So the long-awaited last month of pregnancy has come. The expectant mother is looking forward to the start of childbirth, because the state of a pregnant woman in the ninth month can hardly be called pleasant and joyful. The body of a woman is actively preparing for the upcoming birth, causing a lot of inconvenience and discomfort to the woman. The kid has already reached his maximum height and is waiting for the cherished moment to see the world. The ninth month of pregnancy has begun and childbirth can occur quite suddenly at any time. You should not be afraid of this, because a child in the ninth month is considered full-term. In the meantime, it's time to prepare everything you need for the hospital, put the finishing touches in the nursery for your beloved baby and wait for the real contractions.

Ninth month of pregnancy how many weeks

Most expectant mothers know the duration of their pregnancy to within a week, but for future daddies it can be quite difficult to determine from which week the ninth month of pregnancy begins. The ninth month of pregnancy lasts from 37 to 41 weeks. At this time, knowing your gestational age is necessary in order to suggest at what time childbirth may occur. And they can happen completely unexpectedly, so you need to have an already assembled bag to the hospital (what you need to take with you to the hospital) and all the necessary documents.

Baby in the ninth month of pregnancy

The baby in the ninth month of pregnancy is already completely ready for life outside the mother's belly. The baby has developed a sucking reflex, which the first year of a baby's life will be vital. The digestive system is ready to start receiving and processing breast milk, and the baby's lungs make respiratory movements.

At the ninth month of pregnancy, the fetus looks like a perfectly proportional little man, his skin has acquired a soft pink color, and the lanugo fluff has practically disappeared from the body.

After birth, primordial lubrication and lanugo may remain in those areas of the skin where special protection is required. For example, on delicate shoulders or folds.

At the beginning of the ninth month of pregnancy, the baby is already in the position from which it will be born. The normal position of the fetus is head presentation, when the baby is placed head down. In this position, he tries until the birth itself. If the baby takes the wrong position, then this may be an indication for a caesarean section.

Now the baby occupies the entire uterine cavity and has practically no space for active movements. However, this does not mean that he should not move. It's just that his movements will become smoother and not so sharp. Counts. That before childbirth, the baby calms down a little, gaining strength before the upcoming journey through the birth canal.

The nervous system brings the finishing touches to its development. The intestines are ready to work and even the first feces of the baby - meconium - have accumulated in it. This is the result of a bulkhead of amniotic fluid, decayed blood cells and dead cells of the intestines and skin. A sufficient amount of iron has already accumulated in the liver, which will ensure the functioning of hematopoiesis for the first year of a baby's life. However, until the birth itself, iron in the liver will continue to accumulate. Ready to work in the outside world and the heart of the child. After the baby is born, the hole in the central septum will close and blood will circulate through the lungs. Now the process of blood circulation bypasses the lungs, because the baby is not yet breathing for real.

The baby's immune system is still developing, and this process will continue after birth. Now the baby receives antibodies through the placenta, and then they will get to the baby through breast milk. Therefore, it is very important that the baby is breastfed for the first year of life. The reproductive system in girls is already fully developed, but in boys the process of lowering the testicles into the scrotum is still ongoing. In rare cases, the baby may be born before this process is completed.

By the time of birth, the child, according to average indicators, reaches a weight of 3500 kg and a height of 53 cm. However, it should be understood that these indicators are very average. The size of the baby depends only on the individual characteristics of the development of pregnancy.

Ninth month of pregnancy sensations

A few weeks before the birth, the expectant mother will feel that it has become easier for her to breathe. This is due to the fact that the baby has sunk its head to the bottom of the pelvis and the uterus no longer squeezes the lungs. But at the same time, there will be a dull, pressing pain in the pubic region due to the pressure of the child's head on the nerve endings.

In the ninth month of pregnancy, everything also makes itself felt, along with private urination. Due to the huge load and the increased amount of fluid in the body of the expectant mother, most often the ninth month of pregnancy, the legs swell. In addition to following a special diet and limiting fluid intake, special attention should be paid to proper rest.

The belly in the last month of pregnancy no longer grows, but the skin is under enormous stress and can itch unbearably. No need to scratch it and do not neglect the daily use of a special cream or oil for stretch marks. Many pregnant women claim that they went to bed with a beautiful tummy, and woke up with red stripes on it. Therefore, it is gentle to remember that stretch marks can appear literally overnight, but getting rid of them is already very difficult, and often impossible.

