Bloody discharge 9 months pregnant. Ninth month of pregnancy: preparation for childbirth and delayed pregnancy. month of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus
The ninth obstetric month of pregnancy lasts from 33 to 36 weeks. A child in the ninth month of pregnancy continues to gain weight and by the end of this period weighs about 2800 grams. The length of the fetus by the end of the term is 45-47 cm. The fetus continues to develop subcutaneous fatty tissue and, in the absence of problems with placental circulation, outwardly it looks quite well-fed. Subcutaneous fat after birth plays an important role in maintaining normal body temperature of the newborn.
The vital brain centers - respiratory and vascular - are already developed by the end of this period, and the child is able to survive without medical care. The only problem of childbirth at this time may be the delayed formation of pulmonary surfactant at 33-34 weeks. In these cases, the introduction of this pulmonary component may be necessary.
By the end of the ninth month, the fetus occupies a stable position in the uterine cavity, which no longer changes until childbirth. In the vast majority of cases, the fetus is head down. This is the optimal position for normal childbirth.
Belly in the ninth month
The fetal head most often becomes pressed against the entrance to the small pelvis and the abdomen drops slightly. This means the body is ready for childbirth. The constant pressure of the head on the cervix stimulates its softening and shortening. This process is also influenced by an increase in the concentration of the hormone oxytocin, which is produced by the pituitary gland of both a pregnant woman and her baby. The abdomen in the ninth month in most cases changes its shape, from a spherical one it becomes more flattened.
Women note a reduced activity of fetal movements. This is a normal process, you should not worry about this. The placenta in the ninth month of pregnancy begins to "age". Its functions gradually fade away, this is manifested in the formation of areas of tissue sclerosis and calcifications. This process is quite physiological, except for those cases when aging occurs at an accelerated pace. In these cases, there is a risk and threat of oxygen starvation of the fetus. Signs of premature aging of the placenta are determined by ultrasound diagnostics.
Woman at 9 months pregnant: condition, sensations
By the end of pregnancy, the woman is very tired. Over the entire period, she gains from 7 to 17 kg of weight. It's quite hard physically, and not only. The nervous system becomes labile, a woman can easily get upset over a trifle or fall into a depressive state. Blame it all hormonal changes body, concern for the outcome of childbirth and the health of the baby. Pregnant women need to remember that this condition is not a disease, but a normal natural course of events. You need to be patient and believe that everything will be fine. The emotional state of a woman is always transmitted to the child, and in order to give birth to a healthy baby, you need to stop worrying about trifles.
Swelling of the legs in the evening is normal at this time. The pressure of the pregnant uterus on the venous vessels of the abdominal cavity, in addition to edema, provokes an increase in the venous pattern on the legs and genitals.
If edema began to bother not only in the evening, it occurs during the day and is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure - these are symptoms of a dangerous complication of pregnancy. Late toxicosis, or, with untimely treatment, it can threaten the health of the mother and child. A symptom of late toxicosis is also the appearance of protein in the urine.
In the ninth month of pregnancy, a woman can become infected respiratory infection. In this case, she is worried about coughing, fever and runny nose. In the later stages, it is no longer so dangerous for the fetus, all organs have already been formed. In case of respiratory problems, women should consult a doctor for help.
What kind of pain can occur
Periodic pulling pains in the lower abdomen and lower back in the ninth month of pregnancy is quite normal. The cervix with such preparatory contractions "ripens": it gradually softens and shortens. The activity of the uterine muscles gradually increases. All this is a natural process of preparing for childbirth and should not cause concern.
Another thing, if the pain in the lower abdomen has become so intense that it interferes with sleep at night and do normal household chores. In this case, there is clearly a risk of premature birth and placental abruption. In addition, the constant negatively affects the condition of the fetus. In such cases, you need to seek qualified help.
In the ninth month, the tissues of the pubic articulation become looser. This is a physiological process, because during the passage through the birth canal, the pubic articulation of a woman becomes extensible. A woman feels this process as periodic pains of a aching nature in the pubic area.
Allocations at 9 months
At this time, the discharge from the genital tract of a pregnant woman is light in color. foreign matter - curdled white flakes, indicate candidal colpitis. With a fungal infection of the vaginal mucosa during childbirth, there will inevitably be tissue ruptures. Therefore, before childbirth, it is necessary to be treated.
Clear watery discharge from the genital tract appear after the tear of the fetal bladder. - this is an indication for immediate hospitalization and observation in a hospital, since in this condition there is a possibility of intrauterine infection of the fetus.
Availability copious mucus mixed with blood speaks of the discharge of the mucous plug from the cervix. This means you are ready for childbirth. But since the term of childbirth has not yet come, the woman needs hospitalization and preservation of the pregnancy.
Childbirth
If labor activity developed in the ninth month, in the absence of pathology on the part of the fetus, in most cases, childbirth ends safely. The child is most often born almost full-term and able to breathe on his own. In the first days, he is in a special incubator, until the doctors fully examine him. If the baby stably keeps the body temperature, has well-defined reflexes and there are no contraindications to breastfeeding, he is transferred to the general mode with full-term babies.
For a healthy woman, childbirth in the ninth month is also not dangerous.
Do's and Don'ts at 9 Months Pregnant
The closer to childbirth, the more careful you need to behave. Do not plan long trips, and even more so - air travel. In the ninth month of pregnancy, any emotional and physical exercise may induce labor. The same goes for having sex in the ninth month.
Shortly before giving birth, a woman should only care about her own condition and the health of the child. During this period, the fetal head is located low, at the entrance to the small pelvis. There is a risk of injury to the baby during sex, and no special positions will reduce the risk of harm. In addition, an orgasm in a woman in the ninth month provokes premature birth.
