What To Expect At 9 Months Of Pregnancy?

A big congratulations to you as you are in your 9 months of pregnancy. We know that you are impatient and are eagerly waiting to hold your baby in your arms. But the journey through the 9th month of pregnancy is not as easy as it can be physically and emotionally challenging.

The size and position of the foetus might make it difficult for you to get comfortable. Plus, you might develop some 9th-month pregnancy problems like swollen feet and itchy skin. Here’s everything you need to know about the last month of pregnancy.

What Happens During Weeks 33-34?

• At this stage, a layer of fat starts to form under the skin. Hence, the unborn’s skin has very less wrinkles.
• The bones have been fully developed.
• The body starts storing minerals like iron, calcium, and phosphorus.

What Happens During Weeks 35-36?

• During weeks 35-36, the brain has been rapidly developing and the lungs are almost fully developed.
• The baby’s head is usually positioned down into the pelvis by now and is considered at ‘term’ when it’s 37 weeks.

9 Months of Pregnant Symptoms

As you are in the 9 months of pregnancy, your body starts to get ready for giving birth. Here’s a list of 9th-month pregnancy symptoms: 

• Back pain due to the constant work required to keep you from toppling over front-ward.
• Pelvic pressure, as the baby’s head moves lower and grows bigger.
• Lightening, when the baby drops into the birth canal. You might feel more discomfort with the baby in a lower position.
• Interrupted sleep as those once-fluttering kicks of the foetus become quite forceful.
• Fatigue and exhaustion.
• Constipation in pregnancy, as the foetus grows and interferes with traffic flow.
• As the baby grows in the womb, he/ she will press your bladder even more, and you will need to urinate more than usual.

These were some of the 9 months pregnant symptoms.

9 Months Pregnant: Baby Growth & Bodily Changes

As you enter the stage of 9 months of pregnancy, your body starts preparing for delivery and undergoes several changes:

• Due to the growing size of the 9 months pregnant belly, it will be difficult for you to bend.
• You might also experience swelling and feel bloated due to increased blood circulation in the body.
• The 9th month of pregnancy weeks can also make the nipples dark in colour, and your breasts will become heavy and dense too.
• You will also gain weight as you are nine months pregnant.  But it is advisable to keep a check on the weight gain as this can lead to complications like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, premature birth, or heavy birth weight of your baby.
• As your haemoglobin levels might also continue dropping since the second trimester, it is advisable to keep them under check and consume iron-rich foods.
• Anxiety, fatigue and mood swings will continue and you can blame the hormonal surges for this.
• Some expecting mums start producing milk by this time and might also leak yellowish milk.
• You might also feel breast tenderness or sore breasts. To avoid that, you can wear a well-fitting and comfortable bra.

Foetal Development At 9 Months Of Pregnancy

• At this point, the size of the babies varies depending on many factors, such as gender and the number of babies being carried.
• On average, a baby at 9 months of pregnancy is about 18.5 inches and weighs close to 2.72 kg (6 pounds).

Foetal Movement At 9 Months

As you are in your 9 months of pregnancy, your baby tends to settle lower in the abdomen. Your baby’s position also changes to head down to prepare for delivery. If your baby hasn’t flipped yet, it means that your baby is in a breech position. Your doctor will recommend an ultrasound scan to confirm the baby’s position.

It might seem that your baby is moving less during this time due to the tighter space. Therefore, your doctor might ask you to keep a kick count to keep a track of foetal movements.

Twins At 9 Months

9 months pregnant with twins can be exciting. Are you expecting twins? If yes, there’s a good chance that you’ll be meeting them this month. Research suggests that a majority of twins are born before 37 weeks and some even before 34 weeks.

Activities You Can Do At 9 Months Pregnant

As you reach the 9 months of pregnancy, you might find yourself slowing down activity-wise and that’s completely fine. You can try to maintain your prenatal exercise routine after consulting a doctor to remain active. Less strenuous exercises like kegel exercises and yoga will strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and keep stress at bay.

9 Month of Pregnancy Quicklist

1. Strenuous exercises or strength training exercises should be avoided as these might cause an injury to your stomach.
2. It is advisable to avoid tampons for white discharge that’s common during the third trimester as these can cause infections.
3. Avoid using scented creams and bubble baths.
4. It is recommended to avoid public toilets to prevent any infections.
5. Douching is a big “NO” as it might wash off the good bacteria in the vagina.
6. Start stocking up on household staples and supplies to avoid any last-minute major shopping before labour.

When To See A Doctor

You should call a doctor right away  if you experience:

• Severe and unusual abdominal cramping
• Extreme headache, dizziness and nausea
• Intense stomach and chest pain
• Changes in your baby’s movement after 28 weeks while sitting still or lying down
• Excessive vaginal discharge
• Vaginal discharge having a rotten odour
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Delivery symptoms in the 9th month include:

1. Excessive pain at the back or in the lower abdomen
2. Any type of bleeding or fluid leak
3. Extreme pressure in the pelvis or vagina

Amidst all these bodily changes, don’t ignore your mental health as many women face perinatal depression during this time. Ensure adequate sleep and keep stress at bay so that you can welcome your baby on the final day with a big smile on your face!

FAQs

What is my baby doing at 9 months pregnant?

Your baby tends to settle lower in the abdomen at 9 months. Its position also changes to head down to prepare for delivery.

What are the symptoms in the last month of pregnancy?

Constipation, heartburn, vaginal discharge, and swollen feet are some of the symptoms of the last month of pregnancy.

What should I not do at 9 months pregnant?

Try to avoid strenuous exercises like swimming, cycling, skipping and jogging.

Who kicks more boy or girl?

It completely depends on the foetus. There’s nothing to do with gender.

What foods make labour easier?

It is advisable to avoid some fruits and dried fruits like grapes, pineapple and dates, especially in the 9 months of pregnancy as these induce labour and can also cause uterine cramps.

Can delivery happen anytime in the 9th month?

Yes, as you are in the 9 months of pregnancy, you are considered full-term and you might deliver at any time.

Also Read: Pregnancy months

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