In late pregnancy, unpleasant symptoms of the first trimester may appear, namely fainting and dizziness. Only now they have nothing to do with stuffy rooms and lack of oxygen, now the cause of their appearance was the clamped vena cava while resting on the back. It is for this reason that it is very important for a pregnant woman to know how to sleep in late pregnancy so that no complications arise. Most experts recommend sleeping on your side during late pregnancy so that the vena cava is not compressed.

At this stage of pregnancy, a woman becomes especially absent-minded and forgetful. Nevertheless, bursts of violent energy occur before childbirth. Physical and emotional fatigue goes away and is replaced by the nesting syndrome, when the expectant mother wants to do everything and equip the apartment as much as possible before the baby arrives.

The last month is especially difficult for the expectant mother. Pregnancy in the ninth month of pain does not leave the woman until the birth itself. They appear here and there and are associated with a huge load and changes in the body of a pregnant woman. At night, the legs cramp with painful cramps, the ninth month of pregnancy, the stomach hurts and pulling pains in the lower back, pressing dull pain in the pubic region, pain in the buttocks and pelvic region, uterine contractions are becoming more noticeable and this is not the whole list. Now the strength of the expectant mother is simply at the limit, but it is worth remembering that not a single pregnancy has lasted forever and very soon everything will end, it remains only to be patient a little.

Ninth month of pregnancy discharge

At the end of the ninth month of pregnancy, the nature of the discharge changes. It is now considered absolutely normal to secrete mucus, in which blood streaks may be present. As a rule, such discharge can be provoked by an examination by a gynecologist, or after intimacy with a spouse. But a few weeks before the birth, the mucous plug may begin to slough off. This is normal before childbirth, but if the expectant mother has concerns about this, then you should see a doctor. Bleeding in the ninth month of pregnancy, as in any other period, is of particular concern to a pregnant woman. If it occurs, you should immediately contact a specialist. Most often, at this stage of pregnancy, every fourth case of bleeding is provoked by premature detachment of the placenta. At the same time, mother and baby should feel good. Minor placental abruption at the final stage of pregnancy remains without consequences and may even go completely unnoticed. However, only a doctor can diagnose the exact cause of bleeding.

Detachment of a large part of the placenta can threaten with quite serious external and internal bleeding, which can resemble menstruation with some clots. At the same time, the woman's blood pressure decreases, the pulse quickens, pallor and weakness appear.

Bleeding in the ninth month of pregnancy, what are the consequences

With the appearance of bleeding caused by premature detachment of a larger area of ​​the placenta, at best, the expectant mother is prescribed bed rest under the constant supervision of a doctor. In difficult cases, it is possible to use a caesarean section or induce premature birth. In any case, when bleeding occurs, timely participation of the attending physician is necessary.

Every pregnant woman in the ninth month looks forward to the onset of labor and with close attention is looking for changes or symptoms that indicate the onset of the birth process. It is impossible to know the exact date of the birth of the baby, even during an ultrasound, the specialist only says the approximate date of birth, because only the baby decides when to be born. However, there are some harbingers of childbirth that can tell the expectant mother that childbirth is just around the corner.

The prolapse of the abdomen speaks most clearly about the approaching birth, when the baby descends into the pelvic area. In addition, a slight decrease in weight can signal an upcoming event. Some experts argue that a woman can lose 1-2 kg in a few days, this is due to hormonal changes before childbirth.

However, it should be understood that pregnancy is individual in nature and one pregnant woman may have weight loss, while the other will not have it at all, or the birth itself will not begin in a few days, but, for example, in a few weeks.

The discharge of the mucous plug also speaks of the approaching birth. As soon as the cervix begins to mature, its canal opens slightly. The mucus plug that has served as a protective barrier all this time is starting to come out. As a rule, the mucus is colorless or with a yellow tinge, but sometimes it is streaked with blood.

While the body is completing preparations for childbirth, the expectant mother has time to thoroughly prepare for the upcoming event, but the main thing is to remain calm and positive. Considering that childbirth can occur at any time, it is better to always take your passport and exchange card with you when leaving home.

Nutrition in the ninth month of pregnancy

In the ninth month of pregnancy, nutrition is still a very important moment in the life of the expectant mother. Not only the overall weight gain, but also the well-being of the mother and baby, as well as the development of the upcoming birth, depend on how well she eats. Weight in the ninth month of pregnancy should normally increase by 12-14 kg from the moment of pregnancy. However, for each expectant mother, the weight is made up of individual parameters. However, if the increase in the expectant mother significantly exceeds the norm, attention should be paid to proper nutrition.

