9 Months Pregnant: What to Expect

You’re 9 months pregnant! 

You’re so close to the finish line you can almost taste it. Your gynae should be on your speed dial by now. 

Whether this is your first time or your fifth time around the sun, there are many things to look forward to as you get closer to your due date. But with all that excitement comes a lot of anxiety, too—especially if this is your first baby.

We know how overwhelming it can be to feel like you have no idea what’s coming next. 

But before you get there, there are a few things you’ll want to know about your nine months of pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, you may feel more ready to meet your baby. 

But don’t worry—you still have a little while to go! The ninth month of pregnancy is a time to celebrate your progress and prepare for the final stretch. Here’s what you can expect.

9 Months Pregnant Is How Many Weeks

33 weeks through 36 weeks is 9 months pregnant. This is when your baby’s lungs are fully developed, and they will be ready to breathe on their own in the outside world. Your baby is now considered full-term, and you can expect them to arrive within a few days or weeks of this date.

The length of pregnancy varies from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy, but on average. It lasts around 40 weeks (280 days). The first day of your last menstrual period counts as day one of your pregnancy, so if you ovulate on day 14 or 15 of your cycle, then conception would have happened on day 16.

Pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, but not every woman carries her baby for that long because there’s a chance that she’ll go into labour before then—and many women do! Labour begins when contractions start and last until the placenta detaches itself from the uterine wall.

9 Months Pregnant Symptoms

As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll notice changes in your body and routine.

The first trimester is the time when your body is preparing itself for childbirth. The second trimester is when you’ll be able to feel the baby moving inside of you, which can be a bit scary at first but also exciting! During the third trimester, you’ll be getting ready for delivery and may have to adjust your daily activities accordingly.

At 9 months pregnant, you’re probably used to all the breathlessness, fatigue and lack of sleep that comes with expecting a baby. But if not, here are some of the most common 9 months of pregnancy symptoms:

• Bloating

You’re likely to feel a little bloated if you’re nine months pregnant. This is normal!

Bloating is the buildup of fluid and gas in the digestive tract. It can happen anywhere from the mouth to the rectum, and it happens because your body is retaining water.

Normally, your body can get rid of excess fluids by pushing them out through urination, defecation, sweating, or breathing. But if the amount of liquid you take in exceeds what your body can get rid of, then bloat happens.

The best way to manage bloating during pregnancy is to eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated. Avoid carbonated beverages like soda or beer because they can trigger bloating, heartburn or indigestion when pregnant.

Eat smaller meals more often instead of three big ones per day—this will help keep digestion regular, so you don’t have uncomfortable digestive issues like constipation or diarrhoea, especially when you’re 9 months pregnant.

• Braxton Hicks Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are false labour pains that can occur during the third trimester of pregnancy. They are usually irregular and cause no discomfort or pain. They usually don’t happen every day, but they can happen several times a week.

However, be on the lookout for contractions that are shorter in interval and last longer than a minute, for you may already be experiencing true labour at this time. 

• Frequent Urination

One of the most common symptoms of pregnancy is frequent urination. If you’re 9 months pregnant, you might feel like you have to pee all the time. Some women find that they wake up in the middle of the night because their bladder is full.

While this can be inconvenient for many women, it’s not dangerous or harmful to your baby. It’s just a sign that your body is holding extra fluid and preparing for labour.

• Digestive Issues

It’s common to experience digestive issues during pregnancy. Most of the time, these issues are minor and don’t require treatment.

What causes digestive issues during pregnancy?

Hormones, stress, and other factors can cause digestive issues in pregnant women. Hormones are responsible for increasing the production of stomach acid and enzymes that break down food in the stomach. 

This increases the risk of heartburn and acid reflux during pregnancy. Stress can also cause nausea and vomiting by affecting how well your body processes food.

How do I know if I have a problem?

At 9 months pregnant and so close to your due date, you must talk to your doctor if you experience severe or persistent digestive problems that interfere with your daily activities. Consult your OB-gynaecologist if you have any of the following symptoms:

• • Diarrhoea (more than three bowel movements per day) for two weeks or more
  • Vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours or is so severe that it requires medication

• Heartburn

Heartburn is a common pregnancy symptom, and it can make nine months feel like an eternity.

So what causes heartburn during pregnancy? Your growing uterus puts pressure on your stomach and intestines, which causes acid to move up into your oesophagus.

The growing baby also puts pressure on your bladder and intestines, which can lead to constipation. And all that extra weight may make it harder for you to get comfortable at night, which makes heartburn worse.

What to Expect Being 9 Months Pregnant

At this point, you may be feeling pretty good about your pregnancy—and that’s great! But there are still a few things you should be on the lookout for if you want to ensure everything is going according to plan.

First, it’s important to keep an eye on your symptoms. Nine months alone is usually when most women start to have contractions, which can be painful but also a sign that labour is approaching. 

If you have contractions regularly (more than three times per day), let your doctor know so they can advise you on how best to manage them at this stage of pregnancy.

You should also watch out for signs of preeclampsia during this period as well—this condition occurs when high blood pressure causes problems with circulation in the placenta, which can lead to serious complications for both mom and baby if left untreated.

The symptoms include swelling (especially in the hands and feet), nausea/vomiting, headaches, and water retention.

9 Months Pregnant: Belly Size

​​The size of a pregnant woman’s belly can be affected by many things, including:

• The baby’s position in the womb can cause it to push against different parts of the uterus and cause pressure or pain in those areas.
• The amount of amniotic fluid the baby has created means more space inside your abdomen and a larger-looking belly.
• The weight and build of the mother—a heavier woman will likely have a larger belly, while a lighter woman might not show much at all.

How big should your belly be?

9 months pregnant, and you’re probably wondering how big your belly should be at this point, right? We get it. It’s a lot to think about—and it’s certainly not an exact science. Many factors determine how large or small your baby bump is at any point in the pregnancy journey.

Usually, by nine months pregnant, though? You can expect both measurements to be about 18 to 20 inches.

9 Months Pregnant: Baby Size

The baby is growing and developing fast at this point. At 9 months pregnant, your baby will be about 17 to 19 inches long and weighs from 5 ½ pounds to 6 ½ pounds. Your baby’s eyesight is improving, and they can now see clearly enough to recognise their mother’s face! Their brain is also rapidly developing, so it’s time to start talking to them!

You may notice that you have more energy than usual. With all that extra energy, try taking a walk or doing some light exercise daily. It will help keep your blood flowing and help with mood swings during pregnancy.

What Is Full-Term Pregnancy

A full-term pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that lasts from 37 weeks to 42 weeks. It’s common for a woman to be referred to as “full-term” even if her pregnancy is only 35 weeks, but this is not considered full-term by medical standards.

Tips to Prepare for Labour

Labour is a time of transition for both you and your baby. As you prepare for labour, it’s important to ensure that you are prepared in every way. Here are some tips on how to prepare yourself for labour:

1. Eat a healthy diet with lots of fibre, protein, calcium and iron. You may also want to take vitamin supplements during pregnancy.
2. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated during pregnancy and labour. It’s also important not to drink too much alcohol or caffeine because these substances can cause dehydration.
3. Exercise regularly throughout pregnancy to have more stamina when it comes to labour. Try walking or swimming if those activities are safe for you in your condition; otherwise, try doing simple exercises like squats or lunges at home every day until it’s time for delivery!
4. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to remain calm when giving birth (and before!). This will help ensure that your baby has an easier birth experience!

Congrats on making it this far, mum! Just remember that we’re rooting for you when it’s time to  bring your baby out into the world.  

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.