Pregnancy is definitely one of the most amazing aspects of a woman’s life. The feeling of a new life growing inside of you will remain with you throughout your pregnancy. Pregnancy symptoms that you experience and changes that your body goes through are part and parcel of every healthy pregnancy. It is natural to become more nervous and excited with every passing day as you wait for the big day. So, what would the 9^th month of pregnancy in the third trimester hold for you?

9^th Month of Pregnancy: Changes in Your Baby and You

1. 1. Changes in Your Baby

In this trimester, the baby is almost ready to step out into the world. The following are some of the chief developments that take place during this month of pregnancy:

• The baby’s height will be around 53 centimeters and the weight will be approximately 2.5 to 3.5 kilograms.
• The development of the lungs is finished by now and it starts functioning and even breathes through the amniotic fluid.
• The development of the baby’s brain is also complete. And all of the important organs of the baby have developed and are functional too.
• The movements of the baby will become a lot less as there would be no more room for the baby to move inside the womb.

2. 2. Changes in You

Your body will undergo a great amount of changes during the 9^th month of pregnancy as well:

• With the pressure increasing on your sciatic nerve, you will be suffering a perpetual backache.
• The expansion of the pelvis would become so extensive that you may think it would crack open.
• You might start leaking often because of the continued stress incontinence.
• Increment in the vaginal discharge would be considered normal now.
• You might begin to look blossomed but at the same time extremely tired. Your face starts glowing even though the stress lines are becoming visible. 
• With every passing day, it would become hard for you to find a comfortable position to lie down.
• Since colostrum is being produced continuously, leakage from the breasts increases. It is best to begin using breast pads to hide the lactation.
• With childbirth not far away, the mood swings are going to continue as usual.
• Production of hair on the face and nipples will suddenly increase.
• The extra fluid that is now circulating in your body, the shape of your eyeballs will not remain the same as before.
• Your alertness to the labor signals will increase, so it is better to start paying attention to these signs.

9^th Month of Pregnancy: Precautions

As the third trimester is the last, you will feel a lot heavier, especially in the 9^th month. Besides, there will be a number of challenges for you to face during this month of pregnancy. Thus there are some precautions that you might take.

1. 1. Diet

The development of your baby is almost finished at this stage. The baby’s lungs and brain would mature continuously while the weight will rise quickly too. It is necessary for you to remain cautious regarding your diet at this stage, but you can spoil yourself just a bit. However, the followingfoods must remain a part of your diet during the 9^th month of pregnancy.

• ?   Whole-grain breads and grains: 6 to 11 servings each day
• ?   Fruits: 2 to 4 servings each day
• ?   Vegetables: over 4 servings each day
• ?   Dairy products: 4 servings each day
• ?   Protein rich foods: 3 servings each day
• ?   Hydration: At least 2 liters of pure water each day

In addition to this, you can add the following foods in your diet as well to enhance your baby’s growth and development and also relieve your discomforts.

• ?   Foods rich in fiber
• ?   Foods rich in Iron
• ?   Foods rich in Calcium
• ?   Foods rich in vitamin A
• ?   Foods rich in vitamin C
• ?   Foods rich in folic acid

However, alcohol, caffeine, raw sea food, saccharine, tobacco and soft cheese are among the foods that you need to avoidduring these dates in pregnancy.   

2. 2. Exercise

Keeping on doing the Kegel exercises is compulsory even though you are approaching your delivery date. If you have strong pelvis muscles, your delivery will become a lot easier. You must not perform any strenuous physical activities at this stage though.

3. 3. Sleep

It is important for you to take naps. You’d better sleep early and stay in bed till noon. Wake up only if you have to go to empty your bladder. Keep on sleeping on the left side until the delivery date approaches.  

4. 4. Relax

Because of the hormonal imbalance throughout your pregnancy, you would have experienced a whole range of emotions up and down until now. During the 9^th months of pregnancy, you have to find ways to relax as you will become more nervous each day. The following are some methods that can help you relax.   

• ?Visit the nearest swimming pool and have a dip during summers. The weightlessness would help you relax and prepare for your body for labor.
• ?Take warm showers, as that would comfort your aching body. However, make sure that the water is not that hot.
• ?As the baby would take up most of your time after birth, it is best for you to read a book, watch movies and hang out with friends. All this will relax you too.

5. 5. Sex

It is your doctor who can be best adviser when regarding sex. Although you might hesitate from having sex during this last trimester, there is no evidence to suggest that it might be harmful. Generally, it is not a problem for you to have sex during a normal pregnancy if the womb is not pressurized too much.

6. 6. Hospital Bag

Arrangements for the baby’s arrival must be made at this time. For instance, the crib, car seat and baby necessities must be bought. The essentials for the babies should be present in your hospital bag for your hospital stay.

9^th Month of Pregnancy: Early Labor or Overdue

The 9^th month of the pregnancy is when your due date is likely to fall. Only 4% of the women give birth on the assigned date. Most pregnant women give birth two weeks after or before the due date. 

1. 1. Early Labor

Nearing the end of the pregnancy, you would want to see your baby and want the discomforts of the pregnancy to end. The following are some early signs of labor that you need to remain aware of:  

• ?   A bloodstained gel-like plug called the cervical mucus plug would be lost.
• ?   Rush of water or a trickle of water from the vagina.
• ?   The contractions will become closer and last longer.

2. 2. Overdue

If the baby is not born by the 40^th week of pregnancy, overdue pregnancy becomes a possibility. However, mostly overdue pregnancy is caused because of miscalculation of the due date. Rest a lot as you may have become weary and heavy by now. Keep on remembering the kick counts as it would help your baby’s health. A non-stress test would be needed for an overly due baby to ensure the baby’s health and an induced labor.