Baby’s Growth

Your baby is now eager to come in this new world and completely ready to face the harshness of the external world.

The fat deposits continue to build under the skin of your baby as these are essential to regulate her body temperature in the external world. These fat deposits are also utilized to produce the required amount of heat during the labor. Lungs of your baby are on their last stage of development.

9 Months Pregnant | Week 34-39

The lanugo or fine downy hairs are almost shed away from the skin with few traces on the shoulders. The vernix also starts disappearing from the skin of the baby. You baby now have a sharp nails that you might need to clipped off after her birth. The eyes of your baby may have some distinct color that can change over the coming few months.

The immune system of your baby is not yet developed completely and the essential antibodies are provided through the placenta. The baby will get the essential antibodies from the breast milk after she is born.

During the birth time, your baby may be measured around 14 to 15 inches with a weight of about 6 to 8 pounds.

Mom’s Changes

During the last month of pregnancy, your body will prepare itself for the labor by stretching the pelvis. Majority of the joints in your body will loosen with the help of special hormones.

Sleeplessness will become the most obvious practice during the last few weeks. This sleeplessness is caused by physical as well as psychological factors. Keep yourself stress free and use an extra pillow to support your abdomen while trying to sleep. Try different sleeping postures so as to find one that will bring comfort you.

Placenta released some special hormones that produce milk in your breasts and you may feel hardness and swelling in your breasts. The things will become normal once you give birth to baby.

As soon as your baby dropped down into the pelvis, you will feel relief in breathing. The pressure is now shifted from your abdominal region to pelvis region.

During the last few weeks, some women experience some nesting behavior in which they make preparation for the postpartum time by cleaning house or stocking up food. However, rest at this stage of pregnancy is extremely important for your and your baby’s health. So, be careful.

Previous: 8 Months Pregnant

Baby’s Growth

During the eighth month of pregnancy, your baby continues to grow. The most prominent growth in this period is that of brain. Eat a nutritious diet rich in all the necessary ingredients required for healthy growth of the baby. In this particular month, your baby will gain 2 pounds of weight. The movements of the baby are not very obvious as there is not enough space in the uterus to move around.

Majority of the organs are now completely developed. Eyes are open and she can even blink now. She has developed a sleeping and waking patterns and you can even judge these patterns as well. Lungs of your baby are still maturing.

8 Months Pregnant | Week 29-33

The gelatinous substance covers the umbilical cord that protects the cord from kinks and knots as your baby loves to twist and turn in the uterus.

Your baby will measure around 12 inches in length with a weight of about 5 pounds by the end of eighth month.

Mom’s Changes

The Braxton Hicks tightenings will become more frequent by this time. This is normal as your uterus muscle performing some exercise to become stronger.

At any time from now on, your baby will drop down into the pelvis. This process is known as lightening or engagement and this is a normal practice before birth. When your baby is dropped into the pelvis, you will start experiencing some extra pressure in your pelvic region.

You body is producing estrogen in large amount that causes your uterus to become sensitive to oxytocin (the hormone that causes contractions). With high levels of estrogen, there becomes an imbalance between ratios of estrogen to progesterone which is necessary to encourage the production of prostaglandins (released to soften the cervix).

You are very near to your labor time and it is the time to join any childbirth education center or to hire doula in preparation for forthcoming labor.

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Baby’s Growth

The growth of your baby continues in the uterus and she has gained a considerable size now. With the growing size, the space in the uterus become lesser for the baby and often your feel some wiggling movements from your baby as she often feel uncomfortable in that limited space.

The eyes of your baby are now open and she can see the shadows of outer world while still in the uterus. However, bright lights still cause your baby to close her eyes.

7 Months Pregnant | Week 25-28

By 7th month of pregnancy, your baby also starts hearing sounds which are usually muffled. You will be surprised that your baby is already familiar with her mom’s and dad’s voices. Also, the soft melodious music has a good effect on your baby’s nerves as she will enjoy it, while loud noises make her shiver.

Interestingly, whatever you eat during this time has an impact on the amniotic fluid. This amniotic fluid causes your baby to react differently for different tastes. Your baby at this time may have developed tastes for some foods as well.

Lungs are still developing and the last major organ that develops fully by the time baby is born. However, baby starts practicing breathing far back by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. Brain and nervous system is also developing at a quick pace. Fat deposits continue to build under her skin. The bone marrow of your baby is now in full control to produce blood. The skin of your baby is no more translucent as there are enough fat deposits accumulate under her skin. These fat deposits also help to remove the wrinkles from your baby skin.

