Why at 7 months pregnant. Nutritional features of a pregnant woman in the seventh month

Pregnancy lasts 10 obstetric and 9 lunar months. Obstetric months are divided into trimesters. The 7th month marks the beginning of the final, third trimester of the gestational period.

It's time for maternity leave. By law, maternity leave begins at the beginning of the 30th week, and in case of multiple pregnancy - from the 28th week.

Many mothers working in state enterprises have the right to paid leave, and therefore can go on maternity leave a couple of weeks earlier.

From the 30th week of the gestational period, active preparations for a new addition to the family begin: items for the newborn and hygiene products are purchased.

What happens in a woman's body

The month covers the time from 26 to 30 weeks. At this stage, significant changes occur in the intrauterine life of the baby and in the life of the expectant mother.

The uterus noticeably increases in size, and if it was not noticeable until the 30th week, then at the moment it is clearly rounded and rises higher.

The surrounding organs gradually shift, and at the end of the seven-month period it rises above the navel, slightly squeezing the lower segment of the lungs.

The fetus is actively moving – the uterine cavity still allows for various movements. The position of the baby changes hourly, and so far does not pose a potential threat of malpresentation.

Feel

The child continues to grow and develop in the female body. Mom feels his presence every day. The growing uterus gradually puts pressure on surrounding organs.

It puts particular pressure on the bladder and distal colon. The urge to urinate and difficulty with bowel movements are constantly disturbing.

Due to the stretching of the muscle layer, the epidermis becomes thinner, collagen is lost and the first stretch marks appear. Their presence can cause serious disruption in the intrauterine life of the fetus, so it is necessary to monitor their appearance.

Favorite places for stretch marks are the thighs, chest, and abdomen. In pregnant women, stretch marks appear as the gestation period increases.

At 7 months, the weight increases by 6-8 kg, so the skin stretches and “tears”. This is especially noticeable in girls with a lack of elastin and collagen.

Sleep deteriorates and it becomes more difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Sometimes excessive information received during the day and an uncomfortable position lead a woman to a state of insomnia. Nervousness and irritability appear.

The hormonal background of the expectant mother is unstable and the addition of exogenous diseases or exacerbation of existing chronic processes is possible.

How the fetus develops

Before the beginning of the third trimester, the fetus has formed body parts, organs and internal systems. Now comes the period of complete improvement of the cerebral cortex and accumulation of subcutaneous fatty tissue.

A seven-month fetus weighs on average from 1100 to 1800 g, height from 38 to 41 cm.

The body is covered with fluff, eyebrows and eyelashes are drawn on the face. The fluff covers the baby's entire body: back, arms, chest. Over time, it disappears, but sometimes, children born before 32 weeks have increased hair growth.

Convolutions and nerve endings are formed and improved. The baby is able to recognize the mother's mood, winces in bright light (even through the stomach and uterus), and reacts to loud sounds.

Some mothers neglect restrictions and prohibitions, which subsequently leads to various pathological phenomena.

• Alcoholic drinks are prohibited. Red wine is also restricted.
• Long-distance travel or air travel is prohibited. Expectant mothers who are at risk of developing thrombophilia are strictly prohibited from flying.
• Overwork should not be allowed.
• Active physical exercise, fast dancing or extreme sports.
• Restrictions apply to food products high in sugar, lipids and preservatives.

The baby’s nutrition comes from the mother’s body, so all “harmful” foods enter the developing child’s body.

Nutrition

Up to 27-28 weeks, the pregnant woman’s menu must include:

• fish products;
• fermented milk products;
• cereals;
• fresh fruits and vegetables.

Oranges and lemons are allowed in moderation. From bakery products: black bread and buns with jam, but not more than once a week.

Due to the accelerated growth of the fetus, there is a need for microelements to compensate for the erythrocyte growth and prevent development. To do this, the weekly menu should include buckwheat, pomegranate juice, apples and bananas.

Sex

Intimacy is not prohibited, but restrictions are introduced. Sex is unacceptable if there is a threat of miscarriage or if the pregnancy is worsening.

During physical intimacy, it is necessary to select a comfortable position for the mother to avoid pressure on the stomach.

Often a pregnant woman is worried about thrush. In this case, sexual intercourse is contraindicated, and treatment is carried out by both partners.

Dangers

The end of the second trimester and the beginning of the final stage of gestation is fraught with many problems, but one of the most dangerous is premature birth.

The baby has been weak since 25 weeks, but there is a chance to survive and develop normally. It takes into account birth weight and overall health and development.

