Ninth month of pregnancy: how to recognize the symptoms of childbirth
When you reach the ninth month of pregnancy you think that the "worst" is over, but in reality these are the most demanding weeks, also because the expectant mother has to prepare, both physically and psychologically, for the birth. A moment, the latter, beautiful, but also painful. Find out what are the last steps to take before the baby arrives, how to recognize the symptoms of childbirth, and how to deal with it peacefully.
The development of the fetus from conception to birth
In this video, which lasts only a minute, you can discover the miracle of life. You can see how the fetus develops, from the first fertilization cells to the moment of birth, at the end of nine months. Find out how a baby is formed in the span of 40 weeks, one of nature's most amazing phenomena.
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The exams to be done in the ninth month
Urine and blood tests are also scheduled for the ninth month of pregnancy, as for the previous months. In this phase of pregnancy it is essential to keep the clinical picture under control, to be ready at the time of delivery. In the ninth month, the doctor prescribes a cardiological visit and a cardiotocographic monitoring to be performed every seven days. The last ultrasound, that of the eighth month, then allows us to predict the position of the baby: if he has turned, facilitating the possibility of a natural birth, or if he could be breech. During the ninth month, for various reasons, it is then possible to schedule a caesarean section, in agreement with the hospital in which you have chosen to give birth.
The growth of the fetus in the last month
The development of the baby is completed in the last weeks (the ninth month goes from the 35th to the 40th week): his growth slows down in view of the birth, and having less space available he moves less. If this is the first child, it is possible for him to channel himself into the pelvic cavity at any time, placing his head down, with which he will come out first. If the baby does not turn around, a caesarean surgery may be required. If it is not the first child, the child often turns around shortly before the time runs out. The baby is about 44 centimeters long and weighs about 2.5 kilos. He is now a real baby, no longer a fetus: he has pink skin, recognizes darkness and light, has completed the development of his organs: he is ready to be born!
The changes in your body
As in the seventh and eighth months, the breasts continue to lose colostrum, the first milk that "trains" the mammary glands to produce breast milk. Moving the baby down will finally relieve shortness of breath, even if it does start. to feel a certain pelvic heaviness and sciatica pains.The weeks before childbirth are emotionally difficult: it swings from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety attacks. Dealing with the pains of childbirth can be frightening, the advice is to always share your emotions with your partner, friends and family. Try to distract yourself as much as you can, enjoy the last moments of intimacy with the baby, and plan the final details about the place you have chosen to give birth.
How to recognize and cope with the pains of childbirth?
In this video, Nanny Simona explains how to recognize the symptoms of childbirth, what to do in the early stages of labor, and above all how to deal with the pain. From the moment of the first contractions, to the birth of the baby, it can take a long time, especially if you are in the first pregnancy. The key is to stay calm, even after the waters have broken, and have you escorted to the hospital. Find out all the details in this video!
How does the ninth month end, and how does the birth take place?
Don't be afraid to face the pains of childbirth, because thanks to hospitalization you can take advantage of some pharmacological solutions to completely eliminate the pain, such as epidural anesthesia. Some facilities instead prefer the use of laughing gas, an alternative to epidural that is still little used in Italy. The staff who assist you can still help you with the breathing technique, perhaps learned and practiced during your preparation course, and make you choose the ideal position to give birth. All of these techniques are helpful in reducing pain. Another way to give birth, increasingly used also in our country, is the water birth, which has several advantages. During the last few months of pregnancy, it might be worth thinking about and figuring out if you want to. The last option is to give birth at home, although the advantages are also accompanied by several risks that you must take into consideration.
