Stages of pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts between 37-42 weeks and is divided into three stages; the first stage of the first week extends to the beginning of the thirteenth week of pregnancy, the second stage extends from the thirteenth week to the twenty-seventh week, the final stage begins in the twenty-eighth week and continues until Birth. There are many changes in the mother and child during different stages of pregnancy, and the mother needs a lot of care to overcome some of the discomforts associated with pregnancy.
The weight of the fetus in the eighth month of pregnancy
The eighth month of pregnancy begins at the beginning of the 31st week of pregnancy, and continues until the 35th week. The size and weight of the fetus increases during the month, and may weigh at the end of the month 2.7 kg, and changes in the fetus during the eighth month according to the weeks as follows:
Thirty-first week
Changes in the fetus during the thirty-first week:
- The fetus weighs up to 1.6 kg and is about 42 cm long.
- Fat thickness increases under the skin.
- The baby begins to get rid of the water through its bladder.
- The embryo starts with the neural connections of the brain, distinguishing the signals that reach it through the five senses.
- The fetus can manage its head.
- The pattern of fetal sleep becomes more regular.
Thirty-second week
Changes in the fetus during the 32nd week include the following:
- The fetus weighs up to 1.8 kg and has a length of about 43 cm.
- Fetails and real hair begin to form.
- Its skeletal structure changes from cartilage to bone, and its skin becomes transparent.
- The embryo starts by inhaling the amniotic fluid as a kind of lung training.
- The fetus’s intestines begin to absorb essential minerals, such as calcium and iron.
Thirty-third week
Changes in the fetus during the 33rd week include the following:
- The fetus weighs up to 2 kg and is about 44 cm long.
- The head of the embryo moves down the uterus.
- The bones of the body become stiff except for the bones of the skull that remain soft to allow the fetus to exit the birth canal.
- The fetal skin becomes less wrinkled and gradually reddened.
Thirty-fourth week
Changes in the fetus during the 34th week include the following:
- The fetus weighs 2.3 kg and is 45 cm long.
- Memory is formed, and the brain exercises its function effectively.
- The fetus can sleep, and can also dream.
- The fetus can breathe.
- The hearing is complete.
- Fat accumulation builds up around the fetus’s body, which helps regulate the temperature of the body.
- The thickness of the fatty coating that protects the fetal skin increases.
Thirty-fifth week
Changes in the fetus during the 35th week include the following:
- The weight of the fetus is 2.7 kg and the length is 47 cm.
- The growth of the nervous and immune system is complete.
- The growth of toes and hair is completed.
- The pupil responds to light.
- The testicles come out of the abdomen and settle into the scrotum.
- The fetus’s lungs are complete and the chances of survival if born this week are up to 99%.
- The growth of the kidneys is complete, and the liver can handle the waste.
Pregnancy tests
The pregnant woman needs to see the doctor regularly. The visit is monthly during the first six months, then every two weeks during the seventh and eighth months. In the ninth month she needs the doctor’s reference once a week.
- Measuring the load weight.
- Check blood for blood type, and ensure that the pregnant woman is not infected with anemia or HIV / AIDS.
- Blood pressure control.
- Monitor fetal growth rate and condition in the womb.
Problems that a pregnant woman may suffer
Problems that a pregnant woman may suffer include:
- Nausea : It is called morning sickness, but it may occur at any time of the day, and to help relieve nausea Recommended to eat several small meals during the day, eating low-fat foods, eating citrus, and toast before moving out of bed in the morning, and avoid odors that may upset stomach .
- Feelings of pain in some areas of the body Some women may feel pain in the abdomen, back, thigh, or pelvic region, pain may extend from the back to the foot, pain can be relieved by lying down and taking a rest, using hot compresses.
- Increase breast size And the sense of weight as a result of hormonal changes, and in recent months may begin thick milk called colostrum milk leaking from the breast. The discomfort can be alleviated by wearing a bra supporting the breast, and using cotton pieces to absorb leaking milk.
- Constipation, hemorrhoids : Pregnant women may suffer from constipation because of pregnancy hormones that cause the relaxation of the bowel muscles and slow digestion, and lead to the occurrence of hemorrhoids. Constipation and hemorrhoids can be prevented by drinking between 8-10 glasses of water per day, refraining from drinking caffeine, and increasing high fiber foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and moderate physical activity.
- Feeling dizzy ; Because of blood vessels between the mother and fetus, the pressure of the uterus oversized on blood vessels, and increased need for food. Rotor can be prevented by not skipping meals, wearing loose clothes, standing slowly, not standing for long periods, lying on the left side of the body.
- Persistent feeling of fatigue and sleep disorder : This is due to fetal movement, frequent urination at night, and increased metabolism. Some tips can help you sleep comfortably, such as supporting the body with pillows, sleeping on the left side, and taking a nap if you can not sleep the night before.
- Heartburn and indigestion : Because of the impact of pregnancy hormones that slow the movement of the muscles of the digestive system and cause the relaxation of the valve, which separates the esophagus from the stomach, allowing the return of food and acids from the stomach to the esophagus, and thus cause the burning sensation. To prevent heartburn and indigestion, you should eat slowly, eat several small meals during the day instead of three large meals, avoid citrus and spicy foods, do not lie down immediately after eating, and drink liquids between meals rather than meals.
- Itching in the abdomen : It produces pregnancy hormones and stretches the skin. They can be prevented by avoiding wearing clothes made of abrasive cloth, using mild soap, and not bathing with hot water.
- Sudden muscle spasm in the leg or feet Which results from calcium deficiency. To help treat leg cramping, it is recommended to eat calcium-rich foods, anterior foot in the event of spasm, calm muscles, and moderate exercise.
- Swelling of the face, hands or feet In order to relieve swelling, the pregnant woman must continually raise the feet, rest, avoid salty foods and caffeine, and increase fluid.
- Frequent desire to urinate Lack of bladder control, leakage of urine when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
- Varicose veins , Pain can be relieved by lifting the legs and feet while sitting.
Tips for pregnant women
Here are the most important tips that a pregnant woman should follow to ensure her health and fetal health:
- Eat healthy food, including low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, fish, fruit and vegetables, and whole grain breads.
- Taking prenatal vitamins to reduce the risk of some birth defects.
- Exercise that suits the pregnant moderately, after consultation with the doctor.
- Refrain from drinking alcohol: Alcohol passes to the fetus across the placenta, and may cause fetal alcohol syndrome that causes post-traumatic psychological and behavioral problems of the child, as it affects the growth of the child’s brain.
- Quitting smoking, because smoking causes abortion, premature birth, and low birth weight.
- Consult your doctor before taking medicines, supplements, herbs, or vitamins.
- Do not use hot tubs and saunas; they may affect the fetus, increasing the risk of birth defects.
- Avoid pathogens that cause miscarriage and congenital malformations of the fetus, by cooking meat and eggs before eating, and washing hands after touching raw meat. The disease can also be transmitted from infected cats.
- Maintain healthy teeth and gums to avoid premature birth.