Salty, fried, spicy foods, confectionery in the last month of pregnancy should completely disappear from the diet of the expectant mother. Now it is also worth reducing the intake of foods high in calcium. Preference now should be given to vegetables and fruits, various cereals with a small addition of meat.

Sex in the ninth month of pregnancy

In the ninth month of pregnancy, you can have sex or not, each family decides individually. The opinion of experts in this regard differs. Some claim. That at such a late stage of pregnancy it is better to refrain from intimate relationships, because they can provoke premature birth. Other experts do not see good reasons for refusing the physical proximity of the spouses, in the absence of contraindications during pregnancy.

There are times when the baby stays in the tummy longer than expected, and then sex can become one of the methods of natural stimulation of childbirth.

Ninth month of pregnancy video

Pregnancy lasts not 9 months, as most people think, but 10 ... But not calendar days of 30-31 days, but lunar ones - 28 days each. On average, pregnancy lasts exactly 280 days. And each of the ten months carries something very important. The information below, given in the form of a brief monthly calendar, will be very useful to all expectant mothers without exception!

The first month of pregnancy is 1-4 obstetric weeks inclusive. The monthly cycle of a woman, in the middle of which a child is conceived. But mom does not yet know about such a significant event. The earliest you can find out about pregnancy is 5-6 days before your missed period. While in the uterus there is a tiny fetal egg, which is not visible on ultrasound.

The 2nd month of pregnancy, 5-8 weeks, is notable for the appearance of its signs. In expectant mothers, there is a delay in menstruation, toxicosis, hyperfatigue and drowsiness, sore breasts, and frequent urination appear. Some women also complain of pain in the lower abdomen and a slight increase in body temperature. This is a variant of the norm, if the pain is not frequent and not severe, the temperature is not higher than 37.5 degrees and is easily reduced without antipyretics in the absence of any painful symptoms.
At 5 weeks, an ultrasound shows a fetal egg. At 6 weeks, the embryo is in it. And at 7 weeks already, his heartbeat is easily determined by ultrasound. This month is critical for the baby. If something goes wrong, a spontaneous miscarriage will occur.

In the third month, that is, at 9-12 weeks, some mothers notice an increase in the abdomen. Is the baby growing that fast? Not at all. This visual illusion is caused by increased gas production and relaxation of the abdominal wall due to the action of the hormone progesterone. All signs of pregnancy persist. The toxicosis is still in force. But by the end of this month, the fetus (the child is already called that way) is almost completely formed, although it is still tiny in size. By the time of the first routine screening, at 12 weeks, 5-6 cm in length.

The next month of pregnancy, 13-16 weeks, is one of the most comfortable for expectant mothers. Manifestations of toxicosis disappear, there is a surge of strength. In multiparous women, in reality, the tummy begins to increase (this is no longer gas), and some of them even feel the first timid movements of the babies. By the way, by the end of the fourth month, they weigh about 80 grams. Their size can be compared to an avocado.

The 5th month of pregnancy starts at 17 weeks and ends at 20. Moms buy clothes for pregnant women, as they no longer fit in a normal tummy. Yes, and the weight is added, the clothes become small. In the first half of pregnancy, they recover by an average of 4-5 kilograms. Women who have suffered from severe toxicosis may gain less, and some even lose weight.
By the 20th week of pregnancy, almost all mothers hear the movements of their babies and ... even see them. At this time, a second planned ultrasound is performed to exclude fetal malformations and isthmic-cervical (cervical) insufficiency (the most common cause of long-term miscarriages and premature births).

The sixth month of pregnancy falls at 21-24 weeks. By the end of this period, the weight of children can reach 600 grams, plus water, placenta, fat deposits on the abdomen - a solid load on the lower back is obtained. Do you feel discomfort? It's time to wear a bandage. Consult your doctor about this.

The next month of pregnancy is interesting because babies born during this period, that is, at 25-28 weeks, doctors are required to save and nurse. These are deeply premature babies who need to develop for a long time in special conditions and rehabilitate. But some of them grow up quite healthy kids. Your task is to carefully monitor your well-being and immediately inform the doctor about the ailment, if any. A dangerous symptom is soreness in the uterus, cramping pains. This happens with the threat of premature birth.

The eighth month of gestation, 29-32 weeks is the rest time for mom. At 30 weeks, mothers go on maternity leave. Their bellies are already clearly visible to others. Babies grow fast and are active. By the way, movements are easily determined by dads if they put their hand on mom's stomach.
The weight of the fetus is determined at the third planned ultrasound at 32 weeks. And it is equal to an average of 2 kg. By the time of birth, it can double.

