8th month of pregnancy Time flies, the long-awaited meeting with your baby is about to come. In the meantime, you are actively “building a nest.” You set up a nursery, buy a stroller, a crib, things. Maybe you even force your husband to rearrange the furniture. This is fine. Your loved ones will understand you, because you are doing all this for a new little person who will be born in a matter of weeks. The only thing to remember is that everything needs moderation! You should not lift heavy things or do difficult work yourself.
The eight-month period falls on 29-32 obstetric or 32-36 calendar weeks.
Mom and baby eight months pregnant
You have also gained weight, and your tummy has grown. This is understandable, because the uterus has taken its highest possible position. Pay close attention to your feet and hands. If swelling occurs, tell your doctor. Many women are concerned about an increase in the amount of hair - this is the tricks of hormones.
The baby continues his rapid growth, and he is very cramped in his house. The finishing touches remain in the child's development. The shoulders are rounded and the cheeks become plumper. The cartilage of the nose and ears hardens. He mastered many skills. Mastered sucking, swallowing and breathing skills. Scientists say that the baby even dreams. The adrenal glands have reached their maximum development. The boys' testicles were clearly visible. By the end of the month, the child will grow to 45 cm and weigh about 2500 kg.
belly at 8 months pregnant
The eighth month of pregnancy for a woman will be marked not only by setting up her nest, but also by significant discomfort. Sleeping is becoming more and more difficult. As soon as you take a comfortable position, you need to run to the toilet. Heartburn may get worse. Walking is not easy for you, shortness of breath makes itself felt. Pregnancy fatigue builds up. Fear of childbirth and fear that you will not be able to become a good mother may also be involved. This is the norm.
Remember that pregnancy is a short and magical moment in your life. Tell your mother or friend about your experiences, and you will see that they also went through this. Your main support should remain your husband, talk to him about it.
Take a break! If the weather permits, arrange a professional photo shoot in the park. Preferably together with your other half. And take a walk and leave a wonderful memory for yourself and your unborn child. If it's cold outside, you can use the studio's services.
Do not skip visits to the doctor, because you should periodically do a cardiotocogram to determine the baby’s heart rate and uterine contractions.
Analyzes and examinations
During the 8th month of pregnancy, the expectant mother needs to visit the doctor once every two weeks, and if there are some complications, weekly. During the examination, the specialist will measure the pregnant woman’s body weight and the height of the uterine fundus, listen to the fetal heartbeat, and check the woman’s blood pressure.
An ultrasound examination at this time, as a rule, is not carried out, but can be performed if the woman’s condition worsens or if a number of alarming signs appear. This is the absence of fetal movements or, conversely, their excessive intensity, brown discharge, etc. During an ultrasound, a video can be recorded that will help the attending physician better navigate the situation.
The doctor will also be able to answer the expectant mother’s questions about how many weeks of pregnancy have passed and when to expect childbirth. Of course, it is impossible to predict the date of birth of a baby, even knowing the exact day of conception, but determining the date with an accuracy of several days is quite possible.
Belly size at eighth month
As the fetus grows, the mother's belly also increases. It is already difficult for a woman to bend over, and it is almost impossible to tie shoelaces and cut her toenails. It is recommended to do everything smoothly so as not to stretch the muscles. The abdomen may become covered with a fine network of stretch marks, and to reduce their number, you can apply creams or use vegetable oil in the early stages of pregnancy.
The lower abdomen may ache and become hard. Sometimes the expectant mother notices cramping sensations and gets scared. In fact, in this way the uterus trains for the upcoming birth. If the contractions are regular and are accompanied by discharge with blood clots, you need to call an ambulance: early labor has begun.
Recommendations for the eighth month of pregnancy
Why do breasts hurt during pregnancy?
Chest pain is not a necessary part of pregnancy. Each woman’s body is individual, as is its sensitivity to changes and pain threshold.
Immediately after conception, hormonal levels begin to change. One of the manifestations of this process is an increase in breast sensitivity to the point of painful sensations.
Chest pain occurs when it enlarges. The main culprit of such changes is the hormone estrogen, which is produced in increased volumes during pregnancy. Breast enlargement and tenderness are a kind of side effect of such hormonal changes.
