Which is 9 months pregnant. Ninth month of pregnancy: preparation for childbirth and delayed pregnancy. Yellow discharge during pregnancy

The last month of pregnancy is the end of a long journey and a period of agonizing expectation of childbirth and the birth of a long-awaited baby. A full-term baby is considered to be born at 38-42 weeks of gestation, this is just the middle and end of the ninth month, but if the baby is born at 36-37 weeks, he is considered not premature, but prematurely born. Such a baby is quite capable of independent living, although it is somewhat more sensitive to external environmental conditions and requires a little more attention and care. With each week of the last month he is gaining weight and growing up, you should be ready for childbirth at any time.

What happens to the body in the 9th month of pregnancy

The last month of pregnancy has come, it lasts from the 37th to the 42nd week of pregnancy, on average, children are born at 38-40 weeks, and only some a little earlier or later. After 38 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus is considered full-term, and delivery can begin on any day, only about 5% of children are born exactly on the expected date.

In this period, the woman is already quite tired of her position and her belly, which has become very heavy, the agonizing wait and frequent training contractions make her tired and irritable. Now you can no longer be afraid premature birth if previously there were problems about the time of gestation or there were complications. Often with planned caesarean section delivery is planned for a period of 38-40 weeks, so that the fetus is as mature and full-term as possible. The last weeks are especially difficult for those who will give birth for the first time, since the sensations of true contractions are still unfamiliar and often you are ready to go to the hospital with training.

The body is actively preparing for the process and the so-called precursors constantly appear. Two to three weeks before delivery, the abdomen lowers due to the insertion of the fetal head into the pelvic cavity and the gradual relaxation of the lower segment of the uterus and cervix. With repeated pregnancies, the abdomen may drop immediately before or at the beginning of childbirth. The circumference of the abdomen may slightly decrease due to relative oligohydramnios, due to changes in the hormonal background, which helps in delivery and reduces the risk of complications (prolapse of the umbilical cord, improper presentation, placental abruption). It will become easier for a woman to breathe, heartburn and discomfort when eating will decrease.

Pain in the lumbar region and small pelvis may disturb, softening of the joints and ligaments occurs, which helps in childbirth, but affects the condition of the back and pelvic region. Particularly unpleasant and severe can be pain when lowering the head into the small pelvis, pressure in the pubic area, sacrum at night, pain in the perineum and vaginal area, it is difficult to find a position in bed and sleep well. Training contractions can become more frequent and stronger, they help the uterus to actively contract in the future. Training contractions are irregular and disappear if you calm down and rest on your side, they look like pulling in the lower abdomen and with a feeling that the stomach is stony.

Before childbirth, special body changes, called harbingers of childbirth, may occur along with the prolapse of the abdomen. These signs include a decrease in body weight within 2 kg due to the convergence of edema and hormonal changes in the body, a decrease in appetite and physiological cleansing of the body. Shortly before the event, the appetite decreases or disappears altogether, there may be loosening of the stool and even diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

In a few days or even weeks, the mucosal plug may begin to move away - it can move away in parts or entirely, in a lump as the cervix matures and the cervical canal opens. The mucus may be yellowish, colorless, or streaked with blood. It is necessary to fully collect bags and documents and be ready to be sent to the hospital at any time from the beginning of either the discharge of water, or regular contractions at regular intervals. In the ninth month of pregnancy, a woman should always take an exchange card with her when leaving the house.

Fetal development: weight, size and sex

At this time, the child is already fully formed and ready for birth and life outside the mother's tummy. The child has all necessary set reflexes, breathing movements are made with the lungs, although they are still collapsed and will open only with the first breath. They have enough surfactant to breathe on their own. The digestive system has matured and is ready to eat and digest it with enzymes, a lot of original feces have accumulated in the intestines, which should only pass after the birth of the child. It was formed from amniotic fluid, epithelial cells, desquamated cells that enter with swallowed waters. Meconium has the appearance of a putty-like olive-green mass, odorless.

