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1st trimester: Week 9

The formation of the ear, fingers, and toes becomes increasingly clear.
© The Anatomical Travelogue

Your Baby

The embryo may now officially be called a fetus, which literally means "little one" -- and he's about the size of a strawberry. An inch long, he has hands that can flex at the wrist, and he's able to fold them over his heart. Eyelids cover his eyes, and his ears are beginning to take shape on the sides of his head. His genitals are forming, but your doctor won't yet be able to discern his sex by sonogram. Give it a few more months; an ultrasound performed in the second trimester should tell you -- if you want to know ahead of time, that is.

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Your Body

You may no longer feel as nauseated and fatigued as you've been the past two months, and your sex drive may even be revving up. Thanks to a surge in estrogen and progesterone, there's more blood flow to the breasts, vagina, labia, and clitoris, making them more sensitive. Your breasts continue to get fuller, too, which means it's a good time to purchase a real maternity bra with good support.

Your Pregnant Body:

Do's and Don'ts

Cheese is a great source for calcium, but avoid soft or mold-ripened varieties like Brie, Camembert, and Stilton. They may contain listeria, a bacteria that can cause a rare but serious infection in pregnant women called listeriosis. Cream and cottage cheeses are fine, as are hard and American cheeses. Listeria can also live in hot dogs and deli meats, so steer clear of them completely or heat them until they're steaming hot before you take a bite. 

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Find out the 16 earliest signs you have a baby on the way