Eighth month of pregnancy

For expectant mothers, the eighth month of pregnancy is both an exciting and difficult time. You’re only a few weeks away from meeting your child at this point, and you’re experiencing a lot of changes in your body and emotions. It’s a time to nurture yourself and your developing child, as well as get ready for the big day.

Your baby is growing quickly by now, preparing for life beyond the womb. As your body adjusts to the last stages of pregnancy, you’ll probably notice more movement and possibly some new discomforts. When necessary, take a nap, and concentrate on maintaining your health.

If you have any last-minute preparations to complete, like packing your hospital bag or setting up your baby’s nursery, now is the time to do it. It’s normal to experience a mix of anxiety and excitement with everything going on, but keep in mind that you’re almost there!

General information

The eighth month is the middle of the third trimester. This time is traditionally considered a prenatal, preparatory. It may seem to the woman that her first trimester with all his unrest was so long ago that the experiences were already forgotten. There is already a feeling of fatigue and a desire to quickly give birth, so that it becomes easier. All available symptoms can worsen, and the expectant mother should not be afraid of this. It is just her body is really tired, the immune system is exhausted, internal processes of preparation for childbirth begins to the eye. Instead of worries, it is better to get down to business – to assemble a bag for childbirth, choose a hospital and sign an exchange card there, start attending courses for future mothers, on whom a woman will be taught proper behavior and breathing in childbirth, the intricacies of caring for a child in the first days, establishing breastfeeding – This knowledge will be very useful. The eighth month corresponds to the 30-34th week and covers several days from the 35th week, if the term is measured by the usual and customary calendar method. The obstetric period, equal to the eighth month, includes 29-32 weeks. There are not 9 obstetric months in pregnancy, but 10. When talking about the 8th month, we will consider the period from 30 to 34.5 weeks.

Fetal development

The dangerous period for the baby has passed. The threats of the first trimester, when the organs were actively forming, are far behind. The child is well protected by the placenta, and it still copes with its tasks perfectly – it feeds, saturates with oxygen, protects and acts as a shock absorber. The baby is getting prettier every day – gaining weight, acquiring cute curves that make newborns so cute. The shoulders, which used to stick out sharply, have become rounded. The skills that the baby has mastered during the seven months spent in the womb allow it to survive if the birth occurs now. But giving birth is still dangerous, because the baby will be considered premature. The main danger of birth in the 8th month is the immaturity of the lung tissue – surfactant, which will not allow the alveoli to stick together after the first breath, has not yet accumulated enough. The consequences of childbirth in the period from 30 to 34.5 weeks can be quite dire – acute respiratory failure, ischemia and cerebral infarction, systemic hypothermia due to low weight and a small amount of subcutaneous fat. Nature has provided everything so that the child stays in the womb a little longer, and you need to do everything possible to promote this.

31 weeks

The baby looks almost like a newborn, but you need to understand that the organs and systems of the baby are not yet fully mature. How much the baby should weigh at this time is increasingly difficult to say, because the weight is gained rapidly, and the genetic data of all children is different. There are already babies who weigh about 2 kilograms, and there are crumbs weighing only one and a half kilograms. The average weight is considered to be from 1800 grams. The height of children can also vary (there are tall people, and there are short ones), on average, children grow up to 40-42 centimeters. The baby"s skin is no longer red. Subcutaneous fat has accumulated enough for the skin to smooth out and become a soft pink. If the baby is dark-skinned or swarthy, then the pigment that colors its skin the desired color provided by the genome is already being produced.

At this point, there’s no need to rush things, but there’s also no reason to be afraid of childbirth because viability is estimated as high.

32 weeks

The baby has finished the free period when he could move as he liked, there is no space left in the uterine cavity. In order not to lead to overstretching and increased pressure inside the uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid begins to decrease. Those who are now in a breech or transverse presentation will most likely not turn around – the chance of this is 1 in several thousand. The baby grows to about 43 centimeters and increases in weight to 2 kilograms. The placenta begins to produce oxytocin – a hormone that, at the right time, having accumulated in the right amount, will cause uterine contractions – contractions. It will become the birth dominant.

