9th Month of Pregnancy: Signs of Labor, Baby Growth and Tips
So now you are approaching the finish line of your incredible journey, and you are about to be blessed with the greatest gift a person can get. In this month, you will have mixed feelings of worry and excitement. You have already built a special bond with your bump. Sometimes you may also feel a strong urge to clean and get the house ready for the newcomer. This is called "nesting." If you missed the last post, read about the eighth month of pregnancy.
During this month pay close attention to the kicks and movements of your baby. If you notice your baby is moving less often, call your doctor or go to the hospital, as ACOG advises.
What happens during the ninth month?
By now the baby is quite mature. During this month, the baby will keep putting on weight, the brain keeps growing, and the lungs are close to being fully developed. Cleveland Clinic says that by week 36, your baby is about 17 to 19 inches long and weighs 6 to 7 pounds. By week 40, most babies are about 18 to 20 inches long and weigh about 7 to 9 pounds.
The average pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, but ACOG says most women give birth between 38 and 41 weeks. A baby born at 39 or 40 weeks is called full term.
Measures to take
During this month, your baby will slowly drop lower, and the head will settle deep into your pelvis. This is called lightening. You may find it easier to breathe, but you may feel more pressure on your bladder and need to pee more often. Feeling more pressure in your pelvis is also common.
Towards the end of the pregnancy, you may notice more vaginal discharge, which is normal. The NHS says to call your midwife or doctor if it smells bad, is green or yellow, or if you feel itchy or sore.
Your body is now getting ready for labor. So the feeling of the belly tightening and relaxing will happen more often.
Your doctor will test you for group B strep. The CDC says this is done in the 36th or 37th week by gently rubbing a swab on the vagina and rectum. The test is simple and does not hurt. If you test positive, you will get antibiotics during labor to help protect your baby. The doctor may also check your weight and blood pressure, and check your cervix to see if it has started to open.
Signs of labor
Before labor, it is common to feel practice contractions of the uterus, called Braxton Hicks contractions. ACOG says these are less regular and not as strong as true labor, and they often go away with rest and drinking water. True labor contractions come in a regular pattern and get closer together over time. Each one lasts about 60 to 90 seconds, and they keep going even when you rest or move around.
Before labor or at the start of labor, the thick mucus plug in the cervix comes out through the vagina. You may notice more discharge that is clear, pink or a little bloody. This is sometimes called the "show." This plug helped keep your womb sealed during pregnancy.
Water breaking: if you feel fluid that trickles or gushes from your vagina, the sac of fluid around your baby has broken. ACOG says to call your doctor or midwife and follow their advice.
Other things to know
If you have heavy bleeding from the vagina during this month, go to the hospital right away. ACOG also says to go if your water has broken and you are not having contractions, or if you have constant, strong pain with no break between contractions. The NHS says bleeding is not always serious, but you should always get advice, so call your doctor even if it is light.
Going past your due date is usually not a reason to worry. ACOG says most women who give birth after their due date have a normal labor and a healthy baby. All you should do is get enough rest, relax while listening to gentle newborn lullabies, keep counting the kicks to check on your baby, and keep looking for the signs of labor. Rest My Baby Lullaby is a soft song about a parent who rocks the baby "till you fall asleep." You can find more soft songs for newborns on our music page. At 41 weeks, your doctor may do tests to check on your baby and may suggest starting labor with medicine or other methods. This is called induction.
Once your baby is here, read what to expect in the first month with your newborn baby.
Questions About the Ninth Month of Pregnancy
How big is the baby at 9 months pregnant?
At week 36, the baby is about 17 to 19 inches long and weighs 6 to 7 pounds. By week 40, most babies weigh about 7 to 9 pounds.
How can I tell real labor from Braxton Hicks?
Real labor contractions come in a regular pattern, get closer together, last about 60 to 90 seconds and keep going when you rest. Braxton Hicks are uneven and often stop with rest and water.
When is the group B strep test done?
It is done in the 36th or 37th week. A swab is gently rubbed on the vagina and rectum. It is simple and does not hurt.
When should I go to the hospital?
Go if you have heavy bleeding, your water breaks with no contractions, you have constant strong pain, or your baby is moving less often.
What happens if I go past my due date?
Most women who go past their due date have a healthy baby. At 41 weeks, your doctor may do tests and may suggest starting labor.
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.