Pregnancy: What To Expect The Eighth Month

Your Baby

By the time you have completed your eighth month of pregnancy, your baby will be anywhere from four to five pounds and be sixteen to eighteen inches long. He can now distinguish amongst different sounds and rhythms, whereas before he could only hear vibrations. At this point, he may even be able to distinguish the different voices he has been hearing, like his mother's and father's. He is continuing to accumulate a fat layer under his skin, so he is beginning to fill up the tight space in the uterus. You may notice that he is moving less since he has less space to twist and turn in. During an ultrasound, you may see that he is so big he needs to bend his knees and cross his arms and legs to fit comfortably in your belly. To prepare for birth, he may start to lie with his head facing downwards. Your baby is starting to open and close his eyes and his skin is turning from red to a healthy shade of pink. During these last few weeks, your baby will begin to double his weight. His muscles and bones are strengthening while his brain and nerves are continuing to advance.

Your Body

As you enter your eighth month, your physician will want to start seeing you more regularly, so instead of a monthly visit, you will more than likely be going in to visit him/her twice a month. As with other visits, your physician will conduct the normal tests like a weight and blood pressure check and a urine test. The physician will also listen in on your baby's heartbeat and ask about any new symptoms you may be experiencing. Common symptoms during this month are varicose veins, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and feet and constipation. Many women also complain of Braxton Hicks contractions, which are painless contractions in the belly similar to a regular birthing contraction. Other women also experience a leaking of colostrum from the breasts. Colostrom is a fluid that occurs prior to the actual production of milk. By the end of this month, you will have gained anywhere from twenty to twenty-eight pounds. Different women carry their babies in different ways. Some carry their baby high and others carry their baby low. You may notice that your rib cage area is tender since the uterus is pushing up against the bottom of your ribs. At this stage, many women's belly buttons start to pop out due to their expanding abdomens. When you visit your physician this month, speak frankly about your concerns about the actual delivery. Will you want to attempt a natural birth or are you pretty sure you will require an epidural. If you are considering breastfeeding your child, begin your research now and consult a lactation counselor to learn more about what breastfeeding entails.