By the ninth month, the baby has a proportional body, the skin is smooth and has a pale pink color, the skin vessels are no longer translucent, the fluff (lanugo) has almost disappeared from the body, remaining only a little on the shoulders and back, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bnatural folds, along with the original lubricant, which protects the delicate skin of the baby. Now the baby is actively gaining weight and gaining height, it is becoming more and more crowded in the uterine cavity, he takes a uterine and most optimal position for childbirth - head down, pressing his arms and legs tightly to the body. He has no opportunities for active movements, and now it is mainly pushing, tossing and stretching. They are clearly felt by the mother.

There is a maturation of the nervous system, it becomes more and more perfect, developed and mature. The nervous system regulates the work of all internal organs and glands, which allows the body to function as a single system.

During this month, the fetal liver actively accumulates iron for its further expenditure on the needs of the child in the first months after birth. Iron is needed to create new blood cells and prevent anemia. The heart has fully formed chambers and valves, with the exception of those holes that are needed for fetal blood flow, so at birth it will be ready to work according to the new scheme, and the fetal holes will immediately close. Now the oval window and the ductus arteriosus are open so that the blood bypasses the lungs, and the baby “breathes” with the placenta. At the same time, the lungs themselves, due to the penetration of amniotic fluid into them, make “respiratory” movements and develop.

In boys, the final descent of the testicles into the scrotum occurs, in girls, the large labia cover the small ones, and the process of formation of the genitals is completed. The immune system also matures, although it will still be fully formed even after the birth of the crumbs. Mom actively transmits antibodies through the placenta to her baby from the main dangerous diseases that she herself had been ill with. By the time of delivery, the fetus will reach its final height and weight of 48-56 cm and 2800-4000g. Girls are usually born less than boys, although much depends on the characteristics of the parents and the conditions of the course of pregnancy.

Feel

The main sensations of this month are fatigue and the harbingers of childbirth, now the woman clearly feels all the movements and movements of the fetus, the stomach has reached its maximum and it is extremely difficult to wear it. But a couple of weeks before the birth, it becomes easier to breathe and eat by lowering the abdomen, inserting the head into the small pelvis. At the same time, pressure and discomfort in the pelvic area will be increased - constipation may increase and urges will become more frequent in a small way due to the pressure of the head on bladder. There may be pain in the sacrum, pubis and thighs, due to irritation of the nerve endings.

There may be swelling and the risk of varicose veins, the skin on the abdomen is strongly stretched and itchy, stretch marks may occur. There are frequent fainting and dizziness due to hypoxia and compression of the vessels by the large uterus. There is a preparation for childbirth and there may be a weight loss of 1-2 kg, diarrhea and vomiting, as an option for cleaning the body before childbirth. A woman feels that she is pulling her lower abdomen, abdominal pain may occur, which indicates the onset of regular contractions and labor.

Allocations

By the end of pregnancy, the discharge intensifies, protecting the baby from infections that can enter through the vagina. Now it is important for the crane that infection does not develop, as this will be dangerous in childbirth. You should immediately consult a doctor in the presence of curdled, crumbly or abundant milky discharge, and especially yellowish, green, gray, frothy and with an unpleasant odor. They need to be treated immediately.Such secretions reduce the elasticity of the tissues of the vagina and lead to complications in childbirth and an increase in the likelihood of postpartum inflammatory processes.

There is also a gradual discharge of the mucous plug - these are transparent or slightly pink-colored lumps of mucus, the plug can leave both gradually and simultaneously, with a lump of mucus. The birth will start soon.

Analyzes and examinations

This month, visits to the doctor will become weekly, it is important to assess the general condition of the woman, her weight and the presence of edema, pressure and determine the level of leukocytes, protein and glucose in the urine before each visit. The doctor will assess the woman's readiness for childbirth and may schedule hospitalization in the maternity hospital in advance or with the onset of labor.