The less time left until that long-awaited moment, the more you think about how it will happen. You listen and look at yourself in anticipation of signs of an approaching birth. And even though this month is the last, you also need to live it. May it be remembered by you as one of the happiest in your life.
What happens in the body of the expectant mother?
The abdomen no longer increases in size. From the pubic symphysis, the uterus rises by 36-40 cm - for everyone in different ways.
By the end of the ninth month of pregnancy, the total weight gain is on average 8 to 15 kg. And in recent weeks, you may not get better at all.
Already from the beginning of the ninth month, your body began to "accelerate" to rebuild from "preserving pregnancy" to "preparing for childbirth." The placental clock, laid down by nature, counts last days your pregnancy. From the 36th week, the placenta begins to reduce the production of hormones, primarily progesterone. Relative placental insufficiency develops, and the fetus begins to lack components for nutrition and respiration. In addition, due to the high growth rate of the fetus and the decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid, the uterus covers it more and more closely. In response to stress, the fetal adrenal glands begin to secrete a large number of cortisol - the stress hormone. In addition, it is believed that the normal course of childbirth is possible only with the formed “birth dominant” in the brain of a pregnant woman - a state of the brain that provides proper regulation of childbirth - while the work of the cerebral cortex is somewhat inhibited, the brain areas that control internal organs, in particular organs involved in childbirth.
In response to these processes, the hormonal balance in the mother changes. In the blood of a woman, the level of oxytocin, a pituitary hormone, increases, which ensures the release of prostaglandins and the release of other substances that stimulate uterine muscle contraction. The state of readiness for childbirth is most accurately manifested in determining the "maturity" of the cervix during vaginal examination.
Your hematopoietic system is producing red blood cells intensively - this is a preparation for blood loss during childbirth, so the manifestations of anemia (a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin) may decrease.
The total weight gain is:
- placenta - 10% (800-1300 g);
- fruit - 30% (3000-3500 g);
- amniotic fluid- 10% (700-900 g);
- an increase in the volume of blood and tissue fluid - 25% (1300-1800 g);
- an increase in the mass of the uterus - 0% (800-100 g);
- increase in "fat depots" - 15% (800-1300 g).
Future child
With an occipital presentation at 38 weeks, the fetal head usually descends to the entrance to the small pelvis and occupies a characteristic position: the baby’s body is bent, the head is pressed to the chest, the arms are crossed on the chest, and the legs are bent at the knees and hip joints and pressed against the stomach. In this position, the baby will move through the birth canal.
Determining the gestational age and date of birth often presents certain difficulties, since it can be difficult to determine the exact time of release of the egg from the ovary and the time of fertilization. Therefore, childbirth is considered timely in the period of 37-42 weeks from the first day of the last menstruation, provided that there are signs of fetal maturity.
A mature fetus has a body weight of 2600 g and a length of more than 47 cm. At the ninth month of pregnancy, the baby daily gains weight from 14 to 28 g per day. It is extremely difficult to determine the exact weight of the unborn child, the error in such measurements is from 0.5 to 1 kg, even when using ultrasound.
The skin of a mature newborn is light, pale pink, the subcutaneous fat layer is well developed, there are remains of a cheese-like lubricant in the folds of the skin. If, for some reason, childbirth is delayed, then a decrease in lubrication leads to maceration of unprotected places - the skin becomes wrinkled, as after a long stay in water, “bath” feet and palms first appear. A mature newborn cries loudly, breathes, sucks well, retains heat and does not need special heating. His face is smooth, there are thick cheeks - the result of an increase subcutaneous fat and enhanced sucking training thumb, The skull is still soft enough to facilitate the passage of the baby's head through the birth canal. The ear and nasal cartilages are elastic. The child has already lost most of the vellus hair on the body, with the possible exception of only the shoulders and those places that are hidden in the folds of the skin. Fingernails and toenails cover the nail beds.
In boys, the testicles are lowered into the scrotum; in girls, the clitoris and labia minora are covered by the labia majora. In very few full-term boys (about 1%), the testicles do not descend into the scrotum by the time of delivery, which requires mandatory observation by the surgeon. A dark substance accumulates in the intestine - meconium, primary feces. Meconium is made up of dead intestinal cells, as well as sloughed skin cells, decayed blood cells, germinal vellus hair, and other components swallowed along with the amniotic fluid.
The child is fully prepared for the coming changes. Iron accumulates in his liver, which will help hematopoiesis in the first year of life. The lungs are fully mature in order to provide him with oxygen. The heart is preparing to work in a completely different mode: immediately after birth, a hole in the central septum will close, which in the prenatal period, as it were, turns off the lungs from the circulatory system, because when the baby is in the womb, the blood in the lungs is not enriched with oxygen, since the fetus does not breathe. After childbirth, blood will begin to circulate through the lungs. The only thing that hasn't matured yet is the immune system. While your antibodies get to the baby through the placenta, and after birth, he will receive them from breast milk.
Feelings of the expectant mother
This month gives you a whole range of new sensations that indicate the approach of childbirth. All these sensations are called "harbingers" of childbirth. They can appear a couple of weeks before childbirth, or they can appear a few hours before them.
"Drop" of the abdomen. This is due to the fact that the fetal head enters the pelvic cavity. Sometimes women even visually notice that the stomach has dropped down, but more often this is judged by indirect evidence, As a result of the movement of the child, pressure is removed from the diaphragm and stomach, it becomes easier to breathe, heartburn disappears, appetite changes, as the fetal head drops immediately on the eve of childbirth.
Frequent urination and defecation. After the displacement of the head into the pelvic cavity, the uterus presses with even greater force on bladder, and therefore it has to be emptied more and more often. The hormones of childbirth affect the woman's intestines, some expectant mothers may experience mild abdominal cramps and the appearance of loose stools - much like before an exam.
