why is eighth month of pregnancy critical?

Why the Third Trimester of Pregnancy is Crucial
Excerpt: The third trimester sees the completion of a significant number of developmental milestones for the foetus. A preterm labour compromises this development. With the help of Dr Malathi Sitaram, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician at Parkway East Medical Centre, we help mums-to-be learn more about babies’ development during this period in order to understand why preterm babies are different from full term babies. This article is part of the DreamBig, an education series by Abbott, which aims to spread awareness on prematurity and help turn small starts into big futures.
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The final trimester is often the hardest. You are almost there but not quite. You begin to become bigger and less mobile at a time when it seems like you have the most to do – finish off the nursery, finalize the hospital, organize handover at work, plan for confinement…the list seems endless. And while you are busy multi-tasking, your baby’s body is doing some serious work of its own.
Why is the third trimester crucial for my baby?

When your baby is 28 weeks old (the start of the third trimester) his organs are fully formed and visible on the ultrasound. However, while they may be clearly visible, his organs’ functions have not matured sufficiently for independent living. The full development of your baby’s brain and other vital organs such as lungs, eyes, heart, immune system, intestinal system, and kidneys takes place in this final term of your pregnancy.

Let’s explain a bit more. Take the baby’s lungs for example – an organ absolutely essential to breathing and therefore survival. It is not until the 34th week of gestation that certain proteins called surfactant are produced in your baby’s body. These surfactants are crucial in preventing the lungs from collapsing and facilitate independent breathing.

The speed of babies’ brain development accelerates rapidly during this time. The cerebral cortex (the brain center for thinking, remembering, feeling) enlarges rapidly, almost tripling in weight, and the brain’s formerly smooth surface becomes increasingly grooved and indented. However, in spite of these rapid developments, the cerebral cortex starts to function only around the time the full term baby is born.

Additionally, it is only in the third trimester that there is a high placental transfer of important nutrients, all of which are particularly needed to support the new born through the first six months of life.

In summary, premature babies would have these crucial developments compromised.
What is the definition of prematurity and do all preterm babies face the same complications?
When can premature babies be discharged?
Are developmental milestones of preterm babies different from term babies?
Will a preterm baby ever catch up with his peers?