At the beginning of the month, a study will be carried out on a chair and a swab for flora will be taken, blood tests may be additionally prescribed. All planned ultrasounds have already been completed, but the doctor, in case of doubt or concern, may prescribe additional ultrasounds or dopplerography, fetal CTG. This will help in choosing tactics in childbirth and deciding whether they will be natural or a caesarean section is indicated.

Mother's diet and weight

During this period, the uterus exerts maximum pressure on internal organs and eat right to avoid nausea and vomiting, constipation and other digestive problems. In many respects, the further process of childbirth and the condition of the baby depend on the nutrition of the mother. In the last months of pregnancy, it is worth switching to hypoallergenic food with the exception of potentially dangerous allergens, abandoning foods that can become a potential source of intestinal infections or poisoning - canned food, raw foods, unboiled milk, poorly fried meat and fish. It is important to pay special attention to products with calcium - dairy products and cottage cheese, yogurt. Equally important is the intake of adequate amounts of protein in the form of red meat and iron-rich foods. The amount of meat and fish in the diet should be slightly reduced in favor of vegetables and fruits, vegetable oils, cereals and light food. It is worth giving up fatty, fried and spicy foods, excess sauces and spices, steaming, baking, stewing or boiling food. It is worth eating often, but in small portions, refusing to use carbonated drinks of fermenting foods, excess sweets and carbohydrates. Can be done once a week fasting days by agreement with the doctor. Before childbirth, appetite may disappear altogether - and this is normal, the body is preparing for hard work and cleans the intestines.

Cold in the ninth month

In the ninth month, it is worth protecting yourself from a cold, otherwise childbirth can be complicated, and you will have to give birth in an isolated box in the observational department. A cold is dangerous because of a violation of labor activity, the need to use medicines and the danger of its influence on the fetus. So, taking paracetamol or its analogues disrupts the process of preparing the cervix for childbirth and further complicates the birth process.

Sex

The question of intimacy in the ninth month is controversial - this will be determined by the doctor. But usually the libido of women is reduced, and with such a large belly, it is not very convenient to have sex at all. Many doctors recommend abstinence when the mucus plug is expelled, although orgasm itself does not induce preterm labor. But if there are contraindications, sex will be prohibited - this is amniotic fluid leakage, placenta previa or low placentation, multiple pregnancy or the presence of isthmic-cervical insufficiency. Difficulties can be with the choice of poses, since pressure on the stomach must be completely eliminated. If the birth is delayed, intimacy is one of the natural methods stimulation of childbirth - the sperm of a man has a softening effect on the cervix.

Discuss

Ninth month of pregnancy

You are already 9 months old. Your whole life is now passing under the sign of the birth of a child. What is happening to you and what you need to know about the development of the baby at the 9th obstetric month of pregnancy, about possible childbirth at this time - we will try to help you figure it all out.

In the ninth month, you already need to tune in to prepare for the upcoming birth. you need good rest, the absence of large loads and stresses.

9th month of pregnancy: how many weeks is it? If you count from the beginning of your last menstruation in obstetric weeks, then this is the period between 33 and 36 obstetric weeks. The obstetric month is exactly four weeks (28 days). It is in obstetric months that the date of birth of your baby is determined. The real age of the fetus at the beginning of the 9th obstetric month is 31 weeks (the countdown is from the moment of conception / ovulation).

9th month of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus?

From the 29th to the 32nd week, your baby's body systems continue to improve, and he puts on significant weight. What does the baby look like at 9 months of pregnancy, what is the weight and size of the fetus at the end of this period? The main parameters of vital activity are determined using ultrasound. By the end of the 36th obstetric week, the baby weighs about 2700 g. Its height is approximately 43-47 cm.

These characteristics are individual and may vary depending on genetic predisposition, intrauterine development, etc. Whether everything is normal with the baby can only be said by your doctor, who observed the entire process of your pregnancy.

