Exercise for pregnant women: why is it necessary? What exercises can pregnant women do to strengthen the buttocks, legs and back. Genital development

13.06.2019

Gymnastics for pregnant women is very popular with expectant mothers who want to stay active and vigorous for the entire nine months. Pregnancy is not a reason to give up moderate exercise. On the contrary, thanks to simple exercises designed specifically for pregnant women, a woman will be able to facilitate pregnancy and prepare her body for childbirth. Exercises for pregnant women can be easily performed at home, they are aimed at strengthening and maintaining muscle tone, fighting puffiness, excess weight, teaching relaxation and proper breathing. What exercises can pregnant women do at home by trimester, read this article.

Everyone knows about the benefits of physical activity. It has long been proven that regular and moderate exercise during pregnancy has a positive effect on the body, relieves stress, improves mood, and gives a feeling of joy and confidence. Some pregnant women refuse to exercise, mistakenly believing that by loading their body, they can harm the baby. This is not true. Regular physical exercise, correctly selected for each trimester, helps a woman feel beautiful, cheerful, as well as relieve toxicosis, normalize weight and prepare the body for labor.

Pregnant women who were engaged in gymnastics in an interesting position, more easily and quickly restore their previous shape after childbirth. Moderate physical activity will benefit both mom and her baby. Those women who have chosen a passive lifestyle during pregnancy and given up physical activities are more likely to suffer from excess weight, hormonal surges, accompanied by bad mood and depression. A sedentary lifestyle leads to sleep disturbances, dizziness, chronic fatigue, and lumbar pain. It is more difficult for the expectant mother to move, shortness of breath, swelling and varicose veins appear. To avoid unpleasant symptoms, pregnant women should take time for regular and moderate exercise, the benefits of which are invaluable:

Physical activity makes not only the body fit, the skin smooth, but also helps to strengthen the immune system, increasing the body's resistance to stress and infectious diseases.
With the help of affordable and effective exercises, the muscles are strengthened, the clamps in the back muscles are removed, the spinal column and lower back are relieved, and the correct beautiful posture is formed.
Performing a set of physical exercises for pregnant women for all 9 months, a woman will quickly regain her slimness after the appearance of the baby.
Gymnastics has a positive effect on the emotional and psychological health of the expectant mother. Scientists have proven that after physical exertion, the body produces adrenaline and the hormone of happiness in the blood, which effectively fights depression and bad mood. Active expectant mothers are not afraid of postpartum depression.
Exercises for pregnant women perfectly prepare for childbirth, help you learn how to breathe and control your own body. Strong, trained muscles, combined with rhythmic breathing, are the key to easy labor, reducing discomfort and pain during labor.
By doing gymnastics, calories are quickly burned and weight during pregnancy is normalized. Workouts for the buttocks, hips, legs during pregnancy will help to avoid the accumulation of fat deposits in problem areas.
The cardiovascular system is strengthened, blood circulation is improved, which is an excellent prevention of edema - frequent companions of pregnant women in the 3rd trimester. The acceleration of blood flow leads to the supply of sufficient oxygen to the pelvic organs.
Regular exercise normalizes the digestive tract and prevents hemorrhoids.

Contraindications for exercise during pregnancy

However, not in all cases, physical activity is useful, there are a number of contraindications in which expectant mothers should refrain from exercising and be sure to be under the supervision of a doctor. These contraindications include:

Miscarriage of pregnancy, the likelihood of spontaneous miscarriage, especially if self-miscarriage was observed in the past.
The presence of toxicosis, preeclampsia.
Pathology of pregnancy: low presentation of the fetus, placental abruption, bleeding, uterine hypertonicity.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases or the presence of an inflammatory process in the body, fever, general weakness and well-being.
Blood pressure surges.
Anemia (anemia).
If a woman is carrying twins or triplets.

What exercises can pregnant women do: rules and recommendations

All exercises should bring only pleasure to the pregnant woman. The first rule of any exercise during pregnancy, whether it be yoga, exercise with a fitball or a set of physical exercises, is to stop exercising when pain, discomfort and discomfort in the body appear. Alarms include:

Sharp pain in the lower abdomen, especially if there is discharge.
Dizziness, weakness in the body, darkening in the eyes.
Difficulty breathing, which is accompanied by an increase in pressure or an increase in heart rate.
Excessive activity or prolonged silence of the child during exercise.

There are sports activities and gymnastic complexes that contain elements prohibited for pregnant women and are categorically contraindicated for expectant mothers.

Pregnant women are prohibited:

Playing and contact sports, as well as roller skating, ice skating, which can lead to injury to a woman.
You can not include exercises for the press, exercise on simulators, perform jumps and somersaults.

Tips for Exercise at Home During Pregnancy

Before starting to exercise, ask your doctor for advice. He must choose the right set of exercises for the duration and course of pregnancy.

The room where the classes will take place should be well ventilated, and physical exercise in the fresh air is also beneficial, depending on the season.
You should not do gymnastics immediately after eating, on a full stomach. It is better to start classes an hour or two before meals.
Choose the optimal amount of time to complete the set of exercises and the number of repetitions, taking into account your physical fitness. Do not overexert yourself, watch your breathing, do not make sudden jerks.
Choose clothes made from natural fabrics for training that do not restrict movement.

Exercises for pregnant women at home by trimester

Since, depending on the duration of pregnancy, a woman feels differently, a set of home exercises should be selected, focusing on the trimester of pregnancy. All exercises, regardless of the trimester, should begin with a warm-up, which includes circular rotations of the shoulders and head, head bends to the sides. After a light warm-up, you can start exercising.

Exercises for pregnant women 1 trimester, photo

The first trimester is usually accompanied by toxicosis and poor health. When performing any load, you should be especially careful. An illiterate set of exercises can lead to unpleasant consequences and harm the fetus. Before starting sports, a mandatory consultation with a gynecologist is required, who, after tests and examination, will give his permission to practice.

First trimester exercises are designed to relieve fatigue, strengthen muscles, and keep the body toned. Breathing exercises are also useful. A set of home exercises in the first trimester should include:

Walking in place for a minute, first on a full foot, then on toes.
Torso rotation. Standing still, make smooth circular rotations of the pelvis - in a circle in different directions.
Shallow squats. The back is straight. You can use the back of the chair for balance.

Exercises to strengthen the pectoral muscles. With your arms apart at chest level, alternately spread them apart, joining your palms.
The cat is one of the most beneficial exercises, it helps to strengthen the back. Get on all fours. When inhaling, it is necessary to smoothly and slowly bend the back, like a kitty, tucking the stomach, the head is lowered. When you exhale, bend a little, lifting your head up.

Hip lift bridge. Lying on your back, bending your knees, raise your hips up, while keeping your shoulder blades on the floor. Hold this position for 1 minute.

Yoga exercises for pregnant women in the 1st trimester: video

In addition to a set of gymnastic exercises, in the first months of pregnancy, you can do yoga, which not only strengthens the body, but also energizes, normalizes blood pressure.

Exercises for pregnant women 2 trimester

The second trimester is the quietest period of pregnancy, favorable for gymnastics. The complex of physical during this period is aimed at toning and stretching the muscles of the pelvic floor, hips and legs.

