Month 8: (Week 32 – 35) – How will I get this baby out?

During this time you will see your doctor every 2 weeks. Now the baby is growing so rapidly and feels so huge that women start to fear that the baby will be too large for them to deliver. Your doctor will be an excellent judge of that, since it’s the match between the inside of your pelvis and the size and shape of your baby’s head that will determine the outcome. You will have been evaluated throughout your pregnancy for just this reason…while a small build will most likely indicate a small pelvis, this can be deceptive when assessing how spacious your pelvis is. It is important to discuss your options and apprehensions with your doctor and he may choose to send you for an ultrasound to investigate the situation. Your doctor may also decide to assess your progress during labour. Even if the baby seems huge to you, a labour that is progressing well is usually an indication that the baby can be delivered vaginally.

Breech baby

The majority of babies turn during this period into the head down position. A baby who lies feet down when ready to be delivered is said to be in the breech position and there is still controversy about the best way to deliver a baby in this position. Many doctors will prefer to perform a caesarean in this situation but may allow a trial of labour with very careful monitoring. It is not impossible for the baby to turn at the very last minute. Your doctor may also attempt to turn the baby externally aided by ultrasound. This procedure (External cephalic version or ECV) is often successful but should only be attempted by trained personnel. Remember again that the most important thing to keep in mind is that you want a healthy baby and, while you may be disappointed if your doctor decides that you need a cesarean , the baby’s health is paramount. Remind yourself how incredibly lucky we are to have these options that have made childbirth the safe experience it is today compared to 100 years ago.

The baby is squashing me

During these last weeks the size of the baby will affect your comfort. You may struggle to eat because there just doesn’t seem to be space for the food. However adequate nutrition is critical for both you and the baby and you may need to eat several small meals per day. You can ease constipation by making sure that you drink at least 6 glasses of water a day and ensure that there is enough fibre in your diet. Sleeping problems, struggling to breathe, heartburn, swollen hands and feet. These are just some of the symptoms that you may encounter. Also the Braxton Hicks contractions may be uncomfortably strong, as your uterus strengthens up for the task ahead. Through all of this you need to keep a sense of proportion – the end is near and you should be very proud of your self for the great job you are doing. Rest when you can – very soon you will be a new mother and will be glad that you rested when you could.

See also: When to call the doctor?