Why is it bad to have a baby at 8 months. Premature baby. What will ultrasound show?

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The eighth month of pregnancy is the period from 31 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, and there is still a whole month before delivery, although already now you feel tired and all the “charms” of your interesting position. Early this month, you'll have your last prenatal screening to help doctors navigate how your pregnancy is progressing and if everything is okay with your baby. The preliminary tactics of childbirth will also be determined, and you will have a third planned ultrasound, on which it is already difficult to see the baby in its entirety, it is very large, but it is quite possible to clarify the gender and many nuances of its development.

What happens to the body in the 8th month

In the eighth month of pregnancy, there are literally a few weeks left before delivery, and the imminent approach of childbirth is increasingly foreshadowed by special training contractions (Brexton Higgs, false contractions). These are irregular and non-opening cervix contractions of the uterus that prepare it for active work in childbirth. If during uterine contractions there are no pronounced discomfort and pain, the frequency of their occurrence does not have regularity, they occur in periods, not for a long time, then there is no need to worry about this. This is a completely physiological phenomenon that prepares the body for an early birth. If the contractions become painful, they last more than an hour in a row, you should consult a doctor, you need to exclude the onset of premature birth.

In the eighth month, the woman's belly became very large, and by the end of this month, the uterus will take its highest position, it will become almost the maximum size. That is why a woman will begin to notice behind herself that it has become difficult for her to breathe, climb stairs or carry out her usual physical activity. The pushes and movements of the child, which take place right in the area of \u200b\u200bthe ribs, will not only be uncomfortable, but even painful. Now it is more important than ever to eat right, walk a lot on fresh air and enough rest so that there is no overwork and malaise. Due to the large size of the abdomen, it becomes extremely difficult to choose comfortable sleeping positions - it is impossible to sleep on your back, a large uterus literally squeezes the inferior vena cava and gives severe dizziness, a sharp increase in heart rate, shortness of breath and even loss of consciousness. Sleeping is on the left side, placing pillows under the legs and lower back for comfort. The shape of the abdomen can now be different - it can be both strongly protruding forward and quite compact, it does not depend on the sex of the child, more on the position in the uterus and on the size, amount of amniotic fluid and the constitution of the mother. Until the end of pregnancy, the stomach will still sink and can change its shape, grow a little more in size. With an active lifestyle of a pregnant woman, and to facilitate the load, a bandage is used.

Fetal development: weight, size and gender (add a photo of the embryo)

At this time, the child is not yet completely ready for birth, and he is supposed to stay in his mother’s stomach for a few more weeks, but now it will be much easier for him to adapt to the outside world if suddenly the birth begins this month and the baby is born prematurely. His organs and systems have become much more mature than last month, and the myth that it is better for a baby to be born at seven months, at eight weeks has no real basis. Each week spent by a child in the womb gives him strength and body weight, adds growth and maturity. Therefore, it is important that the baby is not born into the world for as long as possible, often doctors do everything to delay the onset of childbirth and prolong the intrauterine life of the crumbs. This is especially necessary for the maturation of the lung surfactant and the possibility of spontaneous breathing.

After 35 weeks, children will still be considered immature, but they have already formed all the main organs and systems, and they can completely avoid most of the problems of previously born premature babies. Usually, with stable weight gain and suckling, they are discharged from the hospital fairly quickly and without a nursing stage. If you are carrying twins, it is quite possible that childbirth can begin as early as the end of the eighth month, at a period of 35-36 weeks. At the same time, children are born quite strong and viable, grow and develop quite normally.

At eight months, the position of the fetus may still be incorrect, although from the 32nd-32nd week the fetus should take its final position for childbirth. With a breech presentation, you will be recommended special exercises and postures that stimulate the baby to turn his head down. This will avoid difficulties in the future and childbirth will take place naturally. At your term, the baby has already quite clearly formed the sleep and wakefulness regimen, and often it does not coincide with yours at all. He sleeps most of the day, rocked by your movements, and usually wakes up when you are at rest and makes himself felt with clear kicks and movements.

Now, by the end of the month, he will be almost ready to be born, all his most basic organs and systems that ensure his life activity are fully developed and work, although still imperfectly. But the respiratory system, and especially the baby's lungs, are still not fully developed, they accumulate a special substance - a surfactant, which will not allow them to subside when the baby breathes independently. If birth begins at the end of the eighth month, the baby will be able to breathe on its own, albeit under the supervision of doctors.

An eight-month-old baby is practically no different from a newborn, except perhaps only in height and weight, he sees and hears well, can blink, frown, squint, sucks his finger, his nails have grown to the edges of the nail phalanges, although still thin and tender. The skin color becomes pink and uniform due to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat and the reduction of translucent vessels. Due to the deposition of subcutaneous fat, rounding of the cheeks and face, shoulders and buttocks occurs. Gradually, fluff (lanugo) comes off the body, hairs grow on the head, cilia and eyebrows are clearly visible. The whole body of the baby is an even layer of primordial lubrication, and it will help him easier to pass through the birth canal during childbirth, protects the skin from the effects of amniotic fluid.

This month, the baby’s cerebral cortex is being improved, more and more new nerve connections are gradually formed in it, which will help the baby in an independent life, and myelin protective sheaths are formed around the fibers, a kind of nerve insulation.

Now the child's skeleton is relatively strong, the areas of the cartilage of the nose and ears are solid, but the bones of the skull have seams between them, which will allow the baby's head to safely pass the birth canal without causing injury to himself and his mother. Now the child’s liver will be occupied with an important white, its role is to accumulate a sufficient amount of iron in recent weeks, which will be consumed in the first months until the child is introduced to food other than milk. Iron is needed to build new blood cells in the fetus and child, to prevent anemia in him.

At eight months, the fetus occupies almost the entire space of the uterus and its movements are limited, it assumed an embryonic position with legs and arms pulled up to the chest. And now his movements are very distinct and confident, mom can feel under the ribs and across the entire area of the abdomen, even distinguishing the outlines of the heels and handles. Now the fetus gains weight per day up to 30 g, and by the end of the month it can weigh about 2500-2800 g with growth up to 46 cm.