Turns from a sitting position. Sit on the floor with your back straight and your legs crossed. On exhalation, you need to turn the body, while trying to touch the shoulder with the chin, first to the left, then to the right.
Reach your feet with your hands. Sit comfortably on the floor with your legs straight and extended forward. Try to reach your feet with your palms.
Perform side bends from a standing position.
Raising the leg from a position on all fours, make springy swings with a straight leg.

Fitball exercises for pregnant women

In the second half of pregnancy, fitball exercises are useful. Ball exercises relieve discomfort and pain in the lumbar region, strengthen the back muscles. Several exercises you can do at home:

Swinging the pelvis to the sides while sitting on the ball.
Sit on the ball, turning your torso, reach the opposite leg.
Sliding the ball while standing against the wall. Clamp the ball between the wall and back. Do shallow squats, the ball should slide along the wall.
Get into a comfortable position while sitting on the floor. Spread your knees to the sides. Squeeze the ball with your knees, tighten your muscles.
Lean on the ball with your chest, arms crossed under the chin. Do alternate leg swings.
Lean on the ball with your shoulder blades, bend your knees at right angles, place your hands behind your head. Do not abrupt body lifts.

Exercises for pregnant women 3 trimester

Physical activity before childbirth should be as gentle as possible. You can not perform sudden movements or make strong loads. The set of exercises includes fitball exercises, as well as exercises for intimate muscles, thanks to which intimate and pelvic muscles are trained.

A complex for the 3rd trimester may include the following exercises:

Shallow slow squats.
Butterfly. Sitting position, hips wide apart and feet connected. Extend your hips springy to simulate the flight of a butterfly's wings. Ideally, your knees should touch the floor.
Twisting. The position is sitting. Spread your hips, feet together. Slowly turn the body first to the left and then to the right.
Rotation of the pelvis while sitting on the ball.
Ball turns. Sit on the ball with your feet shoulder-width apart. Turn around and touch your left hand to your right knee and vice versa.

Kegel exercises during pregnancy

The purpose of the exercises is to train and prepare the intimate muscles for labor.

Basic exercises:

Sit down on bent legs, legs slightly to the sides, hands on knees. Inhaling, draw in your lower abdomen, contracting your intimate muscles. Breathe in - relax.
Position - standing with slightly bent knees, feet shoulder-width apart, hands - on the belt. Make circular smooth movements with your hips to the sides, like in a belly dance.
Sit us a chair, completely relax. Inhale and gradually draw in the intimate muscles, simulating lifting the lift up. As you exhale, relax your vaginal muscles.

Respiratory gymnastics during pregnancy

Exercises for proper breathing can be practiced by pregnant women from the first trimester with the permission of the gynecologist, and in the 3rd trimester it is excellent relaxation and relaxation. The correct breathing rhythm is the most natural and simple way to ease contractions when a baby is born. By performing simple breathing exercises in just 10 minutes a day, you can learn how to breathe correctly.

There are several techniques for breathing exercises for pregnant women:

Abdominal breathing. Place your right palm on your chest and your left palm on your stomach. Begin to breathe smoothly and slowly. When breathing, the right hand should be motionless. This breathing technique will allow you to relax between contractions.
Chest breathing. The hands are on the ribs. It is necessary to inhale as much as possible through the nose, filling the lungs with the chest. As soon as the chest is completely filled with air, exhale slowly, while the abdomen should be motionless.
Intermittent breathing (dog breathing). Open your mouth slightly by sticking out your tongue. We breathe through the mouth - often and quickly. This breathing technique will allow the body to prepare during attempts, when it is too early to push and strength is required.
Four-phase breathing. Inhale with your nose and hold the air for 4-6 seconds, exhale and hold your breath for 4-6 seconds. Repeat again. The duration of the four-phase breathing is 2-3 minutes.

What exercises can pregnant women do to strengthen the buttocks, legs and back

Exercises for the buttocks during pregnancy

Squats can help strengthen weak muscles in your thighs and glutes. Squats are performed with a straight back. You can add load by performing squats with an extended straight leg.
Thanks to side lunges to the sides, not only the buttocks, but also the legs will be strengthened. To perform the exercise, you need to put your feet shoulder-width apart and take a step to the side, while squatting. Repeat the lunge on the other side.
Side kicks. Position - lying on the left side with outstretched legs. Raise your leg in a springy swing for 10 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side.

Exercises for legs during pregnancy

The load directed to the legs helps to relieve fatigue, heaviness, and prevent the occurrence of cramps.

Lie on your side, rest your head on your hand, one leg bent, the other should be straight. Lift your straight leg up and rotate your foot in a circle.
To work out the arch of the foot, it is useful to squeeze the toes, as if holding a pencil.
To strengthen the calves, tiptoe raises, resting against the back of a chair, are useful.

Exercises for the back and spine during pregnancy

Perfect posture is every woman's dream. During pregnancy, with a growing load on the back and spine, the center of gravity shifts and posture does not look the best.

Useful for the back exercise "cat", as well as "yoga pose" - sit in the lotus position, lower the body down, trying to reach the heels.
Rotation of the head, tilting in different directions help to relax the spinal section.
Strengthening the back muscles can be performed by placing straight arms to the sides behind the shoulder line, holding a stick or towel.

Pregnancy is a great time for gymnastics, which will only benefit mom and baby. Simple exercises should not tire or cause discomfort, but only bring joy and pleasure. Regular exercises will keep the muscles in good shape, will not allow the accumulation of fat deposits in problem areas, which are sometimes so difficult to get rid of after the birth of a baby, will strengthen the immune system, give strength, activity and vigor throughout pregnancy.

Throughout pregnancy, a woman is looking forward to when the baby will be born. But at the same time, it becomes a little alarming, because a very crucial moment will soon come - childbirth. And the expectant mother would like to know in more detail how the last month of pregnancy will proceed and what can be expected from him. After all, it is better to be ready for anything than worrying over trifles.

Determining the timing

Pregnancy lasts an average of 280 days or 40 obstetric weeks. This corresponds to the usual 9 months with the addition of another 7 days. The period of bearing a child for each woman is individual, but it should not go beyond normal values. For example, if a baby is born before 37 weeks, he is considered premature, and after nine months - delayed.

It is extremely important to determine the gestational age itself, because from this all further calculations of the date of birth will be carried out. This is done in various ways:

By the last month or date of conception.
By the first movement of the fetus.
Based on the results of a gynecological examination.
By ultrasound examination.
According to a blood test for chorionic gonadotropin.

The simplest method is to calculate by calendar dates. A woman can even do this on her own, knowing when her last menstruation began, had sexual intercourse and ovulated. The time of release of the egg from the follicle is easily determined by measuring the basal (rectal) temperature. But for this you need to keep a diary for more than one cycle. A woman can find out the gestational age based on the time when she felt the first movement of the fetus. But this will happen much later - at 20 and 18 weeks (respectively, in primiparous and multiparous).

A gynecological examination will be more indicative, when the doctor, focusing on the size of the uterus during a bimanual (two-handed) examination, tells the woman the approximate gestational age. But this method also does not give full accuracy - the range of values reaches 2 weeks. Additional diagnostic methods are considered the most reliable, among which ultrasound is widely used. Chorionic gonadotropin is studied less frequently.

