9 Months Pregnant: Symptoms and Fetal Development
Yes! The end of your pregnancy is in sight now, and the big day approaches. Keep in mind that your little one isn | t technically considered full term and ready for birth until 39 weeks and that only about 1 in 20 women give birth on their exact due date. So, you both may have a few more weeks of growing to do, but you | re almost there! Read on to learn more about the kinds of things that are in store for you when you | re nine months pregnant.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms at 9 Months Pregnant
When you | re nine months pregnant, some of the normal pregnancy symptoms you might experience include:
Frequent urination. This symptom might be getting a little old right about now, but as your baby continues to grow and drop lower into your pelvis in preparation for birth, she also continues to put pressure on your bladder. You | ll probably be making more bathroom trips during the day and also at night. If you find that you | re leaking urine when you laugh or sneeze, you may want to wear a panty liner.
Swollen legs. It may seem as if every part of you is bigger now, including your legs and feet. In most cases, extra fluid retention and hormones are to blame. And, as your uterus grows, it puts pressure on certain veins, which can reduce or slow the flow of blood from the lower half of your body to the upper half. To get some relief, put your feet up whenever possible, and avoid standing for long periods of time.
Tingling or numbness in fingers and hands. If you feel a numbness or tingling in your hands or wrists, it could be carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a system of bones and nerves on the palm side of your wrist. Increased fluid retention during pregnancy can put extra pressure on these bones and nerves, causing that tingling or numb sensation you | re feeling. This discomfort usually subsides after you give birth, but chat with your healthcare provider if you | d like to get some relief sooner.
Pelvic pressure. Just like you, your baby is also getting ready for her birth day. One of the things she is doing is dropping lower into your pelvis. For you, the downside of this is that you | ll likely feel more pressure on your pelvis, bladder, and hips. The upside is that you may be able to breathe a little easier, because as she drops she will likely put less pressure on your lungs and diaphragm.
Back pain. Another symptom you may be familiar with by the time you | re nine months pregnant is back pain. As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes. Meanwhile, pregnancy hormones relax the joints in your pelvis in preparation for childbirth. Both of these can cause back pain. To give yourself some relief, try to practice good posture (prenatal yoga can help with this), wear supportive, comfortable shoes, and avoid doing any lifting, if at all possible. A gentle massage or a well-positioned hot or cold pack can also feel good.
Pigmentation. You might be noticing some changes to your skin when you | re nine months pregnant. Those hormones coursing through your body during pregnancy can increase the production of melanin, which can result in brownish patches appearing on your face (known as melasma) or a dark line down the middle of your lower belly (known as the linea nigra).
Stretch marks. These are a fact of life for many moms-to-be. They | re not preventable, but they often fade after you give birth. Use a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and help ward off any itchiness that may come from your skin stretching as it expands to accommodate your growing baby.
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