With an unstable emotional background, a woman may be overcome by depression or stress, which negatively affects the fetus.

Interesting video: everything about the 7th month of pregnancy

The 7th month of pregnancy occurs at the beginning of the third trimester. During this period, the expectant mother goes on maternity leave. Her belly acquires an impressive size, the baby actively pushes, constantly reminding her of herself and the fact that she will soon be born. During this period, great changes occur in the woman and her fetus, which are clearly visible on ultrasound.

Seven months - how many weeks of pregnancy is this?

The beginning of the seventh month is considered to be the 28th obstetric week of pregnancy. Lasts 7 months until 31 weeks.

At 32 weeks, a woman can already take out maternity leave.

The seventh month of pregnancy is called the “nesting” period. At this time, expectant mothers feel an urgent need to “build a nest”: they decorate the nursery, buy a dowry for the baby and spend hours shopping for toys, diapers and hats in anticipation of the imminent birth of their baby.

What does the belly look like at this stage?

At 28 weeks, the belly is significantly rounded. The height of the uterus above the womb is about 30 cm. It occupies most of the abdominal cavity, propping up and squeezing other organs. The baby is actively gaining weight, which becomes difficult for the uterus to bear. Because of this, a feeling of heaviness and aching pain may appear in the lower abdomen. Wearing a maternity bandage will help alleviate this condition.

During this period, the fetus enlarges so much that it becomes cramped. He constantly pushes, forcing the uterus to tone. Feelings of a hard abdomen at this stage are the absolute norm.

The stomach also changes externally. A dark stripe runs down its center from the pubis to the chest. Often stretch marks appear on the stomach of the expectant mother at 7 months, the culprits of which are considered to be sex hormones.

Sometimes at 28-30 weeks the belly becomes smaller. Only a doctor knows what it should be, so there is no need to worry about this again. During the examination, the obstetrician will take measurements and, if necessary, prescribe an additional ultrasound to make sure that the baby is developing normally. Sometimes the reason for a decrease in the size of the abdomen is oligohydramnios. In this case, the mother is usually admitted to a hospital for preservation. You should not refuse: oligohydramnios can have quite unpleasant consequences.

What happens to the fetus?

By the 7-month period, the child has time to fully develop, so he can already live outside the mother’s body. The baby weighs about one and a half kilograms, his height is approximately 40 cm, the skin becomes pink, and a fat layer begins to form under it.

Serious changes occur in all body systems:

1. The lungs are almost ready to function. In a seven-month-old fetus, only the pulmonary ventilation system is insufficiently developed.
2. The baby gains the ability to hear, he can already distinguish the voices of different people and even respond to mother or father’s speech.
3. A light fluff appears on the baby's head - the germ of future hair.
4. The genitals are fully formed.
5. The baby is already able to see, hear, distinguish smells and tastes.
6. The baby can actively move inside the uterus.

If you take a photo of a 30-week fetus in the womb, you will see that it looks almost like a full-fledged baby. However, no matter how much a seven-month fetus weighs, at this stage it is still considered premature, so the mother needs to try to do everything to ensure that it is not born yet, but waits until at least 37 obstetric weeks.

Mom's feelings

Pregnant women in the seventh month often compare themselves to a hippopotamus: they become clumsy and slow. The hormone relaxin is released into the body of the expectant mother, which relaxes the ligaments and joints, so she may experience back pain. Other inconveniences begin at this time:

1. Phlebeurysm. The muscles of the veins relax for a period of seven to eight months, while normal blood circulation is disrupted due to the vessels compressed by the uterus. To reduce the effects of these changes, pregnant women after 8 months are advised to wear compression bandages on their legs.
2. Heartburn. The stomach rises above its normal position, so after eating, its contents can flow into the esophagus. A split diet will help get rid of unpleasant symptoms. Pumpkin seed oil is considered a good natural remedy for heartburn in pregnant women.
3. Distinct movements. The baby becomes large in the seventh month, and its kicks can sometimes cause inconvenience to the mother, making pregnancy painful.
4. Nausea. Sometimes, in the later stages, the expectant mother again begins to feel the symptoms characteristic of toxicosis: she feels nauseous, she often has a headache, and general weakness appears. Late toxicosis is not only inconvenient, but also dangerous, so it should be reported to your doctor.