Feelings and problems of the expectant mother (use the word stirring, pulling the lower abdomen, abdominal pain)

In this period, the woman is already beginning to get tired of her position and her belly, which has become literally huge. He interferes with putting on clothes and shoes, it is difficult to walk with him and it is uncomfortable to sleep. But now it's time to completely give your time to the future baby, especially since most women are already on maternity leave during this period. Now the feeling of life in the stomach is changing your attitude and attitude to life, career problems, work and household trifles fade into the background, everything is aimed at wearing and imminent birth peanut. This is the work of the dominant pregnancy in the brain - it adjusts the wife's physical body and her psyche in such a way as to convey the pregnancy in maximum comfort and convenience and safely give life to a new person. Hence the tears of tenderness, and mood swings, and the special sensitivity of expectant mothers. This is normal, and you should not completely close yourself off from external life and go headlong into motherhood - lead your usual life and enjoy your position. If this does not cause you any inconvenience or poor health, it is practically not worth changing your life - you can walk, travel (only nearby and strictly with an exchange card in your hands), buy dowry things and attend courses for expectant mothers and fathers. The most important thing for you now is your peace of mind and your confidence that everything is fine and there are no problems during pregnancy and your baby's health. Take care of yourself from stress and negative emotions, they can lead to an increase in the tone of the uterus, and even to the development of premature birth.

The abdomen in this period reaches almost its maximum size, the height of the fundus of the uterus reaches its maximum by the 36th week. After 35 weeks, the uterus can literally rest against your ribs, which leads to difficulty breathing. The child weighs almost a kilogram and he needs a place to stay, so the internal organs will make room due to the growth of the uterus. The stomach can create enough problems with sleeping position, walking and household issues, but the most important sensations from it are fetal movements. Now he should make himself felt at least 10 times in 12 hours, and it is better that you feel the fetal movements every 15-20 minutes. The baby can almost freeze for several hours, stretching slightly in his sleep, or he can actively push and move. It is worth worrying if the child is overly active and his movements are sharply painful, or if he is very lethargic and can hardly be felt by you. This may indicate intrauterine suffering or hypoxia, it is worth changing position, taking a walk or stretching. If this continues for a long time, it is worth informing the doctor about this and undergoing an additional examination. For greater comfort, it is recommended to sleep on the left side - this is the most optimal position for the fetus and blood circulation of the placenta and uterus, and quite convenient for the mother.

If you are worried about pain in the abdomen, especially constant or cramping, periodically pulling the lower abdomen, you should not think that this is normal, especially in combination with uterine tone, painful training contractions and vaginal discharge. You need to immediately call an ambulance and be hospitalized in a hospital, this may be the onset of premature birth or problems with the placenta. The situation is especially serious in the presence of spotting, bloody discharge from the vagina, and in the presence of dark cherry or scarlet blood, you must immediately go to the hospital - placental abruption begins, a fatal complication if you do not immediately help.

In addition, many uncomfortable manifestations may be disturbing - many of them require a change in regimen, nutrition or consultation with a doctor, or even inpatient treatment. One of the frequent complications is edema, which is mainly formed on the limbs and may be the beginning of nephropathy in pregnant women or preeclampsia. Especially dangerous are severe swelling right in the morning, spreading to the face and body, and combined with protein in the urine and increased pressure. Immediately to the hospital for preservation and a decision on the further management of pregnancy.

Large uterus presses on the organs abdominal cavity and causes a lot of unpleasant symptoms and sensations, such as nausea, especially with large meals, infrequent meals, or for no reason. This is due to the compression of the walls of the stomach by the uterus. That is why heartburn can also occur, with the reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus. You can reduce such sensations if you eat often and in small portions, immediately after eating, stay in an upright or semi-lying position, rest after eating for at least an hour, without bending over. If you are at home, taking the knee-elbow position for 10-15 minutes and relieving the pressure of the uterus on the intestines will help alleviate the condition. In this position, the internal organs receive more blood, and the food is easier in the stomach and enters the intestines. With a plentiful meal, vomiting may also occur, if it is single and without fever and diarrhea, you can not worry much and reconsider your diet, and if you have the symptoms described, immediately see a doctor, food poisoning pregnant women are extremely dangerous.

It is worth keeping an eye on the discharge in this period. Due to changes in the hormonal background, there may be some increase in discharge - they are transparent or slightly whitish, odorless and pathological impurities. Increased secretions transparent as water with constant wetting of linen is a sign of possible leakage of amniotic fluid. It is worth buying a test pad for water leakage at a pharmacy or visiting a doctor. In the presence of water leakage, hospitalization is immediately needed and the issue of pregnancy management is further resolved. Everything is no less serious and spotting, this is a reason for the immediate consultation of a doctor. Also dangerous are discharges with a smell, green, gray, yellowish or any other colors, with impurities of mucus, pus or vesicles. These are signs of genital tract infections that can threaten the baby and pregnancy and require immediate treatment.

Due to the pressure of the uterus, there is an increase in urination, which requires frequent trips to the toilet, as well as an increase in such a delicate problem as constipation. It is important to monitor the amount of fluid and fiber in the diet, move more so that the intestines are easier to work with. It can also cause shortness of breath when climbing stairs or active walking due to the compression of the diaphragm by the uterus and increased breathing, which has become superficial. There may be bleeding gums, severe sweating, sensations of heat and stuffiness in the room, stuffy ears and nose, numbness of the limbs, especially fingers, increased hair growth on the body.

Dangers of 8 months of pregnancy

The most dangerous now is the onset of preterm labor or placental abruption, these conditions can threaten the well-being of the mother and baby, since both are not yet ready for childbirth and there may well be serious complications. Therefore, any discharge, bleeding or abdominal pain is a reason for an unscheduled visit to the doctor or an ambulance call. It is immediately necessary in the birth when the amniotic fluid is discharged or leaking from drops or a trickle, if the integrity of the fetal bladder is violated, infection of the fetus may occur.

Colds are no less dangerous in this period - with an increase in temperature and coughing, the tone of the uterus increases, and a runny nose leads to oxygen deficiency in the tissues of the mother and fetus. You should avoid contact with those who have a cold and be less in crowded places during the cold season.