At the ninth month, a woman feels a full set of ailments - this is heartburn, back pain, insomnia, and leg cramps at night. Well, you need to be patient, there is not much left. 33-36 weeks is the time when mommy especially needs the support of loved ones. If the dowry for the child has not yet been bought, it's time to do it. He will most likely be born next month!

And finally, the tenth gestational month. 37-40th obstetric week. Every woman who sees a doctor is given an estimated due date. But it rarely coincides with the true. Childbirth begins when the child is fully mature. For some, this is a period of 38 weeks, while for others it is 40 or even 41 weeks. The last days of pregnancy remain. Enjoy your position, take photos and videos of yourself. There will be something to remember!

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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 mommy 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, the digestive system is ready to start “receiving” and “processing” 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 intestine 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

In 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 may accompany the 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 the 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. Be sure 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 distraction, 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 considered difficult and 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 has already been mentioned above that, starting from the ninth month of pregnancy, childbirth can begin in any of the following 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 scan, 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 mucus on her underwear, possibly with streaks of blood or blood-colored mucus.

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. It is useful to add olive oil and lemon juice to vegetable salads, 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. There are very mixed opinions about whether intimate relationships are acceptable in the last month. 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 period has “passed” for 40 weeks, and childbirth 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.

At the 9th month of pregnancy, the functional systems of the fetus are preparing for adaptation in extrauterine existence, and many of them already perform specific functions.

Babies born by the end of the 36th week of pregnancy are considered full-term. If the baby was born before 37 weeks, then he is considered premature, if after 42 weeks, then post-term.

The laying of the alveoli ends, almost each of them has a surfactant covering the respiratory surface. The respiratory center, located in the medulla oblongata, may already provide the process of breathing.

The development of the liver and pancreas continues, but their formation is not yet completed by the time of delivery; even in the first years of life it continues. The fetal brain is so developed that it is able to “pick up” the mother’s moods and respond to them with a change in motor activity.

We completely pass the digestive tract, and thanks to the formed intestinal villi and weak peristaltic movements, meconium (original feces) moves to its lower sections.

The stomach glands produce pepsin and the pancreas produces insulin. It is important that the contents of the digestive tract are absolutely sterile: the bacteria involved in the process of digestion settle in it only when it enters with mother's milk.

The sucking apparatus is formed. This is facilitated by:

• active blood supply to the oral mucosa;
• formation of masticatory muscles and salivary glands. Their final development occurs only after the start of breastfeeding;
• the formation of specific devices that facilitate sucking - special rollers on the mucous membrane of the jaws and lips.

Changes occur in the endocrine system of the child. The adrenal glands increase in size, and during childbirth they produce adrenaline and noradrenaline, stress hormones. Thanks to special studies, it has been proven that the blood of a newborn contains several times more of these hormones than in a state of severe stress in an adult. This is a kind of adaptive reaction that allows the baby to prepare for childbirth.

Other "devices" that facilitate the process of childbirth include the condition of the bones of the skull. The sutures of the skull are not yet formed, the bones themselves are soft and pliable. Two fontanelles (parietal above the frontal bone and occipital in the back of the head) and soft sutures make it possible to change the configuration of the fetal skull during passage through the mother's birth canal.

Sufficiently developed subcutaneous fatty tissue, sensory organs, as well as coordinated movements.

The amount of lubrication on the skin, equally, as well as the amount of fluffy hair, is minimal. Marigolds protrude above the phalanges of the fingers. The external genitalia are finally formed; in boys, the testicles are already in the scrotum, and in girls, the small labia are covered with large ones.

By the end of the 9th month, the weight of the fetus is approximately 2600-5000 g, and the length is from 48 to 54 cm.

Physiological changes in the mother's body

The general well-being of the mother improves slightly: due to the fact that the bottom of the uterus has sunk lower, it is easier for a woman to breathe.

However, the strength of contractions of false Braxton Hicks contractions may increase. From unpleasant, they can turn into painful, feeling like menstrual cramps. Before the very birth, they can become as strong as possible. As a rule, a change in body position or the beginning of walking can ease the discomfort.

At the 9th month of pregnancy, women who have undergone an operation on the uterus in the past or in the event of the death of a child during a previous birth should be hospitalized in advance.

