Month 8 |
By the end of the eight month, your baby is about a foot and a half long and weighs around 4-5 pounds. Most systems are functioning at this point and your baby is capable of seeing and hearing things. The only part of your baby remaining relatively undeveloped is the lungs.
Your Body: You May Be Experiencing:
- strong fetal movement
- heavy vaginal discharge
- increased constipation
- increased anticipation of delivery
- anxiety about baby 's health
- increasing shortness of breath
- nasal and ear congestion
- swelling in ankles, feet, hands, face
- backaches headaches and dizziness
- protruding navel
- itchy abdomen
- bleeding gums
- varicose veins
- hemorrhoids
- leakage from breasts
- difficulty sleeping
- heartburn, indigestion, flatulence
- clumsiness
- leg cramps
Your Baby: Weeks 34 - 38
The baby will grow to about 42 cm (16.5 in.) by the end of this month and will weigh about 6.5 pounds. Body fat comprises around 7-8% of the baby 's total weight. The lingo hairs are almost gone and the toenails are now fully grown. The baby can swallow, hear, and even recognize voices. The baby will probably settle in the uterus head-down as the birth time nears.
Medical Care - Prenatal Visit 8 & 9
After the 32nd week of gestation, you will need to see your physician about every two weeks.
During the eight and ninth prenatal visits your physician may check the following:
- weight and blood pressure
- urine, for protein and/or sugar
- fetal heartbeat
- size and position of your baby
- fundal height
- edema of hands and feet
- varicose veins in the legs
- any other symptoms you have questions about
This information was provided by Clinical Tools' Health Center (http://www.health-center.com) and is copyright, Clinical Tools, Inc.