What are the features of the development of the baby in the 9th month:

• the baby’s head has already sunk into the pelvic area - there is not enough space in the uterus and it’s more comfortable for him;
• about 8% of its total weight is subcutaneous fat;
• the baby's skin becomes lighter, the red pigment and fluff disappear;
• the child is already learning to breathe through his nose - he makes respiratory movements not only with his mouth, but also with his nose;
• he already distinguishes tastes when swallowing amniotic fluid;
• his memory is already developed - he emotionally reacts to melodies and rhymes that he hears not for the first time;
• organs and systems of the body continue to improve and grow;
• all systems and organs are fully functioning.

The activity of the baby at this time decreases. This is due to the fact that he became cramped, and he cannot roll over freely. The tremors became less frequent, but very noticeable. Almost 95% of babies by the end of the 9th month are in a head down position - the best for a successful birth.

If the child is located pelvis down, then there is still a chance that he will turn around.

There are special exercises for turning the child.

If you notice that the baby is very active at 9 months of pregnancy, consult your doctor. Perhaps this is due to hypoxia ( oxygen starvation) fetus.

What does the belly look like at 9 months pregnant?

The belly is already quite large. It prevents you from sleeping and moving freely. From the pubic symphysis to the bottom of the uterus, about 40 cm, it rises above the navel by two palms. By nine months, you could gain about 12-15 kg. This is normal weight gain. Do not forget to wear a special bandage that supports the stomach. It helps to redistribute the load on the back and prevents the appearance of large stretch marks.

9 month pregnant feeling

You probably notice an increased concern for the successful outcome of pregnancy and childbirth. In addition, without obvious reasons, the mood may disappear. This is normal for this period.

How do you feel at 9 months pregnant?

• due to the fact that the child took a position upside down, the pressure of the uterus on the diaphragm decreased, so there are fewer problems with heartburn and shortness of breath;
• from time to time you feel uterine spasms - these are training contractions;
• may increase pain in the lower back, in the lower abdomen;
• there may be some swelling

Childbirth at 9 months of pregnancy

Labor in the third trimester can begin at any time. Causes of premature birth at 9 months of pregnancy:

• hormonal disruptions;
• pathology of the placenta;
• severe stress;
• istviko-cervical insufficiency;
• alcohol consumption;
• intrauterine infections;
• blows to the abdomen, strong vibrations.

Why is it impossible to give birth at the 9th month of pregnancy, is it dangerous? A child who was born before 37 obstetric weeks is considered premature. But there are very few dangerous consequences of premature birth at 9 months (between 33 and 36 weeks of pregnancy). The lungs of the baby are fully formed, he can already breathe on his own. All his organs and life support systems function normally. In the first weeks, he will need special care in the neonatal unit.

". For nine months, with doctors and psychologists, we figured out the changes that occur in a woman’s body, starting from the moment she found out about her “interesting” position, and until the baby was born. This time we will tell you not only about the sensations in the ninth month of pregnancy, but also about how to behave during childbirth and ease contractions. We hope that our project has become useful for expectant mothers. Those who have just learned about the project can read about it on our website vesti.ua

Together with you, we have gone through the most exciting days and approached the most crucial period - the last month of pregnancy, after which you will finally see your baby without the help of ultrasound machines. So, what happens in the ninth month of pregnancy?

At the end of the third trimester, the baby is completely ready for an “independent” life: his lungs are already working, a sucking reflex has developed, and the digestive tract is ready to receive breast milk. “At this time, the baby is already in a prenatal position, as a rule, this is a head presentation - the child will stay “upside down” until childbirth, says obstetrician-gynecologist Valery Yakuba. - And do not be afraid if you noted the inactivity of the baby. Now he is cramped, because he occupies the entire uterine cavity, so he has practically no opportunity for active movements.

And during this period, mom can be bothered by anxiety. “Sure, because there is a very responsible process ahead, and besides, there is a fear of the first meeting with the baby and the fear of not coping with a new family member alone,” notes psychologist Larisa Rossol.

Therefore, the expert recommends paying more attention to prenatal positive. For example, to talk with already experienced mothers, for whom everything went smoothly, read the recommendations of doctors regarding behavior during childbirth, and also attend courses for expectant mothers, where they will teach the correct breathing technique during labor and tell that everything is not as scary as it seems on first glance.