At 28-32 obstetric weeks, pregnant women think more and more about their baby, almost completely losing interest in the world around them. They are concerned about a lot of issues related to childbirth and caring for a newborn. The baby's own slowness and distinct movements in the stomach make the mother anticipate the approaching birth with great impatience. However, under no circumstances should she rush. When a baby is born small and premature, his life is in danger.

Discharge at 7 months

In the third trimester, a woman experiences such heavy discharge that she has not had throughout her entire pregnancy. If there is no foam, no bloody impurities, or white lumps in the vaginal secretion, their abundance will not harm the expectant mother. It is necessary to consult a doctor if the following suddenly appear in your leucorrhoea:

1. Snot-like impurities of yellow or green color. Such discharge occurs during infections.
2. Pink impurities. This sometimes indicates that the expectant mother is leaking amniotic fluid. If you ignore the problem, the fetus may suffer.
3. Bloody streaks. If streaks of blood are visible in the secretion, you must consult a doctor: this condition is dangerous due to the possibility of bleeding or the onset of premature labor.

Brown staining of vaginal discharge is a symptom of pathologies in the fetus that should not be ignored. In this case, it is necessary to do an additional ultrasound. A pregnant woman should also be concerned about leucorrhoea with an unpleasant odor.

In the third trimester, the expectant mother also experiences nipple discharge. This indicates the breast is ready for feeding.

Pain at 7 months

At this stage, the voluminous uterus puts pressure on the pelvic bones, the body begins to prepare for childbirth, so the pregnant woman’s lower abdomen often hurts. Unpleasant sensations in the uterus are explained by so-called “training contractions.”

It may seem to a woman that she has begun to give birth, but if the pain was minor and short-lived, and was not accompanied by bleeding, there is no need to worry.

Some women in interesting positions experience pain in the central part of the abdomen, near the navel. This symptom indicates a heavy load on the abdominal muscles. As a rule, after childbirth everything returns to normal.

Nutrition for a pregnant woman

In the third trimester, it is very important to eat properly and nutritiously. The kilograms gained during pregnancy can negatively affect both the general well-being of the mother and the process of labor. Overweight women at this stage often develop various complications due to weight: edema, shortness of breath, hypertension, etc. Overeating is also bad for the fetus. If the baby weighs more than normal, it will be difficult to give birth. It is advisable to eat moderately, fractionally.

The mother's diet at 7-8 months should be balanced. It should include foods rich in proteins - fish, seafood, dairy products, eggs, chicken, turkey, veal, etc. It is also important to provide the baby’s growing body with minerals and vitamins. To do this, it is better for the expectant mother to eat buckwheat, pearl barley, barley, oatmeal, millet porridge, vegetable salads with the addition of olive or flaxseed oil, and fruits.

Since the expectant mother has less space in her stomach during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, she needs to reduce single servings. Then she will not have problems with digestion and assimilation of healthy components of dishes.

As for the drinking regime, it should be rational. Do not drink too much liquid: this will lead to swelling. Not drinking enough water will have a negative impact on how a woman looks and feels.

Late-term pregnant women often ask the question: how much water should they drink per day? Doctors recommend a daily dose of 1.5-2 liters of liquid. To avoid swelling, it is useful to drink green tea and rosehip decoction. The benefits of clean water for the health of the expectant mother should also not be forgotten.

Intimate life

Doctors assure that during a normal pregnancy there may be no restrictions in a woman’s sexual life in the last months of pregnancy. Intimate relationships are not at all dangerous for the fetus. The baby often reacts to the mother's orgasm by starting to move actively or, conversely, calming down.

If there are any difficulties with the health of a pregnant woman, the possibility of sexual activity should be discussed with a doctor. Sex is strictly contraindicated in case of placenta previa, increased uterine tone, infection in one of the partners and other conditions that can lead to the onset of premature labor.

Childbirth at 7 months

When a pregnant woman shows signs of the onset of labor at 28 weeks, doctors usually try to stop labor if they see that they can maintain the pregnancy for another 7-8 weeks. It often happens that all this time the expectant mother has to stay in the hospital under the constant supervision of doctors.

If stopping labor is impossible, obstetricians deliver the baby. When a 7-month-old baby is born, everything happens the same as when a full-term baby is born. The difficulty is that the cervix does not have time to ripen at this stage, which is why ruptures occur more often in such “sudden” mothers. They often bleed. Premature babies are also at risk during childbirth.

There is an opinion that it is better to give birth to a baby at seven months than at eight. This is due to the development of the fetal respiratory system: in the seventh month, a substance is concentrated in its lungs, which helps them open immediately after birth. After the 32nd week, the concentration of this substance decreases, so eight-month-old children are more likely to die from premature birth.

