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Month 9
Your body:
- You are tired of being pregnant and ready for delivery.
- Your abdomen is getting bigger and it may look lopsided when the baby moves.
- Your hands, feet and ankles may swell. Continue to limit salt intake.
- You may feel pressure in your lower belly and pelvis as the baby drops into position for birth. The Braxton-Hicks contractions are more frequent.
- You continue to urinate frequently.
- Sleeping continues to be difficult.
- You tire easily.
Your baby:
- The eye color is dark grey.
- Fingernails become complete and may grow long.
- Baby may move slightly less, but should still continue to move.
- Organs continue to develop, especially the lungs.
- About one quart of amniotic fluid surrounds the baby.
- By the end of the month, your baby will weigh 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 pounds and will be about 20 inches long.
Your appointment:
- You will have weekly appointments this month.
- Urine Test.
- Weight .
- Blood pressure.
- Listen to the baby's heartbeat.
- You may have an ultrasound this month.
- You will have weekly cervical checks (vaginal exams).
When to go to the hospital:
- Vaginal bleeding.
- If you can't keep anything down.
- A big gush of fluid.
- More than 6 contractions in one hour.
- Little or no fetal movement after doing fetal kick counts.
- Severe headache.
- Come to the maternity unit when your contractions are 2-3 minutes apart. (see true labor vs. false labor).