Analyzes and examinations

In this period of pregnancy, you will have to visit the doctor twice for routine examinations and passed two urine tests before them. When visiting a doctor, the weight and circumference of the abdomen are measured, the fetal heartbeat is heard, and the presence of edema is checked. In the analysis of urine, the amount of protein, glucose and leukocytes, microbes is examined. At the same time, the third scheduled screening ultrasound is performed. It checks the condition of the fetus - its weight and height, the condition of the internal organs and the absence of malformations, as well as clarify the condition of the placenta, uterus and cervix, specify the term of the PDR and many of the nuances necessary for childbirth. Also, according to indications, doplerometry of the fetus and placenta, as well as fetal CTG can be prescribed to determine the condition of the uterus and fetal circulation, oxygen sufficiency.

Mother's diet and weight

In this period, nutrition does not differ much from that in previous months, you need a sufficient amount of protein and vitamins with minerals, fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits. Through proper nutrition, you can maintain a stable weight, avoiding the deposition of excess fat reserves. It is worth giving up the use of such products as fast food, a large number of sweets and light carbohydrates, fatty, spicy and salty, convenience foods and much more. You need to eat very little, in small portions, but often. When eating a large amount of food, heartburn and belching, nausea and even vomiting can immediately occur, it is worth eating fractionally and not overeating at night, refusing to eat two to three hours before bedtime. If you want to eat, light snacks with fruits or vegetables, sour-milk drinks and dishes are acceptable. Immediately after eating, it is not recommended to lie down, it is worth walking or sitting so that there is no reflux of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus and heartburn does not develop. It is important to limit the diet of sugar salt, it has the specificity of retaining water in the body. For drinking it is worth using non-carbonated drinking water or mineral water, herbal teas or infusions, fruit drinks. It is worth drinking when you are thirsty, not greatly limiting yourself in drinking, since edema is almost not related to the amount of fluid you drink, but is associated with hormones and metabolism.

In this period, sex is permissible with the consent of the doctor, there is no unambiguous prohibition or permission - everything should come from the state of pregnancy and her well-being and desire. If there is no threat of premature birth and the placenta is located normally, if there is a desire, there are no prohibitions. But it is worth limiting the intensity of intimacy, choosing the optimal positions and abandoning hard forms of sex. With intimacy, it is worth using a condom so as not to infect the cervical region, and also monitor your well-being after intercourse. Orgasm during intimacy does not affect the child in any way, and positive emotions from sex will only benefit the baby.

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Discuss

eighth month of pregnancy

8 month pregnant, how many weeks is that? This time is from 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. Childbirth is still far away, but fatigue from an interesting position is already felt.

The beginning of the 8th month of pregnancy is the time of the last, third screening examination. You will have a third ultrasound, which will give a lot of information to doctors, but on which the expectant mother will be almost not interested, the baby is already so big that it does not fit on the monitor of the device, and you will not be able to see it completely, like on previous ultrasounds.

Baby at 8 months pregnant

A child at 8 months of pregnancy is still not ready for birth, but now it is much easier for him to endure adaptation in the postpartum period if he is born.

With regard to childbirth at 8 months of pregnancy, there is a myth that they are even more dangerous for the baby than childbirth at 27-28 weeks, but this is not so. The more weight a premature baby manages to gain by birth, the more chances he has not to have problems after birth.

By the 35th week of pregnancy, babies are simply not mature, but most of the problems of premature babies bypass them, often already on the 10th day they are discharged home with their mother directly from the hospital. Let's even say that for twins, childbirth at 34-35 weeks of gestation is a common occurrence, and then the babies grow strong and healthy.

The fetus at the 8th month of pregnancy may still not lie correctly, although with each week the amount of amniotic fluid becomes less and less. If your baby has a breech presentation, the problem should be taken seriously. Special exercises at the 8th month of pregnancy may well help the baby turn head down in the uterus, so that later the birth would proceed without complications.

A baby at 8 months of pregnancy has already formed a cyclic rhythm of sleep and wakefulness, which he will have after birth. He sleeps most of the day, waking up every hour or two, and these periods of wakefulness are marked by episodes of movement.

Woman 8 months pregnant

By the 8th month of pregnancy, a woman has time to fully experience all the delights of a large tummy and late terms. The time has come, which she completely gives to the unborn child.

For all pregnant women during this period, a change in the perception of the outside world is characteristic. All worries receded, it seems almost unimportant work, career. The miracle of motherhood, a child growing inside, under the heart, becomes the center of the universe. And even if you are forced to work or study, if the outside world does not leave you alone, it becomes something in second place after thoughts about the well-being of the baby.

Despite this, many expectant mothers, being in a difficult life situation, still manage to work or pass exams, this is a reality that cannot be protected from. If it’s hard for you right now, try not to take these problems to heart, because your baby right now is really the most important thing that you have. Your peace of mind and self-care during these short months of pregnancy form the foundation of his health for the rest of his life, and emotions during pregnancy, anxieties and worries, inevitably affect the child. You will have time for everything, and you should not strain yourself and worry yourself with unnecessary stress in these wonderful weeks.

The abdomen at the 8th month of pregnancy almost reaches its maximum size. By week 35, it will simply rest against your ribs, and it will become quite difficult for you to breathe. This is not surprising, your baby now weighs almost 2.5 kg, some children are born with this weight.

The tummy creates more and more problems. You will have to learn how to sleep in the correct position, choosing the most comfortable position. Gynecologists recommend sleeping on the left side, as this forms the correct presentation of the fetus and promotes optimal blood circulation in the placenta.

What might be bothering you

The 8th month of pregnancy is already a very long time, and many things can bother you. Edema at the 8th month of pregnancy is most often a manifestation of nephropathy in pregnant women, the onset of late gestosis during pregnancy. Because this condition threatens both mother and baby, it requires treatment, especially if you have protein in your urine and high blood pressure. Your doctor may suggest hospitalization in a maternity hospital - do not refuse!

Since the uterus practically fills the entire abdominal cavity, the stomach and intestines simply have nowhere to go. And this causes gastroenterological suffering ...

Almost all expectant mothers feel sick at the 8th month of pregnancy. At the same time, nausea may not be at all related to the fact that you do not like the food. You can dine with great appetite, and suddenly feel very uncomfortable. If immediate action is not taken, it may vomit.