However, in reality, it is better not to give birth in both the seventh and eighth months, because an immature child can suffer serious injuries. The expectant mother must try with all her might to avoid premature birth in order to protect her baby from possible complications.

Of course, you need to wait a little longer before the pregnancy ends. Nothing wrong with that. This waiting time can also be spent with great benefit. Many mothers sing songs, read poems, and tell fairy tales for their baby in the womb. Such a pastime brings a lot of joy to a woman and a lot of benefits to her child: scientists assure that the early development of children should begin in the womb. The seventh month is the ideal time for this.

With the onset of 7 months of pregnancy, great changes occur not only in the woman’s condition, but also in the development of the fetus. This is a difficult period. It can support...

From Masterweb

27.04.2018 22:00

With the onset of 7 months of pregnancy, great changes occur not only in the woman’s condition, but also in the development of the fetus. This is a difficult period. It may be accompanied by ailments associated both with changes in the body and with complications during pregnancy. At 7 months, expectant mothers have a lot of questions. We will try to answer many of them in this article.

7 months of pregnancy is how many weeks?

During pregnancy, a woman’s head is filled with various serious questions regarding the health of herself and her baby, future births, possible problems and consequences. In general, thinking is not directed towards mathematical calculations. But every pregnant woman wants to know exactly how many weeks it is - 7 months of pregnancy? Why 7? It’s simple, because it is during this period that the employer is obliged to allow the expectant mother to go on maternity leave!

The weeks are counted according to the obstetric calendar, and the beginning is considered to be the first day of the last menstruation. As a rule, this is why the obstetric period often differs from the calculation of the pregnant woman herself, and the difference is upward by at least 2 weeks.

The obstetric month is not the same as in our usual understanding, and lasts not 4.5 weeks, but exactly 4. A complete pregnancy lasts 40 obstetric weeks, that is, 10 months. Thus, we can calculate how many weeks the seventh month begins: the beginning of the seventh month is 25 weeks (that is, it is no longer 6 months, but the seventh has begun), and exactly 7 months is 28 weeks. Seven months of pregnancy lasts until the 29th week. But the exact period is 25-28 weeks.

Fetal changes

At the 7th month of pregnancy, the weight of a fetus already reaches a kilogram, and its average height is 35 centimeters. A real baby! At this stage, the child begins to recognize parental voices and the voices of those who are often nearby. Also, the baby is already reacting to sounds, so it is extremely important to create a calm environment; with the beginning of the 7th month, a woman is recommended to listen to measured music, and best of all, classics, because it has been proven that children begin to feel more calm. By the seventh month, the fetus can already suck its thumb!

At 7 months of pregnancy, all the organs of the unborn baby are already formed, but continue to improve further. From the 29th week, the child is preparing with all his might for a life separate from the mother’s womb. The fat content in his body is already 4%, and plugs consisting of mucus come out of his nose and protect the respiratory organs from water ingress.

With the onset of the 30th week, the fetus should already assume the body position in which it will be during childbirth. There are cases when the baby has not yet turned around by this time, but there is no need to worry, because he can lie down differently until the 32nd week.

By the 31st week, the baby curls up more tightly in the stomach as he actively grows and there is less and less space. During this period, the facial features of the unborn baby become clearer and more expressive, and the pupils of his eyes are already the same as those of the “ready” baby!

The digestive organs begin to form at the 7th week, but by the 7th month of pregnancy they are almost ready for full-fledged independent work.

At 32 weeks, folds and wrinkles on the fetal face are smoothed out, weight can range from 1800 grams to 2 kilograms, and height can range from 42 to 45 centimeters on average.

If premature birth occurs at 7 months of pregnancy, the baby will be able to breathe on its own, but will require intensive care from medical personnel. The child's chances of surviving at this time are significant. But still, a pregnant woman needs to take care of herself in order to allow the baby to fully develop!

Changes in a woman

At 7 months of pregnancy, a woman becomes more anxious as her due date approaches. But you need to pull yourself together and calm down, because with her behavior a woman shapes the future character of the child.

Breathing becomes more difficult from 7 months of pregnancy as the uterus rises higher. To improve your well-being, you need to move more, walk in the park. If you feel tired, you can’t fight it, you need to lie on your back or side, and put a soft pillow between your knees. During movement, you may feel a contraction of the uterus, this is not scary. But if, at 7 months of pregnancy, the stomach pulls strongly, this feeling causes discomfort and even pain, then you need to urgently seek advice from the obstetrician leading the pregnancy.

