Pregnancy - Month Seven

The seventh, eighth, and ninth months (Third trimester) are marked by the abdomen constantly increasing in size. During the seventh month, you may feel pregnant, but not too pregnant. This is usually considered a good month because you look pregnant, but you can still move around good.

These Are Things You May be Feeling:

1. You may begin to feel sleepy or tired again. Try to get more rest so that your body can concentrate on getting the uterus ready to carry a fetus full-term. If you work or stay very busy, consider cutting back on your schedule until after the delivery of your baby. Make sure you are taking your prenatal vitamins and eating right.


2. You may have to urinate (pee pee) more frequently. This usually begins 4-6 weeks after conception and lasts throughout pregnancy.


3. You may crave or dislike certain foods. Some women do experience this very early in the first trimester, but most will experience this around the end of the first trimester (3^rd month).


4. You may have symptoms like premenstrual syndrome. You may feel depressed, irritable, moody, sad, or bouncing between any and all of these. Remember your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes. Most women will begin to feel better during the fourth month and will gain a new sense of calmness and have energy.


5. Morning Sickness (or any other time). Usually women will begin to experience this around 2 to 8 weeks after conception. A diet that is high in protein and/or carbohydrates can help. High protein foods are foods such as: nuts, whole-grain products, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, and soy burgers. Carbohydrate food sources are things such as: baked potatoes, whole-grain (wheat) bread, rice, dried beans and peas, and vegetables. You should also drinks lots of fluid to replace the fluids lost by vomiting.


6. You may experience headaches. If you had headaches while taking birth control pills and/or before becoming pregnant, you have a greater chance at having headaches now. Aspirin and Ibuprofen medications (Advil, Nuprin, Medipren) should be avoided during pregnancy. Most doctors will suggest Tylenol (Acetaminophen) after the first trimester (after 3^rd month). Please check with your physician. You can try a cool wash cloth on your forehead or the back of your neck. If lights bother you, go to a dark room that is very quiet. If you can, try to take a nap.

Note: Some women get migraines or headaches because of too much sleep. If this is the case, try to regulate your sleeping patterns.

7. You may be getting dizzy or having faint like spells. Try to stand up slowly will raising from a sitting position. If you are standing a lot, try to turn your head slowly. Sometimes you may be in too big of a hurry for your body to deal with at this time. If you continue to have these spells check with your doctor.


8. You may be experiencing constipation. If this is happening during your pregnancy, try to eat more raw vegetables and fiber. One suggestion is to eat celery and carrots dipped in Ranch dressing. Not too much Ranch though! You should also try to drink more fluids.


9. Your appetite may remain the same or may increase. Make sure you eat things that are nutritious.


10. You may feel a calming feeling. This is usually a good month for baby showers.

Development of Fetus:

By the end of the seventh month, the fetus will be about 15 inches long and weigh about 3 pounds. The fine hair covering the body of the fetus, called lanugo, is now beginning to shed. The centers of the bone are now hardening and becoming stronger. The fetus can stretch, cry, suck its thumb, hiccup, and open and close its eyes. The fetus can also respond to noises outside of the womb. If it hears a loud noise, you may notice a sudden kick or movement. The fetus is gaining more immunities from the mother now. If the fetus were born now, it would have a good chance for survival.