9-Month Pregnancy: Symptoms, Belly, and Baby Development! 

Your beautiful pregnancy journey is about to culminate in motherhood as you will embrace your little one soon. You have made it to the 9th month of pregnancy, which is also the last month of pregnancy. If we are to put the  9 months in weeks, it would be your 36th week of pregnancy. So it is time for you to tick off the last-minute preparatory work before your baby arrives. However, your body is now preparing for labour, which for most expectant mothers can be between 38-42 weeks, but very few babies arrive as predicted by the due date calculator. So you are likely to feel a bit impatient now more than ever. Hence to help you keep a positive mindset through the last month of pregnancy, we've put together a detailed guide about the 9-month pregnancy symptoms, baby development, and belly and body changes!

9-Month Pregnancy: Common Symptoms 

9 months in weeks is the 36th week and lasts up to 38-42 weeks, the end of pregnancy. In this last month of pregnancy, you are likely to experience a few common pregnancy symptoms, which include the following - 

• ◾ Frequent urination as there is excessive pressure on your bladder
• ◾ Losing of mucus plug 
• ◾ Vaginal discharge
• ◾ Backache
• ◾ Itchy skin
• ◾ Pressure in the pelvic area
• ◾ Braxton Hicks contractions
• ◾ Increased body hair
• ◾ Increase in skin pigmentation
• ◾ Nipples leaking colostrum, 

However, besides experiencing symptoms, you will sigh relief as your baby drops lower into the pelvis, which helps reduce constipation and heartburn.

9-Month Pregnancy: Baby Development 

If you are wondering how many weeks is 9 months, it is 36 weeks, and your baby is fully developed now. The following are some of the noticeable developments in your little one.

• ◾ Your little one is ready to survive outside the womb as their heart, lungs, and other vital organs have formed, and their sex s determined. 
• ◾ Your baby may be 19-20 inches in height and weigh around 3-3.5 kg now.
• ◾ Their skin is pink and smooth with little or n body hair.
• ◾ Their sense of hearing and vision is fully developed. 
• ◾ The iris of their eyes are likely slate blue, and these will only take on their permanent colour after a few days to weeks post birth. 
• ◾ Their body is covered in a layer of fat to help keep them warm after birth.
• ◾ They are covered in a creamy and protective coating called vernix caseosa. 
• ◾ The bones of your baby's skull remain soft to enable them to push through the birth canal.

9-Month Pregnancy: Belly and Body Changes 

During pregnancy last month, you are likely to have a belly hanging lower than usual, which is expected as your baby has pushed lower into your pelvic region. The following are some common body changes that you may experience in the last month of pregnancy - 

• ◾ Pregnancy energy may cause some expectant mothers to be tired and impatient, while others may feel a surge of energy.
• ◾ Ease in breathing as baby drops lower
• ◾ Stretch marks due to the increase in size of the uterus
• ◾ Cramps and contractions

Signs of Labour 

9 months in weeks is the 36th week of pregnancy, and you are close to your labour day, which might be just a few weeks away. The contractions you have been experiencing can cause the cervix to dilate, allowing your baby to pass through. These contractions will likely tighten and relax the uterine muscles to help you push yourself out of the birth canal. It is essential to learn the signs of labour, which include the following- 

• ◾ Contractions last 30–70 seconds and come in 5–10 minutes.
• ◾ Tightening of your belly and lower back 
• ◾ Vaginal discharge, which is brownish or reddish 
• ◾ Breaking of the amniotic sac
• ◾ Regular contractions that closer together over time
• ◾ Contractions that get stronger over time

9-Month Pregnancy: Quick Checklist 

With the clock ticking, getting you closer to D-day, you might want to get a few things done before meeting your baby. So to make things easier for you, we have compiled a quick checklist that you may want to take note of

• ◾ Organise your child care essentials: Child care essentials such as clothes, diapers, bibs, etc., must be kept handy and organised when you get your newborn home to avoid any hassles in finding them. Maybe, SuperBottoms multipurpose organiser comes in handy for keeping your child care essentials.
• ◾ Pack your hospital bag: With your labour day nearing, you would want to keep your hospital bag ready with all the essentials you will need for yourself and your newborn. Here is a quick list of requirements to be held in your hospital bag

• ◾ SuperBottoms reusable cloth diapers
• Few pairs of maternity clothes
• ◾ SuperBottoms reusable nursing pads
• Insurance papers
• ◾ Oils and lotions for your body
• ◾ Baby wipes
• ◾ Mittens
• ◾ Soft blanket for your newborn
• ◾ Plan your hospital visits and the birth announcement: Make a plan about how to make the birth announcement of your little one and the visitors you want to see at the hospital.
• ◾ Get some sleep: While you may feel overwhelmed trying to get things done as soon as possible, you need to get good sleep and much-needed rest. These are the last few weeks where you can find time to indulge in self-care and pampering before your newborn arrives.

Key Takeaways 

We hope that you found this article helpful and informative, as we have tried to include a comprehensive guide to help you sail through the last month of pregnancy. With very little time left to see your little one, ensure you get enough rest and sleep. Indulge in some self-care sessions and spend quality time with your partner.