The fear of “goofing off” will help overcome the support of loved ones: agree in advance with one of the relatives to insure you in difficult times and come to help with the child, for example, if you need to get enough sleep, take time for yourself, etc. Confidence that you will not stay aunt a-tet with a new role and tasks, will lead nervous system back to normal.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF A PULLING STOMACH

“In the last weeks, there may be a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and dull pain in the pubic area, groin or inner thighs,” the gynecologist warns. This is due to the pressure of the baby's head on the nerve endings, so there is no need to be afraid that something is wrong - these are natural sensations.

Another thing is if the pain in the abdomen becomes expressive. In this case, do not hesitate to visit a doctor and do not argue if you are offered to go to a hospital, as this means that there is a risk of premature birth.

RELAX MORE

“The uterus during this period presses on the bladder and stomach with particular force, therefore urination becomes more frequent, and constipation and flatulence can become a common thing,” notes Yakuba.

In addition, due to the heaviness of the abdomen and pressure on the genitourinary and digestive systems, edema can disturb and the risk of developing varicose veins increases. In order not to harm yourself, try to rest more. So, after every hour on your feet, rest for at least 15 minutes, and take a siesta during the day.

WITHOUT CREAM - ANYWHERE

In the ninth month, the belly not only grows, but also falls. “Therefore, the skin of the abdomen itches terribly, and the risk of stretch marks increases at times,” warns dermatologist Olga Ignatieva.

To avoid the appearance of stretch marks (and they can appear overnight), regularly lubricate your stomach with a nourishing cream. This should be done three to five times a day, and if the itching does not go away, then more often. And do not comb the skin, as this is fraught with microtrauma and infection.

CHANGE YOUR DIET

Now you need to completely eliminate fried, fatty, salty foods, as well as mayonnaise, sweets and pastries from your diet - they deal a crushing blow to the already injured stomach and intestines.

“In addition, you need to be more careful with meat and fish,” warns nutritionist Galina Kuptsova. “They reduce the elasticity of the perineal tissues, and this can lead to painful childbirth and possible ruptures.”

VISITS TO THE DOCTOR ARE INCREASING

This month, be prepared for the fact that you will have to go to the gynecologist once a week and before each visit, be sure to take urine tests to monitor protein and sugar levels.

“During the visit, the doctor will measure the pressure, carry out weighing, and also note the degree of preparation future mother and the baby for childbirth: listen to the baby’s heart, determine its position and size, the height of the uterus, examine the cervix to assess its maturity,” the gynecologist warns.

AT THE Maternity Hospital, GRAB PADS AND BUST

“In addition to the list given to you by the doctor, it is also worth taking with you other things that you will definitely need,” says experienced mother Natalya Kovorotnaya.

So, put in your bag:

• pajamas or nightgown;
• warm and light bathrobes (if it is cool or hot, you can choose the right one);
• socks and rubber slippers;
• everything that will help you not to be bored: a tablet, a book, etc. - after all, the child sleeps a lot, and you will be bored;
• a couple of bottles of water without gas;
• several pairs of panties;
• sanitary pads (two or three packs) and the same number of packs of breast pads;
• bra for nursing mothers;
• breast pump;
• diapers for newborns;
• pacifier;
• bottle.

THE MAIN SIGNS OF THE APPROACH OF DELIVERY

In order not to miss the beginning of labor and get to the hospital on time (especially if there is a possibility of traffic jams along the way), you need to be more attentive to yourself on days close to the deadline.

The fact that an important and crucial moment will soon come can be understood by the signs below.

Prolapse of the abdomen

Approximately two to four weeks before giving birth, a pregnant woman may notice a downward sagging of the abdomen. This is a sign that the baby is sinking deeper into the pelvis in preparation for birth. By the way, this sign is especially noticeable in those who give birth for the first time, but in experienced mothers, the stomach can drop right before childbirth.