Your baby at this stage is 11 inches in length with a weight of about 3 pounds.

Mom’s Changes

The uterus is growing in size with the growing size of baby in the uterus. The uterus has now pushed more of the internal organs as it is consuming more and more space. Also, uterus is now pushing towards the pelvic area that may cause you to feel to urinate more than often. You will also start experiencing back pain as well. Opt for low heels, good postures and pelvic rocking that will help relieve some backaches. Sleeping may become hard for you by this time, use an extra pillow to support your leg or abdomen while sleeping. Colostrums (also known as premilk) may also develop in your breasts that leaks in the form of whitish-yellow fluid.

Other possible symptoms may include constipation and hemorrhoids.

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• As you are approaching to the last phase of your pregnancy, you will start feeling pressure on your pelvic floor. In late pregnancy period, having a sturdy pelvic floor is extremely important. To achieve this, you need to turn to the kegel exercises. These exercises help you strengthen your pelvic floor, eventually relieving the incontinence problems. The kegel exercises also assist in preparing the baby for birth.

• We have already mentioned this in the ‘to do’ list of second trimester. Here again we emphasize the importance childbirth education classes. These classes are really handy in getting some useful information regarding pregnancy, risks involved in pregnancy, side affects etc. These classes will help you deal with different problems you may come across during and after child birth.

• It is now time to shop around for some nursing clothing. You have a large list of options and styles to choose from. Take your time and buy the best nursing clothing depending on your ease and comfort. Normally, nursing clothing is not a necessity for breastfeeding, but it usually very useful when you need to feed your baby in public.

• The next decision you need to take is to decide where you want to give birth to your baby. You will find several hospitals and birth centers in your area providing these services. Visit them and see what services they offer and if they fulfill your demands. You may at this stage looking for center that provides homebirth services as well. This decision should be taken well before you want to conceive, however if you find that the current services are not enough, you can still opt for a switch.

• It is the time to take some important decisions such as where the baby will sleep, where you will feed her during day or night time, where to change her diapers, where to store dirty diapers, where baby play and so on. There are many such small things that you need to decide at this particular time. Arranging a baby shower is another important task. If you are unable to shop for your baby, make your friends or family clear what you actually want for your baby.

• Selecting a baby name is another important task and perhaps it is the best time to choose one for your imminent baby. There are different approaches for choosing baby’ name among different families. For instance, some families prefer the names that sound good, while some families prefer the names with some special and good meanings. Most of the time both father and mother choose the name and keep it secret until the baby is born.

• If you haven’t thought yet, it is the right time to think of hiring a doula for you. It is said that if you have a doula at labor time, it will considerably reduce requests for pain medication and also reduce the need for cesarean and forceps deliveries. You have to interview different candidates before choosing one for you because each and every doula has own personality and style. Also, choose the one with whom you feel comfortable with.

• The next thing you need to think of how to perform the daily house chores after the baby is born. Here you may have so many choices. Some intelligent mothers cook extra food and stored them in freezer so that cover up a week or two after the baby is born. Some women prefer hiring postpartum doula to perform daily tasks for them. There is another option as well to ask your friend or family member to take care of your house chores after the baby is born.

• Some women find breastfeeding an extremely difficult task. Most of the time, the childbirth centers offers instructions regarding breastfeeding. If you didn’t get many details on breastfeeding, you may opt for a separate breastfeeding class or you may even attend a La Leche League meeting for additional information.

• Certainly, labor is a very painful period. You have to prepare your body to face that painful labor time. The best way to prepare your body for the labor time is to practice some natural comfort measures like breathing exercises etc. However, there are also several medication plans that help relieve the labor pain.

Baby’s Growth

The skin of your baby is translucent as you can see a complex structure under her skin. The retina of your baby’s eyes continues to develop, though her eyes are still closed. Lungs are still developing, although, they have started releasing surfactant to prevent two lungs sticking to one another.

The head of your baby is now pretty much in proportion with rest of her body. Your baby is now looked like a full-term newborn baby. Up till now, your baby has developed a regular sleeping and waking pattern. Your baby will follow these patterns of sleep-wake after she is born as well. It is observed that your baby sleeps usually at the day time and becomes active when you are resting.