Nausea at the 8th month of pregnancy decreases if you do not get up immediately after eating, but lie down and give yourself rest for 1-1.5 hours, or, best of all, but not always possible, do not do this in a crowded place - take a knee-elbow position . The meaning of both lying and getting on all fours is to facilitate the transition of food from the stomach to the intestines, because in such positions it is less squeezed by the uterus. Vomiting at 8 months of pregnancy is most often associated with this - you ate more than your stomach can accommodate.

Even if you manage to cope with nausea, you may be tormented by heartburn in the 8th month of pregnancy in between meals. If all else fails, do not try drinking soda and other ways to mock yourself. You need to try to reconsider the frequency of meals and diet. If you eat often, but little, and avoid fatty and seasonings, the liver and stomach will be easier, and nausea will not bother.

Allocations at the 8th month of pregnancy are normally the same as in the previous months of pregnancy, their change should alert you. It is clear that discharge with a bad smell, green or yellow, may indicate an infection, bloody - a threat to the life of the fetus. Thrush at 8 months of pregnancy flows as always, sour curd discharge with an unpleasant odor. No matter what worries you, this is a reason to see a doctor.

Dangers of 8 months of pregnancy

Premature birth at 8 months of pregnancy is still one of the main dangers. But it is not so much the birth itself that is dangerous, as the high risk of complications during it.

Premature births are more often than normal, rapid, accompanied by high maternal and fetal trauma, premature detachment of a normally located placenta, early and premature discharge of amniotic fluid.

A little truth about the dangers of the 8th month of pregnancy. It is completely not true that it is better for a child to be born at 7 months than at 8. The fact is that all the processes of growth and maturation in a baby never go back. Every day brings him closer to a healthy birth, to maturity. And when they say that children born at the 7th month of pregnancy survive more easily and have fewer problems, they are at least disingenuous.

In the departments for premature babies, babies born at 8 months are much less common, and usually they easily begin to breathe on their own - the lungs are quite mature. In most cases, they are simply supercooled more easily and have a lower body weight than normal children, but quickly gain their weight and grow up healthy.

Do not trust anyone if you start giving birth now - everything will be fine with you and the baby will definitely be healthy in the future, unless other troubles happen except for prematurity.

A little about the symptoms that require the obligatory attention of the mother and immediate seeking help.

Bleeding at 8 months pregnant is dangerous and can lead to fetal death and endanger your life. The most common cause is placenta previa or detachment of a correctly located placenta.

The main factors contributing to abruption are sexual intercourse in the presence of placenta previa, or even in the presence of a healthy normal pregnancy, heavy physical activity, especially weight lifting. Remember, while you are pregnant, you should not lift anything heavier. handbag, 1-1.5 kg.

A cold is also dangerous at the 8th month of pregnancy. In any case, infections affect the state of the placenta, and can lead to intrauterine fetal hypoxia. And even treatment is harmful, because, despite the fact that drugs are allowed for pregnant women, they, one way or another, affect pregnancy. For example, the temperature at 8 months of pregnancy is usually knocked down by drugs that affect the synthesis of prostaglandins. But these same hormones affect the excitability of the uterus.

Your life

Your life hasn't changed much yet. No, we will not say that it is easy for you now and you do not feel pregnant, but for sure now you live very calmly, worrying about shopping, leisurely walks, family and watching pleasant films and programs about the development of the child.

Of course, life, kitchen, laundry, ironing, care for older children, if any, are left to you, but in general, peace has finally come. You are still not prohibited from long pleasant walks, sex and other joys of life (unless, of course, the pregnancy is proceeding normally).

For many, cases are being resolved that were postponed in previous months due to lack of time. For example, a wedding at 8 months of pregnancy is a fairly common occurrence. The last calm weeks are coming - why not?

The only thing you want to warn against is long trips, and of course, flights. All airlines have a restriction on the flights of women, starting from 32 weeks of pregnancy. The flight at the 8th month of pregnancy is dangerous because it can provoke premature birth.

Right now the lifestyle you lead is very important. If your family smokes, this is bad, try not to be in a smoky room, since even passive smoking at the 8th month of pregnancy accelerates the aging of the placenta, nicotine causes spasm of its vessels. Probably, you yourself have noticed that in stuffy rooms the baby becomes more active - he also literally “nothing to breathe”.

Now the placenta has already reached the limits in its development, and now it is important to try to preserve its function until childbirth. Try to walk more, choosing places with clean and fresh air.

Your diet at 8 months pregnant should be fairly light, avoid fatty, fried and excess carbohydrates, especially in easily digestible form (sweets). Dairy products, vegetables and, of course, fruits, must be on your table every day. Eat often and in small portions. Do not drink coffee and strong tea - they contribute to heartburn. Such a diet at 8 months of pregnancy will not only help to cope with nausea, but will also contribute to the proper development of the baby, and the risk of a large fetus is reduced.

Now is the time to attend childbirth preparation courses. You will be taught how to behave in childbirth, classes provide excellent physical preparation and a lot of valuable knowledge about pregnancy and the postpartum period. In addition, this will give you the opportunity to decide for yourself right now whether you will go to the birth alone or with your husband, and where you will give birth, in which maternity hospital.

Gymnastics at the 8th month of pregnancy not only prepares the body for childbirth, but also helps to relieve back pain, improve overall well-being, and has a positive effect on the development of the baby. And in general, communication with other expectant mothers, moderate physical activity under the supervision of an instructor have a great effect on the overall tone and facilitate pregnancy.

Pregnancy 8 months video

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After the first birth, a girl who gave birth to a seven-month-old baby was lying in the ward with me. I remember her saying that it was much better than giving birth at 8 months, as the fetus is more ready for birth. To be honest, this confused me a little, because the more time a child spends in the womb, the more developed he is, right?

I share the information that I managed to find on the topic of how dangerous childbirth is at 8 months.

Why is childbirth at 8 months dangerous compared to seven months?

The opinion that seven-month-old babies are more adapted to independent living than those born at 8 months is based on the physiological characteristics of the development of the respiratory system. According to one possible reason, the amount of surfactant in a seven-month-old is greater than at birth at 8 months, therefore the chances that the baby will breathe independently are higher in babies born two months earlier.

However, in practice, everything turns out to be quite the opposite - the longer the child has stayed in the womb, the better for his respiratory system.

