Pregnancy Week 9: Tiny Fingers, Toes and the End of the Embryonic Stage

8 min read

Quick answer: At 9 weeks your baby is about the size of a grape, roughly 23mm from crown to rump, and this is the last week of the embryonic period — next week they are called a foetus. Fingers and toes are more distinct but still slightly webbed, the embryonic tail has gone, and fatigue often peaks as progesterone rises.

What parents need to know

Week 9 is an exciting milestone: your baby is nearly finished with the embryonic period, and next week they'll officially be called a foetus. Growth is rapid, and small but significant details (fingers, toes, eyelids) are becoming more defined every day.

Size	About the size of a grape
Length	Approximately 23mm crown to rump
Stage	Last week of the embryonic period
Oily fish	Up to two portions a week
NHS dental care	Free in pregnancy and 12 months after birth

How big is your baby at 9 weeks?

Your baby is now about the size of a grape — approximately 23mm from crown to rump. This might not sound like much, but your baby has grown enormously since the moment of fertilisation just seven weeks ago.

What's happening with your baby?

The embryonic tail, a remnant from very early development, has now completely disappeared. Your baby's fingers and toes are much more distinct now, though they're still slightly webbed at the tips. The eyes, while still sealed shut by developing eyelids, are moving to the front of the face. Your baby's ears are forming on the outside, taking on a shape that will eventually be recognisable.

The digestive system is becoming more sophisticated — the intestines are growing so quickly that they temporarily loop into the umbilical cord because there isn't enough room in the abdomen yet. Don't worry: this is completely normal and will resolve naturally in the coming weeks. Your baby's muscles are developing, enabling primitive movements, though these remain far too small to feel.

Close-up of baby feet gently held in an adult's hands, symbolizing care and tenderness.

What's happening in your body?

Many women find that week 9 is one of the hardest in terms of first trimester fatigue. Your body is producing an enormous amount of progesterone (the hormone that maintains the pregnancy), and this has a sedative effect. Combined with the physical demands of growing a baby, it's understandable to feel exhausted.

Your blood volume is increasing significantly to support the placenta and growing baby. This can leave some women feeling dizzy when they stand up quickly (a phenomenon known as postural hypotension). Getting up slowly, staying well hydrated, and eating regularly can help.

You may also notice that your skin and hair are changing. Some women develop acne in early pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations. Others find their skin is drier than usual. These changes are entirely normal and usually resolve as pregnancy progresses.

Supplements in pregnancy

Alongside folic acid (recommended for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy) and vitamin D (recommended every day between early October and late March, and all year for some people), there are other supplements you might consider. Iron-rich foods or iron supplements may be suggested by your midwife if your blood test shows low iron levels. Calcium is important for your baby's developing bones — dairy products, fortified plant milks, and green leafy vegetables are good dietary sources. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish (up to two portions a week) or in algae-based supplements, support your baby's brain and eye development.

Do not take cod liver oil or any supplements containing vitamin A (sometimes called retinol), and avoid any herbal supplements not specifically approved by your GP or midwife, as some herbs can be harmful during pregnancy. Avoid liver and liver products too, because they are high in vitamin A, and too much vitamin A can harm your baby's development.

Dental care in pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can affect your gums, making them more sensitive, swollen, and prone to bleeding — a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. Good dental hygiene is more important than ever. Book a dental appointment if you haven't had one recently: all NHS dental treatment is free during pregnancy and for 12 months after your baby's birth, using your Maternity Exemption Certificate. Inform your dentist that you are pregnant, particularly if X-rays are required.

When to get help

Some symptoms in pregnancy can be a sign of something serious and need checking quickly. This is who to contact, and how soon.

Call 999 if:

you're bleeding from your vagina and the bleeding is heavy (soaking a period pad soon after putting it on), or you also have severe pain in your tummy, pain in your shoulder, or feel sick, faint, dizzy or lose consciousness
you have a sharp, sudden and intense pain in your tummy together with feeling very dizzy or fainting, feeling sick or looking very pale, as this could mean an ectopic pregnancy has ruptured (you can also go straight to A&E)
you have severe difficulty breathing (you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out) or your chest feels tight or heavy
you have pain and swelling in one leg and you also feel short of breath or have chest pain. A blood clot in the leg can travel to your lungs, which can be life-threatening
you have possible signs of sepsis, such as breathing very fast, being confused or having slurred speech, blue, pale or blotchy skin, a rash that does not fade when you press it, or a very high or very low temperature. Being pregnant makes sepsis more likely
you do not feel you can keep yourself safe (a mental health emergency is as serious as a physical one)

Always call 999 if you think it's a life-threatening emergency, no matter what stage of pregnancy you are.

Contact your GP or early pregnancy unit right away if:

you have light bleeding or spotting, even if you have no pain or only mild tummy pain
you have vaginal discharge that's unusual for you, or fluid leaking from your vagina
you have tummy pain low down on one side, or pain in the tip of your shoulder (where your shoulder ends and your arm begins). Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually start between 4 and 12 weeks, so get advice right away, even if you have not had a positive pregnancy test yet
you have stomach pain that is severe or does not go away after you've rested for 30 to 60 minutes, or stomach pain with regular cramping or tightenings, lower back pain, or pain when you pee
your breathlessness comes on suddenly, you're out of breath when you're lying down, or you're breathless and also have chest pain or feel dizzy
you have pain or swelling in one leg, usually in the calf or thigh. This could be a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), which is more likely when you're pregnant
you have a high temperature (38C or above), or you feel hotter than usual or shivery. A high temperature can be a sign of an infection, so it's important to get it checked

Also contact your GP or early pregnancy unit right away if you have tummy pain and you need to pee suddenly or more often than usual, or your pee looks cloudy, pink, red or brown. Pain when you pee, pain or pressure in your bottom when you poo, or diarrhoea can also be signs of an ectopic pregnancy, so get medical advice if you have any of these.

If you cannot reach them, or you're not sure what to do, call NHS 111.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you think you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), for example pain or burning when you pee, needing to pee more often or suddenly, cloudy pee, or a high temperature. Call 999 or go to A&E if you become confused or drowsy, or have difficulty speaking.

Call your midwife, GP or NHS 111 if you're being sick and cannot keep food or fluids down for 24 hours, have very dark pee or have not had a pee in more than 8 hours, feel very weak, dizzy or faint when you stand up, have tummy pain or a high temperature, vomit blood, or have lost weight.

Speak to your GP or midwife if:

you're worried about your mental health, or stress, anxiety or low mood are affecting your day-to-day life. If you need urgent help for your mental health, call 111 and select the mental health option, or ask for an urgent GP appointment

Your week 9 checklist

This week:

Five things to do this week

This week

Rest when you need to. Fatigue is at its peak for many women.
Book a dental check-up if needed.
Review your supplement routine with your GP or midwife.
Stay hydrated and eat little and often.
If you haven't had your booking appointment, chase your referral urgently.

Sources: NHS, Tommy's, NCT. General information, not medical advice.

Sources & further reading

General information, not individual medical advice. Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor about your baby’s needs.