The severity of pain can vary dramatically. Some women experience barely noticeable discomfort. Unpleasant sensations may intensify when pressing on the chest or overcooling it. The nature of the pain is usually aching, pulling.
Other women experience constant chest pain during pregnancy. The sensitivity of the nipples increases so much that even slight contact with clothing can cause pain.
Eighth month: discharge
Vaginal leucorrhoea may become more intense in the eighth month of pregnancy. They have a pale white color and a slightly sour smell. It is not normal if you find gray, greenish, cheesy, specific-smelling discharge on the pad. They indicate the presence of inflammation or infection, so you should make an appointment with a gynecologist. Reddish-brown shades of discharge are a sign of pathology of the placenta, the threat of its detachment. Liquid discharge may be evidence of leakage of amniotic fluid.
Baby development
The baby is quite cramped in the uterus, because his size has increased impressively. Because of this cramped space, his activity died down a little.
By this time, a large number of babies are already positioned head down; this position remains until the birth itself. If the baby does not take the desired position, it is necessary to persuade the baby to roll over using special exercises.
The baby's organs are finally formed. Marigolds have grown to the edge of the phalanges, fat deposits appear that will warm the baby, and the cartilages of the ears and nose become harder.
The main reflexes have already been formed: sucking, breathing, the connection between neurons and the nervous system is actively being formed, the baby is sleeping and has dreams. Calcium is deposited in the baby’s bones and iron accumulates, the endocrine system is actively working, which produces hormones, and the baby’s lungs are fully formed.
Your baby will grow up to 45 centimeters this month, and by the end of the month the weight will be up to 2.5 kilograms.
What is the best way to sleep at eight months?
A pregnant woman's dream is a plot for a thriller. Not only is it difficult to choose a position, but often mothers’ daytime experiences result in disturbing dreams at night, which can unsettle especially impressionable pregnant women. The child inside is naturally jumping, his back hurts, his legs are twisting, his heart is beating faster, the woman is sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes her husband is “cramped.”
To improve your sleep, you need to choose a comfortable position. It is prohibited to sleep on the back and stomach, because in these positions the vena cava is compressed, which is why the child does not receive the required amount of oxygen.
It is better to sleep in the eighth month on your left side, using special pillows: under your back and between your knees.
How to sleep better at eight months
Sensations and problems of the expectant mother (use the word movements, pulling in the lower abdomen, abdominal pain)
At this stage, the woman is already starting to get tired of her position and her belly, which has literally become huge. It makes it difficult to put on clothes and shoes, makes it difficult to walk and uncomfortable to sleep with. But now the time has come to fully devote your time to the future baby, especially since at this time most women are already on maternity leave. Now the feeling of life in your stomach is changing your outlook and attitude towards life, problems of career, work and everyday trifles fade into the background, everything is aimed at carrying the baby to term and the imminent birth. This is the work of the dominant pregnancy in the brain - it adjusts the woman’s physical body and psyche so that she can carry the pregnancy to term in maximum comfort and convenience and safely give birth to a new person. Hence the tears of tenderness, mood changes, and the special sensitivity of expectant mothers. This is normal, and you shouldn’t completely close yourself off from outside life and plunge headlong into motherhood - lead your usual life and enjoy your position. If this does not cause you inconvenience or poor health, there is practically no need to change your life - you can go for walks, travel (only nearby and strictly with an exchange card in your hands), buy things as a dowry and attend courses for expectant mothers and fathers. The most important thing for you now is your peace of mind and your confidence that everything is fine and there are no problems during pregnancy and your baby’s health. Protect yourself from stress and negative emotions, they can lead to an increase in the tone of the uterus, and even to the development of premature birth.