From the seventh month, a woman may be bothered by false contractions, but this is even good, since nature in this way tests the body’s readiness for childbirth. Contractions should be irregular, painless, and not interfering with daily activities, otherwise consult a doctor immediately.

Itching felt on the skin of the abdomen signals the need to soften the epidermis and purchase a product to prevent the appearance of stretch marks. Unpleasant sensations on the skin indicate that it is stretched to the limit, but it is worth remembering that the active growth of the tummy is in full swing, so take care of your comfort and beauty.

Breasts at 7 months of pregnancy begin to prepare for the main mission in a woman’s life - feeding a new person! Liquid may begin to be released from it - this is colostrum, the most useful product that the mother will feed the baby in the first 2-3 days of life. The breasts increase in size, become heavy, and discomfort may be present. Buy a special support bra; specialized maternity underwear has pads into which the secreted colostrum will be absorbed; this is very convenient when you need to visit a public place and not feel discomfort.

Other unpleasant moments during active growth of the abdomen are possible constipation, heartburn, increased gas formation, pain in the hypochondrium, nausea. All these symptoms are caused by the enlarging uterus pressing on the organs. To reduce symptoms and prevent their occurrence, you need to lower your blood pressure by eating small portions. At this time, it is advisable to consume more liquids and soups.

A woman should gain an average of half a kilo a week in weight; if there are strong discrepancies up or down, then you should talk to your doctor about your diet and diet. Pain may occur in the lower back, back, and legs as the bones and muscles are put under pressure from the increasing weight. There may be cramps in the calf muscles, enlargement of the legs (edema) and hemorrhoidal veins. A special brace and exercise for pregnant women can help with these symptoms.

When walking quickly, shortness of breath occurs, this is again due to the weight and pressure of the uterus on the organs. For this reason, pregnant women seem slow, thoughtful, and their gait is peculiar and a little awkward. Movements become cautious and clumsy.

Important points to know

1. In the seventh month of pregnancy, a woman usually weighs 8-15 kilograms more than she did before pregnancy. Many people are afraid that they have become very fat and that after giving birth they will not be able to lose extra pounds. 90% of women manage to regain their previous figure; the secret is activity, exercise, and a balanced diet. We do not say “proper nutrition”, since by this many people mean a diet consisting of steamed vegetables. Nutrition should be rational, it should contain meat, fish, vegetables, and cereals, but everything in reasonable quantities! There is no need to stuff yourself with double portions, worrying about the fat content and quantity of breast milk, the baby will not remain hungry, nature provides for the formation of milk in the required quantity.
2. Heartburn increases, this may be due to weakening of the esophagus due to pressure on the uterine organs. In this case, it is not recommended to take soda; if swelling occurs, this substance can intensify it. Take special pills, but which ones? Only a doctor can tell you!
3. Vaginal discharge becomes more intense in the seventh month. If they are light yellow or white, this is a sign of normality. Curdled discharge and itching indicate the development of thrush. Bloody or brownish ones are bad, as they signal the threat of premature birth or placental abruption.
4. And again about nutrition: you need to eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, take multivitamins prescribed by your doctor. All this will benefit not only the future baby, but also the mother. With a lack of vitamins, hair begins to fade and fall out, nails peel, skin and teeth deteriorate.
5. Dyeing your hair is highly undesirable, because harmful components can enter the bloodstream through the skin.

Belly size

This parameter depends on the woman’s physique, the structural features of the internal organs, and it is unique for each pregnant woman. Some walk around with a huge belly, and it seems that the time has come to give birth or the woman is carrying more than one fetus. Others have a small belly and are invisible under loose clothing, and many do not even realize that the woman is going to become a mother!

A small belly in the 7th month of pregnancy may indicate infertility, lack of amniotic fluid, a delay in the physical development of the baby, or an incorrectly set due date. To diagnose possible “problems”, it is recommended to consult a doctor. You may have to undergo an unscheduled ultrasound.

At 7 months of pregnancy, a small belly size may not indicate any problems at all, so don’t panic ahead of time. Every woman's body type is different. If you had a belly before pregnancy, it will be larger during pregnancy. If a woman has a flat tummy and thinness, then the stomach can be very small, and at the same time the size and weight of the child will be normal.

The doctor will notice any discrepancies, if any, and refer you for a proper examination.