Decrease in body weight. In connection with the ongoing hormonal changes before the onset of childbirth, some women lose weight from 1 to 2 kg. Appetite decreases slightly, fluid loss occurs.
Loss of mucous plug. As the cervix matures, it becomes softer, shorter, shifts to the center of the small pelvis, its canal begins to open slightly. All this leads to the fact that a lump of colorless, yellowish or slightly blood-colored mucus is pushed out of the cervical canal, which you will find on your underwear after some time.
Change in fetal activity. The kid is no longer pushing so actively, he is cramped, his movements are more like swaying.
The manifestation of the harbingers of childbirth is very individual and optional. Childbirth can begin without any precursors at all. If you are in doubt, consult a doctor - he will evaluate this or that symptom from a medical point of view.
Psychology 9 months
Normally, in the emotional state of the expectant mother in the last month of pregnancy, the processes of lethargy and inertia predominate. She becomes somewhat forgetful, absent-minded, withdrawn, and has difficulty concentrating. This is necessary to create a "generic dominant" in the brain. However, against the background of apparent calmness, changes in mood are still frequent, when one moment passes from pouring tears to unbridled laughter. The state of calmness and fatigue can be replaced by periods of vigorous activity of "nesting", when you can suddenly rush to wash, clean, wash or iron something.
Analyze your emotional state. Maybe you are overly excited, tense. It is very important during this period to communicate with the child. He feels your mood and mood for childbirth and, depending on your condition, receives “hormones of joy” or “hormones of stress”.
Decide where you will give birth. At the same time, be sure to find out when the maternity hospital of your choice closes for washing, if necessary, select a “fallback”. Think again about the presence of your husband or someone close to you at the birth. But remember that it is possible, only if you both really want it. Not the best option is the presence at the birth of the pope, who was persuaded. This can affect not only your emotional state, but also the very course of childbirth. A man also needs time to realize himself as a father.
Possible deviations from the norm
In the late stages of pregnancy, you can again remember its beginning - fainting returns. However, now this can happen not in a stuffy subway car, which would be easy to understand, but at home, in bed, if you are lying on your back. This is how the “inferior vena cava syndrome” manifests itself, when a heavy pregnant uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, disrupting blood flow to the heart. In response to this, reflexively falls sharply arterial pressure causing fainting. To avoid these troubles, you should only rest lying on your side, preferably on the left: in this position, optimal blood supply to the fetus is ensured.
In late pregnancy, balance is disturbed, weakness and dizziness may occur. Now is not the time to jump and run after a departing bus, as you may have done before. Take care of yourself and your baby - avoid falls in every possible way. Be very careful, especially in winter when it is slippery outside. When going up and down stairs, hold on to the railing. Fortunately, there are usually no serious consequences for either the mother or the baby during falls: your stomach, uterus and amniotic fluid serve as good protection for the fetus. But if you fall, be sure to consult a doctor: let him check if everything is in order, because in some cases the fall may not be so harmless.
Prolongation of pregnancy within a week or two may not cause much concern to doctors, and only in cases where the pregnancy drags on for an even longer period or there are signs of fetal distress, they may suggest labor induction or C-section. Pregnancy is considered post-term if more than 42 weeks have passed since the last menstruation. The reasons for overgestation are: various diseases and the age of the mother, abortions, menstrual irregularities, malformations of the uterus, and incorrect position of the fetus. With a post-term pregnancy, the placenta has already worked out its term, it quickly ages and supplies the child with the substances necessary for his life worse. In this regard, the risk of hypoxia and fetal death increases. At birth, a post-term baby has dry, flaky and tight skin, elongated nails, no vellus hair and a cheese-like lubricant. If your pregnancy is approaching 42 weeks, you will certainly be offered hospitalization. It is not worth hoping that childbirth will begin if you overload yourself with physical labor: this has no medical evidence.
Necessary medical measures
In the ninth month, your visits to the doctor should become weekly. At each visit, your well-being is assessed, weight, blood pressure, abdominal circumference and fundal height are measured, urine protein and sugar tests are performed, and swelling is examined.
From additional studies in the ninth month, the last complete blood count is taken - first of all, to determine the level of hemoglobin and platelets. These indicators are especially important now, since there is always a risk of significant blood loss in childbirth.
At the end of the eighth - beginning of the ninth month of pregnancy, a vaginal examination is performed. In addition to assessing the degree of maturity of the cervix, such an examination helps to determine the position of the fetus and the position of the fetal head relative to the pelvic bones. Material is taken for examination of a smear for flora. If at least minimal changes are found in the smear, the doctor will definitely suggest that you undergo preventive treatment. This is very important, since only a healthy vaginal wall is able to greatly stretch during childbirth. When inflamed, it is much easier to tear than stretch. In addition, in the presence of an infection, any trauma in childbirth heals very slowly. If your pregnancy "jumped" past 40 weeks, you will be offered an additional vaginal examination, which re-evaluates the degree of readiness for childbirth. If there are no signs of cervical maturity, then you may need to be hospitalized to create an artificial background in order to prepare your body for childbirth. If there is clear progress, then you should not rush to the hospital, you just need to wait a little.
Every week, the doctor evaluates the function of the placenta and the condition of the fetus. Most often this is done on the basis of a fetal cardiotocogram (CTG), less often by simply listening with a stethoscope. In some cases, additional ultrasound, dopplerometry (study of blood flow in the vessels of the fetus, placenta, umbilical cord) or biophysical test. The latter is used to assess the condition of the fetus during pregnancy, or when there are doubts about his health. With the help of ultrasound for 20-30 minutes, the presence of fetal movements, the frequency of its heartbeat, the amount of amniotic fluid, the tone of the fetus and its attempts to make respiratory movements are assessed.
If the test result is unsatisfactory, then a quick delivery can be performed. If all is well, then the test is repeated after 3-4 days. In case of questionable results, control test In a few hours.