33 weeks

The accumulation of surfactant in the lung tissue continues. Weight gain also continues. The baby grows a little more – up to 44-45 centimeters, and weighs up to 2.1 kilograms. This week, many undergo the final third prenatal screening and leave the doctor"s office disappointed: firstly, the baby is no longer visible on the monitor as a whole, the doctor can only examine individual parts of its body – the head, limbs, kidneys, heart, stomach, secondly, the sex of the baby in most cases is no longer discernible – the baby"s position does not allow it. Those who have not yet found out the sex or received conflicting answers from doctors at an earlier stage will now have to wait for the birth – determining the sex of the baby in the delivery room has the highest accuracy – 100%. The baby begins to move a little less. It is very cramped, movements are given with great difficulty. But the facial expressions of children at this stage are simply gorgeous. To see it, you can go to a 3D or 4D ultrasound – you will see smiles, half-smiles, frowning faces, and surprised expressions.

If you request that the ultrasound be photographed or recorded on an electronic device (flash card), this video can make a wonderful present for your child in the future. Taking a prenatal photo of yourself is really valuable!

34 weeks

The fetus has gained another 300-400 grams in weight in a week. Now many babies have crossed the psychologically critical mark of 2.5 kilograms. At birth with such a weight, the child receives the most favorable, the mildest degree of prematurity, provided that everything is in order with his lungs. The placenta has begun to wear out. From this period, the aging process occurs in it, which will be determined in degrees on an ultrasound. While this is the first stage of maturity, the child’s condition is compensated, which means that the aging process of the “child’s place” does not harm the baby in any way. Along with degenerative aging, the placenta begins to produce the hormone prolactin. It allows the mammary glands to prepare as much as possible for the upcoming breastfeeding.

35th week

The first 3 days of this week close the eighth month of pregnancy and draw a kind of conclusion. There will be only one calendar month left, which separates the woman from meeting her baby. By the end of the eighth month, the baby approaches with a height of almost 46-47 centimeters, weighing from 2.4 kilograms to 2.9 kilograms. The main event of the month is the baby acquiring its own eye color – the iris is now not blue, like all fetuses before this period, but the way it should be (thanks to the parents!). The head, which used to make the child look like humanoid from a science fiction thriller, came into a harmonious relationship with other parts of the body, now its area is no more than a fifth, and it will be so until childbirth. This is how the baby will be born on time.

The eighth month of pregnancy is a critical time for rest and self-care because the baby is growing quickly and the mother’s body is getting ready for labor. As anticipation for the baby grows, it’s crucial to treat side effects like exhaustion and back pain and be aware of the warning signs of early labor.

The well-being of the expectant mother

The uterus grows incredibly quickly, restricting the woman’s range of motion. The overall condition deteriorates, which inevitably affects the woman’s psychological and emotional state; many start to feel extremely anxious, teary-eyed, and irritable.

Belly

A small belly in the 8th month is more of a rarity than a rule. Usually, a solid tummy has already appeared in both women with wide hips and women with narrow ones, regardless of weight and build. It is impossible to hide it under clothes, and there is no need – the woman is on maternity leave and now decides for herself where and when to go and whether to go at all. The belly grows quickly. If you take two selfies at the beginning of the eighth month and at the end, it will be easier for the woman to visually see the huge difference in size. The bottom of the uterus supports the ribs, which causes a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath, the ribs themselves may hurt, which have to move apart slightly to make room. The baby himself aggravates the condition. If he is in a cephalic presentation, then kicks under the sore ribs are a unique and incomparable sensation. The center of gravity has shifted, it is increasingly difficult for a woman to put on shoes and bend over, and even look under her feet when walking is not always possible, which increases the risk of falling and getting injured. Due to the stretching of the ligaments that hold a solid-sized uterus, sometimes the lower abdomen aches and hurts, the lower back pulls, the back may hurt.

Movements

Movements have decreased, but have become more sensitive for the expectant mother – there is less water, and therefore each kick is perceived quite painfully. By this time, the expectant mother already knows how the baby feels by the nature of his movements, as well as his preferences, because children already like something and do not like something. From this month onwards, children become more dependent on meteorological conditions – they react to weather changes with activity. It is not necessary to count the movements. Nevertheless, the methods of counting can be different, usually a woman has a favorite, but it should be remembered that, despite the cramped space, at least 10 movements should still be registered in 12 hours, while the child"s hiccups are not considered movement. If the fetus becomes very active, pushes hard, moves often and a lot, this is normal and does not pose any danger. If the movements are few and sluggish, the path should lie to the doctor and as quickly as possible – a decrease in motor activity and the baby"s heartbeat can indicate dangerous hypoxia, which can lead to the death of the child or irreversible consequences for his nervous system and brain.