Why is childbirth at 8 months dangerous for a baby?

Premature birth is dangerous for the development of respiratory distress syndrome in a newborn - respiratory dysfunction against the background of lung immaturity.

Starting from 38 weeks, the baby is considered full-term, and delivery is urgent. Children born at 32-35 weeks of gestation, that is, at about 8 months, are functionally immature.

First of all, this concerns the readiness of the lungs - not all newborns are able to take an independent breath at this time, therefore they need to be provided medical care. This is directly related to the production of surfactant - a special substance that covers the alveoli of the lungs from the inside and prevents them from sticking together during breathing. Surfactant begins to be produced already at 20-24 weeks of gestation, however, the respiratory system becomes functionally mature only at 36 weeks of gestation.

IMPORTANT! Preterm delivery is considered to be at 34-37 weeks of gestation with a fetal weight of 2000 to 2500 grams. There is also the concept of early birth, when the baby is born at 28-33 weeks, and very early birth with a gestation period of 22 to 27 weeks. Despite a rather favorable prognosis, children born at 8 months should be under the supervision of medical personnel for the first day.

Why is childbirth at 8 months dangerous for mom?

Premature birth is most often caused by an abnormal course of pregnancy or the presence of serious problems with the health of the mother.

The onset of labor activity at the eighth month of pregnancy most often occurs against the background of:

urogenital infection;
hormonal disorders
multiple pregnancy;
abdominal trauma;
anomalies in the development of the uterus;
isthmic-cervical insufficiency;
iron deficiency anemia;
excessive physical stress;
availability bad habits, malnutrition, etc.

The danger of premature birth for a woman is the likelihood of developing many complications that may require operative delivery as soon as possible. For example, with an injury to the abdomen, an emergency condition such as placental abruption with internal bleeding may occur. In the presence of a urogenital infection, there are frequent cases of premature rupture of amniotic fluid against the background of the immaturity of the birth canal and the absence of active labor.

Why is childbirth at 8 months dangerous, and why is it worth prolonging the pregnancy?

The opinion that the birth of a child prematurely does not entail any consequences is erroneous. Undoubtedly, compared to very premature babies born before 30 weeks, an eight-month-old baby quickly adapts to the world around him and has fewer health problems. However, do not forget about the long-term consequences of premature birth, for example, neurological disorders in the form of poor sleep or increased excitability, as well as respiratory diseases, which most often develop in babies after being on mechanical ventilation.

What happens in the body of the expectant mother?

This month you are growing quite fast in size. Now the uterus has risen to the ribs, and it seems that there is not enough air, and the child is pounding with its legs literally under your heart. During this month, the bottom of the uterus (its top) will rise above the pubic joint by 38-40 cm and take its highest position.

You should not compare your stomach with the stomachs of "companions" in anticipation. After all, there are no identical bellies, just as there are no women with the same figures. The shape and size of the abdomen during pregnancy depends on many reasons, and the size of the child is not decisive. An appropriate assessment of the development and condition of your baby can only be given by a doctor based on both a direct measurement of the abdomen and pelvis, as well as data from a vaginal examination and ultrasound.

Your weight continues to increase. Weight is growing by an average of 300-400 g per week. If in a week the increase is more than 500 g, then this may be due to latent edema, it is better to consult a doctor: perhaps the doctor will prescribe fasting days. On average, by the end of the eighth month, you can add 8-13 kg, depending on the initial weight - the lower the weight before pregnancy, the more you can add.

Some women notice another not very pleasant phenomenon that accompanies late pregnancy. The hormonal background contributes to an increase in the amount of hair on the skin. In pregnant women, much less hair falls out than new ones grow, but in the normal state, these processes are synchronous. After childbirth, on the contrary, "extra" hair will fall out faster and you may be concerned about the amount of hair remaining on the comb. But do not be afraid, all these are natural processes.

Future child

The child is gaining weight every day, he is already cramped in the uterus. Therefore, his movements are now not as intense as before, and more like rolling and stretching. Sometimes you may experience discomfort during the movements of the child, especially in the hypochondrium. By this time, most babies are already head down. On examination, the doctor will easily determine this point.

There are finishing touches in the development of your baby's organs. The shoulders acquire an infantile roundness, thick cheeks appeared, the face became smooth - there is a predominant accumulation of fatty tissue. On the fingers, the nails have reached the edge of the nail phalanx, but on the legs - not yet. The layer of lubricant covering the baby has become even more abundant, and the germinal fluff (lanugo) is gradually disappearing. The cartilages of the nose and ears become harder.

The child already knows a lot, he has mastered the breathing, sucking and swallowing movements, sleeps a lot and probably dreams, in any case, his pupils move during sleep in a manner characteristic of fast sleep. Now a great many neural connections are being formed between brain cells, the nervous system is actively developing.

The bones of the skull in a child are quite soft: during the passage through the birth canal, the head will reduce its size (one might say, it will flatten a little). In the liver of the fetus, iron accumulates, which will be involved in hematopoiesis in the first year of life. The adrenal glands reach their maximum development, their size is the same in an eight-month-old fetus and an adult, and they produce ten times more hormones than the adrenal glands of an adult. After birth, the size of the adrenal glands will decrease significantly. The boys clearly showed testicles.

At this time, the lungs are fully developed, the level of surfactant - a substance that lines the lungs, necessary for breathing - is sufficient for spontaneous breathing in the event of childbirth. Such a child is often called not premature, but "prematurely born." The difference lies in the maturity of the lung tissue, and in the overall maturity of the fetus. Prematurely born babies breathe on their own and do not require any intensive care.

During this month, the child will grow from 40 to 45 cm, his weight by the end of the month will exceed 2500 g. He grows by leaps and bounds, on average adding 15-30 g per day (1% of his body weight).

Feelings of the expectant mother

This month is called “heavy” for a reason. No matter what you do, discomfort always accompanies you. Pregnancy fatigue builds up, and you can't even get a good night's sleep. Lying down in bed, you begin to suffocate or your back pain increases. To get comfortable, you have to drag a lot of pillows and bolsters into bed, and as soon as you succeed ... you have to go to the toilet. During falling asleep, you may be disturbed by cramping, painless or slightly painful sensations that appear in the upper part of the uterus, then spread down and subside. These are Braxton-Hicks contractions - contractions of the uterus, which are training. While you are deciding whether this is the beginning of preterm labor, a lot of thoughts come into your head that will keep you awake for a long time. Do not take sleeping pills, especially without the advice of a doctor. Try walking or doing some physical work before bed and drinking less at night.