6 Months Pregnant | Week 21-24

Your baby will measure around 10 inches in length with a weight of about 2 pounds by the end of sixth month.

Mom’s Changes

Pregnancy symptoms changes over time. Most of the symptoms, which you have already experienced in the initial weeks are gone by now. Your uterus is growing in size day by day. In the earlier weeks when majority of the organs were developing, you felt much exhausted and fatigued. Right now, you will notice that you are much more energetic than you were during first trimester. You will also notice an increase in your libido.

Your baby is growing inside the uterus and eventually causing your uterus to grow as well. You will notice some extra pounds under your belt which is normal. The growing size of your abdomen will bring with it some stretches marks on your lower abdomen and sides or even on your breast skin.

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Baby’s Growth

By 5th month of pregnancy, your baby has developed some senses. Taste buds begin to develop on her tongue. Your baby will now respond to loud noises.

The development of major organs continues. You baby will also develop some protection for the uterine environment as well. At this point of pregnancy, the body of your baby will be covered by a white, waxy substance called the Vernix Caseosa, released from baby’s oil glands to keep the body safe from the amniotic fluid. The lunago (downy hair) appear on the entire skin of your baby.

5 Months Pregnant | Week 17-20

Until now, your baby doesn’t have an independent immune system; the only protection given to your baby is by vernix and placenta. At this stage, the fat deposits or Brown Fat begin to accumulate under the skin of your baby that will help monitoring the temperature of body during the labor time as well as in the external world.

Your baby will measure about 7.5 inches in length based on ‘Crown-Rump’ measurement with a weight of about 1 pound. The kidneys of your baby start producing urine by this time as well.

Mom’s Changes

The earlier symptoms of pregnancy are now gone, but you will start experiencing new pregnancy symptoms in the form of heartburn and indigestion as well as constipation and pelvic pain. Although, pelvic pain is a normal practice during pregnancy, but if the pain gets severe don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider.

As your uterus is growing with the developing size of your baby, you may begin to experience some stretch marks on your skin. Also, you will start feeling the movements make by your baby in the womb.

Increased blood activity in your body will often result in increased perspiration and sweating. During this time of pregnancy, some women may experience a whitish-yellow discharge from their breasts. It is normal as your body is preparing for breastfeeding.

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Baby’s Growth

The most prominent growth shown by your baby is the hardening of ear bones which means that your baby will soon start hearing the noises. Your baby will start hearing sounds by the end of seventh month. Lungs are still developing, though your baby starts practicing breathing with amniotic fluid.

Face of your baby will now begin to properly shape. An ultrasound scan will suggest that your baby may frown, squint and grimace. Although, the eyes of your baby are closed, eyebrows begin to appear and also some scalp hair begins to develop.

4 Months Pregnant | Week 13-16

By the end of the fourth month, your baby will have the length of about 5.5 inches with a weight of about 6 ounces. You can now even detect her heartbeat with the help of stethoscope.

Mom’s Changes

Where your baby is developing at a fast pace, you will also experience some changes in your body as well. The areola becomes darker, your veins become much more prominent and you may experience blotchy skin on your face. This is often regarded as normal practice during pregnancy while some practitioners suggest that this is caused because of unhealthy diet.

As your baby is growing in your uterus, the demand of blood is increased by different organs such as your uterus and skin require twice as much blood than usual and kidneys require 25% more blood. The heart is now working hard to meet the blood requirement of your body. Your uterus will begin to grow in size as result pushing the internal organs as well. Women feel out of breath more during pregnancy because of this very fact as uterus pushed against the lungs with the growing size and leaves less space for the lungs. It is advised to have enough breaks between your working activities to keep your breath normal.

Although, your baby start moving in the uterus by this time but it happens very rarely that the mother feels those movement at this stage. However, she will start feeling those movements in a couple of week time.

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Healthy Diet & Exercise: Although your baby is almost formed completely, her organs and structures are still developing. Hence, it is essential to stick to the healthy diet and exercising plan. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is not only good for your health but for your baby as well.

Parental Tests: During the second trimester, you may be asked to have a number of prenatal tests by your healthcare provider in order to see whether everything is going smoothly and without any complications. Based on the tests, you may be advised to bring some changes to your diet or your lifestyle.