The process of urination becomes more frequent than usual, which is associated with the proximity of the child's head to the bladder. Lower back pain may also get worse as the child sinks lower; the ligaments of the pelvis and uterus are stretched more.

Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of diarrhea and constipation, nausea, are increasingly disturbing the pregnant woman. The reason is the effect of birth hormones on the gastrointestinal tract.

Pinkish or milky white vaginal discharge also becomes more abundant.

In the last stages, the mother's genital tract leaves a mucous substance that protected the uterus from infections during pregnancy - a cork. It can come out both a few weeks or days, and a few hours before the birth or directly in them. Outwardly, the cork resembles a dense yellowish, brown or transparent jelly with streaks.

Bloody issues. They are blood-stained vaginal discharge that precedes the exit of the cork. The reason is the rupture of the blood vessels of the cervix due to its "erasing". The discharge is not abundant, about the size of a teaspoon, their color varies from brown to pink. If there is more blood in the secretions than mucus, and they themselves are bright red, you should immediately inform the doctor about this.

In the process of preparing a woman's body for childbirth, the ratio of hormones in the woman's blood also changes: the level of progesterone decreases, the amount of oxytocin, estrogen and prostaglandin increases. Due to the action of these hormones, the ligaments of the pelvis are weakened, and the tissues of the vagina become more elastic. The cervix under the influence of these hormones becomes softer and thinner, which prepares it for disclosure.

The process of preparing for childbirth can take from several hours and days to several weeks. During this period, the child descends even lower into the pelvic cavity, the cervix opens to a width of 1-2 centimeters.

Changes in appearance

The bottom of the uterus in the last month of pregnancy is located in the middle of the distance between the xiphoid process of the sternum and the navel. The navel protrudes at the end of pregnancy. Possible aggravation of existing edema on the face, arms and legs, an increase in varicose veins. Weight gain is negligible, and there may be some weight loss before childbirth.

Emotional background

At the 9th month, a feeling of internal anxiety without any external causes is normal. You just need to relax and trust your maternal instinct.

• rest in unlimited quantities. It is advisable to go to bed when the baby is sleeping;
• limiting the number of visitors and the time of communication with them if they are a burden;
• good nutrition with a lot of complex carbohydrates that replenish energy reserves, it is better to give preference to plain spring water from drinks. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, soft drinks;
• acceptance of all, without exception, offers of assistance in cleaning, cooking;
• communication with other expectant mothers - there are a huge number of topics for conversation now.

The principles of nutrition are the same as in the last stages of pregnancy.

The only difference is the higher content of complex carbohydrates in the diet: at this time, fat depots are formed in the body of the fetus and mother - a supply of nutrients necessary not only during childbirth, but also for full lactation. Carbohydrates also replenish glycogen stores in the muscles of the body and liver, in the placenta and uterine muscles.

The norm of protein consumption is 2 g per 1 kg of body weight, fats - 1.5 g per 1 kg of body weight, carbohydrates - 7.0 g per 1 kg of body weight.

Typical problems in the 9th month include: nausea, constipation, heartburn. A large amount of vegetable and fruit salads in the diet will help to cope with constipation, with diarrhea - a large amount of fiber in the composition of whole grain bread, bananas, oatmeal, rice, bran, oatmeal.

The diet should contain at least 3-4 servings of foods high in calcium (sources - cottage cheese, milk, hard cheese) and iron (sources - turkey, seafood, spinach, buckwheat, apples, dried fruits). Main sources of folic acid: beans and lentils, green leafy vegetables, and vitamin C: citrus fruits, papaya, cauliflower, tomatoes, broccoli, sweet peppers and kiwi.

Since in the last period the liver and kidneys of a pregnant woman work with a load greater than usual, it is better to use salads and light vegetarian soups instead of fried meat, rich broths and hot spices.

It is better to refuse sugar, confectionery, white bread, sausages, sausages, smoked meats, canned meat and fish. Coffee and alcohol are prohibited.

It is better to eat little and often (5-6 times a day at intervals of 3 hours). The amount of liquid you drink is limited to 1.2-1.5 liters per day.

Physical activity

At the 9th month of pregnancy, exercises are recommended to be performed in a minimal amount. Particular attention should be paid to relaxing exercises that provide rest and pain relief during childbirth, breathing training due to the pectoral and abdominal muscles, training the muscles of the perineum.

In performing relaxing exercises, the Jacobson technique is effective. The main difference between this technique and most others is that a person must relax the muscles after their strong tension. Tension and relaxation should alternate from one muscle group to another, that is, in a certain sequence. You need to start with the muscles of the neck and upper girdle, and end with the muscles of the lower extremities.