Often there is heartburn - even when taking a small amount of food. This is due to the fact that the bottom of the uterus has risen to the highest point in the entire pregnancy. Heartburn can be managed if you eat small meals, then the evacuation of food from the stomach will be faster and less content will be thrown back into the esophagus. If that doesn't help, ask your doctor for advice on safe medications.

Walking is also hard. In addition to the aforementioned shortness of breath, fatigue and frequent urination, during a walk the fetus can push hard, movements are actively felt in the upper abdomen, in particular in the liver area - it is in the upper abdomen that the child’s legs are located with head presentation of the fetus, which occurs in most cases. It is quite painful, but there is no way to deal with it.

After long walks and trips, pulling pains in the lower abdomen and lower back may appear. In this case, you definitely need to lie down, you can take a NO-SHPY tablet. If the pain persists for more than 30 minutes, you need to see a doctor.

Psychology of the eighth month

Anxiety and concern come to the fore in your emotional state. You are alternately overcome by a variety of fears: either you are afraid of childbirth, then you are afraid for the health of the unborn baby, then you worry about whether you will be a good mother, then about whether you will be able to return to work. You will be preoccupied with various little things, you will begin to worry about completely unnecessary things, you are annoyed by your own appearance, you do not get enough sleep, and it is already difficult to do the usual things.

However, this happens to all pregnant women, so you are not alone. Moreover, all this is temporary. To not let negative emotions take you prisoner, remember that pregnancy is a very short and unique moment of your life. Discuss your fears with your future dad, your mom, friends, talk with your doctor, and even better - sign up for psychological support groups at the School of Motherhood. Speaking out all your worries there, you seem to share them with others, In addition, it will allow others to better understand your sudden mood swings and will help create a benevolent comfortable environment around you, If you are feeling well, divert your attention by driving out of town or going to the exhibition, theatre. Watch your appearance. If you already have children, prepare the older children to meet the baby, let the children touch your belly and talk to the future sibling.

Possible deviations from the norm

One of the most formidable complications of late pregnancy is preeclampsia. This disease is also often called late toxicosis, nephropathy or preeclampsia. The causes of gestosis have not been precisely established. It is known that factors predisposing to its appearance are: increased arterial pressure before and during pregnancy, kidney disease, diabetes, stress, hereditary predisposition, multiple pregnancy, too young or mature age of the pregnant woman and much more.

Symptoms of this disease are the appearance of edema, protein in the urine, increased blood pressure. The first thing a woman herself can notice is swelling. If you have gained more than 500 g in a week, you cannot take off your wedding ring, or you notice a trace of rubber bands on your legs and waist, this is a signal for an extraordinary visit to the doctor. It is to exclude preeclampsia that the doctor so meticulously evaluates your weight gain and measures your pressure. The insidiousness of preeclampsia is also that if a woman does not have obvious edema, she may not feel an increase in blood pressure at all: headache joins in the later stages of the disease. The appearance of symptoms such as headache and dizziness, tinnitus, flickering of "flies" before the eyes, nausea and vomiting, pain in the stomach and right hypochondrium indicates a severe form of preeclampsia of pregnancy. Any of these symptoms is a reason to seek immediate help, especially if you have problems with blood pressure during pregnancy. Without treatment, these disorders can lead to a deadly complication - eclampsia. Eclampsia is characterized by the sudden onset of seizures and loss of consciousness due to cerebral edema. The attack begins suddenly: there are strong convulsions, covering the whole body. This complication can lead to the death of the mother or fetus.

Timely treatment can avoid terrible consequences for the mother and fetus. Treatment begins with the creation of maximum rest and bed rest, allowing activation only when necessary (to eat, go to the toilet). It is necessary to lie on your side, preferably on the left, this helps your kidneys work more efficiently and increases blood flow to the placenta. More often drug treatment gestosis of pregnancy is carried out in stationary conditions. If a woman's condition worsens during treatment, then it is necessary to resort to early delivery in the interests of saving the life of the mother and fetus.

Necessary medical measures

You should see a doctor every two weeks, even if you feel well and don't have any concerns. The following indicators are monitored at each visit:

Your well-being.
Weight gain.
Arterial pressure.
The height of the fundus of the uterus and the circumference of the abdomen.
The position of the fetus in the uterus.
Fetal heartbeat.
The presence of edema.

By the end of the eighth month, you will be offered a routine chair exam. During the examination, a control smear analysis will be taken. Based on the results of this study, the issue of the need for treatment of identified infections will be decided. Now many tests are repeated just before the birth: for example, a general blood test, blood for sugar, a biochemical analysis and a blood coagulation test. Before each visit to the doctor, you must take a urine test.

A brief description of the visit is recorded on an exchange card, which you should always carry with you when you leave home.

At the eighth month, the last scheduled ultrasound examination is performed, during which the size, weight and position of the fetus, the location and condition of the placenta, the amount and transparency of amniotic fluid are specified. In addition, it allows you to identify some types of fetal pathology that could not be detected on more early dates, a possible delay in fetal development, as well as to judge the maturity of the lung tissue of the fetus.

In addition to the usual ultrasound, which reveals the anatomy, i.e. static characteristics of the fetus, placenta and amniotic fluid, there is a research technique based on measuring the speeds of moving objects based on the Doppler effect. This technique is called dopplerometry. During this procedure, the blood flow in the vessels of the mother, placenta, umbilical cord and fetus is examined. Based on the results of the study, one can judge the presence of circulatory disorders in these organs and predict oxygen starvation in the fetus.

