It's the end of your pregnancy-the ninth month of pregnancy is the final stage before birth. Your fully formed baby is waiting to leave your belly and come into the world.
Baby in the ninth month
The baby in the womb already measures more than 52 cm. Unbelievable? And yet! In terms of weight, it has reached a mass of > 3kg, and there are babies who weigh even more than 4kg! The baby's lungs are already fully prepared for independent functioning - the alveoli are ready to start working. The amniotic fluid no longer covers the baby's skin so tightly.
A lot of changes are taking place at the level of the baby's large intestine. Meconium, a mixture of bile, dead cells of the digestive tract and swallowed amniotic fluid, accumulates there. Due to its length of more than 50 cm, it is difficult for the baby to move already in the uterus.
Mum in the ninth month
Can you imagine your uterus enlarged to a size that would certainly accommodate a five-litre jug of water? The uterus is constantly putting pressure on the internal organs, resulting in heartburn or breathing problems. Swelling in the legs is common. The long-awaited birth is about to take place - contractions appear. The cervix is already dilated.
photo: panthermedia
What should you bring with you to the hospital? First and foremost your documents: identity card, insurance certificate. Bring a nightgown, a bra with soft inserts to make breastfeeding easier. A dressing gown, flip-flops, underpants and a toiletries kit will also come in handy. For the little one, clothes, nappies and toiletries to avoid nappy rash will be essential.
Signals of an impending birth
When to call the emergency services? The most important signs of an impending labour are: frequent preliminary contractions (softer than traditional labour pains, but uterine contractions can be felt), pain radiating down the legs, thicker and more abundant vaginal mucus, with gradually appearing pink discharge, and there may be profuse diarrhoea.
When the fetal bladder ruptures, the amniotic waters depart - clear evidence that a baby is on the way. Another important element is increasing pain in the sacral region, which radiates to the lower parts of the body. What should cause you to be concerned? Certainly sudden immobility of the baby - if you do not feel the baby moving, do not hesitate to call the emergency services quickly. Vomiting, dizzy spells and sudden bleeding should also be cause for concern.