The abdomen in this period reaches almost its maximum size, the height of the fundus of the uterus reaches its maximum by the 36th week. After 35 weeks, the uterus can literally push against your ribs, which leads to difficulty breathing. The child weighs almost a kilogram and he needs a place to stay, so the internal organs will be squeezed due to the growth of the uterus. The abdomen can create quite a few problems with sleeping position, walking and everyday issues, but the most important sensations from it are the movements of the fetus. Now it should make itself felt at least 10 times in 12 hours, and it is better that you feel fetal movements every 15-20 minutes. The baby may almost freeze for several hours, stretching slightly in his sleep, or he may actively push and move. You should be concerned if the child is overly active and his movements are sharply painful, or if he is very lethargic and can barely be felt by you. This may indicate intrauterine suffering or hypoxia; it is worth changing position, taking a walk or stretching. If this continues for a long time, you should inform your doctor about this and undergo additional examination. For greater comfort, it is recommended to sleep on the left side - this is the most optimal position for the fetus and blood circulation of the placenta and uterus, and quite comfortable for the mother.
If you are bothered by abdominal pain, especially constant or cramping pain, periodically pulling in the lower abdomen, you should not think that this is normal, especially in combination with uterine tone, painful training contractions and vaginal discharge. You need to immediately call an ambulance and be hospitalized in a hospital; this could be the onset of premature labor or problems with the placenta. The situation is especially serious if there is spotting, bloody discharge from the vagina, and if there is dark cherry or scarlet blood, you need to immediately go to the hospital - placental abruption begins, a fatal complication if help is not provided immediately.
In addition, many discomfort manifestations may be disturbing - many of them require changes in regimen, nutrition, or consultation with a doctor, or even hospital treatment. One of the common complications is edema, which mainly forms on the extremities and can be the beginning of pregnancy nephropathy or gestosis. Particularly dangerous is severe swelling right in the morning, spreading to the face and body, and combined with protein in the urine and increased blood pressure. Immediately to the hospital for preservation and a decision on further management of the pregnancy.
A large uterus puts pressure on the abdominal organs and causes a lot of unpleasant symptoms and sensations, such as nausea, especially with large meals, rare meals or for no reason. This occurs due to the uterus pressing on the walls of the stomach. This is why heartburn can occur, with the acidic contents of the stomach refluxing into the esophagus. You can reduce such sensations if you eat often and in small portions, immediately after eating, stay in an upright or semi-lying position, and rest after eating for at least an hour without bending over. If you are at home, taking the knee-elbow position for 10-15 minutes and relieving the pressure of the uterus on the intestines will help relieve the condition. In this position, the internal organs receive more blood, and food passes through the stomach and into the intestines. With a heavy meal, vomiting may also occur, if it is one-time and without fever or diarrhea, you don’t have to worry too much and reconsider your diet, and if you have the described symptoms, consult a doctor immediately; food poisoning in pregnant women is extremely dangerous.
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It is worth monitoring the discharge during this period. Due to changes in hormonal levels, there may be some increase in discharge - it is transparent or slightly whitish, without odor or pathological impurities. Increased discharge, clear as water, with constant wetness of the laundry is a sign of possible leakage of amniotic fluid. It is worth purchasing a test pad for water leakage at a pharmacy or visiting a doctor. If there is leakage of water, hospitalization is immediately necessary and a decision on how to manage the pregnancy further is necessary. Everything with bloody discharge is no less serious, this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. Also dangerous is discharge with an odor, green, gray, yellowish or any other color, with admixtures of mucus, pus or bubbles. These are signs of genital tract infections that can threaten the baby and pregnancy and require immediate treatment.
Due to the pressure of the uterus, urination increases, which requires frequent trips to the toilet, as well as an increase in such a delicate problem as constipation. It is important to monitor the amount of fluid and fiber in your diet, and move more to make it easier for your intestines to work. Shortness of breath may also be painful when climbing stairs or actively walking due to the uterus compressing the diaphragm and increasing breathing, which has become shallow. Possible bleeding gums, severe sweating, sensations of heat and stuffiness in the room, stuffy ears and nose, numbness of the extremities, especially fingers, increased growth of body hair.
What about sex?
Think for yourself: what kind of sex is it if you can’t see your own legs because of your stomach? The classic pose is canceled for sure. But this does not mean that intimate life is prohibited. You can discuss this delicate issue with your doctor, who will tell you whether there is a danger from intimacy in the later stages.
There are positions in which sex is as safe as possible and there is no pressure on the stomach.
