8th Month of Pregnancy: Baby Growth, Stretch Marks and Tips
The mantra for the eighth month is to relax and practice breathing deeply. During this month, your tummy will continue to grow, and you might have trouble breathing and have mood swings. You may sometimes find it hard to get used to how fast your tummy is growing. There will be changes in your bowel and bladder habits. Your nipples may leak a yellowish fluid called colostrum, the first milk your body makes for your baby, as the HSE explains. Practice contractions may be felt more often as your body prepares for the big day.
During this month, you cannot escape comments like "you look so big" and so on. However, on the better side, it is time to go shopping and make plans for the coming baby, so if needed make changes at home. If you missed the last post, read about the seventh month of pregnancy.
What happens during the eighth month?
By the end of this month, your baby is about 17 to 18 inches long and weighs up to about 5 pounds, says Cleveland Clinic. Your baby is getting cramped inside the uterus, so the kicks may feel more like pokes. The layer of fat under the skin keeps growing, and the brain grows very fast during this time. Your baby can now see and hear most things around it, and you may notice clear patterns of when your baby is awake and asleep. Your baby may be turning head down to get ready for birth, though the position can still change. Most organs are well formed, but the lungs and brain are still maturing. If a baby is born at this time, the World Health Organization calls it very preterm (28 to 32 weeks). Babies born this early need special care in the hospital, but their chances of doing well get better with every week they stay in the womb.
Measures to take
At this stage, your doctor may see you more often and repeat some of the tests done earlier. Your doctor may also ask you to count your baby's kicks each day. Cleveland Clinic says feeling 10 movements in one or two hours is typical. Call your doctor if your baby is moving less than usual. It is a time to do regular breathing exercises and Kegel exercises to make the pelvic floor stronger. Try to stay away from stressful situations and rest when you can. Playing soothing bedtime lullabies can help create a peaceful mood to keep stress levels low. Sweet Child of Mine Lullaby is a soft song about a mommy penguin holding her baby, with the words "I'll hold you tight / I'll be right here / All your life." You can find more gentle music for moms and babies on our music page.
Stretch marks
As your tummy grows, stretch marks may be one of the things that worry you most. ACOG says they happen when the skin stretches quickly as the baby grows. By the third trimester, many women have them on the belly, buttocks, breasts or thighs. ACOG also says there is no proof that any product can prevent stretch marks, and most of them fade after the baby is born. Still, a few healthy habits are good for your skin and your whole body.
- Eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, avocados, nuts, carrots and bell peppers. Foods with omega 3 fats, like eggs, nuts and low mercury fish, are also good choices. Ask your doctor before taking any new supplements.
- Keep hydrated, and drink plenty of water.
- Do gentle, low impact exercise, like walking or swimming.
- Try to gain a healthy amount of weight, as your doctor advises, and avoid overeating.
- Use a rich moisturizer. ACOG says it may help keep your skin soft, though it will not get rid of stretch marks.
- Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen.
Understanding preeclampsia and eclampsia
It is now time to understand these two serious problems of pregnancy that can be dangerous if not treated. ACOG says preeclampsia is a disorder with high blood pressure and signs of damage to organs. It usually starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy, often in the third trimester, and it can also start in the weeks after birth. It can affect all the organs in the body. Eclampsia is when preeclampsia causes seizures. Both conditions are serious and can be life threatening, so they need treatment under close medical care.
ACOG says to call your doctor right away if you have any of these warning signs, especially in the second half of pregnancy:
- Swelling of the face or hands
- A headache that will not go away
- Seeing spots or changes in your eyesight
- Pain in the upper belly or shoulder
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sudden weight gain
- Trouble breathing
When you are ready, read what comes next in the ninth month of pregnancy.
Questions About the Eighth Month of Pregnancy
How big is the baby at 8 months pregnant?
By the end of the eighth month, the baby is about 17 to 18 inches long and weighs up to about 5 pounds.
Is it normal for my breasts to leak in the eighth month?
Yes. Your breasts may leak colostrum, the first milk your body makes. Some women leak and some do not. Both are normal.
Can I prevent stretch marks?
ACOG says there is no proof that any product prevents stretch marks. A moisturizer can keep your skin soft, and most marks fade after birth.
What are the warning signs of preeclampsia?
Swelling of the face or hands, a headache that will not go away, changes in eyesight, upper belly pain, sudden weight gain and trouble breathing. Call your doctor right away.
How often should my baby move in the eighth month?
Feeling 10 movements in one or two hours is typical. Call your doctor if your baby moves less than usual.
This post is for general information only. It is not medical advice. If you have questions about your health or your pregnancy, please talk to your doctor.