Rules of behavior

It is advisable to buy or rent floor scales. Make sure that there are no sudden jumps in weight. This is a kind of indicator showing any deviations. If the doctor has not limited the amount of liquid you drink, drink in total (including first courses, fruits, vegetables) at least one and a half liters of liquid per day, but give preference clean water excluding sugary and salty drinks. But the salt in the diet must be limited: no more than 3-5 g per day, which is one teaspoon without top, since the use of salt provokes the appearance of edema. It is better to cook food without salt, adding salt just before eating. Give preference to protein foods, significantly limiting readily available carbohydrates and fats. It is correct to eat not 2-3 times, but 6-7 times a day, but in small portions: this way you will feel better, the feeling of heaviness in the stomach will go away, heartburn will decrease. Plan your last meal 2-3 hours before bedtime, and choose "light" low-calorie foods - low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables. Remember that the placenta passes many substances from you to the baby, so obligate allergens, that is, foods that very often cause allergies (tomatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries, food colorings, chocolate, honey, chicken eggs and chicken), in late pregnancy it is better to limit. If you or your future dad suffer from food allergies yourself, then these foods, like those that you have ever had an allergy to, should be completely excluded.

Walks are still part of your daily routine, they should be short and close. Walk preferably 2 times a day. It is better if you start and end your day with a leisurely stroll.

household affairs

At the end of the eighth month, start preparing for the birth of your baby. It's time to choose the maternity hospital where you are going to give birth, it would be good to get to know the doctor who will be with you during childbirth. Find out in advance what kind of care awaits you at the hospital and how best to get to it. Check if the maternity hospital of your choice is closed for a scheduled preventive wash. If you are about to give birth naturally, think over the plan of childbirth in advance, your attitude to the stimulation and anesthesia of childbirth, discuss with your husband possible partner childbirth. If for any reason you are shown C-section, discuss the date of preliminary hospitalization with your doctor.

By the end of the month, collect the things that you would like to take to the hospital during childbirth, and separately - which will be useful immediately after childbirth. Put cotton socks and washable slippers in the bag prepared for the delivery room. The second bag will include highly hygroscopic, highly breathable sanitary pads (2-3 packs), mesh panties or regular loose cotton panties, a nursing bra, clothing of your choice. For the baby, prepare disposable diapers, baby cream - under the diaper and moisturizing, baby soap, a compact package of wet wipes. It is better to stock up on nipple cream that relieves pain from cracks and abrasions. It can be PURELAN, BEPANTEN, SOLKOSERYL, ACTOVEGIN.

The eighth month of pregnancy - there is only nothing left before childbirth, and the woman increasingly feels their inexorable approach with periodic Braxton-Higgs training contractions. If uterine contractions are not accompanied by severe pain, and the frequency of contractions and their duration make themselves felt from time to time and not for long, you should not worry. However, if the contractions are painful and last longer than an hour, you should immediately contact your doctor - preterm labor may have begun.

The eighth month of pregnancy - there is only nothing left before the birth, and the woman increasingly feels their inexorable approach with periodic Braxton Higgs. If uterine contractions are not accompanied by severe pain, and the frequency of contractions and their duration make themselves felt from time to time and not for long, you should not worry. However, if the contractions are painful and last longer than an hour, you should immediately contact your doctor - they may have begun.

By the eighth month, the belly has grown simply to a huge size, and during this month the uterus will take its highest position. In this regard, the woman begins to notice that it becomes more difficult to breathe, and the child's pushes, falling along the very ribs, cause pain.

It is very important now to continue, walk more in the fresh air and rest more often. Due to the large belly, there are some difficulties with choosing a position for sleeping. Experts insist that on the back on recent months pregnancy should not sleep categorically - in this position, the inferior vena cava is clamped. As a result, "attacks" of dizziness, increased heart rate, and in general, very poor health are possible.

It is important to remember: the anatomical features of the body in different women differ, and therefore it is pointless to compare the size of the abdomen with the “colleagues” for bearing a child - if some women have a very, very impressive belly, then other ladies are “compact” and “miniature” until the end of pregnancy » tummy.

Baby eight months pregnant

The baby is almost ready to be born - all life-supporting systems and main organs are developed and functioning, the only thing is that the final work on the development of the lungs continues. And, if a child is suddenly born for some reason at a period of eight months of pregnancy, then speech already underway not about premature, but rather, early birth, as a result of which the baby survives with a high degree of probability.

A child at eight months is practically no different from an ordinary person: he hears and sees, knows how to blink, squints and frowns, the nails reach the end of the phalanges of the nail plates. The skin color of the baby is evened out, thanks to the subcutaneous fat, the shoulders and face are rounded. The lanugo germinal fluff gradually disappears, the first hair appears on the head, eyebrows and eyelashes are visible. At the same time, the layer of primordial lubrication is thickened, which will facilitate the "journey" of the child through the birth canal, allowing him to glide.

It is believed that at the eighth month of pregnancy, the child is already dreaming, in any case, his eyelids move in a rhythm characteristic of the REM phase of sleep. At this stage, the baby's brain becomes more complicated and improves - a lot of nerve connections are formed between brain cells, and a protective, so-called myelin sheath, is formed around the already formed cells. And, although the bones of the child are already relatively strong, and the cartilages of the nose and ears are solid, the bones of the skull remain soft, which is necessary for the normal passage of the baby through the birth canal.

The liver is doing a great job now: it needs to accumulate iron in the amounts that will be needed for independent hematopoiesis by the infant organism in the first year of life.

In the penultimate month of pregnancy, the fetus occupies almost the entire uterine cavity, it becomes more and more difficult for him to move around. Accordingly, shocks and movements become somewhat less frequent, but much more noticeable. This month, the child will also take the position from which he will then be born, normally - head presentation.

The eighth month is marked by an intensive weight gain: every day the baby gets heavier by 15-30 g. Thus, by the end of the month, the baby's weight reaches 2500-2700 g, and growth increases to 45-46 cm on average.

Feelings and possible problems of the eighth month of pregnancy

The eighth month of pregnancy is the time of the appearance of anxiety about the upcoming birth, worries about the health and well-being of the baby, enhanced preparation of the “dowry” for the child. All this is against the background of some absent-mindedness and quite understandable fatigue from pregnancy, both emotional and physical.

Moreover, physical sensations by the eighth month of pregnancy can hardly be called pleasant: just the same, a huge belly interferes with habitual breathing, moving around and sleeping normally, heartburn attacks are constantly tormented and you often want to go to the toilet a little, most likely, the problem of constipation has worsened, and even the baby, pushing from the inside, causes pain with these shocks. You need to understand - it remains to be patient very little, and the first cry of a baby, to whom mommy will very soon give a “ticket” to life, will fully pay for all today's possible problems and uncomfortable sensations.

