Pregnancy Calendar: Months 7 & 8

The seventh month of your pregnancy

The seventh month of your pregnancy

Lots of rapid brain development is taking place at this stage of pregnancy. Your baby's swallowing and sucking skills are developing and immune system continues to strengthen. As your baby grows there is less space in your uterus for full body rolls and turns - youll still feel plenty of sharp kicks though!

Your baby will be spending about 80% of his or her sleeping time in REM (rapid eye movement) dreams, during which brain activity is heightened. When he or she is awake theyll also be opening their eyes wide and practising 'looking' movements.

Another pregnancy essential you need to be aware of is that mild swelling of the ankles and legs is normal, especially on hot days or if you've been on your feet a lot. But speak to your doctor or midwife if your face and hands begin to swell or if the swelling lasts more than 24 hours. When accompanied by a rapid weight gain or a rise in your blood pressure, this swelling could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition that affects approximately five to 10% of pregnant women.

You might also notice varicose veins developing around this time. These fine blue, red, or purple lines under the skin, which may surface for the first time or worsen during late pregnancy, are caused by the uterus exerting great pressure on the veins in the legs. Avoid standing for long periods and put your feet up whenever you can. Support tights can also offer relief.

The eighth month of your pregnancy

Your baby is becoming increasingly chubby as more fat is deposited on the arms and legs and he or she will gain half a pound or so per week from now on, although these figures are increasingly rough estimates towards the end of pregnancy.

As the uterus grows thinner more light enters and influences your baby's waking and sleeping rhythms. The placenta has reached maturity and the volume of amniotic fluid is becoming less as baby grows to fill almost all the space in your womb.

In preparation for birth your baby is producing cortisol to help the lungs develop and is storing nutrition from you. At this stage the digestive tract is still too immature for complete independence, which is why babies delivered around this time tend to lose more weight than a full-term baby.

Sometime soon you might experience 'lightening', when your bump will appear to drop as your baby shifts into your pelvis in preparation for birth. As a result you'll find it easier to breathe and feel less pressure on your stomach. However, it can cause a heavy dragging feeling in your pelvis as the weight of your baby bears down, and extra pressure on your bladder means even more frequent trips to the loo.

The good news is that once your baby has dropped, you probably have about two to four weeks to go although some babies dont drop until labour has begun, particularly if this isn't your first pregnancy.

by: Emily Amelia Inglis

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