The term of the expected birth is calculated at the first examination by the doctor, when the pregnant woman is registered with the antenatal clinic. First, a preliminary calculation is carried out based on anamnestic data - the date of the beginning of the last menstruation. From it you should subtract 3 months and add 7 days. But this is only an approximate time, and it is difficult to say how it will actually happen. More accurate information is obtained at the first ultrasound screening at 11-14 weeks.

You can find out the duration of pregnancy and childbirth in several ways, but it is better to focus on the most informative and reliable ones.

Fetal development

A baby at 9 months of pregnancy is already fully formed and is considered full-term. Therefore, he is quite ready to be born and live in the external environment. Among the signs of morphological maturity, the following should be noted:

Weight over 2.5 kg (typically about 3200-3400 g).
Body length is not less than 46 cm (mostly 50–52 cm).
Pink and clear skin, no grease residue.
The subcutaneous fat layer is well developed.
Fluffy hair remained only on the head, shoulders and between the shoulder blades.
Formed auricles, elastic cartilage.
The nails protrude slightly beyond the edge of the fingers.
Only the large fontanelle is open.
The navel is located in the middle of the distance between the xiphoid process and the bosom.
Boys' testicles are located in the scrotum.
In girls, the genital slit is closed, the small lips are covered with large ones.

If a baby is born in the ninth month of pregnancy, then all systems are already developed, so he is completely ready for life outside the mother's womb. Signs of functional maturity of a newborn include:

Shout.
The movements in the limbs are active, chaotic.
Increased muscle tone (flexion posture).
Consistent body temperature.
Respiration rate 40-60 per minute, stable and without delay (apnea).
Heartbeat with a frequency of 120-140 per minute, rhythmic.
Reflexes of good liveliness, symmetrical.

It will not be superfluous for a mother-to-be to know that a full-term baby has well-expressed unconditioned reflexes. Some of them are vital (swallowing, sneezing and coughing), therefore they persist, while others exist for the first 6 months. The most important transient reflexes found in a young child are:

Sucking.
Proboscis.
Prehensile.
Search.
Supports.
Protective.

At birth, the child's condition is assessed on a special scale that takes into account the most important morphological and functional characteristics: skin color, reflexes and muscle tone, heart rate and respiration. In accordance with it, groups of children's health are formed. Normally, on the Apgar scale, the child receives from 8 to 10 points.

A baby born at the end of pregnancy, namely at 9 months, is full-term and already fully formed.

Changes in a woman's body

With the approach of the end of pregnancy, the woman already feels that the baby will soon be born. This can be recognized by a number of changes in the body. Starting at 36 weeks, precursor contractions appear, which prepare the uterus for further childbirth. At this time, muscle fibers contract, which leads to painful sensations in the lower abdomen and in the sacrum. They do not depend on external factors (body position or walking), which makes them different from Braxton-Higgs pseudo-contractions. But, like the latter, they are irregular and are not accompanied by cervical dilatation. Most often they occur in the evenings or at night, causing a woman to wake up.

In addition to precursor contractions, the ninth month of pregnancy is characterized by other changes in the woman's body. The uterus is already decently enlarged. The height of the bottom is 36–38 cm, and the abdominal circumference is close to 100 cm. But about a week before childbirth, the uterus sinks more deeply into the pelvic cavity, so the woman feels some relief: heartburn decreases and it becomes easier to breathe. Due to the absorption of amniotic fluid, she can even lose weight up to 1.5 kg. However, instead, there is distension and heaviness in the lower abdomen, dull pain in the pubic region and sacrum due to the pressure of the fetal head on the pelvic nerves. And when walking, a woman can seem awkward and awkward.

Given the growth of the uterus and fetus, in the last stages of pregnancy, discomfort becomes more and more intense, among which the following should be noted:

Constipation and bloating.
Increased urination.
Pain in the lumbar spine.
Pasty of the lower extremities.
Calf muscle cramps.
Itching and stretch marks on the abdomen.

At 37-40 weeks, symptoms characteristic of the early stages may well appear. The woman suffers from mood swings, insomnia, and dizziness and fainting. But the latter are associated with the so-called inferior vena cava syndrome, when in the supine position the uterus presses on the vessels that carry blood to the heart. Other signs, such as increased anxiety, anxiety, excitability, and hyperactivity, also develop. Many are worried about the approaching birth, which affects the psycho-emotional state.

The function of the genitals changes. Physiological discharge (leucorrhoea) becomes thicker and more abundant. They may contain blood (streaks) or acquire a brownish tint. Immediately before childbirth, a mucous plug leaves, which leads to an increase in the amount of discharge. Colostrum - a thick white mass - is already beginning to be secreted from the breast, which indicates that the gland is ready for lactation.

The ninth month of pregnancy is characterized by a mass of changes in the woman's body, by which one can recognize the impending birth.

Survey

At the end of pregnancy, a woman should be careful about her health, because a crucial stage is approaching - its completion. For this purpose, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the expectant mother and child. Weekly monitoring is required, which primarily includes a medical examination. First, the specialist determines the height of the fundus of the uterus and the circumference of the abdomen, body weight, position and presentation of the fetus. Then blood pressure is measured, the results of urine analysis (protein, sugar) are checked. This is necessary to identify probable signs of gestosis and other obstetric pathology (for example, gestational diabetes).

To determine the condition of the fetus, an ultrasound scan is performed. The last screening is done at 34–37 weeks of gestation. But if necessary, it is also repeated before childbirth. If the fetus has signs of hypoxia, the doctor will also prescribe cardiotocography. And in the first stage of labor, it will also show the dynamics of contractions (frequency, duration and intensity).

The beginning of labor

Many women who have stepped into the 9th month of pregnancy are wondering how you can find out that labor is starting. This moment is unlikely to go unnoticed, because it comes with the following symptoms:

Discharge of the mucous plug from the cervical canal.
Rupture of amniotic fluid (rupture of the fetal bladder).
Regular contractions of the uterus (contractions).

The mucous plug comes off about 1-2 days before the onset of contractions. This can be seen by the pinkish discharge. Sometimes this is observed at the beginning of labor, when the cervix begins to open. Amniotic fluid is poured out immediately or in parts. They leave the day before childbirth or directly in the first period: first a small portion (front), and with the release of the baby all the rest.

Labor pains are regular contractions of the muscle layer of the uterus. At first, they last no more than 20 seconds with an interval of 15-30 minutes. Then the contractions become more frequent, longer and more intense. The last contractions come in a few minutes and turn into attempts.

You can find out about the approach of childbirth by a number of signs, which are quite difficult to miss.

When the ninth month of pregnancy has come, the woman should be even more attentive to herself. She will hear important recommendations from the doctor and must carefully follow them. These include the following:

Be in the fresh air more often.
Do not expose yourself to physical activity.
Eat correctly and fully.
Change sanitary napkins regularly.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and if necessary, a prenatal bandage.
Prepare breasts for lactation.

A special place is occupied by the issue of sex in the last month of pregnancy. But only a doctor will unequivocally answer it. Some recommend refraining from sexual intercourse at this time, as this can provoke early childbirth. Others do not prohibit, unless the woman has leakage of amniotic fluid, placenta previa, multiple pregnancies and the risk of premature birth. But before having sex, it is better to consult a doctor about this. If he permits, then positions that eliminate pressure on the abdomen are best suited: on the side or in the knee-elbow position. Sometimes sexual intercourse can be considered a good stimulant if labor is delayed for some reason.

It is important for a woman to psychologically prepare for the approaching end of pregnancy and the birth of a baby. Courses for expectant parents help a lot in this. After waiting for the ninth month, you should go through another important stage - childbirth. And after that, you can truly feel the joy of motherhood, relax and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of caring for a child.

In the 9th month of pregnancy, a woman feels some relief - the baby will be born soon, which means that her body will return to its previous shape.

Diet Intimacy Procedure
excess fluid Definition of contractions is difficult
discomfort in watch position
Outdoors

The uterus, together with the fetus, sank lower to the pelvic bones. Now the stomach puts less pressure on the ribs and lungs, and therefore it becomes much easier for a pregnant woman to breathe.

Feelings of a future mom

The psychological state of a woman at the 9th month of pregnancy is still controlled by an excess of female hormones, therefore, some forgetfulness, absent-mindedness and a feeling of self-doubt are possible:

the bladder at the 9th month of pregnancy is still somewhat pinched, so the woman is worried about frequent, annoying urges to go to the toilet;
the stomach is also still in an unnatural position, which means that symptoms such as bloating, increased gas production, and nausea are possible;
all tissues of a woman's body by the 9th month of gestation tend to retain fluid, so it is impossible to avoid edema;
the stomach will no longer grow, but at the 9th month of pregnancy, the skin of the abdomen begins to itch and itch unbearably. It is important to properly moisturize it and continue to use creams for stretch marks.

Now the support of family and friends is very important. A pregnant woman needs to be surrounded by warmth, care and try to protect her from stress.

Diet restrictions

The 9th month of pregnancy is the time when a woman already knows for sure what she can eat and what it is better to abstain from. Over the entire period of gestation, the diet has been adjusted more than once, and the correct hours of food intake have been selected. Meals should be varied, balanced, but at the same time, the expectant mother should not overeat.

At this time, every mother should know which foods can and cannot be consumed, it is also important to follow this diet.

At the 9th month of gestation, the mother's body should already get used to "healthy food".

Healthy food	Harmful food
1. From drinks it is better to give preference to decoctions, compotes, weak green tea, chicory, chamomile decoction. These fluids are suitable for the body, they contain many useful elements and they have a beneficial effect on the mother's stomach without irritating it.	1. Coffee, black tea, carbonated drinks are bad for the stomach, so it is better to refuse them. Alcohol, of course, is prohibited, since it has a detrimental effect on the development of the child's nervous system.
2. Lean beef, lamb, chicken, rabbit, nutria, steamed, stewed, or baked in the oven are suitable meat dishes. Beef is rich in iron and also increases hemoglobin.	2. Fried meat, especially fatty and cooked with a lot of spices, overload the stomach. The expectant mother is usually tormented by constipation, so heavy food will only aggravate her condition.
3. Nutrition at 9 months of gestation should be rich in calcium, vitamins and protein. That is why dairy products such as kefir, yogurt, yogurt, fermented baked milk, and cottage cheese should be included in the diet.	3. It is better to refrain from foods that may cause allergies in the child.
4. Vegetables and fruits are rich in fiber, essential minerals and vitamins. To normalize mom's digestion, it is better to steam vegetables or stew them.	4. Salty foods are undesirable as they retain fluid in the body. It is also worth refraining from spicy food - it can provoke heartburn and bloating at 9 weeks of gestation.
5. As a side dish, you can eat cereals boiled in water.	5. The expectant mother needs to drink 1 liter of water a day, but not more. The liquid is poorly excreted from the body, therefore, an edematous condition is possible.

What happens to the child?

The expectant mother is carrying the fetus for the 9th month. At this stage of pregnancy, my mother has already gained about 10 kilograms in weight. The child is no longer as tiny as at the beginning, but has grown to 45-50 cm, and his weight is about 4 kilograms. All systems and organs are almost completely formed, so if he is born now, he will be a full-term and viable little person.

Consider what happens to the child at this time.

The fetus has taken the most comfortable position for itself. He's already ready to go outside.
The kid sleeps 20 hours a day, but wakes up every hour.
A mother in the ninth month hears her baby's pushes less often, since there is now little space in the uterus, but, as before, there should be about 10 of them in 12 hours.
The fetus hears the voice of its mother, and its eyes can distinguish between light and shadow. He also feels a touch on his stomach.
The systems of his organs are fully developed and ready to work autonomously without the support of the mother's body.
The baby already has his own immune system, so he is able to independently resist some viral diseases.
The baby's skin has ceased to be transparent, has acquired a pleasant pinkish tint. Thanks to subcutaneous fat, the folds on the body are stretched in the child.

Is it okay to have sex?

In the absence of any pathologies or contraindications, intimacy is allowed

Due to the increased content of female hormones in the body, the expectant mother retains libido. Sex is allowed at 9 months of pregnancy, of course, if the mother has no contraindications. The figure of a woman at such a late date has noticeably changed, so it is worth choosing the right position in which the stomach will not be squeezed.

It has been proven that the female orgasm stimulates the outflow of blood to the small pelvis, which means that sex at 9 months of pregnancy can provoke labor. The expectant mother should think about this.

There are some pathologies in which intimate intimacy of partners is undesirable, for example, an umbilical cord incorrectly located in a child, placental abruption, uterine hypertonicity. Also, during intimacy, a woman should not experience pain.

Why does my stomach hurt?

Pregnant women often have pain or pulling in the stomach and lower abdomen. At the 9th month of gestation, this happens because the uterus gradually descends lower and lower to the pelvic bones, squeezing the nerve endings. This causes tingling and pain.

There are other causes of abdominal pain as well:

if the stomach hurts, and the uterus seems to be "stony", then this indicates its increased tone. This condition is dangerous because childbirth can begin ahead of time;
stomach pain can be caused by heartburn or bloating. To prevent such conditions, mothers should not eat foods with high acidity, drink carbonated drinks or overeat. It is better to eat food often, but in small portions;
pulling pains in the lower abdomen at 9 months of pregnancy, radiating to the lower back, can be contractions. To test this, you need to make sure that they are felt at intervals of 5-10 minutes. Then it is worth calling an ambulance, because labor has begun;
if a sharp pain in the abdomen is accompanied by bleeding, then do not hesitate - this is a very dangerous syndrome, and a woman will not be able to cope on her own. You need to go to the doctor.

What will ultrasound show?

If a mother-to-be at 9 months is interested in how doctors usually calculate the gestational age, then they start counting from the first delay in menstruation. This is accepted in medical practice, therefore, in order to independently calculate how many weeks of pregnancy have passed, you need to calculate the period in obstetric weeks. For example, 9 months of pregnancy equals 40 weeks.

The procedure is carried out in order to make sure that the birth will be successful, or to take any precautions

Usually, at this time, the doctor examines the mother's abdomen using an ultrasound scan. At the 9th month of pregnancy, the photo of the baby will clearly show what position he has taken. If the baby is positioned with its legs towards the cervix, the doctor will discuss with the mother the likelihood of a caesarean section during childbirth. The gynecologist examines the size of the fetus, as well as the condition of the amniotic membranes, checks the baby for an umbilical cord entanglement.

What does the discharge say?

A small amount of mucus may be mixed with female secretions during the 9th month of pregnancy - this gradually leaves the mucous plug, which protects the fetal membranes and the uterus.

Normally, late discharge should be abundant, transparent, odorless. The presence of a cloudy shade indicates a microbial infection, so the mother should see a doctor. Even an ordinary thrush can be dangerous at this time. Symptoms are white, cheesy discharge, thick and profuse. Treatment of pathogenic microflora in the vagina should be carried out with drugs that are safe for pregnant women with proven effectiveness - they are prescribed by a doctor.

Bleeding is a serious symptom. It can be caused by detachment of the placenta. In such cases, you need to immediately call an ambulance. Timely medical assistance provided will help save the baby's life.

How to get rid of puffiness?

Due to an excess of fluid in the body of a pregnant woman, swelling often occurs

Swelling of the extremities by the end of the day in the last stages of pregnancy is a common condition for expectant mothers. Medicines and folk remedies will help to cope with them. It is worth remembering that excess fluid in the body can harm the child, so the following recommendations should be followed.

To cope with excess fluid in the body will help pharmacy herbal preparations that stimulate the kidneys, only they must be drunk strictly following the instructions.
The expectant mother needs to move more. Late pregnancy does not mean sitting up all day. If the expectant mother has no contraindications, then you need to walk at least a couple of hours a day.
Avoid carbonated drinks completely.
There are more vegetables and fruits.
Drink no more than 1 liter of water per day.

How to get rid of heartburn?

Heartburn is manifested by pain and burning sensation in the upper abdomen. At the 9th month of pregnancy, it can last from a few minutes to 1 hour.

To cope with it, you need to eat right.

You need a sparing diet that excludes foods with high acidity.
You should refuse flour and rich products.
Coarse vegetable fiber also irritates the stomach and esophagus.
Tight clothing that squeezes the stomach causes heartburn.

To deal with later heartburn, your doctor will advise you to wear looser clothing, avoid overeating, and use herbal remedies.

How to identify contractions?

The definition of contractions is only possible if the exact date of conception is known

To determine from which week the current month of pregnancy begins, it should be borne in mind that doctors do not start counting from the moment of conception, but from the first delay. Therefore, the beginning of the 9th month of pregnancy occurs at 35-36 weeks. By this time, the fetus is already formed and the baby is ready to be born.

The expectant mother needs to correctly determine the onset of labor at the 9th month of pregnancy. True contractions in their symptoms can be confused with training contractions, so the mother needs to know how to determine the moment of the onset of labor.

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The information published on the site is for informational purposes only and is intended for information only. Site visitors should not use them as medical advice! The editors of the site do not advise to self-medicate. Determining the diagnosis and choosing a treatment method remains the exclusive prerogative of your attending physician! Remember that only complete diagnostics and therapy under the supervision of a doctor will help to completely get rid of the disease!

The last month of pregnancy is the end of a long journey and a period of painful waiting for childbirth and the birth of a long-awaited baby. A full-term baby is considered to be born at 38-42 weeks of pregnancy, this is just the middle and end of the ninth month, but if the baby is born at 36-37 weeks, he is considered not premature, but prematurely born. Such a baby is quite capable of independent life, although it is somewhat more sensitive to external environmental conditions and requires a little more attention and care. With each week of the last month, he is gaining weight and growing, you should be ready for childbirth at any time.

What happens to the body in the 9th month of pregnancy

The last month of pregnancy has come, it lasts from the 37th to the 42nd week of pregnancy, on average, children are born at 38-40 weeks, and only some a little earlier or later. After 38 weeks of gestation, the fetus is considered full-term, and delivery can begin on any day, only about 5% of babies are born exactly on the expected date.

In this period, the woman is already getting tired of her position and her belly, which has become very heavy, the tedious expectation and frequent training fights make her tired and irritable. Now you can no longer be afraid of premature birth if you had problems during gestation earlier or there were complications. Often, with a planned caesarean section, delivery is planned for a period of 38-40 weeks, so that the fetus is as mature and full-term as possible. The last weeks are especially difficult for those who will give birth for the first time, since the sensations from true contractions are still unfamiliar and often you are ready to go to the hospital with training.

The body is actively preparing for the process and the so-called precursors constantly appear. Two to three weeks before delivery, the abdomen is lowered by inserting the fetal head into the pelvic cavity and gradually relaxing the lower segment of the uterus and cervix. With repeated pregnancies, the abdomen may sink just before or at the beginning of childbirth. The abdominal circumference may slightly decrease due to the relative lack of water, due to changes in the hormonal background, which helps in delivery and reduces the risk of complications (umbilical cord prolapse, incorrect presentation, placental abruption). It will become easier for a woman to breathe, heartburn and discomfort when eating will decrease.

Pains in the lumbar region and small pelvis may be disturbing, the area of joints and ligaments softens, which helps in childbirth, but affects the condition of the back and pelvic region. Particularly unpleasant and severe can be pain when lowering the head into the small pelvis, pressure in the pubic area, sacrum at night, pain in the perineum and vaginal area, it is difficult to find a position in bed and sleep well. Training contractions can become more frequent and stronger, they help the uterus to actively contract in the future. Training contractions are irregular and pass, if you calm down and rest on your side, they look like pulling in the lower abdomen and a feeling that the stomach is stiff.

Before childbirth, special body changes may occur, called precursors of childbirth, along with abdominal prolapse. These signs include a decrease in body weight within 2 kg due to the convergence of edema and hormonal changes in the body, decreased appetite and physiological cleansing of the body. Shortly before the event, appetite decreases or disappears altogether, there may be loosening of the stool and even diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

In a few days or even weeks, the mucous plug may begin to pass away - it can come off in parts or in whole, in a lump as the cervix matures and the cervical canal opens. The mucus may be yellowish, colorless, or streaked with blood. You need to completely collect bags and documents and be ready to be sent to the hospital at any time from the beginning or discharge of water, or regular contractions at regular intervals. In the ninth month of pregnancy, a woman should always take an exchange card when leaving the house.

Fetal development: weight, size and gender

In this period, the child is already fully formed and ready for birth and life outside the mother's tummy. The child has all the necessary set of reflexes, the lungs perform breathing movements, although they are still sleeping and will open only with the first breath. They have developed enough surfactant to breathe on their own. The digestive system is ripe and ready for food intake and its digestion by enzymes; a lot of original feces have accumulated in the intestines, which should leave only after the birth of the child. It was formed from amniotic fluid, epithelial cells, desquamated cells that enter with swallowed waters. Meconium has the appearance of a putty olive-green mass, odorless.

By the ninth month, the baby has a proportional body, the skin is smooth and has a pale pink color, the skin vessels no longer shine through, the fluff (lanugo) almost disappeared from the body, which remained only a little on the shoulders and back, in the area of natural folds along with the original lubricant, which protects the delicate skin of the baby. Now the baby is actively gaining weight and gaining in height, it becomes more and more cramped in the uterine cavity, he takes the uterine and most optimal position for childbirth - head down, pressing his arms and legs tightly to the body. He has no opportunities for active movements, and now it is mainly pushing, tossing and turning and stretching. They are clearly felt by the mother.

The maturation of the nervous system takes place, it becomes more and more perfect, developed and mature. The nervous system regulates the work of all internal organs and glands, which allows the body to function as a single system.

The liver of the fetus this month is actively accumulating iron for its further expenditure on the needs of the child in the first months after birth. Iron is essential for making new blood cells and preventing anemia. The heart has fully formed chambers and valves, except for those holes that are needed for fetal blood flow, therefore, at birth, it will be ready to work in a new pattern, and the fetal holes will immediately close. Now the oval window and the botalle duct are open, so that the blood goes around the lungs, and the baby "breathes" with the placenta. At the same time, the lungs themselves, due to the penetration of amniotic fluid into them, make "respiratory" movements and develop.

In boys, the final descent of the testicles into the scrotum occurs, in girls, the labia majora cover the small ones, and the process of genital formation is completed. The immune system also matures, although it will still be fully formed after the birth of the baby. Mom actively transmits antibodies to her baby through the placenta from the main dangerous diseases that she herself has had. By the time of delivery, the fetus will reach its final height and weight of 48-56 cm and 2800-4000g. Girls are usually born less than boys, although much depends on the characteristics of the parents and the conditions of the pregnancy.

Feel

The main sensations of this month are fatigue and the harbingers of childbirth, now the woman clearly feels all the movements and movements of the fetus, the stomach has reached its maximum and it is extremely difficult to wear it. But a couple of weeks before giving birth, it becomes easier to breathe and eat by lowering the abdomen, inserting the head into the small pelvis. This will increase the pressure and discomfort in the pelvic area - constipation may increase and the urge may become more frequent in a small way due to the pressure of the head on the bladder. There may be pain in the region of the sacrum, pubis and thighs, due to irritation of the nerve endings.

There may be swelling and the risk of varicose veins, the skin on the abdomen is tightly stretched and itchy, stretch marks may occur. Fainting and dizziness are frequent due to hypoxia and compression of the vessels of the large uterus. Preparation for childbirth occurs and weight loss of 1-2 kg may occur, diarrhea and vomiting, as an option to cleanse the body before childbirth. The woman feels that she is pulling the lower abdomen, abdominal pain may occur, which indicates the onset of regular contractions and labor.

Allocations

By the end of pregnancy, the discharge intensifies, protecting the baby from infections that can enter the vagina. Now it is important for the crane not to develop infection, as it will be dangerous during childbirth. You should immediately consult a doctor if you have cheesy, crumbly or copious milk secretions, and especially yellowish, green, gray, foamy and with an unpleasant odor. They need to be treated immediately, as this discharge reduces the elasticity of the vaginal tissues and leads to complications during childbirth and an increase in the likelihood of postpartum inflammation.

There is also a gradual discharge of the mucous plug - these are transparent or slightly pink lumps of mucus, the plug can move away both gradually and simultaneously, with a lump of mucus. Childbirth will begin soon.

Analyzes and examinations

This month, visits to the doctor will become weekly, it is important to assess the general condition of the woman, her weight and the presence of edema, blood pressure and to determine the level of leukocytes, protein and glucose in urine before each visit. The doctor will assess the woman's readiness for childbirth and may schedule hospitalization in the maternity hospital in advance or at the onset of labor.

At the beginning of the month, a study will be carried out on an armchair and a smear will be taken for flora, blood tests may be additionally prescribed. The planned ultrasounds have already been completed, but the doctor, in case of doubts or concerns, may prescribe additional ultrasound or Doppler ultrasound, CTG of the fetus. This will help in choosing tactics in childbirth and deciding whether they will be natural or whether a caesarean section is indicated.

Mom's diet and weight

During this period, the uterus presses on the internal organs as much as possible and you need to eat correctly in order to avoid nausea and vomiting, constipation and other digestive problems. In many respects, the process of childbirth and the condition of the baby depends on the mother's nutrition in the future. In the last months of pregnancy, it is worth switching to hypoallergenic food with the exclusion of potentially dangerous allergens, abandoning foods that can become a potential source of intestinal infections or poisoning - canned food, raw foods, unboiled milk, poorly fried meat and fish. It is important to pay special attention to products with calcium - dairy products and cottage cheese, yoghurts. It is equally important to consume enough protein in the form of red meat and iron-containing foods. The amount of meat and fish in the diet should be slightly reduced in favor of vegetables and fruits, vegetable oils, grains and light foods. It is worth giving up fatty, fried and spicy foods, excess sauces and spices, steaming, baking, stewing or boiling food. It is worth eating often, but in small portions, giving up the use of carbonated drinks, fermenting foods, excess sweets and carbohydrates. You can do fasting days once a week in agreement with your doctor. Before childbirth, appetite may disappear altogether - and this is normal, the body prepares for difficult work and cleans the intestines.

Colds in the ninth month

In the ninth month, it is worth taking care of a cold, otherwise childbirth may be complicated, and you will have to give birth in an isolated box of the observational department. The common cold is dangerous due to the violation of labor, the need to use medications and the danger of its influence on the fetus. So, taking paracetamol or its analogues disrupts the process of preparing the cervix for childbirth and further complicates the birth process.

Sex

The question of intimacy in the ninth month is controversial - it will be determined by the doctor. But usually the libido of women is reduced, and with such a large belly it is not very convenient to have sex at all. Many doctors recommend abstinence when passing the mucous plug, although orgasm itself does not provoke premature birth. But if there are contraindications, sex will be prohibited - this is leakage of amniotic fluid, placenta previa or low placentation, multiple pregnancy or the presence of isthmic-cervical insufficiency. Difficulties can be with the choice of poses, since you need to completely eliminate pressure on the abdomen. If labor is delayed, intimacy is one of the natural methods of stimulating labor - a man's sperm has a softening effect on the cervix.

We leave on the home stretch. There is very little time left, and the miracle of which you have dreamed all this time will come true. The less time is left before this long-awaited moment, the more you think about how it will happen. You listen and watch yourself for signs of impending labor. And even though this month is the last one, one must also live it. Let it be remembered by you as one of the happiest months of your life.

What happens in the body of the expectant mother

You don't grow in size anymore. From the pubic symphysis, the uterus rises by 36-40 cm, everyone has it differently.

By the end of the ninth month of pregnancy, the overall weight gain is on average 8 to 15 kg. Moreover, in the last weeks, you may not get better at all.
The total weight gain is:
... placenta - 10%
... fruit - 30%
... amniotic fluid - 10%
... an increase in the volume of blood and tissue fluid - 25%
... an increase in the mass of the uterus - 10%
... increase in "fat depots" - 15%

Already from the beginning of the ninth month, your body began to rebuild at an accelerated pace from "preserving pregnancy" to "giving birth". The placental clock, laid down by nature, counts the last days of your pregnancy. The placenta from 36 weeks begins to reduce its hormonal production, primarily progesterone. Relative placental insufficiency develops and the fetus begins to lack components for nutrition and respiration. In addition, due to the high growth rate of the fetus and a decrease in amniotic fluid, the uterus seizes it more and more closely. In response to stress, the adrenal glands of the fetus begin to secrete large amounts of stress hormone cortisol. In addition, it is believed that the normal course of childbirth is possible only with the formed "generic dominant" in the brain of a pregnant woman.

In response to these processes, the hormonal balance in the mother changes. In a woman's blood, the level of oxytocin, a hormone of the pituitary gland, increases, which ensures the release of prostaglandins and the release of other substances that stimulate the contraction of the uterine muscle. The state of readiness for childbirth is most accurately manifested when determining the "maturity" of the cervix during vaginal examination.

Your hematopoietic system strenuously produces red blood cells - this is a preparation for blood loss during childbirth. Physiological anemia of pregnancy loses its severity as the number of red blood cells begins to match the volume of plasma.

Future child

With an occipital presentation at 38 weeks, the fetal head usually descends to the entrance to the small pelvis and takes a characteristic position: the baby's torso is bent, the head is pressed against the chest, the arms are crossed on the chest, and the legs are bent at the knee and hip joints and pressed against the tummy. In this position, the baby will move along the birth canal during childbirth.

Determining the gestational age and the date of delivery is difficult, due to the fact that it is often difficult to establish the exact date of release of the egg from the ovary and the time of fertilization. Therefore, delivery is considered timely in the period of 37-42 weeks from the first day of the last menstruation, provided that there are signs of fetal maturity.

The concept of fetal maturity is determined by a number of characteristic features.

A mature fruit has a body weight of 2600 grams and a length of more than 47 cm. In the ninth month of pregnancy, the baby gains weight from 14 to 28 g per day every day. It is extremely difficult to determine the exact weight of the unborn child, the error in such measurements is from 0.5 to 1 kg, even when using ultrasound.

The skin of a mature newborn is light, pale pink, the subcutaneous fat layer is well developed, in the folds of the skin there are remnants of a cheese-like lubricant. If, for some reason, childbirth is delayed, then a decrease in lubrication leads to maceration of unprotected places, first of all, "bath" piles and palms appear. A mature newborn screams loudly, breathes, sucks well, retains heat and does not need special heating. His face is smooth, there are thick cheeks - the result of an increase in subcutaneous fat and intensive training in thumb sucking. The skull is still soft enough to make it easier for the baby's head to pass through the birth canal. Ear and nasal cartilage is elastic. The child has already lost most of the vellus hair on his body, with the possible exception of only his shoulders and the places that hide in the folds of his skin. Toenails have grown completely.

In boys, the testicles descend into the scrotum; in girls, the clitoris and labia minora are covered with the labia majora. In very few full-term boys (about 1%), the testicles do not descend into the scrotum at the time of delivery, which requires mandatory observation by a surgeon. A dark substance accumulates in the intestines - meconium, primary feces. In the last week, the child has accumulated a lot of waste products in the intestines. This is meconium - the original feces: the child will push it out of himself after birth. However, sometimes he is able to do this even before giving birth: then he is born covered with a rather unappetizing black-green mucus. Meconium consists of dead intestinal cells, as well as scaly skin cells, disintegrated blood cells, embryonic vellus hair, and other components that are swallowed along with the amniotic fluid.

The child is completely ready for the coming changes. Iron accumulates in his liver, which will help hematopoiesis in the first year of life. The lungs are fully ripe to provide oxygen. The heart prepares for work in a completely different mode: immediately after birth, a hole in the central septum closes, which, as it were, turns off the lungs from the circulatory system, and blood will begin to circulate through the lungs.
The only thing that hasn't matured yet is the immune system. As long as the baby receives your antibodies through the placenta, and after birth, he will receive them from breast milk.

Feelings of a future mother

This month gives you a whole range of new sensations, indicating the approach of childbirth. All these sensations are harbingers of childbirth. They can appear a couple of weeks before childbirth, or even a few hours before.

"Ptosis" of the abdomen. This is due to the fact that the fetal head enters the pelvic cavity. Sometimes women even visually notice that the stomach has gone down, but more often this is judged by indirect signs. As a result of the movement of the child, pressure is relieved from the diaphragm and stomach, it becomes easier to breathe, heartburn passes, and appetite changes. In multiparous women, this rarely happens before labor begins.

Drawing pains. Spasms and a feeling of discomfort in the lumbar region, sacrum, groin are associated not only with pressure from the child, but also with an increase in the extensibility of the connective tissue. In addition, false contractions can appear, which can be as painful as true contractions, but at the same time disappear when you change your position or begin to move around the room.

Frequent urination and bowel movements. After the displacement of the head into the pelvic cavity, the uterus presses on the bladder with even greater force, and therefore it has to be emptied more and more often. The hormones of childbirth affect a woman's intestines, and some women may experience mild abdominal cramps and loose stools. Like before an exam. :)

Insomnia . At this time, it is difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position, you have to often get up to use the toilet, false contractions at night are much more likely to disturb you, in addition, leg muscle cramps during sleep may disturb you.

Decrease in body weight. Before the onset of childbirth, some women lose weight from 1 to 2 kg. This is how the body prepares for childbirth.

Loss of mucous plug. As the cervix matures, it becomes softer, shorter, shifts to the center of the small pelvis, and its canal begins to open slightly. All this leads to the fact that a lump of colorless, yellowish, or slightly colored mucus is pushed out of the cervical canal, which you will find after a while on your underwear.

Changes in fetal activity. The kid is no longer pushing so actively, it is cramped for him, his movements are more like swaying.

The manifestation of precursors of childbirth is very individual and optional. Childbirth can begin without any precursors at all. If you are in doubt, consult your doctor, he will evaluate this or that symptom from a medical point of view.

Psychology of the ninth month of pregnancy

Normally, in the emotional state of the expectant mother in the last month of pregnancy, the processes of inhibition and inertia prevail. She becomes somewhat forgetful, absent-minded, withdrawn, with difficulty concentrating attention. This is necessary to create a "generic dominant" in the brain. However, against the background of apparent calmness, there are still frequent changes in mood, when one moment passes from pouring tears to unrestrained laughter. The state of calmness and fatigue can be replaced by periods of violent "nesting" activity: even in the middle of the night, you can rush to wash, clean, wash or iron something.

Analyze your emotional state. Maybe you are overly excited, tense. Imagine yourself as a bowl that can only be filled with clean water, and do not allow debris to get there. It is very important during this period to communicate with the child. He senses your mood and mood for childbirth, and depending on your condition receives hormones "joy" or hormones "stress". Invite your baby to this world, invite him to meet you.

Decide finally where you will give birth. In this case, be sure to find out when the maternity hospital you have chosen closes for a sink, if necessary, select a "fallback" option. Think again about having your husband or someone close to you at the birth. Just remember that this is only possible if you both really want it. Not the best option is the presence of the dad at the birth, who was persuaded. This can affect not only your emotional state, but also the very course of labor. It takes time for a man to recognize himself as a father.

Possible deviations from the norm

In the later stages of pregnancy, you can again remember its beginning - fainting comes back. However, now this may not happen in a stuffy subway car, which would be easy to understand, but at home, in bed. This is how it manifests itself "Inferior vena cava syndrome" when a heavy pregnant uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, disrupting blood flow to the heart. In response to this, blood pressure reflexively drops sharply, causing fainting. To avoid these troubles, you should only rest on your side.

In late pregnancy, the sense of balance is disturbed, weakness and dizziness may occur. Now is not the time to jump and chase the departing bus like you did before. Take care of yourself and your baby - avoid falls in every possible way. Be very careful, especially in winter when it is slippery outside. As you go down and up the stairs, hold onto the railing. Fortunately, falls usually do not have serious consequences for either the mother or the baby. Your belly, uterus, and amniotic fluid serve as good protection for the fetus. But if you fall, be sure to see a doctor. Let him check if you are all right. In some cases, the fall may not be as harmless. Placental abruption- one of the most serious consequences of a fall or impact. In this case, the placenta is separated from the uterus prematurely (during normal pregnancy and childbirth, placental abruption occurs only after the birth of the child), which leads to significant blood loss to the mother and threatens the life of the fetus. With placental abruption, the fetus stops receiving blood from the umbilical cord, which is attached to the placenta, and the supply of oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood to the fetus stops. Death of the fetus is possible. The symptoms of placental abruption are not the same in different cases. There may be severe bleeding from the genitals, or it may not be at all. Perhaps the absence of fetal movement, severe persistent pain in the lumbar spine and abdomen, a change in the shape of the uterus. When diagnosing placental abruption, ultrasound is used. However, sometimes a blood clot between the placenta and the wall of the uterus may not be visible, which makes diagnosis very difficult. When the diagnosis is confirmed, immediate delivery by caesarean section is indicated.

Postponing pregnancy within a week or two does not cause much concern for doctors, and only in cases where the pregnancy is delayed for an even longer period or there are signs of fetal suffering, they can offer stimulation of labor or cesarean section. Pregnancy is considered post-term if more than 42 weeks have passed since the last menstrual period. The reasons for overdue are: various diseases and the age of the mother, undergone abortions, menstrual irregularities, malformations of the uterus, abnormal fetal positions. With a post-term pregnancy, the placenta has already worked out its term, it ages quickly and worsens the supply of the child with the substances necessary for his life. In this regard, the risk of hypoxia and fetal death increases. At birth, a post-term baby has dry, flaky and tight skin, elongated nails, no vellus hair and no damp grease. If your pregnancy is approaching 42 weeks, talk with your doctor about possible methods of birth. It is not worth hoping that childbirth will begin if you overload yourself with physical labor, this has no medical evidence. Try massaging your nipples to increase the production of oxytocin, which causes uterine contractions.

Necessary medical measures

From now on, your doctor visits should become weekly. At each visit, your health is assessed, your weight, blood pressure, abdominal circumference and fundal height are measured, a urine protein and sugar test is performed, and an examination for edema is performed.

From additional studies in the ninth month, the last complete blood count is taken, first of all, to determine the level of hemoglobin and platelets in the blood. These indicators are now especially important, since there is always a risk of significant blood loss during childbirth.

At the end of the eighth - beginning of the ninth month of pregnancy, a vaginal examination is performed. In addition to assessing the degree of maturity of the cervix, such an examination helps to determine the position of the fetus and the position of the fetal head relative to the pelvic bones. A sampling of material for the study of a smear for flora is carried out. If at least minimal changes are found in the smear, the doctor will definitely suggest that you undergo preventive treatment. This is very important, as only a healthy vaginal wall can stretch a lot during labor. With inflammation, it breaks much easier than stretches. Also, if there is an infection, any birth injury heals very slowly. If your pregnancy is over forty weeks, you will be offered an additional vaginal exam that re-assesses your readiness for childbirth. If there are no signs of cervical maturity, then you may need hospitalization to create an artificial background in order to prepare your body for childbirth. If there is clear progress, then you should not rush to the hospital, you just need to wait a little.

On a weekly basis, the doctor assesses the function of the placenta and the condition of the fetus. Most often this is done on the basis of the fetal cardiotocogram, less often by simple listening with a stethoscope. In some cases, additional ultrasound, Doppler imaging, or biophysical test. The latter test is used in order to assess the condition of the fetus during prolonged pregnancy, or when there are doubts about its health. With the help of ultrasound for 20-30 minutes, the presence of fetal movements, its heart rate, the amount of amniotic fluid, the tone of the fetus and its attempts to make respiratory movements are assessed.

If the test result is unsatisfactory, then prompt delivery may be indicated. If all is well, then the test is repeated a week later. If the results are questionable, a control test is carried out after a few hours.

Rules of behavior

Only a few women prefer to go to the hospital a few days before the expected due date, most are going to come there with the onset of labor, so we’ll figure out what is considered the beginning of labor.

There are two main signs of onset of labor:
1. The appearance of contractions - regular contractions of the muscles of the uterus. It is not the strength of painful sensations that is important, but their rhythm. Real labor pains should be repeated every 15–20 minutes, and the intervals between contractions should be reduced. When you count 3-4 contractions in 30 minutes, go to the hospital.
2. Water discharge. The fetal bladder can leak, then the water flows out slowly. It can burst suddenly, then the water will "rush out of a bucket." When the fetal bladder ruptures, pain is not felt.
The amniotic fluid is usually clear, but may be slightly bloody or yellowish or greenish. In some women, the water withdraws before regular contractions appear, such women in labor should go to the hospital immediately. You should also hurry up if the waters are very dark or heavily colored with blood.

In the meantime, there are no signs of the onset of labor yet, make your last efforts to ensure that the baby is born healthy. It's time to change your diet. During this period, it is not recommended to eat large quantities of meat, as well as fatty cottage cheese, mature cheeses, flour and confectionery products. Better to switch to a non-strict vegetarian diet. Eat more vegetables and fruits, cereals, nuts, fish, low-fat dairy products. Remember to limit salt and sugar! Continue to do the stretching exercises recommended in preparation for childbirth, do joint exercises, and learn to relax.

Household affairs

You, of course, should already have a bag of things ready for the hospital. In addition to personal accessories, it must contain your medical documents and passport. This is to avoid unnecessary last-minute hustle and bustle. Having prepared for the little things, you can calmly, without nervousness and tension, meet the most important moment. When that moment arrives, you will have some time to shower, put on clean underwear, trim your nails and rinse off the polish. For many women, shaving the perineum on admission to the hospital is a very unpleasant moment. However, this procedure is necessary, as it allows you to control the degree of stretching of the perineum during childbirth, to prevent its rupture, and in case of injury, it is better to match the tissues during suturing. Feelings of awkwardness can be avoided by doing this simple procedure at home on your own. Just get a brand new razor and treat your skin well with an antiseptic solution or antibacterial soap.

In the last days before childbirth, reconsider whether everything was bought for the baby, give relatives detailed instructions for urgent purchases and assembly of the crib.
Stock up on food for the duration of your stay in the hospital and for the first days after returning. Do not forget the main thing - this is a positive, kind attitude towards childbirth. And you will succeed! :)