Shortness of breath at this time is a completely normal symptom, the uterus has now risen to its maximum height, squeezing the lungs as well. However, besides minor breathing problems, other symptoms should not occur. If, against the background of breathing difficulties, blue lips and / or fingertips appear, an accelerated heartbeat, chest pain occurs, and breathing accelerates, you should immediately call an ambulance team.

The expectant mother should be prepared for sleep problems: due to the large belly, it is now difficult to find a comfortable position for sleeping, and thoughts of near-motherhood “swarming” in the head often interfere with sleep. And now, it would seem, the optimal position was found, and they managed to cope with thoughts ... but no! Now the body needs to empty bladder…

By the way, some incidents can also occur with urination - in the form of the so-called stress urinary incontinence. The uterus, enlarged many times, is now exerting “serious” pressure on the abdominal organs, and the bladder is also under pressure. Thus, by the eighth month of pregnancy, a woman with embarrassment may experience uncontrollable leakage of some urine when laughing, sneezing, or coughing.

The amount of fluid in the body of a pregnant woman increases significantly, which is associated with some swelling of the limbs and face. At the same time, the spread of edema and their "severity" must be monitored, as well as pressure: severe edema and increased blood pressure may indicate.

A woman in the eighth month of pregnancy clearly and even painfully feels the pushing of the baby from the inside, sometimes it may seem that the baby rests her foot directly on the ribs, and they are about to not withstand such pressure. They will survive, but the soreness, of course, is an unpleasant thing, to remove it and some “calm” the child, it is recommended to do the “cat’s back” exercise.

Back pain is common at this time, due to a significantly enlarged abdomen. Often back pains, and with them - in the stomach - make themselves felt after a walk. In this case, it is recommended to lie down and rest, you can drink a Nosh-pa tablet. But, if the pain continues for more than half an hour, urgently call an ambulance.

Feelings of stuffy nose and ears, spontaneous bleeding from the nose, bleeding gums, leg muscle cramps are possible at the eighth month of pregnancy. Do not be afraid if a slight increase in the discharge of whites from the vagina is noticed: if the increase in discharge is not accompanied by discomfort, the discharge does not change color and consistency, there is no reason to worry.

Changes in the hormonal background can lead to another unusual and somewhat unpleasant phenomenon for a woman - the growth of body hair in large quantities. You need to understand that this phenomenon is temporary, after childbirth, when hormonal processes begin to stabilize, the situation will resolve itself.

The last months of pregnancy, again, due to the pressure of the uterus on the internal organs, there are also digestive problems “in full”: heartburn, constipation. The main condition for reducing these unpleasant phenomena is the observance of the principles of proper nutrition and the rejection of products that provoke digestive disorders.

Nutrition in the eighth month of pregnancy

In the last months of pregnancy proper nutrition play a very important role without exaggeration. The principles of nutrition remain the same: it is better to eat more often, but little by little, avoiding overeating. It is with the consumption of food in large quantities that heartburn is often associated: the stomach is now squeezed by the uterus, and excess food is simply thrown into the esophagus. To avoid heartburn, fatty and fried foods, smoked meats, sour and sweets should also be excluded from the diet. It is recommended not to lie down immediately after eating - it is preferable to walk or stand.

In order not to aggravate swelling, it is advisable to limit salt intake and not drink liquids on the eve of going to bed. Cowberry fruit drinks can also be used for the same purpose: they have some diuretic effect and improve the excretion of fluid from the body.

As before, lean meat and fish should be present in the diet, only in the last months of pregnancy it is desirable to limit their number somewhat. It is better to use meat and fish, as well as cereals in the morning, after dinner, give preference to dairy and vegetable foods.

Considering that the baby takes calcium from the mother's body in large quantities, cottage cheese and sour-milk products should be present in the daily menu. And to prevent anemia, beef, green apples, liver, spinach, greens will be useful.

In general, the principles of nutrition at this time are not new: food should be as natural as possible, the menu excludes semi-finished products and fast food, it is better to forget about strong tea and coffee for a while. And one more thing: when buying factory-made cottage cheese or yoghurts in stores, you must definitely pay attention to the date of manufacture and expiration date. Indeed, in fermented milk products, after the expiration date, E. coli multiply very quickly, which can cause very significant damage to pregnancy and a growing baby.

Sex in the eighth month of pregnancy

The question of whether sex is permissible in the eighth month of pregnancy does not have a definite answer. It will have to be solved exclusively with the doctor leading the pregnancy, who will be able to give a “professional” opinion on the possibility of the presence of physical intimacy in the penultimate month of bearing a baby.

Moreover, different sources “dictate” different postulates: according to one, sex in the eighth month of pregnancy is quite possible if there are no contraindications and the mother does not bear twins, others - that it is advisable to refrain from intimacy so as not to “disturb” the one who has taken the correct position for childbirth in the cephalic presentation of the baby.

Be that as it may, even thematic literature will not be able to clearly and in each individual case give a final answer on the account of the permissibility of sex, this priority remains with the doctor. But unambiguous contraindications for "sessions" of physical intimacy are still defined, they include: placenta previa, bleeding of unknown origin, damage to the membranes, separation of the child's place.

Tests and examinations in the eighth month of pregnancy

This month, visits to the doctor will become more frequent - if a decision on a two-time study in one month was not made earlier, such a decision may take place at this time.

During a visit to the antenatal clinic, the doctor routinely measures weight and blood pressure, listens to the child's heart, examines the mother's hands and feet in order to determine the degree of swelling. As before, a general one is shown - to detect protein and determine sugar levels in the mother's body.

Often the eighth month becomes the month of the last, third planned ultrasound. The tasks of ultrasound examination on the eve of pregnancy are:

determining the degree of maturity of the placenta - to exclude the possibility of premature aging;
study of the state of the cervix, determination of the size of the uterus;
assessment of the amount and condition of amniotic fluid
assessment of the internal organs of the baby to exclude possible malformations,
determination of the size of the fetus and the exclusion of intrauterine malnutrition;
determination of fetal presentation and location of the umbilical cord.