In the supine position on a hard, straight surface (floor), you need to find a position in which you feel as comfortable as possible. Pillows should be placed under the knees, ankles and head.

After lying down a little at rest, it is necessary to strain any part of the body, for example, the shoulders. This is achieved by bending the shoulder blades towards themselves. The main thing during the exercise is calm breathing. The voltage must be delayed for about half a minute. Only after feeling tired and that the muscles are actually tense (there should be no pain), you can relax.

Muscle relaxation must be increased with each exhalation. It is also impossible to relax too slowly, as overvoltage may occur.

Exercises for training the muscles of the perineum, which are performed in the later stages, include alternating tension and relaxation of the muscles, as if in the act of defecation or urination. The duration of the exercises is approximately 3-4 seconds. The pace can be fast or slow.

During the 9th month of pregnancy, travel and sexual activity are not recommended.

Examinations at the ninth month

During the 9th month of pregnancy, a woman can conduct a self-examination to study the activity of the baby. To do this, you need to count the number of strokes or movements with the whole body of the baby at the same time during periods of the baby's greatest physical activity for 2 hours. The norm is the performance of ten motor manifestations. With their small number, it is better to inform the doctor about it.

• scheduled examination by an obstetrician - gynecologist, performed 2 times a month. Includes examining the uterus, listening to the fetal heartbeat, measuring the circumference of the abdomen, blood pressure and weight of the woman;
• examination of general urine and blood tests;
• Ultrasound of the fetus with an assessment of the position of the fetus in the womb;
• CTG - cardiomonitoring study of the fetus. The goal is to determine the motor activity and work of the baby's cardiovascular system.

A woman should always have an exchange card (represents a document containing the results of tests and examinations) with her. Without an exchange card, in the event of the onset of childbirth, it can only be taken to a specialized maternity hospital, where women are received without a residence permit and a specific place of residence, as well as those from other cities.

Possible Complications

Placenta previa - may be accompanied by pathological spotting, outwardly similar to menstrual bleeding. In previa, the placenta is attached to the base of the uterus and is located below the fetus. The exit to the birth canal is partially or completely blocked.

Placental abruption. Depending on the severity, it has different consequences. In mild cases (detachment of one or two tiny fragments), there may not be serious consequences, in severe cases (separation of up to a third of the placenta), a caesarean section may be required.

Preeclampsia - the main symptoms include: high blood pressure, swelling of the legs, arms and face, protein in the urine. It can end with eclampsia, the main complication of which is the development of a convulsive syndrome. As a rule, regular prenatal examination suggests early diagnosis of preeclampsia and its effective treatment, including the use of antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, and bed rest.

When to see a doctor immediately

• excessively pronounced contractions of Braxton-Hicks (length per minute with a frequency of once every five minutes);
• severe pain, increased activity of the baby, discharge of water;
• bleeding from the birth canal - bright scarlet, reminiscent of menstrual flow, accompanied by pain, profuse;
• signs of reduced motor activity of the fetus (frequency of movements in 2 hours less than 10 times);
• fainting, "clouding" in the eyes;
• decompensation of existing chronic diseases;

childbirth signs:

• discharge from the vagina in color from pink to brown, preceding the discharge of the mucous plug from the same place,
• some weight loss
• loose stool,
• "nesting instinct" (behavior aimed at finding a secluded and peaceful place).

The ninth month is the final stage of the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This period falls on 37-40 weeks of intrauterine development of the child. For expectant mothers, this time is characterized by careful preparation for the meeting with the baby, the purchase of things and the choice of the maternity hospital.

However, sometimes pleasant chores are overshadowed by a woman’s poor health and mood swings. It may also turn out that something is wrong with the baby - a small person lies incorrectly or is wrapped around the umbilical cord.

Expectant mother at 9 months pregnant

The body of a woman in the last month of pregnancy undergoes significant hormonal changes. Mood swings are a frequent companion at this time. The feeling of external unattractiveness and internal torment, fears of cardinal changes in life - all this is present in the life of almost every woman preparing for childbirth.

To get rid of unnecessary worries, you must:

• rest and sleep as much as possible;
• do exercises and walk in the fresh air;
• eat properly and nutritiously;
• delegate their household duties (including caring for an older child) to another family member;
• do not communicate with unpleasant people and do not receive unwanted guests;
• choose a maternity hospital and a doctor that will meet the needs of the future woman in labor;
• communicate with other pregnant women who are positive.