Rules of behavior
In order to know exactly when to go to the hospital, let's figure out what is considered the beginning of childbirth.
There are two main signs of childbirth:
The appearance of contractions- regular contractions of the muscles of the uterus. What is important is not the strength of painful sensations, but their frequency. Real labor pains should be repeated every 15-20 minutes, and the intervals between them should be reduced. When you count 3-4 contractions in 30 minutes, get ready for the hospital.
Discharge of water. When the rupture of the fetal bladder pain is not felt. The amniotic fluid is usually clear. After the outflow of amniotic fluid, it is worth hurrying up with the fees and going to the hospital, even if there are no contractions.
Try not to be away from home for a long time and very far. Always and everywhere carry your passport, exchange card, birth certificate, just in case - a diaper.
You, of course, should already have a bag with things ready, which you will take to the hospital. In addition to personal belongings, it must contain your medical documents and passport. This is necessary to avoid unnecessary turmoil at the last moment. Having carefully prepared, you can calmly, without nervousness and tension, meet the most important point. When it arrives, you will have some time to shower, put on clean underwear, cut your nails and remove polish from them (manicures will interfere with your care for the baby). For many women, shaving the perineum upon admission to the hospital is a very unpleasant moment. However, this procedure is necessary, as it allows you to control the degree of stretching of the perineum during childbirth, to prevent its rupture, and in case of injury, it is better to match the tissues during suturing. Feelings of embarrassment can be avoided if you perform this simple procedure at home on your own. In the last days before the birth, reconsider whether everything was bought for the baby, give to relatives detailed instructions for urgent purchases.
Stock up on food for the duration of your stay in the hospital and for the first days after returning. Do not forget the main thing - a positive, good attitude for childbirth. And you will succeed!
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 a good rest, the absence of heavy loads and stress.
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 is special exercises to turn the child around.
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) of the 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.
So the last - the ninth month of pregnancy has come: a woman and a baby almost ready to get acquainted with the new world, which is still "deployed" in the tummy, go to the "finish". With the onset of the ninth month of pregnancy, childbirth can begin at any time, and you should not be afraid of this - in the ninth month, the baby is already considered full-term, the small body is quite ready to meet the conditions of the outside world. And by this time, the woman should be ready “fully armed”: for sure, the essentials for the maternity hospital are already waiting in the wings, the nursery for the long-awaited baby has already been equipped, and mom listens to herself every day, waiting for the start of real, and not training, fights .
Baby at nine months pregnant
At this stage, the baby is already completely ready for life outside the womb: the lungs make respiratory movements, the baby has developed a sucking reflex, as one of the main reflexes of the first year of life, digestive system ready to start “reception” and “processing” of breast milk.
A child at nine months of pregnancy can already “boast” of the proportional addition of a small body, its skin acquires a soft pink color, and the lanugo germinal fluff gradually disappears from the body. Lanugo, and with it the remnants of the original lubricant after the birth of a child, can only be preserved in those parts of the body where special protection is required - in folds or on delicate shoulders.
By the ninth month, the child is already in a position from which it will move along the mother's birth canal, as a rule, this is head presentation - the baby will stand “on the head” until the very beginning of childbirth. Now the baby occupies the entire uterine cavity, in this regard, he has practically no opportunities for active movements.
The nervous system is completing its formation, the “finishing touches” are being made. The intestines already have relatively good peristalsis - it even contains the original feces meconium, consisting of decayed blood cells, "recycled", dead cells of the intestines and skin. A certain amount of iron has already accumulated in the child’s liver, however, while it is still in the mother’s tummy, the liver continues to “stock up” with iron - it will be needed to perform the normal function of hematopoiesis during the first year of the baby’s life. The heart is ready to start working under new conditions: after birth, the hole in the central septum will close, thereby ensuring blood circulation through the lungs - now the lungs are still excluded from the circulatory system, because the baby is not yet breathing "for real", even though the lungs are doing respiratory movement.
In the ninth month, the testicles may continue to descend into the scrotum in male children, in rare cases, boys may be born before this process is completed. Also, the child’s immune system has not yet completed its formation, the process of its formation will continue after childbirth: now the child receives antibodies from the mother’s body through the placenta, after birth it will “extract” them from breast milk.
By the time of the onset of childbirth, babies come with completely different indicators of weight and height. So, the weight of a full-term mature baby can range from 2600 to 3600 g, growth usually reaches 48-54 cm.
Feelings and well-being of a woman in the ninth month of pregnancy
At the ninth month of pregnancy, a couple of weeks before giving birth, a woman suddenly feels that it has become easier to breathe: the baby’s head has sunk into the pelvic area, the uterus is no longer pressing on the lungs so much, respectively, breathing is easier. But at the same time, it is possible that instead of breathing difficulties, there will be a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, a dull pain in the pubic area, groin or inner thighs, which is associated with the pressure of the baby's head on the nerve endings.
Since the uterus is still pressing on the bladder and stomach, frequent urination persists, and constipation can accompany a woman until the end of pregnancy. Edema can still make itself felt, the risk of developing varicose veins is still high.
By the end of pregnancy, the nature of vaginal discharge changes - they become thicker and contain more mucus, in which blood streaks can be observed. More often, such phenomena appear after an internal examination or physical intimacy with a spouse.
The abdomen in the ninth month no longer increases in size, but the skin on the abdomen can itch unbearably. It is imperative to treat the skin with special anti-stretch marks, especially since now they can appear even overnight: many accomplished mothers tell how they went to bed in the evening with a smooth and “clean” stomach, and woke up in the morning with red stripes on the skin.
By the end of pregnancy, the appearance of symptoms inherent in the early stages, namely, dizziness and fainting, is quite possible. But now they appear not as a result of a woman’s stay in a stuffy room, but more often due to clamping of the genital vein when a woman is resting on her back. That is why, including in late pregnancy, experts recommend sleeping on your side, preventing the development of "vena cava syndrome."