Nesting syndrome and mood swings

One of the first heralds of childbirth (in one to two weeks) will also be an unusual desire to equip your home as comfortably as possible. So, the expectant mother begins to put things in order, iron and shift things prepared for the baby, and even suddenly she can start repairing or rearranging furniture.

And you can also note a change in mood: the “swing” will swing from euphoria to complete apathy with drops in laughter, tears, irritability and anxiety.

Frequent urination and urge to "big"

By the end of pregnancy, urination becomes more frequent, but before childbirth (in two or three days), their “visits” will become almost two or three times more frequent, and there will also be a frequent desire to empty the intestines. Indeed, in addition to the pressure of the fetus on the bladder and rectum, before the onset of childbirth, the level of the birth hormone, prostaglandin, is rapidly increasing in the body, the main property of which is to relax the cervix and help cleanse the intestines.

Lower back pain

In addition, a couple of days before giving birth, lower back pain may appear. This is how a change in the position of the baby affects, an additional load on lumbar backs and playing hormones.

cork discharge

The signal that there are only a few days or even hours left before the birth is the discharge of the mucous plug. So, the expectant mother may find light pink discharge mixed with blood or transparent or yellowish on her underwear.

Water leakage

Most clear sign the beginning of labor is considered a rupture of the amniotic sac and leakage of water (intensive or not). Remember that in this case, childbirth occurs within a day after the rupture of the amniotic sac.

Contractions

The appearance of periodic pains in the abdomen, which are becoming more intense, longer and more frequent, means that the process has begun. So, the breaks between contractions will gradually decrease until they reach three to four minutes. Therefore, having noted those in yourself, get ready for the hospital.

USEFUL ADVICE FOR BIRTH

The fact that most women feel pain before and during childbirth is no secret. “But it can be alleviated by doing certain techniques,” says yoga teacher Galina Arvakhi.

Indulge in complete relaxation

This will help minimize discomfort during contractions.

Sit comfortably (if possible) or lie down, take five deep breaths through your mouth and deep exhalations through your nose, imagining that you are inhaling positivity and exhaling tension and pain. Then breathe evenly and slowly, slightly straining for 5 seconds and relaxing the main muscles (arms, legs, back, abdomen). Then raise your shoulders to your head, hold for 5 seconds, relax. Squeeze your hands into fists for 5 seconds, then relax. Tighten your legs for another 5 seconds and also relax. End the practice with deep breaths. Repeat this two or three more times.

wiggle

This helps relieve excess tension from the muscles. So, while standing or while walking slowly (this, by the way, also helps to relieve pain during contractions), do small swaying of your hips back and forth and left and right. At the same time, breathe deeply enough, but evenly.

Massage your brushes

During the fight, massage the hands alternately: the center of the palm, the hollows between the fingertips. Or if someone from your family is with you, ask to massage your shoulders and feet. With such massage techniques, skin receptors are stimulated. Due to this, additional intense impulses are sent to the brain, which absorb pain sensations.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: "THE WE WERE CARRIED TO THE Maternity Hospital ALMOST FORCE"

I had no idea that I was about to give birth. After all, I didn’t see the fact that the “cork” had come off (apparently, it happened in the shower) and I mistook the water leaking in the morning for copious discharge- and in my case, theory diverged from practice.

In the evening, talking with my mother on the phone, she told about her “discharges”. She asked if my stomach hurt, I answered, well, it hurts, but not all the time, but it hurts, hurts and stops, then again. Mom shouted to her father, they say, drop everything, we go for Nastya and take her to the hospital - she is having contractions.

When my parents arrived, I was just about to have dinner - calmly, measuredly - and was extremely surprised by the panic around: my husband was jumping on one leg, trying to pull on jeans, mom and dad were dripping valerian, my mother-in-law's hands were trembling ... In general, they talked me into going to the hospital .

And there the doctor said that the uterus had already significantly opened up and it was time to go to the delivery room. That's how I gave birth - quickly, I didn’t even have time to get nervous.