Feelings of a woman

The physiological sensations of a woman in the last days of gestation may resemble the symptoms of pregnancy. There are frequent cases of nausea, dizziness and even fainting. The latter signs are manifestations of the vena cava syndrome. It is characterized by compression of the vena cava located under the uterus and, as a result, the body does not receive the required amount of oxygen. To avoid this, gynecologists do not recommend lying or sleeping on your back for too long at the end of pregnancy.

The legs and arms are very swollen and bring significant discomfort. Both hormonal imbalance and non-compliance with the drinking regimen can provoke fluid stagnation. Often, the presence of leg edema in combination with arterial pressure failures indicates the development of a life-threatening condition for the mother and child - preeclampsia (late toxicosis). When it is diagnosed, a woman is placed in a maternity hospital for preservation until the very birth.

Among the unpleasant manifestations of the last 9th month of pregnancy include itching in the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and chest. It is impossible to comb the skin, because. it only hurts her. The appearance of such itching indicates the risk of stretch marks on these areas of the body. To avoid stretch marks, it is necessary to use special moisturizing and skin softening creams and lotions from the first day of pregnancy confirmation.

The size of the abdomen and uterus

The uterus that has grown to a significant size (normally its height varies from 32 to 37 cm, the circumference is about 100 cm) causes a number of unpleasant phenomena and sensations, including:

• frequent urination (especially at night);
• heartburn;
• constipation and bloating;
• labored breathing;
• pain in the lower back and pelvic bones when walking and at rest;
• spasms of the calf muscles.

However, about 7-10 days before the birth, it becomes much easier for a woman to breathe, heartburn disappears. If at this time you look at the stomach from top to bottom, the navel will completely go out of sight (see photo), and when viewed from the side, it becomes noticeable that the stomach has dropped. This sign is one of the main harbingers that the gestation period is coming to an end.

The nature of the discharge

Vaginal discharge is one of the most important indicators of women's health. Their quantity, texture, color and smell can tell about the approach of ovulation, the imminent onset of critical days and the presence of any pathological changes in the microflora.

Much attention is paid to the nature of discharge during pregnancy. So, a little bleeding at the end of the menstrual cycle can tell an unsuspecting woman that a fertilized egg has successfully attached to the uterine wall (implantation has occurred).

In the absence of any pathologies, the discharge from the vagina of a pregnant woman should be white without impurities of blood and an unpleasant odor in moderation. By the ninth month, they may change - become yellowish and more abundant.

Immediately before the start of delivery, a woman can trace the process of the discharge of the mucous plug, which for all 9 months was in the depths of the cervical canal of the cervix and was a protective barrier for the fetus. Outwardly, it resembles a thick jelly of yellow, brown or transparent color with impurities of bloody streaks. At the same time, the lower abdomen hurts a little and pulls, but there are no contractions yet.

What happens to the child?

Starting at 38 weeks, the pregnancy is considered full-term, and if contractions start, doctors will not stop them, trying to keep the baby inside until 40 weeks. During this period, the child is already fully formed and has taken the final position inside the abdomen.

In order for childbirth to take place naturally, the formed fetus must lie head down. If the ultrasound shows a breech or transverse presentation of the fetus, surgeons will help him to be born with the help of a caesarean section.

Dimensions and body weight of the fetus

A baby preparing to be born has all the parameters of a newborn baby, which include:

• weight - from 2.5 to 5 kg (there are cases when newborns weighed more);
• body length - from 48 to 55 cm;
• convex chest;
• pink skin tone;
• the presence of subcutaneous fat forming folds on the bends of the limbs;
• elastic and mobile cartilage of the facial bones and head;
• nails that have grown to the tips of the fingers;
• a head covered with hair and a small fluff on the body;
• correct location of the umbilical ring;
• the final formation of the genital organs in boys and girls.

Development of organs and systems

All the internal organs and systems of the child by the end of the gestational period are already fully formed. His lungs can perform breathing movements and will open at the first breath. The digestive and excretory systems also work at full capacity, because. while in the womb, the child processed the amniotic fluid, the remains of which are in the form of meconium in his intestines. After birth, it is meconium that fills the baby's diaper for the first time. Do not be afraid of its color and consistency. Thick and dark brown, it will come out completely in a few times.

The circulatory and nervous systems of the child are ready for work. The heart, which is one of the first to form, is waiting for the moment when it can work offline, for which, immediately after birth, a hole in one of the central partitions will close.

