9 Months Pregnant: Pregnancy Month by Month
Yes! You're in your last month of pregnancy, and your baby could arrive at any time. Most women give birth between weeks 38 and 42, but very few babies arrive exactly on their due date.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms at Nine Months Pregnant
In the final month of your pregnancy, some of the normal pregnancy symptoms you might experience include:
Frequent urination
Mucus plug being expelled
Increased vaginal discharge
Backache
Itchy skin
Pelvic pressure
Leaky breasts
Increased hair growth on your face
"Lightening" — your baby drops lower, which makes it easier to breathe
Feeling fewer baby movements
Nine Months Pregnant: Changes Inside and Out
Your Baby's Development: Your baby's lungs develop right up until birth, getting ready for her first breath and that all-important first cry. Soon you'll be amazed by how much noise she can make.
By the last month of pregnancy, your baby should be positioned with her head down. If she's in a breech position with her feet or bottom down, your doctor may attempt to turn her around or you could be offered a Cesarean birth.
Changes to Your Body: You'll be feeling big, tired, and impatient — you might even feel fidgety sitting or lying down because nothing feels comfortable. Some moms-to-be also experience a surge in energy, as your body prepares for the birth.
One positive is that as your baby drops lower in your pelvis, this will take some pressure off your lungs, making it a little easier to breathe (though urgency to urinate may increase).
If you're feeling cramps or contractions at this late stage, remember that there's a difference between practice contractions and actual contractions, so jot down the intervals between contractions. If you think you might be in labor, call your doctor and report your symptoms.
If your baby is not born by week 40, your doctors will monitor you and your baby even more closely in weeks 41 and 42. You and your birthing team might discuss whether and when to induce labor. If your baby is not born by the end of week 42, you will likely be offered an induction to reduce any potential risks.
Ninth Month of Pregnancy Quick List
Organize any child care: You might need child care after bringing your newborn home. This could mean a short-term arrangement for your older children, if you have them, or long-term childcare plans for when your newborn is a little older.
Final preparations: At nine months pregnant, you might also experience pregnancy “nesting” — an urge to get your home ready for your baby and for parenthood. Use the remaining days or weeks of your pregnancy to take care of any last minute preparations, and have your home as ready as you’d like it to be. Channel these short bursts of energy, whether it’s cooking lots of extra meals and freezing them, cleaning, or stocking up on all of your nursery supplies (like diapers).
Plan hospital visits and the birth announcement: Think about who you want to come see you at the hospital, and how you will handle offers for help and visits. After the birth, you’ll have a lot on your plate, so now’s a good time to decide how you will make the announcement of the birth to friends and family.
Find the right baby name: If you’re struggling to find the perfect baby name or you’re having a late change of heart about the name you thought you were set on, try the Pampers Baby Name Generator to find a baby name that’s just right.
Get some sleep: Put down your to-do lists, and get as much sleep as you can. Don’t just rest, though — indulge yourself, too. This could be your last chance for a little me-time, so get a pampering pedicure, have a foot massage, watch a movie, and spend some peaceful one-on-one time with your partner and loved ones. Enjoy these last few “baby-free” days.
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