Nausea at 7 months pregnant

The age-old question: why do you feel sick during pregnancy? In the first trimester this is called toxicosis and is not a cause for concern. But doctors begin to worry if a woman suffers from nausea even in the third trimester, and this phenomenon is given another definition - gestosis.

Not only women after 35 years of age, but also very young mothers can suffer from gestosis, and this is already a pathological course of pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is accompanied by such unpleasant moments as dizziness, fainting, increased blood pressure, and headaches. This happens due to severe vasoconstriction, which leads to insufficient oxygen supply to the blood and placenta, which is fraught not only for the mother, but also for the health and development of the baby. During gestosis, a woman’s vision can noticeably deteriorate, and in especially severe cases, a cerebral hemorrhage occurs, which can lead to death of the woman in labor and the baby.

If there was gestosis during pregnancy, then the consequences of its influence on the body disappear within two whole years. During this period, all blood counts will be abnormal.

What to do with gestosis?

Nausea in the 7th month of pregnancy should not remain a secret to the attending physician, since gestosis is not just toxicosis, but a dangerous pathology.

Self-medication is prohibited! An obstetrician-gynecologist will prescribe medications that will help overcome the disease and improve the woman’s well-being.

In addition to medications, outdoor recreation, bed rest, and herbal decoctions will be prescribed.

Pregnancy and colds

It is easier to prevent a cold than to cure it; this statement is true for everyone, especially for pregnant women. To avoid getting sick, use the following recommendations:

• avoid public places during the height of the cold and flu epidemic;
• if you need to go to the store, clinic, or visit a antenatal clinic, put a gauze bandage on your face;
• when you come home from the street, gargle with herbal infusions and water with salt and soda, rinse your nose;
• Take vitamins prescribed by your doctor.

How to treat a cold during pregnancy?

If, nevertheless, a woman catches a cold at 7 months of pregnancy, what should she do? If you have a cold in the seventh month, and at all other times, you should strictly adhere to the rules:

1. In no case should you choose treatment on your own, because many drugs are contraindicated in a situation such as pregnancy.
2. Call a therapist to your home rather than going to an appointment in person. The rule “infection does not stick to infection” does not work! There are a huge number of viruses that you can take with you into the vicinity of existing ones.
3. Contact your doctor at the first symptoms of the disease to prevent it from developing and harming your baby.
4. Maintain bed rest throughout your illness.
5. Use not only prescribed medications, but also folk remedies recommended by your doctor.
6. Stable ventilation of the room will help you recover faster.
7. Drink more fluids to flush out toxic substances from your body.

Premature birth

Childbirth at 7 months of pregnancy occurs quite often, and modern technologies and the knowledge of doctors make it possible in most cases to save the baby’s life. The causes of premature birth can be:

1. Falling, receiving various types of injuries.
2. Diseases.
3. Carrying heavy things.
4. Stress, anxiety, psychologically unfavorable environment in the family or at work.
5. Difficult working conditions, standing work for more than 6 hours a day.
6. Bad habits.
7. Long-distance travel, overexertion, airplane flights, long-distance train trips.
8. Premature placental abruption.
9. Damage to the fetus.
10. Polyhydramnios.
11. Multiple pregnancy.
12. Infections.
13. Disturbances in the structure of the uterus.

Childbirth at 7 months is an abnormal phenomenon, and it has its own complications, which mostly affect the baby. The consequences of premature birth can be:

1. The child’s lungs are still underdeveloped at this stage, so in 60% of cases breathing complications and even pauses in breathing occur. Typically, babies born before the 8th month of pregnancy are placed under a dome with a high oxygen content in the ICU (intensive care ward).
2. Neurological complications (hyperactivity, isolation, learning problems), disorders in brain development.

But all these consequences and complications are detected at an early stage and are well eliminated with intensive therapy. In 99% of cases, after a couple of months, a premature baby cannot be distinguished from peers born on time!

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In the second half of pregnancy, your weight continues to increase, the weekly gain is still 250-300 g. At a more significant rate of increase in body weight, we can talk first about hidden and then about obvious fluid retention - edema, which can be a sign of gestosis.

It is believed that during pregnancy a woman should limit herself to an increase of 9-12 kg, depending on her constitution. Optimally, if over the previous two trimesters you added about two-thirds of this increase to your weight, then the last trimester accounts for about one-third - 4 kilograms.

