Month Eight — Mothers 2B

PREGNANCY

Month Eight (32 to 35 weeks)

The third trimester represents the final part of your pregnancy, from weeks 28 to 40. This trimester of pregnancy can be physically and emotionally challenging. Your baby’s size and position might make it hard for you to get comfortable. The end of your pregnancy is in sight. It won’t be long until your baby arrives. Feelings at this stage of pregnancy tend to vary from tiredness and worry to excitement about the baby.

How is your baby developing?

At this stage of development, your baby measures approximately 16-18 inches in length and weighs between 4.5-5.5 pounds (2-2.5 kilograms). Most babies have likely shifted into the head-down fetal position, a favorable alignment for birth. This adjustment marks a significant milestone in preparation for delivery, reducing the likelihood of a breech (butt-down) position. The active movements of kicking and punching remain prominent as your baby continues to exercise its growing muscles. Additionally, your baby is steadily putting on fat weight, particularly beneath the skin and in brain tissue development. By the end of the next and final month, it's anticipated that your baby's weight will increase by an additional 2-3 pounds, bringing them closer to their birth weight. These remarkable changes highlight the ongoing growth and development occurring as your pregnancy approaches its completion.

What are the changes happening to you?

Emotional

As your due date approaches, it's common to feel eager anticipation. Now is a good time to cultivate a positive mindset for childbirth, recognizing its significance. Focus on the productive aspects of contractions and employ relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and soothing music. Additionally, practicing mental imagery can help instill confidence and readiness for the birthing process.

Physical

During this stage of pregnancy, you may experience symptoms such as indigestion and constipation, often attributed to the pressure exerted on the stomach by the growing baby. Additionally, disruptions in gut function and sleep patterns may occur as a result of your expanding abdomen and the increasing intensity of fetal movements. These common discomforts can be managed through dietary modifications and adopting strategies to promote relaxation and better sleep hygiene. It's important to discuss any persistent symptoms with your healthcare provider to ensure optimal management and support throughout your pregnancy journey.

What do you need to do?

During this phase of your pregnancy journey, it's essential to research pain management options with careful consideration of their potential effects on both you and your baby. It's advisable to educate yourself on the various types of anesthetic medications used in procedures such as epidurals, as well as the use of narcotics, to make informed decisions. It's worth noting that your body is naturally equipped to provide hormonal support during childbirth, as it has done for millions of years. Hormones such as estrogen, oxytocin, endorphins, adrenaline, cortisol, prolactin, and progesterone work synergistically to offer natural pain relief, induce a calming effect, and facilitate essential processes like lactation. However, it's important to also discuss the potential risks associated with medical interventions such as Pitocin, which is commonly used to augment contractions but may impact blood flow to the baby from the placenta. Engaging in open and informed discussions with your healthcare provider will empower you to make the best decisions for you and your baby's well-being during childbirth.