The last month of pregnancy is characterized by some absent-mindedness, inertia and forgetfulness. At the same time, literally on the eve of childbirth, “explosions” of energy, hyperactivity are not uncommon, when emotional and physical fatigue give way to impulses for arranging an apartment - the so-called “nesting instinct”.
The ninth month is also considered difficult for the reason that now, due to cardinal changes in the body, it hurts and grabs here and there - pain is present in the back and lower back, under the ribs, pain occurs in the pelvic region and buttocks, in the lower abdomen, legs cramp at night with a painful spasm, they become noticeably more painful than uterine contractions ... It remains to be patient just a little bit - all these unpleasant phenomena will disappear after the birth of the baby, and they will be replaced by new chores and sleepless nights of a completely different nature.
Harbingers of childbirth in the ninth month of pregnancy
It was already mentioned above that, starting from the ninth month of pregnancy, childbirth can begin in any of the next four weeks. Moreover, no doctor will undertake to accurately and unambiguously calculate the day when the baby "decides" to leave his mother's tummy - even on an ultrasound, a woman is only given an approximate date of birth.
But, at the same time, the so-called so-called will tell the pregnant woman about the approach of the cherished "hour X". Some of them have already been discussed, namely: the prolapse of the abdomen (when the baby moves its head into the pelvic area) and the frequency of urination.
In addition to these mentioned signs of approaching childbirth, a slight decrease in body weight can “signal” the imminent birth of a child. Loss of 1-2 kg a few days (weeks) before delivery is due to hormonal changes, in addition, it can happen due to a decrease in appetite and loss of some fluid.
The fact that childbirth is just around the corner can also be recognized by the discharge of the mucous plug. So, as the cervix matures, its canal begins to open slightly, respectively, a mucous plug comes out of the cervix, which closed the canal throughout pregnancy. A woman learns about the discharge of the mucous plug by finding a lump of colorless or yellowish, possibly streaked with blood or blood-colored mucus on her underwear.
In the meantime, the body is in every possible way completing the “preparation” for childbirth, it is necessary to prepare as much as possible for this important event: finally decide on the maternity hospital, prepare all the things that will be needed after childbirth (underwear and clothes for yourself and the baby, a bag with cosmetics and hygiene items). When leaving home, a woman must always have a passport and an exchange card with her.
Nutrition in the ninth month of pregnancy
In the last month of pregnancy, attention should be paid to the organization of proper nutrition: the process of the upcoming birth and the well-being of the born baby largely depend on what and in what quantities a woman now consumes.
So, in the last stages of pregnancy, it is recommended to completely exclude allergen products from the diet that can cause the development of allergies in a child. In addition, soft unpasteurized cheeses, pates, canned foods, which can become a "source" of intestinal infection, should be abandoned.
It is necessary to somewhat "correct" the usual pattern of eating foods containing calcium (primarily dairy and cottage cheese). If during the second half of pregnancy the need for calcium is indeed significantly increased, its excessive consumption in the last months in the future may affect the rapid closure of the fontanel in the child and the associated increase in intracranial pressure. From now on, 1-2 glasses of kefir or 150 g of cottage cheese daily are enough to provide the body with calcium in the right quantities. As for cottage cheese, it is better to give preference to home-made and not very fatty cottage cheese, refusing cheese sweet masses.
By the ninth month, fried, fatty, salty foods, sweets and muffins should completely disappear from the diet. Although fish and meat are still necessary, however, in the last month of pregnancy, the consumption of these products is recommended to be significantly reduced - meat and fish reduce the elasticity of perineal tissues, which causes painful childbirth and.
The “main focus” in nutrition is now better to do on vegetables and fruits, cereals with a small amount of lean meat or fish. Great to add to vegetable salads olive oil and lemon juice, refusing to dress salads with mayonnaise.
Dishes are preferably steamed, baked or stewed, boiled. Hot food should not be eaten, it is better if it is warm or cold. Food should be taken slowly, chewing well. You can drink a glass of water before meals - to feel fuller faster and improve digestion. That's just water must be without gas - soda is now banned.
Sex in the ninth month of pregnancy
Is it possible to have sex in the ninth month of pregnancy - to determine the doctor leading the pregnancy. As to whether intimate relationship in the last month, there are very mixed opinions. So, some experts recommend refraining from physical intimacy in the last weeks of pregnancy, since sex can provoke labor before the due date. Other experts do not see anything dangerous in the fact that mom and dad allow sex in the ninth month of pregnancy. Of course, provided that there are no serious contraindications for physical intimacy, in particular, the presence of a threat of premature birth, leakage of amniotic fluid, low placenta,.
In general, it is up to the doctor to decide on the possibility of sex in the last month of pregnancy. If the specialist was given a "red color", you should choose the most comfortable positions for sex, excluding pressure on the mother's stomach. The best positions are kneeling or on the side.
By the way, sex can be one of the methods if the baby "lingers" in the tummy longer than the due date. For example, male semen contains substances called prostaglandins, which have the ability to soften the cervix and cause it to contract.
Tests and examinations in the ninth month of pregnancy
In the ninth month, a woman will have to visit a doctor weekly. At the meeting, the doctor assesses the general well-being of the pregnant woman, measures weight and blood pressure, examines the limbs for the severity of edema. In addition, mandatory urine tests are performed to measure protein and sugar levels.
Visits to the doctor also include an assessment of the preparation of a woman and a baby for childbirth: a specialist listens to the baby's heart, determines its position and size, the height of the uterus, and examines the cervix to assess its degree of maturity.
At the beginning of the ninth month, during a vaginal examination, the doctor may also take. If any changes are suddenly detected, the woman will be recommended emergency preventive treatment.