Due to stretching of the skin on the abdomen and chest, not only stretch marks (striae) may appear, but also a feeling of itching and dry skin - most often in the abdominal area. Special creams for pregnant women or regular fatty creams containing vitamins A and E will help cope with dryness and itching.

The rapid growth of the uterus is accompanied by stretching of the ligaments, which can cause minor pain in the lower abdomen. Usually the pain goes away when the woman changes her body position.

Back pain at this stage of pregnancy occurs quite often - they are associated with an increased load on the spine, softening of the joints of the pelvic bones (this is how the body prepares for possible stretching of the pelvic ring when the baby’s head passes through childbirth). The more pounds you carry, the harder it is on your spine, so control your weight if possible. Sleep on a hard mattress, sit with a straight back, choose chairs with a back and armrests, do not cross your legs - this position not only impedes blood circulation in the legs, but also increases the load on the pelvic bones. Avoid standing for long periods of time, wear a maternity brace when walking, do exercises that strengthen the abdominal and pelvic muscles (for example, “cat back”, Kegel exercises - alternating tension and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, etc.).

At this stage of pregnancy (and sometimes earlier), muscle cramps of the lower extremities may appear. Such ailment, unlike “back” pain, can be prevented. To do this, wear special elastic tights, during rest, raise your legs above the level of your body to restore normal blood circulation in them, follow a special diet that maintains optimal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body, and before going to bed, massage your legs from the toes towards the hips.

For varicose veins, which may first appear or progress during pregnancy, it is necessary to wear special knitted underwear. This condition manifests itself as discomfort and pain in the legs, especially after standing for a long time; A network of veins appears on the skin of the legs.

To avoid another fairly common ailment of pregnant women - hemorrhoids - it is necessary to prevent the development of constipation with a diet rich in fiber, sleep on your side to avoid pressure on the veins of the rectum, and do exercises that improve blood circulation in this part of the body. Certain symptoms of hemorrhoids occur quite often and to some extent are considered a variant of normal pregnancy, but you should definitely inform your doctor about them 2.

Since the pressure of the uterus on the abdominal organs has increased significantly, sometimes urinary incontinence may occur when sneezing or coughing. If this happens quite often, use pads. Don't be upset: in a couple of months you will forget about these unpleasant sensations.

Fetal development in the seventh month of intrauterine life

By the end of the seventh month of pregnancy, the length of the fetus is already 40 cm, body weight - 1500 g. From the 28th week of intrauterine development, when the fetal body weight is 1000 g or more, the so-called perinatal period begins. It covers all subsequent weeks of pregnancy, childbirth and the next 7 days of the newborn's life.

The baby establishes a rhythm of sleep and wakefulness; he can wake up in the morning with his mother and greet her with quite violent kicks. Some children, on the contrary, want to “take a walk” precisely at the time when their mother is sleeping. Fatty tissue gradually accumulates under the child's skin.

At this stage, the fetal heart contracts at the same frequency as in newborns (120-160 beats per minute). From the seventh month of pregnancy, the fetal heartbeat can be recorded on a cardiotocogram (CTG), which makes it possible to assess the condition of the fetus and the tone of the uterus. Irregular “breathing” movements of the chest, which can be seen during ultrasound examination, are also an indicator of the condition of the fetus.

From this stage of pregnancy, a special substance is formed in the fetal lungs - surfactant, which at birth helps maintain the lung tissue in an expanded state.

During the seventh month of pregnancy, the fetus is usually born alive. He can survive if he is kept in a special incubator, with artificial ventilation and the use of appropriate intensive care and resuscitation equipment. Such a child is born with pronounced signs of prematurity: poor development of subcutaneous fatty tissue, wrinkled skin, abundant cheese-like lubrication; His entire body is covered with vellus hair.

Possible complications in the seventh month of pregnancy

When labor develops after 28 weeks of pregnancy, they no longer talk about miscarriage, but about premature birth. The threat of premature birth usually requires hospitalization and treatment. To accelerate the maturation of the fetal lungs and stimulate the production of surfactant, corticosteroid hormones are usually prescribed at this stage of pregnancy. This contributes to the survival of the child if, despite the measures taken, he is born significantly.

With placenta previa, when it covers the area of ​​the internal os of the cervix, as the gestational age increases, the risk of bleeding and acute fetal hypoxia increases, so the pregnant woman must be in the hospital.

On seven months pregnant Sometimes there are signs of a complication such as gestosis. Preeclampsia is usually represented by a triad of symptoms: edema, increased blood pressure and the appearance of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia can be expressed to a greater or lesser extent, but in any case, the expectant mother requires mandatory treatment, since this condition is dangerous not only for her, but also for her child.

