Ninth Month Pregnancy - 9 months pregnant

In short: The ninth month covers weeks 36–40. The baby’s organs are complete and the lungs produce the substance needed for breathing. There is less room, so the type of movement changes, but the number of movements should not fall: any reduction or change in the usual pattern means going to hospital at once. False contractions are frequent and visits become weekly. Go to hospital immediately for bleeding, or severe headache with blurred vision.

• 9 months pregnant (Weeks 36-40)

36 Weeks Pregnancy

• Your baby is 2.75kg in weight, and 48cm in length.

• [Your baby’s movements may feel different (more rolling than kicking) as space gets tighter, but they should not become less frequent. Keep to your baby’s usual pattern; if movements reduce or change, contact your doctor or go to the hospital straight away — do not wait, and do not rely on a sweet drink or a home heartbeat monitor to check.

• The downy hair (the fine, soft hair that grows on a fetus) will shed and the vernix caseosa (which is the waxy white substance found coating the skin) will disappear into the amniotic fluid, which is then absorbed again by your baby. This will result in a dark bowel movement of your baby after birth; this is quite normal and is called meconium.

• From 37 weeks your baby will be regarded as term (full term from 39 weeks).

• Your baby will move down, lower into the pelvic area in preparation for delivery.

• If your Baby is presenting by the bottom, your doctor may try to do an external cephalic version in order to push your baby’s buttocks upward, under ultrasound guidance.

• You may have an antenatal visit once / week.

• If you notice any vaginal bleeding, constant abdominal pain, persistent or severe headache and / or blurred vision, you should go to the hospital immediately.

If you are unsure what you are feeling, our article on decreased fetal movements discusses this topic in detail.

37 Weeks Pregnancy

• Your baby is 50cm in length, and weighs about 3kg.
• The head is full of hair at birth, and will measure 1.5 inches in length.
• Your baby’s body fat is about 8%, and in the next 3 weeks, it will increase to 15%.
• Antibodies will continue to transfer to your baby’s body, and then they will be transferred through your breast milk.
• You may feel uncomfortable while walking.
• Braxton Hicks contractions or false contractions may be more frequent this week.
• You may experience diarrhea in preparation for labour.
• Do not be worried if your umbilicus is protruding as this will disappear few months after delivery.

38 Weeks Pregnancy

• Your baby is 3.4kg, and 51cm in length.
• The nails are well formed reaching the end of the fingers, and your Baby can grasp things strongly.
• The organs are mature now.
• The intestine is full of meconium.
• The abdominal circumference is the same size as the head circumference.
• If the eyes are grey or dark blue at birth, they may stay grey or blue or turn green or brown after 9 month.
• If you feel tired take a nap, catch-up on reading, and spend more time with your partner.
• Watch your feet, and ankles for swelling, and elevate your legs.
• Contractions may be more painful, but true contractions start at the top of the uterus, and spread downward through your back into the pelvis. They will be stronger and painful, and will not be relieved even when you change position.

39 Weeks Pregnancy

• Your baby is 3.45kg in weight, and 52 cm in length.
• The lungs start to produce surfactant at 24 weeks, which will reduce the surface tension.
• The brain is still developing.
• The skin is paler due to the accumulation of fat.
• By this week the uterus is crowded, so your baby’s movements may feel different (more rolling and stretching), but they should not become less frequent; if they do, contact your doctor or go to the hospital straight away.
• When your baby is ready to be born, a chemical message is sent to the placenta, and this will increase estrogen production, which will lead to labour.
• Look for bloody show, mucus plug passage, nausea, contraction; breaking water which may be in the form of a gush or a small slow leak. All or any of these could be signs of labour.
• If you pass your due date, you need to do a fetal test to ensure that it is safe to continue pregnancy, or if it is necessary to induce labour.
• Most doctors will induce labour after 41 weeks.
• You may have leaking water before contractions begin. If this happens, go to the hospital to be checked. Many women go into labour by themselves within 24 hours; your doctor will discuss inducing labour straight away or waiting for a short time, and will advise immediate induction if you carry Group B Strep, the fluid is green or brown, or there are signs of infection.

40 Weeks Pregnancy

• Do not be stressed out because of these extra few days. Enjoy spending more time with your partner.
• Babies differ in their weight when they are born, but most of them will be 45-55cm in length.
• You may be anxious about when your water will break, or when labour will start. Try to relax and always make a plan for everything.

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist