Development of the Baby
Congratulations! You are completing your 9-month 10-day pregnancy journey. The countdown to your fabulous reunion with your baby, the birth, has begun.
Now your baby is mature enough to live comfortably in the outside world. Yet brain cells continue to grow. The development of brain cells in the womb is very valuable. In the years when this value was not known, babies born by planned cesarean section were taken from the womb at 38 weeks of age. Now, fortunately, if there is no medical necessity, the baby must be at least 39 weeks old in planned cesareans.
The fine hairs on the body of a 9-month-old baby in the womb, called “lanugo”, have largely fallen out. The lower part of the skin, around the organs and some muscles continues to get fat.
The Vernix Caseosa (Varnish Caseosa) layer, which forms on your baby’s skin surface at 9 months of pregnancy, continues to provide temperature control of his/her body and keep his/her skin moist. This structure will also facilitate the passage of the baby through the birth canal at birth.
At 9 months of pregnancy, antibodies continue to be passed from mother to baby via the umbilical cord. Thanks to these antibodies, the baby will be prepared for diseases and microbes outside the uterus.
Baby Movements During 9 Months Pregnancy
Your baby is moving less because his/her space is narrowed. But you can still feel the pushing movements of his/her tiny hands and feet as they stretch inside.
During these weeks you will feel the hiccups as rhythmic little jumps.
Since the 9-month-old baby will move in his/her moments outside of sleep in the womb, it is good to follow his/her movements. If you do not feel their movements for a while, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Ultrasound Image
In ultrasound images at 9 months, your doctor will look at your baby’s position, heart rate, movements and the amount of amniotic fluid.
In the ultrasound images, your baby’s head is probably down and has placed its head inside the pelvis. In the ideal birth position, the baby’s face should face the mother’s spine. However, his/her face may be on the right, left or front. In such cases, the baby can be in the ideal position until birth. If not, the doctor may recommend turning the baby by hand.
Changes in the Mother's Body
In the 9th month of pregnancy, the expectant mother waits impatiently for the birth. Her belly is down. This is due to the fact that the baby inserts its head into the pelvis.
You may experience pain and painful sensations in your lower region, as it will make movements to settle in the pelvis with its head for birth preparation.
Signs of Labour
At 9 months of pregnancy, labor can now happen at any time. Here are the signs of labor:
- Increase in the number of false contractions (Braxton Hicks),
- Increase in the nesting instinct (being energetic, for example; cleaning and tidying the house incalculably),
- Beginning of regular contractions and every 10 or 15 minutes,
- Prolongation of the time of regular contractions, increase in the frequency and severity of contractions,
- Increased severity of contractions when you walk or lie down,
- Pain in your lower back and lower abdomen, i.e. in your groin, similar to menstrual cramps,
- Diarrhea,
- The cervix, i.e. the mucus plug in the cervix, softens and blood comes out (this is also called sign),
- Frequent need to go to the toilet,
- Lack or excess of amniotic fluid (rupture of membranes).
If these symptoms occur, be sure to inform your doctor.
Caesarean Births
Although cesarean deliveries may seem like a risk-free birth to some expectant mothers, studies indicate that the risk rate in cesarean deliveries is as high as in normal deliveries. Moreover, in cesarean section, the risk of surgery is taken. Caesarean section is a very important and necessary operation due to its life-saving feature when performed in compulsory cases. If it is done arbitrarily, it is an obstacle to mother and baby being able to experience their nature.
Some expectant mothers are very afraid of the disadvantages of cesarean surgery. (For the disadvantages of cesarean surgery, 39. You can read our 39 week article.)
Points need to be considered
Now that the birth is approaching, you should be more careful during the 9th month of pregnancy. During thes month, you should not travel to places away from your hospital. Block your ears to negative comments and unnecessary suggestions about childbirth. Continue to practice yoga and meditate calmly.
Sexuality in the 9th month
If everything is fine, sexuality is not inconvenient at nine months of pregnancy. The prostaglandin hormone in the man's semen can trigger labor as it will soften the cervical plug. Care should be taken in this regard.
Maternity Bag
You should have prepared your maternity bag at the beginning of the 9th month, which will meet the needs of you and your baby. (For details, 37. You can read our 37. week article.) )
Birth
You will give birth this month. However, it may not be what you expect and your baby may decide to be born before or after 9 months and 10 days (40 weeks). If your birth exceeds 40 weeks, you don't have to worry. According to the medical literature, as long as everything is fine, the baby can be expected to arrive until the end of 42 weeks (9 months 24 yesterday). In such a case, the doctor will recommend to follow the baby more often. In our country, the waiting period for delivery is usually up to 41 weeks in public hospitals and up to 40 weeks in private hospitals. As long as everything is fine, doctors who have natural births will wait until the end of 42 weeks. By this time, you should have already made your choice about which week you would like to wait and you should have chosen your doctor according to this choice. (For detailed information on preferences at birth, 33 33. Week and 34 You can check out our 34th weekly articles.)
Opening of the amniotic sac
Sometimes amniotic fluid may come in before labor begins. This condition usually occurs in an average of 15percent of pregnancies. Doctors may wait 12-24 hours for delivery as long as the baby's heartbeat is normal. In this process, if the baby is not born with normal birth, the doctor will recommend cesarean section. (Detailed information about the early opening of the water sac you can read 39. week article.
Breech Arrival Birth of Babies
"The 9-month-old baby can still stand with its head up, i.e. in a sitting position (breech presentation). Before birth, 96 percent of babies are turned upside down.
The reasons for the breech posture of the baby until birth are as follows:"
– The baby is small compared to his/her peers in that week,
– Amniotic fluid is more than necessary,
– Looseness of uterus in those who have given birth before.
There is no condition that babies who stop at breech arrival will be born by cesarean section. If there is no medical condition that may be risky for normal birth in the mother and baby, a doctor experienced in this regard can also have normal breech births. Approximately 50 percent of breech births are normal.
Research shows that babies of mothers who prefer to sit rather than lie down while resting have a higher tendency to turn upside down in the last 3 months.
Phases of labor
Thanks to the birth hormones (oxytocin, adrenaline, endorphin) secreted at birth and the physical equipment of the expectant mother and the baby, most of the births are comfortable. (Detailed information about the stages of birth you can read 40. week article.
Postpartum Baby Care
When your baby is born, the nurse removes mucus and amniotic fluids from the baby's mouth and nose. After birth, the pediatrician evaluates the Apgar Score. This assessment will determine the baby's first health measure, the Apgar score.
In recent years, the practice of skin-to-skin contact has been preferred, as it is believed that after birth the baby "needs only and only the mother's embrace" before cleaning (bathing) or vaccinations. You can request your doctor to perform the Skin-to-Skin Contact application, which is preferred even in some state hospitals, in the weeks before your birth begins. (For detailed information about Skin-to-Skin Contact, You can read our 40. week article.)
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