Buy New Clothes: During the second trimester, you may even notice that your clothes are no more fit on you and are getting tight. It is the time to spend some bucks on maternity clothing. You have a number of different options and styles to choose from. Take your time to choose what is best as well as comfortable for you. Also, remember that your body is growing in size and it will grow to some extent by the end of last few month, so keep this factor in mind and purchase the maternity clothing accordingly that will remain useful till the end.

Join Childbirth Centers: It is perhaps a good time to join some classes at childbirth centers. These classes are extremely helpful in understanding different aspects of pregnancy. Through these classes, you will be able to understand the complications of pregnancy and how to deal with them. Research for such centers in your locality and select the best for you. These centers are not meant to force you to follow their policy rather the purpose is to provide as much information to you regarding pregnancy, risks involved, side effects and so on.

Welcome Your Baby: Another possible thing that you can think about during this phase of pregnancy is how to welcome your baby. You need to prepare her room and think about all the necessary furniture, toys and equipment required. You have to be very precise and limited in your choice as your baby will grew really fast and soon will outgrow all those items. If this is not your first child, then you must have a good collection of items already. Just go through them and see what is missing in them. Always keep your budget before you before planning these things. Also, consider your lifestyle, flow of your home and travelling habits before planning to spend on the equipment for your baby’s room.

Baby’s Growth

As your baby is developing at a steady rate, she will appear to be like a human by the end of this month. Teeth buds are fully developed by now and she has a tiny face yet to be shaped properly. Nails begin to appear on her finger and toes. Genital organs also start developing.

Your baby is developing her cartilage bones with a quick pace. Muscles are also getting to tone up. With the formation of brain, nerves and muscles, your baby will start producing small movements. The movements of the baby will not be felt by you for another few weeks.

3 Months Pregnant | Week 9-12

Your baby will also start making a small fist and has the tendency to suck her thumb occasionally.

Your baby will be measured about 3.5 inches in length with a weight of about 1.7 ounce at the end of the third month.

Mom’s Changes

With the rapid growth of your baby inside the uterus, you will begin to gain some weight which is normal practice during the pregnancy.

During the third month of pregnancy, the activities of pregnancy hormones reduced to some extent and a lot of pregnancy symptoms will be disappeared. Your baby has almost taken the complete form and now the emphasis will be on growth of organs and structure of the body. By this time of pregnancy, the chances of miscarriage reduced by great deal.

As your heart is producing and pumping large amount of blood, some of the women may experience high blood pressure. Pregnancy hormones may even cause you to have some digestive disorders because of their interference with other body organs.

The fatigue and the morning sickness are somehow vanished, but yet your body is undergoing immense changes which often cause you to feel tired. Have enough rest to ensure that your body has enough energy reserves to perform different tasks.

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Baby’s Growth

The development of major organs starts from the first month and continues till the end of pregnancy. During the second month of pregnancy, your baby’s major organs are developing and your baby will have almost all the major organs in an undeveloped form by the end of second month.

Where major organs are developing, the body structure of your baby also developing as arms and legs begin to appear as small buds. Fingers and toes also start developing. At this early stage, your baby has already developed his/her own fingerprints.

2 Months Pregnant | Week 5-8

Ears and eyes of your baby are also forming, though she will not be able to hear or see for next few weeks. Tooth buds also developing in the gums of your baby.

By the end of second month, your baby will be measured around 1 inch in length with a weight of about 0.1 ounce.

Mom’s Changes

During the second month of pregnancy, you will start feeling some of the major changes happening in your body. You will notice that your breasts have grown in size and you may often feel breast tenderness and swelling. Other than that pregnancy hormones also cause you to have morning sickness that is quite irritating for majority of the pregnant women.

With the increase in metabolic rate, your body will need to have more energy deposits. This can only be done by eating a good healthy food. At this stage of pregnancy, if you will not take care of your eating habit, you will start feeling lazy and tired and even some women complain of having nausea. A good diet and enough rest is a key to keep you active during the pregnancy.

Your heart will also start pumping more blood with a view to meet the needs of your baby. The extra blood is supplied to the uterus and vagina resulting in soft and swollen vaginal area. Women will also experience an excessive vaginal discharge which is normal to prevent infections and also to keep your vaginal canal clean.

Mood swings is another common symptoms that you experience during the pregnancy. The intense hormonal changes in your body are the major cause of these mood swings. However, these should not be experienced in excess. If you feel that you are experiencing mood swings more than normal range, better consult your healthcare provider.

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