The baby's immune system remains far from perfect. Having not encountered any of the viruses and bacteria, she does not produce her own antibodies and receives them through the placenta from her mother. After childbirth, breast milk will provide additional protection to the child, which from mother to child will transfer the genetic memory of all the pathogens that she encountered.

baby movements

One of the most common reasons for expectant mothers to worry is that a previously quite active girl or boy, having moved to the last month of intrauterine development, began to behave much calmer. This is due to the fact that the fetus is no longer small, and it is simply cramped and uncomfortable to move in the stomach.

However, the gynecologist leading the pregnancy should warn the woman that if the child has not given any signals for 3-4 hours, and it cannot be stirred up in any way, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help. In most cases, children just sleep, but sometimes, according to the results of ultrasound, pathologies are detected that become indications for operative delivery.

Training fights and their differences from real ones

Training (false) uterine contractions begin to appear 2-3 weeks before delivery. Such contractions appear unexpectedly, there are no clear intervals between them, they last no more than 2-3 minutes and in most cases are painless. If there is increasing pain, which is accompanied by spotting, it is urgent to go to the hospital.

Training contractions are needed so that during labor, the muscles of the uterus can contract with a force that would be enough to push the baby through the birth canal (we recommend reading:). Also, before childbirth, contractions of the uterine muscles help soften the cervix.

False muscle contractions can be provoked by:

• active fetal movements;
• physical exercise;
• touching the stomach;
• empty bladder;
• sexual intercourse;
• emotional instability.

Many women rush to go to the hospital when false contractions appear. To a greater extent, this applies to primiparous girls who do not know what are the differences between training and real contractions.

The main difference is that during false contractions, the cervix does not open, which entails the discharge of water and the start of the birth process. In addition, the early onset of the birth process may indicate:

• lack of sharp pain (pulling sensations may appear);
• irregular and unpredictable contractions;
• muscle tension is localized in a certain part of the abdomen;
• after a few minutes, the discomfort completely disappears.

Diagnostic tests at 9 months of pregnancy

Visits to the antenatal clinic in the ninth month of pregnancy become more frequent. If earlier it was necessary to go to the gynecologist every 2-3 weeks, now the control is carried out weekly. Each of the visits to the doctor and the results of studies and examinations are mandatory recorded in the exchange card, which is the main medical document of a pregnant woman.

Examinations at the 9th month of pregnancy are necessary to clarify the sensations and well-being of a woman, determine the position and body weight of the fetus. Also, a woman's blood pressure is measured and the results of the diagnostic tests performed - a general blood and urine test - are checked.

One of the most important moments of a visual examination of a pregnant woman is an examination of the upper and lower extremities for the presence of swelling. Also, with complaints about the changed discharge, the gynecologist can take a smear of the vaginal flora. According to the results of the study, it will be clear whether emergency sanitation of the vagina is necessary.

Ultrasound examination of the fetus in the ninth month is usually not performed, because. The last screening should be done no later than 36 weeks. However, at the request of the doctor, an additional ultrasound may be prescribed before childbirth to determine the position and condition of the child.

If the estimated date of birth has passed, and the baby is in no hurry to be born, the pregnant woman comes to the doctor for a re-examination. In the absence of signs of the onset of labor and the opening of the cervix, the woman will be given a referral for hospitalization in the maternity hospital, where she will be artificially induced into labor.

Possible complications and dangerous symptoms

When the ninth month of pregnancy begins, the most dangerous condition for a woman is preeclampsia. It is characterized by swelling of the arms and legs that does not go away by the middle of the day, the presence of protein in the urine and high blood pressure. Complications of late toxicosis can be severe convulsions, frequent loss of consciousness, cerebral edema, and even death of a woman in labor.

Also, one of the possible complications is spotting, not associated with the discharge of the mucous plug. The causes of discharge and pain in the abdomen, as with menstruation, can be:

1. Placental abruption. When the detachment is minor, it does not cause serious consequences for the life of the mother and child. When more than a third of the "children's place" is separated, an emergency caesarean section is indicated.
2. Placenta previa. This condition is characterized by initially incorrect attachment of the fetal egg to the walls of the uterus, when, as the placenta grows, it blocks the cervical canal. Previa can only be determined by ultrasound.

Dangerous symptoms requiring urgent medical attention:

• weak fetal movements;
• leakage of amniotic fluid;
• the appearance of severe swelling of the legs or arms;
• jumps in blood pressure;
• severe headache and clouding of consciousness.