So the last month of pregnancy has come, with which we congratulate you! Very soon you will meet with your baby, but while you and your body are preparing for childbirth, training contractions take place every now and then, which are sometimes difficult to distinguish from real ones. The body of the future baby, meanwhile, is already completely ready for the birth, now the baby takes a convenient application for childbirth and is gaining strength.

With the onset of 9 months of pregnancy, the fear of premature birth is replaced by excitement about the upcoming birth. This is especially true for mothers who are expecting twins, because twins are born already at the beginning of the 9th month - at 36 weeks.

What weeks are included in the 9th month of pregnancy? 9 month includes 36-40 weeks.

In this article, we will talk about each week, talk about the harbingers of childbirth and the signs of the onset of labor. At the end of the article, as usual, we will offer recommendations and tips.

Fetal development at 9 months of pregnancy

36 obstetric week of pregnancy

This week, the weight of the fetus averages 2650-2700 grams, and the body length is 47-48 cm.

Pregnancy day by day is approaching its end. With the onset of the ninth month, all the thoughts of the expectant mother about the upcoming birth and the well-being of the baby. Very soon a new person will be born.

But it is necessary to properly prepare for this event, because the 9th month of pregnancy is the period when it is time to complete all unfinished business, prepare a room for the baby, purchase the necessary things and find out as much information as possible about the upcoming birth.

Calculation of the date of birth

Fetal condition

By the beginning of the ninth month of pregnancy, the body length of the fetus usually reaches 46-47 cm, and body weight - 2600-2700 g. By the end of this month, the baby's height is 50-51 cm, and the weight is 3500 g. Of course, these figures are average. Some children at the time of birth weigh much less than three kilograms, and some strong men have a body weight of up to 4.5 kg or even more.

A healthy and full-term child is considered to have a body weight of 2600 g or more at birth, and a height of 46-47 cm. At the same time, the respiratory, digestive and other systems should fully function in the baby. The weight of a newborn also depends on the hereditary characteristics of the parents, so it can differ significantly from the average.

In the development of the fetus in the ninth month of pregnancy, the following changes occur:

• The skin acquires a light pink tint, although even by the time of childbirth it may remain a little yellowish or cyanotic.
• The length of the hair on the head varies from a few millimeters to 0.5-2 cm.
• In a male fetus, the testicles descend into the scrotum at 9 months.
• In the intestines, a dark-colored substance is formed - meconium, or the so-called original feces.
• The body of the fetus begins to produce enzymes necessary for the digestion of breast milk after birth. From the moment the fetus began to make the first swallowing movements (the ninth week of pregnancy), digestive system fully formed, and the baby immediately after birth activates the sucking reflex.
• The formation of the respiratory system is completed.
• Despite the fact that the baby is quite active for a period of 9 months of pregnancy, his movements are not felt by the mother strongly enough, because there is very little free space left in the uterus.
• The cartilage of the ears and nose becomes firmer, while the bones of the skull remain slightly softened to make it easier for the baby to move through childbirth.

Changes in a woman's body

In the body of a pregnant woman in the ninth month of pregnancy, the following changes occur:

• The body weight of a woman does not increase as intensively as before, and on the eve of childbirth, the weight stabilizes. The total weight gain from the time of conception until the birth of the baby is 10.5-16 kg. When pregnant with twins or triplets, a woman can weigh much more, but in this case, delivery usually occurs before the start of the 9th month of pregnancy.
• Edema may appear or increase, and very often expectant mothers have swollen legs. After childbirth, these symptoms usually disappear.
• The contours of the figure are gradually changing: the belly goes down, and the baby's head is placed in the lower part of the pelvis.
• Breathing at the 9th month of pregnancy becomes freer and easier, heartburn may also disappear, which is associated with the prolapse of the abdomen.
• On the eve of childbirth, hemorrhoids may become aggravated or appear due to increased pressure of the uterus on the vessels near the anus.
• Often at this time, symptoms of depression and insomnia appear, which is associated with a very strong anxiety of the expectant mother regarding the upcoming birth. To sleep better, you should regularly ventilate the room and give up the habit of resting on your back.
• White discharge is normal when the 9th month of pregnancy is underway, and a change in their color may indicate the approach of childbirth.
• The abdomen periodically becomes hard, i.e., turns to stone, and the tone of the uterus increases.
• It becomes difficult for a woman to bend over, so she should stop washing the floors, and use an ottoman or a low chair to change her shoes.

