Since we have months of 28, 30, and 31 days, some doctors often suggest that calculations for a woman's length of pregnancy be done according to the lunar calendar. This basically means considering the following:
- 1 lunar week = 7 days
- 1 lunar month = 4 weeks of 7 days = 28 days
As the period between the beginning of pregnancy and the day of delivery is about 280 days, we can see that this value corresponds to 40 weeks.
Since a lunar month is 4 weeks, 40 weeks of pregnancy corresponds to 10 lunar months.
Now that you understand these accounts, let's move on to talking about the eighth month of pregnancy. During this period, between the 29th and 32nd lunar week, the amniotic fluid, which presents about 700ml, continues to increase in volume. The amount of fat in your baby's body also increases even more, making your skin less wrinkled.
On the other hand, due to the significant increase in the uterus, maternal urination starts to be more frequent, breathing becomes more difficult, as well as walking, as the legs and feet tend to swell up. This last factor is also related to reduced blood flow and fluid retention. In some pregnant women, the breast already expels colostrum, with a yellowish appearance; and there is also an increase in vaginal secretions.
At the beginning of week 29, the baby is approximately 26 centimeters, and 1250 grams; and ends the eighth month with about 43 centimeters and 1820 grams. He is constantly moving, he can cough, and his sucking ability is well improved.
By week 30, your head tends to grow even more, as does your brain. He starts to position himself upside down, his hair continues to grow, and his nails are already formed.
By week 31, the child's bone structure is strengthened, and the iris is no longer opaque. With the exception of the respiratory system, all other systems are already fully functioning and your five senses are already well refined. During this period, also, the child starts to assume a fetal position, and gains about 230 grams per week – just like the mother – until shortly before delivery.
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As for the pregnant woman, she begins to feel the famous Braxton Hicks contractions. Although painless, they can cause sudden squeezing sensations in the uterus, similar to the contractions themselves.
At the end of the eighth month, that is, in the 32nd week, the baby already looks very similar to what it will have at birth, with a well-proportioned body. Due to the decrease in the space of the uterus, and due to its growth, the movements become less frequent, but they manifest themselves with more force.
The mother should increase the frequency of her consultations related to prenatal care, in order to monitor the possibility of premature birth and/or the emergence of maternal health problems, such as pre-eclampsia and hemorrhoids.
Considering that the baby's nutritional demands in the third trimester are high, it is important that she not neglect foods rich in vitamin C and A, folic acid, iron, phosphorus and calcium. Such measure also helps in the prevention of hemorrhoids. As for this problem, it is interesting that the pregnant woman ingests plenty of water and foods rich in fiber, since the proper functioning of the intestine prevents and also alleviates the problem. In addition, physical activities such as light walking and bathing for 10 minutes with warm water several times a day are also good strategies.
Walking, as well as avoiding standing, resting with your feet elevated, cutting down on salt in your diet, and considering the possibility of wearing compression stockings, help control swelling.
Finally, to prevent and/or control heartburn, which also tends to appear at this stage of pregnancy, some measures are very valid:
- Avoid: coffee, fruits and other acidic foods, excess sugar and fat, spicy seasonings;
- Eat little, but often;
- Chew the ingested food well;
- Take cold food during this sensation.
