Month Nine — Mothers 2B

PREGNANCY

Month Nine (36 to 40 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, your baby is nearing its full birth weight, measuring approximately 21 inches in length and weighing between 6-9 pounds (2.7-4.0 kilograms). While the vernix white coating may have mostly disappeared, a thin layer remains to facilitate the smooth passage of your baby through the birth canal, providing a slippery surface for ease of delivery. Additionally, your baby's lungs are well-formed and lined with surfactant, a substance that aids in lung expansion and function, ensuring they can take their first breaths of air with ease upon birth. These developmental milestones signify your baby's readiness for the transition to life outside the womb and underscore the remarkable journey of growth and development they have undergone during pregnancy.

What are the changes happening to you?

Emotional

In the last month of pregnancy, expectant mothers often experience a whirlwind of emotions as they approach the highly anticipated moment of childbirth. Excitement, anticipation, and eagerness to meet their baby are frequently intermingled with feelings of anxiety, apprehension, and even impatience. As the physical discomforts of late pregnancy become more pronounced, it's common for emotions to fluctuate rapidly, ranging from moments of serene readiness to waves of overwhelming emotion. Additionally, the anticipation of the unknown, coupled with the realization that their lives are about to change forever, can evoke a profound sense of emotion.

Physical

As you enter the final phase of pregnancy, your body undergoes its last preparations in anticipation of welcoming your precious baby. Maintain a positive mindset as you keep an eye out for signs of pre-labor, which may include:

- Baby dropping, settling deep into your pelvis.

- Occasional bleeding as the baby's head dislodges the mucus plug that has sealed your cervix throughout pregnancy.

- The potential rupture of the amniotic sac, commonly referred to as your waters breaking, though this occurs in only a small percentage of mothers before the onset of labor.

- Contractions following a regular pattern, gradually increasing in strength and frequency. While these contractions may cause discomfort, they signify the progression toward labor.

Remaining attentive to these signs, coupled with a positive outlook, will help you navigate this final stage of pregnancy with confidence and readiness for the impending arrival of your little one.

What do you need to do?

If you're planning a home delivery, it's advisable to contact your midwife (or head to the hospital for a hospital birth) when your contractions occur at intervals of 4 minutes apart, lasting approximately 1 minute each. Additionally, pay attention to your body's cues; if you experience additional vaginal bleeding or a sudden onset of a severe headache, it's crucial to contact your healthcare provider or midwife immediately. These symptoms could potentially indicate placental bleeding or pre-eclampsia, requiring prompt medical attention.