Analyzes and examinations

During the ninth month of pregnancy, it is advisable for the expectant mother to visit a doctor every week. Ultrasound during this period, as a rule, is not performed, because the third prenatal screening has long been passed, so this examination can be performed only if there are additional indications.

Voting

At each visit to the antenatal clinic, the specialist will measure the body weight of the woman, blood pressure, the height of the uterine fundus, check the position of the fetus by probing the abdomen, assess the condition of the cervix, listen to the baby's heartbeat and perform other manipulations provided for by the examination program.

Also, the pregnant woman will need to do another blood test and a smear on the flora in order to prevent infection of the fetus during childbirth and to cure the detected disease in time.

Additionally, the doctor can determine the expected date of birth, based on the results of examinations and the date of the last menstruation. Now any woman knows how many weeks of pregnancy there are in 9 months, so she can independently calculate this day, given that childbirth usually occurs at the end of the 40th week.

Possible dangers in the ninth month of pregnancy

During the final month of bearing a baby, the following complications may occur:

• Fetal hypoxia, acute or chronic. In the first case, the baby's condition can deteriorate dramatically due to compression of the neck by the umbilical cord, premature discharge of amniotic fluid, or under the influence of other factors. Chronic hypoxia develops due to dysfunction of the placenta, in which the supply of oxygen to the fetus deteriorates. It is possible to suspect the development of hypoxia if the rhythm of the fetal heartbeats is disturbed (the pulse may become more rare) or if the frequency of movements increases.
• Late gestosis is a disease in which the condition of the woman and the fetus in the womb worsens due to disorders of the cardiovascular, urinary and endocrine systems. With gestosis in a pregnant woman, blood pressure increases, edema occurs. In emergency cases, a caesarean section is required.

Harbingers of childbirth

The ninth month of pregnancy differs from the previous ones in that it ends with the birth of a baby. Childbirth can occur both at 40 weeks or a little later, or earlier, at a period of 38-39 weeks, while they are considered timely. Childbirth at 36-37 weeks, although they are a little premature, they practically do not pose a danger to the child, because all his systems and organs are already formed and ready for work, you just need to increase the missing body weight.

That is why, throughout the entire 9th month of pregnancy, a woman should be ready for the possible onset of labor and be aware of what symptoms this is accompanied by.

Voting

Harbingers of childbirth can be distant, i.e., indicating that the baby may be born in a week or two or even later, and those that warn of the very imminent onset of labor, after a few hours or for a maximum of one or two days.

The first group of symptoms include lowering of the abdomen, disappearance of signs of heartburn, increased urination, increased pain in the lower back. Periodically pulls the lower abdomen, but the pain is not too intense.

The second group of precursors is represented by the following symptoms:

• discharge of the mucous plug from the cervix, while the woman may notice a thick discharge with traces of blood;
• discharge of amniotic fluid;
• diarrhea (diarrhea);
• the appearance of the first contractions, manifested by strong pain in the lower abdomen.

If the above signs occur, it is necessary to hurry to the hospital, especially in the case when the waters have broken, because the baby may suffer due to hypoxia.

In the event that the harbingers of childbirth do not appear at the end of nine months of pregnancy, doctors may decide to stimulate labor. Some women attempt to speed up labor on their own by lifting weights, trying to have sexual intercourse with a partner, or masturbating in an attempt to masturbate to orgasm. Unfortunately, this can not only cause contractions, but also lead to the development of dangerous complications, such as heavy bleeding and heavy bleeding.