If the pregnancy is “protracted”, the term has “passed” for 40 weeks, and the birth does not even think to begin, the doctor will conduct a second examination. If there is no progress in the maturation of the cervix, the woman will be recommended to go to the hospital, where measures will be taken to artificially create a favorable background for the onset of labor.
The last month of bearing a child is the most exciting in the life of a woman, and of the whole family. Childbirth can begin on any of the days, and there is nothing to worry about if they occur before the appointed date. Children born at 37-40 weeks are considered full-term with mature organs that can breathe on their own and regulate body temperature. At the beginning of the ninth month of pregnancy, it is better to complete all the unfinished business: prepare a bag with supplies for the maternity hospital, prepare things for yourself and the baby for discharge, once again sort out and spread out the dowry for the crumbs, check the readiness of the children's room for the arrival of her future owner or hostess.
Ninth month of pregnancyThe child is absolutely ready for birth, the lungs have opened, important internal organs have matured and are ready to start functioning: to digest and assimilate mother's milk.
In the last month of pregnancy, the baby is proportionately complex, his head no longer looks too big compared to the body. The original lubrication and the first hairline, otherwise called lanugo, practically disappear from the body of the child before his birth. However, there are cases that they are stored in a newborn in a small amount for some time.
After 34 weeks of pregnancy
Photo of a baby in the ninth month of pregnancy
After 34 weeks of pregnancy, the baby usually settles in the mother's tummy upside down, the so-called head presentation. He retains this position until childbirth, although the possibility is not ruled out that he may roll over. The movements become stronger and more noticeable, but the child has less and less space for activity.
Development of reflexes
Active formation is coming to an end nervous system, and with it - the most important reflexes for a newborn child: sucking, grasping, protective, automatic walking. During fetal development, the original feces accumulated in the intestines, which is also called meconium. It is usually dark, sometimes even black, and comes out in the first days after the baby is born. The liver is active in the ninth month. The body diligently "stores" iron, which will be necessary for the body to maintain a normal level of blood clotting. This “precious reserve” the baby will spend up to six months, and there he will already be able to receive an important trace element from food. The cardiovascular system is also ready to function in new conditions: it is able to provide oxygen to the lungs of the baby.
Development of the sex organs
The child's genitals are fully formed. In some cases, boys can be born with undescended testicles in the scrotum. This will happen later. Immunity continues to develop actively. The baby receives the necessary antibodies from the mother through the umbilical cord, and after birth - immunoglobulins from breast milk.
Height and weight
In the last month of pregnancy, the baby continues to actively grow and gain weight. The average values of newborns born at 37-40 weeks are 2500-3500 g, and the height is 48-54 cm. Although full-term babies can be born with malnutrition or hypertrophy, this may not affect their development in the future.
Well-being and feelings of a woman at 9 months of pregnancy
Photo of the abdomen in the ninth month of pregnancy
For many pregnant women, the ninth month brings some relief. Primarily, future mom begins to realize that a few more weeks, and she will be able to pick up her long-awaited miracle. There may be an improvement in well-being, due to the fact that the child before childbirth descends to the very bottom of the pelvis, and, therefore, ceases to put pressure on the lungs of the mother, and breathing becomes less difficult. But increasingly, pain in the lower back and lower abdomen may begin to disturb.
Possible problems in the ninth month of pregnancy
At the 9th month of pregnancy, swelling of the extremities may occur
Other problems associated with bearing a child may still make themselves felt. Due to the enlarged uterus, the internal organs are displaced, and hence the feeling of discomfort in the stomach, the occurrence of heartburn, excessive gas formation and constipation. The latter cause most inconvenience to pregnant women. The bladder is especially affected, on which the child presses with its weight, as a result, the woman is forced to visit the toilet frequently. The situation with swelling of the extremities may worsen, therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor the diet and follow all the doctor's instructions.
Discharge from the vagina somewhat changes its color and consistency. They become thicker, and sometimes you can see streaks of blood in them. However, such discharge should not cause concern in a woman, since they are the norm for a given period of pregnancy.
Skin itching
Many pregnant women in the last month complain of unbearable itching of the skin of the abdomen, this is due to its rapid stretching. Unfortunately, striae or stretch marks may appear in the form of red stripes, which subsequently turn pale. To minimize their occurrence, it is necessary to smear the chest, abdomen and thighs daily with special creams that make the skin more elastic.
In the last weeks before childbirth, women are advised to rest more. However, you don't have to lie on your back. The fact is that in this position, the vena cava is compressed, and as a result, the heartbeat quickens, dizziness appears, and fainting is possible. In addition, when a pregnant woman lies on her back, the baby experiences a lack of oxygen, which is why she begins to move actively.
The ninth month of pregnancy in psychological terms is a difficult period for a woman.
There is more and more fatigue from their position, and the problems associated with bearing a child make themselves felt. At this time, expectant mothers are distinguished by an amazing ability to forget everything, but this will pass after childbirth. The main thing at this time is to be patient, endure all painful sensations, and emotionally tune in to a successful birth. However, on the eve of the birth of a baby, some women come out of an apathetic state and begin to actively equip the children's room, go shopping and buy beautiful outfits for the child. They can do needlework: knit tiny booties or hats, sew blankets and other bedding, or embroider. In any case, this is a very useful activity that allows the expectant mother to temporarily take her mind off the anxious thoughts and anxiety associated with childbirth. In addition, this is a great opportunity to spend time in peace and quiet, enthusiastically doing what you love. After the birth of a child, such an opportunity will not appear soon.
Last weeks before labor
Perhaps the last weeks before the birth will seem very long and overshadowed by unpleasant sensations. The body is preparing for a very important stage - the birth of a child. Periodically there is discomfort in the form of tingling in the side, sharp pain with careless movement. Possible seizures lower extremities during night sleep. This can be caused by a lack of calcium or magnesium in the body. Increasingly, training contractions remind of themselves, when the uterus seems to “harden”.