Emotional problems

At this stage, a woman is in dire need of support from loved ones and a specialist psychologist. Her mood is again controlled by hormones, since the hormonal background begins to change before childbirth. Estrogens, which give way to progesterone, contribute to the formation of an anxious state, increase fears. You need to work with them, and this is also taught in courses for expectant mothers, and therefore there is no reason to refuse to attend courses at the antenatal clinic. To the fear of childbirth and the likelihood of giving birth to a sick baby is added the fear of being lonely, abandoned, since the figure has changed, and intimate life has often changed for the worse along with it. Fears arise – "what if he cheats?", "what if he stops loving?".

In this kind of situation, relatives might find it challenging, but you must exercise patience.

How to recognize childbirth?

• Contractions have become regular and are repeated at specific intervals (for example, every 15 or 20 minutes), do not go away when changing body position, do not go away when taking a warm shower, but only intensify.
• The amniotic fluid has broken (there may be options – it has broken completely or is leaking).

In these circumstances, you should dial 911, take a deep breath, and grab a bag intended for the maternity hospital. Arrive at the maternity hospital coolly and collectedly; even if labor has started, there’s a good chance the baby won’t suffer any harm from birth.

Pain and discharge

Nowadays, women typically complain about pubic pain. The hormone relaxin, which the woman’s body produces and which softens the pelvic bones and ligaments before childbirth, is a legitimate explanation for this pain. Be patient; nothing needs to be done. However, you should see a doctor right away if the woman’s pubic symphysis becomes so painful that she is unable to stand, sit, or walk. Symphysitis may develop in this case, and a cesarean section may be necessary.

An excessive strain on the legs and spine results in lower back, knee, and heel pain.

It is important to take blood pressure when suffering from headaches. Your doctor should refer you to the hospital if your gestosis is severe and accompanied by edema, as gestosis can be fatal in the eighth month of pregnancy.

Estrogens may cause discharge to increase in frequency. Thrush, characterized by a white, thick discharge and itching, must be treated in plenty of time prior to childbirth. If you are bleeding or have a rich brown discharge, you should call for an ambulance right away. An infection is indicated by yellow-green discharge and rich yellow color. Additionally, you must seek treatment as soon as possible to ensure that, by the time of delivery, the genital tract is clean and safe for the unborn child.

Prolactin has already started to arrange milk ducts, so it can cause pain in the breasts. The assertions made by women that "milk has come" at this point are untrue; only colostrum may go so far. Only a few days following childbirth may bring milk.

Other sensations

Women start experiencing insomnia once more, but this time it’s not due to progesterone’s effects; rather, it’s because they have to sleep on their sides exclusively.

The increased volume of blood circulating in your body causes dizziness. Weakness attacks can happen for the same reason. And the need to urinate returns frequently. These days, a woman can start leaking pee with just a cough—another reason to look into sanitary urological pads.

The pressure of the uterus on the stomach causes heartburn and belching; on the other hand, the pressure of the uterus on the gallbladder and intestinal loops can also cause diarrhea or constipation.

Leg swelling is a symptom that not everyone experiences, so you should definitely see your doctor if you have it. It may be an indication of gestosis, a serious late-stage pregnancy complication.

Tests and examinations

A woman has a significant ultrasound examination at eight months. Typically, it lasts between thirty and thirty-four weeks. Unlike the first two screenings, the goal is no longer to identify genetic abnormalities in the fetus; instead, it aims to address a more pertinent question regarding the placenta’s function and the baby’s growth and development.

If a woman has indications for a planned cesarean section, this ultrasound may serve as the foundation for that decision. This examination should unquestionably be done on post-IVF women, women who have had multiple pregnancies, and expectant mothers 35 years of age and older.

To evaluate blood flow and placenta health, the examination consists of CTG and ultrasound with Doppler.

Aspect	Description
Baby"s Development	The baby is gaining weight quickly and organs are maturing, preparing for birth.
Mom"s Body Changes	You might feel more tired and experience discomfort as your belly grows larger.
Common Symptoms	Back pain, swelling, and shortness of breath are typical at this stage.
Important Tips	Get plenty of rest, eat well, and keep up with your prenatal checkups.
Preparing for Birth	It’s a good time to start packing your hospital bag and finalizing your birth plan.

You’re getting closer to meeting your baby as you enter the eighth month of pregnancy. Your body is changing at this exciting and challenging time, and you may experience a range of emotions.

It’s crucial to pay attention to your body and try to stay as comfortable as you can during this time. Take breaks as needed, drink plenty of water, and follow your doctor’s advice regarding prenatal care.

Get everything ready for the big day as the due date draws near, from organizing the baby’s nursery to packing your hospital bag. You’ll feel more at ease and prepared for what’s ahead as a result.

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