- Lying on his side, man from behind. In this position, the partner will not be able to penetrate deeply into the vagina and press tightly against the woman.
- Woman on Top. In this position, the pregnant woman can control the degree of penetration independently.
- Oral practices. Everything is clear here: no pressure or pushing is expected.
Remember that uterine contractions during orgasm can trigger the onset of labor. When expecting twins or triplets, it is better to avoid sex for a while.
Father of the child
I met the father of my unborn child in the company of mutual friends. He immediately drew attention to me and began to court me. I agreed to go on dates with him: I liked him, and his persistence won me over. So we dated for about a month. We felt good together, but the relationship somehow fizzled out, we even stopped calling each other. They just parted without quarrels or insults.
Then I got a hard job as a nurse in a hospital. In addition to the fact that it was necessary to constantly wave a mop in unpleasant conditions, patients often had to be literally carried around in order to change their linen. And I did all this at night, because I was studying during the day.
I didn't have any more boyfriends. Yes, flirting on social networks, but nothing more. I worked, studied, went to the gym and didn’t think about anything.
Recommendations for the eighth month
On the eve of giving birth, mommy should take care of herself and her psychological state. It is important to work through anxieties and fears so that you do not face disorders and depression after childbirth. Rest more, breathe air, talk with your partner, seek support from elders, those who have already given birth, relatives and friends. Eat what you love, but remember the classic prohibitions.
It is unacceptable for an expectant mother to drink alcohol and beer. Smoking is also taboo for obvious reasons.
Now it is important to mentally prepare for the end of pregnancy, think through the necessary purchases, nursery furnishings, and wardrobe. Take care of organizational issues while you have time and energy.
Debriefing
Needless to say, I was shocked. You may ask: how could you not notice your pregnancy for 7 months! Yes, that's it! I didn’t have periods - I almost never have them anyway. I also had no toxicosis, changes in tastes, or desire to eat an elephant! I felt great. Yes, I have gained a little weight - but I have always been a thin girl, such changes in weight are normal for me!
In the end, I dreamed of having a baby so much that if I had known that I could be pregnant, I would definitely have given in to conservation in the first week. But the ways of the Lord are mysterious. One unremarkable date divided my life into before and after.
While I was walking around the offices, taking tests, doing screenings and other procedures that pregnant women need to do (though a little earlier than in the 8th month), I was feverishly trying to understand: what should I do now? What will I tell my parents?
Luckily, I have them in gold. Of course, they were even more shocked than me, but then surprise gave way to tears of joy - they were very worried that I would never be able to have children. And now they only have to wait a month or two - and their long-awaited grandson will be theirs. Most funny. Yes, I'm not married, but in my case I don't have to choose.
The gestational age is 33 weeks.
As the body grows, the child begins to move more constrained. There is no free space left for him in the uterus. This can make every movement painful. Most of the time the fetus is calmer than usual.
What happens to the fetus at 33 weeks.
- The body becomes more proportional and plump. The hairs on my head are even starting to grow. The weight will increase by another 200 grams.
- At this stage, the brain is practically formed. Neural connections develop, so the fetus will soon begin to be interested in everything that happens around.
- He is already able to feel emotions. For example, he may be unhappy if it is too noisy outside.
- Most organ systems are already capable of functioning independently. But in the event of a premature birth, the newborn will still have to lie in an incubator under observation.
- If before this period the child has not turned his head down, he will no longer be able to do this. A height of 44 centimeters will not allow it. Therefore, it is worth going to the doctor and finding out what kind of presentation the fetus has. The course of future births depends on this.
- The bones become more solid, the skull still consists of many small movable bones for comfortable childbirth
What happens to a woman at 33 weeks.
- At this stage, a woman begins to feel somewhat worse - the enlarged uterus puts pressure on all internal organs.
- It becomes more difficult to breathe, digestion worsens.
- The heaviness of the abdomen overloads the spine, making walking uncomfortable.
- The skin stretches greatly, so it must be moisturized and nourished.
- Many people cannot sleep due to worries about the upcoming birth, and it is also impossible to find a comfortable sleeping position.