Harbingers of childbirth in the last days of pregnancy
We repeat that the baby may want to be born on any day, and not necessarily this will be the expected date of birth, which was determined by the doctor. However, they will help to recognize soon-beginning childbirth, the so-called precursors. What should pregnant women pay attention to?
- A drooping belly speaks of the imminent birth of a child. This can be noticed by yourself, but that the baby's head is already in the small pelvis, this can only be confirmed by a gynecologist after an examination.
- If a woman gradually gained weight throughout her pregnancy, then a few days before the onset of childbirth, she may suddenly lose a couple of kilograms. This is explained by the beginning of the work of hormones that are responsible for the softening and opening of the cervix and the deterioration of appetite.
- A sure sign of the imminent onset of labor is the discharge of the cork. This is a mucous lump, maybe with streaks of blood, which is formed in the first trimester and "clogs" the cervical canal, thereby protecting it from various infections. As the cervix opens, the cork begins to move away. It should be remembered that childbirth after the cork comes out can begin both in a few hours and in a few days.
If a pregnant woman is expecting the start of labor at home, which happens more often, then you can put things in order, put things that will be needed in the hospital. Please note that on the website of each hospital or at the information stand there is always a list of things that mother and child will need. You can continue your daily walks in the fresh air or go shopping, but do not forget to carry your passport, medical policy and exchange card, as the waters can break anytime and anywhere.
Ninth month of pregnancy: nutrition
Nutrition in the ninth month of pregnancy
Recommendations and nutritional rules remain the same as for the previous months of pregnancy. Complete failure from harmful products, only wholesome and healthy food should be present in the daily menu. Listen to the needs of your body more often. For example, if you want a banana, then there is not enough magnesium, and if you want cheese, then there is a lack of calcium. If, during the eight months of bearing a child, a woman neglected proper nutrition, then on the ninth, you still need to revise your menu. Since what is eaten can affect the course of childbirth, as well as the health of the child.
What are the rules in the diet in the last month of pregnancy should be observed?
- A complete rejection of products that can cause allergies in a child after birth. This applies to citrus fruits, red vegetables and fruits, and eggs. You should say “no” to products that contain preservatives, as well as unpasteurized dairy products, various homemade products that can be a source of E. coli.
- If, from the second trimester, doctors strongly recommended that pregnant patients eat more dairy products, since the child needs calcium to form the bone skeleton, then in the ninth month, you should reduce daily allowance milk, cottage cheese, etc.
The fact is that a large amount of calcium can contribute to the rapid overgrowth of the fontanel. Normally, in children, this happens by the age of two, but due to an excess of calcium, the fontanel can completely close at six months, which entails certain neurological problems.
In the last four weeks of pregnancy, it will be enough to include one glass of kefir or natural yogurt, or 100-150 grams of low-fat cottage cheese in the daily menu. It should be a natural product, not curd mass.
- No fried foods, all kinds of pickles and smoked meats. As for protein foods, portions of fish, meat, poultry and eggs should also be reduced. The reason is that the protein makes the tissues looser, which means that the possibility of ruptures during childbirth increases. Some European doctors recommend expectant mothers to completely abandon animal protein before childbirth. However, one should not go to such extremes.
- Yellow and green vegetables should prevail in the diet, primarily various cabbages, as well as fruits, with the exception of citrus fruits. Various salads can be prepared from vegetables, only as a dressing for them you need to use not fatty sauces, but vegetable oil.
The best food for 9 months pregnant
The best thing is to steam or boil food. The number of meals per day should be five to six: three main meals and two to three snacks. It is recommended to continue to consume enough clean water. But from other drinks, preference should be given to various berry fruit drinks, which perfectly quench thirst and act as a mild diuretic. It is advisable to refuse black and green tea, as well as coffee. If you really want a hot drink, then opt for herbal teas.
Sex in the ninth month of pregnancy
Sex in the last month of pregnancy
Let's say right away that intimate relationships have the most beneficial effect on the well-being of a woman who is in the last stages of pregnancy. The mood rises, the feeling of anxiety and anxiety, which certainly arises before childbirth, disappears. On this issue, be sure to consult with your doctor. Perhaps it is for you that sex in the ninth month will be contraindicated. The main indications for prohibition are multiple pregnancy, placenta previa, the occurrence of cracks in the amniotic sac, a short cervix and a pessary installed on it, as well as the presence of genital infections in one of the spouses, you can read more about sex during pregnancy on the corresponding page.
If the gynecologist approved intimate relationships a few weeks before the birth, then you still need to follow a few rules. Not all positions for sex are suitable, but only those in which the tummy does not suffer. The most common and comfortable are the poses on the side and on the knees.
Analyzes and examinations at 9 months of pregnancy
Examinations and tests in the ninth month of pregnancy
Visit women's consultation will have to do every week. Two days before the appointment, a general urine test is mandatory, which helps to identify possible problems with the functioning of the kidneys, as well as the presence of infections in the genitourinary system. During a visit to the doctor, weight gain or loss is necessarily determined, pressure is measured, the height of the uterine fundus is measured, and the fetal heartbeat is also heard. Perhaps the gynecologist can look at the woman on the chair to determine the degree of cervical dilatation.
- One of mandatory tests at the ninth month of pregnancy is a smear on the flora. It can show the presence of any infection or the active growth of opportunistic microflora, such as candidiasis or ureaplasmosis. In this case, the sanitation of the birth canal is carried out so that the child does not become infected during childbirth.
- It is obligatory for a pregnant woman to visit a doctor if she reaches 40 weeks, and there are no signs of childbirth. After examining such patients, they are usually sent for antenatal hospitalization. In the hospital, after a series of examinations, such as urine and blood tests, CTG and ultrasound, artificial induction of labor is used.
