed, and the reproductive organs are starting to
develop as male or female.
Your Body: Worries, Concerns, And
Fears
Most pregnant women - regardless if it's baby number
1 or baby number 9 - are anxious about the child growing
inside. Will he be healthy? Will she have 10 fingers
and 10 toes? It's perfectly normal and understandable
to be concerned. After all, life takes on a new meaning
when you're pregnant.
Statistics are on your side! According to the Centers
for Disease Control, the infant mortality is down to
7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1997 (from 9.2 deaths
per 1,000 births in 1990). Because of technology with
modern medicine, the number of infants born with birth
defects is also going down.
Every mother-to-be worries to a certain extent. But
if you're so worried that it interferes with work, sleeping,
or eating, you should take action. Try talking with
your spouse, confiding in friends, consulting your doctor,
or reading up on pregnancy and parenting. If none of
these provide the comfort you need, you should consider
seeking professional help.
On A Different Note:
Peek-a-boo, I See You.
Ever wish you could be on the outside looking in? With
this interactive tool, you can take a visual
tour of the female reproductive system and better
understand what's going on inside your body - baby and
all.
Weekly Tip
After talking with your health care provider, try to
incorporate an exercise routine into your daily agenda.
It might be as simple as taking a walk around the block
on your lunch break or as subtle as doing 50 kegels
at your desk. Do whatever you have the time and energy
for, but keep it up. In the long run, you'll feel better
and it will help your postpartum recovery.
Review Date: July 23, 2001
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial.
|
