Eighth month of pregnancy means both excitement and nervousness. Most of this month is spend in increasing discomfort, the tensions whether you are going into pre-term labor and whether your baby is kicking enough. People around you will say to relax and each women who has gone through pregnancy, knows it’s not possible.

Your Baby

This month your baby’s brain is growing rapidly. By now your baby is running out of space and so the kicks may be less but nevertheless strong.You may notice the shape of an elbow or heel through your abdomen.Bones of the head are soft and flexible to make it easier for baby to fit through the birth canal. Your baby may have a lot of hair on their head or none, both extremes are normal. Lungs are still not fully developed. He can taste sweet and sour in the fluid. He hiccups and cries by the end of the month. If your baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it can survive with a bit of medical attention. Baby is now about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds.

Your Body

Women going through the eighth month of pregnancy will feel stronger contractions as compared to the seventh month of pregnancy.Some women even leak colostrums, that’s the first yellow milk that feeds your baby; this month. You will also have a hard time falling to sleep as it’s getting difficult by the day to get comfortable. Try having some extra pillows under your head. If you walk a bit fast then you may experience shortness of breath, as your baby crowds your lungs. Baby may even crowd your stomach, killing your appetite. Try having 5-6 small meals, rather than 2-3 big ones. By eighth month pregnancy the top of your uterus lies just under your rib cage.

Prenatal Care Guide

After the 32nd week of pregnancy, your doctor will advise you come for visit every 2 weeks. You should gain 1 pound a week this month. Some of the things pregnant women need to look out this month are:

• 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

If you have any of these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor immediately. One of some of these symptoms can be an indication that you are going into labor.