Preparing for breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the best option for baby
If you are determined to breastfeed your baby, which is undoubtedly the best option for him, then you need to start preparing for this just a few weeks before the birth. Many women worry that they won't have enough milk to feed their baby. It is worth remembering that you can successfully feed the baby with both large and small breasts.
- One of the problems that mothers face in the very first days after childbirth is the soreness of the nipples and the appearance of cracks on them. In the ninth month of pregnancy, prophylaxis can be carried out by periodically exposing the chest, wiping the nipples with a terry cloth soaked in cool water.
- If possible, during pregnancy, you can visit special courses, in which lactation consultants tell and show how to properly attach a baby to the breast. The fact is that if the baby does not completely capture the entire nipple, this can also cause painful cracks.
- Another major hurdle for successful breastfeeding are elongated nipples that the baby cannot grab with his lips and get the right portion of milk. Closer to 40 weeks, but not earlier, massage the nipples, pulling them out alternately. Such a procedure should last no more than a couple of minutes, as it can cause uterine contractions and the onset of labor.
It is likely that in the last weeks of pregnancy, colostrum may appear - the first milk, which is high in fat and contains many beneficial trace elements and immunoglobulins. It is no coincidence that in maternity hospitals it is practiced to attach the baby to the mother's breast immediately after birth, so that he receives all the substances necessary for health. However, do not worry if the due date is approaching, but there is still no colostrum. This is also the norm and does not mean at all that after childbirth a woman will not receive milk.
What to bring to the hospital for childbirth
Essentials to bring to the hospital
- Watch with a stopwatch to measure the frequency and duration of spasms.
- A receiver or cassettes with your favorite tunes.
- If the rules of the hospital allow - a camera, tape recorder or video camera.
- Cosmetic liquid, oil or other product suitable for massage.
- A small paper bag to breathe into it during the spasm.
- To massage the painful area of the sacrum - a tennis racket or a plastic ball.
- Sugar-free lollipops to help keep your mouth moist.
- Warm socks.
- Hair brush.
- Soap, towel.
- Sandwiches for a husband who will be with you during childbirth.
- You can bring your own clothes: robe and nightgown.
- Cosmetics.
- Toiletries, everything you need to maintain your hygiene and maintain beauty.
- Sanitary napkin.
- A book of names, if you want to choose the name of the unborn child only after childbirth.
- Foods that will allow you to maintain strength and have regular bowel movements, regardless of the hospital diet: raisins, nuts, coarse seed crackers, prunes.
- The clothes you will wear when you return home. Choose it, remembering the belly enlarged after childbirth.
- Accessories for the child in accordance with the season and weather; diapers, caps, sliders, blouses, various blankets.
10 months pregnant - overdue pregnancy
Late pregnancy and its consequences
It's incredible to hear that number ten in relation to carrying a child, because we all know that a pregnancy lasts nine months. Why is there such a number? First of all, it may be the date of birth incorrectly determined by the doctor, and other errors follow from this. But if the calculations with the timing were correct, then "walking" is fraught with danger for both the woman and the child. The aging of the placenta is observed, which means that the baby does not receive enough oxygen and may suffer from hypoxia.
Symptoms of an overdue pregnancy
- Immature cervix;
- Reducing the number of fetal movements per day;
- Oligohydramnios and staining of amniotic fluid in a greenish color.
So, if by all indications you are walking, you need to pay special attention to motor activity child. If he often pushes, which is unnatural for him, or, conversely, calmed down, then you need to urgently contact a antenatal clinic.
Why is an overdue pregnancy dangerous?
In the event that childbirth does not begin within the prescribed period, the expectant mother must visit a gynecologist. After the examination, she will most likely be sent to the pregnancy pathology department, which is available at every maternity hospital. There, specialists will assess the condition of the mother and child and make a decision to continue waiting for the onset of labor or their artificial stimulation.
For a baby, being born in the tenth month of pregnancy can be fraught with serious health consequences. Firstly, he continues to gain weight, and this makes it difficult for him to pass through the birth canal. The baby can be poisoned by the original feces, which during a post-term pregnancy often enters the amniotic fluid. This often leads to lethal outcome. The longer the fetus is in the womb, the stronger the bones of the skull become, the less likely it is to be born through natural delivery.
Why does pregnancy take longer than it should?
Probably no one can give an exact answer to this question. Doctors consider the birth of a child two weeks earlier or two weeks later than the due date to be the norm. It should be remembered that gynecology has high-quality equipment at its disposal, so there is a high probability that a problem will be noticed and eliminated. The main thing is that a healthy baby is born.
What does a premature baby look like?
Appearance the skin looks somewhat unhealthy, and the original lubrication is almost absent. The subcutaneous fat layer is much less. Such babies require round-the-clock monitoring of neonatologists. However, this applies to children born at 43 weeks. Usually, babies born at 41 or 42 weeks do not differ in appearance and health from those who were born on time.
What to do when pregnant 10 months?
As mentioned above, in this case, the woman is sent for antenatal hospitalization, where the issue of delivery methods is decided. There is an option to force labor if the condition of the mother or baby is of concern. Or continue monitoring and expect the onset of labor if the condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus is considered satisfactory.
If the pregnant woman has no contraindications, and the baby is in no hurry to be born, you can try a number of proven methods of inducing labor without the use of medications. You can begin to actively move, walk in the fresh air, tidy up the house, wash the floors, in general, perform any action, but just do not lie down. This contributes to the prolapse of the abdomen and the opening of the cervix.
Another effective way to activate labor activity is sex. Focus your spouse's attention on foreplay, especially breasts. Because nipple massage promotes the production of the hormone oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract and cause contractions.