Pregnancy Month By The Month Two

More About Pregnancy Month By The Month

Here we go again with the nine month adventure in prenancy   This is a guide that explains what the mother-to-be can expect during every month of her pregnancy.   It's a calendar of sorts that lays out exactly what an pregnant women can expect while they are waiting to give brith.

Last time we covered Months One Through Months Four.  This time it's Five through Nine....

Month 5

Your fetus now leaps into action.  You will fell the child turning from side to side and sometimes head over heels.  Fingernails are growing and the ftus sleeps and wakes at regular intervals.  This is a rapid growth month at by month's end the  fetus is 8-12 inches long and weighs 1/2 to 1 pound.

Your uterus has grown to the height of your belly button. Your heart beats faster. You will look forwared to eight hours of sleep each night.  Try and find time for rest breaks during the day.  Increase your consumption of calcium if you begin experiencing leg cramps.  ,

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You have been keeping those doctor appointments, haven't you?

Continue with your healthy, nutritious diet and drink lots of juice, water and milk every day.
By the end of the 5th month, the fetus is 8 to 12 inches long and weighs 1/2 to 1 pound.

Month 6

Baby's skin is red and wrinkled and covered with fine, soft hair. The fetus at this stage usually is too small and its lungs not ready for life outside its mother. If born now, fetus might survive with intensive care. Eyelids begin to part and the eyes open. Finger and toe prints can be seen.  Fetus continues its rapid growth. At the end of the 6th month, the fetus is 11 to 14 inches long and weighs 1 to 1-1/2 pounds.

Oh look, you can feel the fetus kicking strongly now. The skin on your growing belly may start to itch and a backache may be with you most of the time.  Wear low-heel shoes or flats. Exercise can help prevent backaches. Don't stand for long periods of time. You may feel pain down the side of your belly, but that's just your uterus stretching. 

Excuse me for mention this, but you may be CONSTIPATED!   Drink more water or fruit juice, eat more fruits and vegetables.  They have lots of fiber and will help keep you rosey and regular.   Do you have some heartburn.  Eating 4 or 5 smaller meals throughout the day can be a big help with that.  Don't take laxatives or antacids without asking your doctor.

By the end of the 6th month, the fetus is 11 to 14 inches long and weighs 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. 

Month 7

Isn't that sweet?..  Your fetus can open and close its eyes, suck its thumb and cry.  The little darling exercises by kicking and stretching. Fetus responds to light and sound. If born now, fetus has a good chance for survival. Fetus is now about 15 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds.

If your ankles and feet swell, lie down with your feet raised. If swelling lasts longer than 24 hours, or if hands and face swell suddenly, call your doctor.  Stretch marks may appear on your abdomen and breasts.  They continue to get bigger, you know.

You may feel false labor contractions, also called Braxton Hicks. This is normal but call your doctor if you have more than 5 contractions in an hour. As your belly gets bigger, you may lose your sense of balance.  Be careful!

Keep on with that good eating.  Continue with a variety of foods that are good for you. You should gain one pound a week this month.  Your body is working full out now, so get plenty of rest.  Are you going to take som childbirth classes.  Now's the time to start.  Most doctors do a blood test for maternal diabetes at 28 to 30 weeks.

By the end of the 7th month, the fetus is about 15 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds.

Month 8

Rapid brain growth continues.  Your fetus is too big to move around much but can kick strongly. You may notice the shape of an elbow or heel through your abdomen. Yipes!  Didn't I see that in a movie somewhere?

Bones of the baby's head are soft and flexible to make it easier for the little darlin' to fit through the birth canal. Lungs may still be immature. If born around 37 weeks, fetus is premature but has an excellent chance for survival.

Fetus is now about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds (Yes, we know it feels like 5 tons!). Expect stronger contractions this month.  You may have some leakage of colostrum.  That's the fluid that will feed your baby until your milk appears.  Your breasts are already working on that milk things. 

It's hard for you to get comfortable in bed and means you have trouble sleeping. Try putting several pillows under your head.   It's not uncommon to develop shortness of breath as baby crowds your lungs. Your baby is also moving into the space usually occupied by your stomach.   It's a good idea to eat 5 or 6 smaller meals during the day.  Top of your uterus lies just under your rib cage.

After the 32nd week, visit your doctor every 2 weeks for prenatal care checkups. You should gain about pound a week this month.

OK, sweetie, you are on the home stretch. Call your doctor right away if you have:

Bleeding or a gush of fluid from your vagina
Cramps, stomach pains or a dull backache
Blurry vision, or spots before your eyes
A feeling that the baby is pushing down
A noticeable decrease in the baby's movements
More than 5 contractions in one hour

By the end of the 8th month, the fetus is about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds.

Month 9

At 38-40 weeks, your baby is "full term."  Lungs are mature and ready to function on their own. During this month, baby gains about 1/2 pound a week. Now is the time your baby usually "drops" into a head-down position and rests lower in the mother's abdomen.

By end of 9th month, baby weighs 6-9 pounds and is 19-21 inches long.

Your bellybutton may stick out (It's a great place to hang your umbrella).

Your breathing should be easier once the baby "drops" but you'll have to urinate more often because baby is pressing on your bladder. You will prbably have increased swelling of ankles and feet. Your cervix will dilate (open up) and efface (thin out) as it prepares for birth. You may be very uncomfortable because of the pressure and weight of the fetus.  Get plenty of rest.

After the 36th week, it is usual to visi you doctor about once a week for prenatal checkups. You may not gain any weight at all this month, or even lose 1 or 2 pounds. Have gained 8-10 pounds during the last three months?  That's about normal. 

Now is the time to decide whether you are going to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby.
Time your contractions. You are in labor if your contractions:
Are regular or evenly spaced apart (every 10 minutes, for example)
Happen more than 5 times an hour.
Last for 30 to 70 seconds.
Get worse as you move around.
Call your doctor if you think you are in labor.

By the end of the 9th month, the baby weighs 6 to 9 pounds and is 19 to 21 inches long.

Finally, there's nothing left to do but wait for that magical moment when a new life begins.  You are about to experience life with a child who loves you like you can never be loved again.  Treasure every second of life as a Mother!

Now let's talk about babyshowers invitations...

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   Pregnancy Month by Month Part Two