At this stage of pregnancy, constant monitoring of urine test results is required - this is necessary for the timely diagnosis of urinary tract infections, gestosis and some other pathological conditions. The frequent development of urinary tract infections in the 6-8th month of pregnancy is associated with their expansion due to the action of progesterone and other hormones, as well as the mechanical pressure of the growing uterus.

The seventh month marks the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy, the final stage of the baby's intrauterine development. Now the expectant mother especially needs help and protection, because doing hard physical work is contraindicated for her, and even housework is not always useful.

At 7 months of pregnancy, it is strongly recommended to reduce the intensity of any activity, if possible, go on maternity leave, undergo regular medical examinations and think about choosing a maternity hospital that meets the necessary requirements.

To determine which week the 7th month begins, it is necessary to clarify which months of pregnancy we are talking about, obstetric or calendar. If we mean the calendar counting system, then the seventh month begins from the 28th week of pregnancy.

Fetal development

The seventh month of pregnancy is characterized by an intensive increase in the body weight of the fetus and improvement of the activity of all its organs. At the 28th week, the future baby can already distinguish the voices of his parents while being in the tummy. That is why the room where the pregnant woman is located should not be noisy: either complete silence or light classical music is preferable. Of course, talking in a raised voice during this period is simply unacceptable, because in addition to stress from too loud sounds, the baby’s condition can worsen due to changes in the level of hormones in the woman’s blood under the influence of a conflict situation.

At the 29th week, the baby’s body is gradually preparing for the upcoming life outside the mother’s womb. Mucus plugs are removed from the fetal nasal passages, and the body fat content reaches 4%.

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At 30 weeks, the baby, as a rule, has already assumed the body position in which it will remain until birth. But in some cases, he can change it up to 32 weeks of pregnancy.

At the 31st week, the baby’s body curls up more closely due to lack of free space in the uterus. Facial features become more expressive, and the pupils of the eyes become the same as those of a newborn. The organs of the fetal digestive system are largely ready for work, despite the fact that not much time has passed since their formation (and this is the seventh obstetric week of pregnancy).

With the onset of 32 weeks, skin folds on the fetus’s face are smoothed out, so the baby’s appearance becomes more attractive. By the end of the seventh month of pregnancy, the fetal height reaches 42-43 cm, and the weight can range from 1800 to 2000. In case of premature birth, such a child will be able to breathe on his own, although he will require additional medical care. But at the very beginning of the seventh month, the fetus is not yet sufficiently developed, so caring for premature babies born before 31-32 weeks is much more difficult. The expectant mother will act wisely if she takes care of herself in order to allow the baby to get stronger in the tummy until the due date provided by nature.

Changes in a woman's body

In the seventh month of pregnancy, the following changes occur in the body of the expectant mother:

• The abdomen quickly increases in size. A woman’s weekly weight gain during the current month can be 300-550 g. By the end of the 7th month, a woman weighs 8-13 kg more than before conception.
• Heartburn may get worse. This is due to the relaxation of the esophageal sphincter under the influence of progesterone and the pressure of the uterus on the digestive organs. You should not get rid of the symptoms of heartburn with the help of soda, because when taking a soda solution orally, swelling may increase in pregnant women.
• The volume of vaginal discharge at this time increases slightly. White or light yellow discharge is normal. The appearance of itching and burning, as well as the detection of curdled lumps of mucus in them may indicate the development of thrush. Brown or bloody discharge is a dangerous symptom, because it occurs when placental abruption or the onset of premature labor.
• If the expectant mother is malnourished, her hair may suffer, which may begin to fall out more or become dull and brittle. For prevention purposes, it is recommended to take multivitamin preparations recommended by your doctor, and also remember to eat enough fresh fruits, vegetables and protein foods. It is highly undesirable to dye your hair to prevent the chemical components of the dye from entering the pregnant woman’s body.

Analyzes and examinations

Towards the end of the seventh month of pregnancy or a little later, the expectant mother will have to undergo a third prenatal screening. A screening examination of the third trimester involves an ultrasound scan at 32-34 weeks, i.e. at the turn of the seventh and eighth calendar months of gestation.

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During the examination, the specialist will determine the size of the fetus, assess the degree of development of its organs and clarify how many weeks are left until the expected time of birth. The doctor should pay special attention to the presentation of the child. The cephalic presentation is the most preferable, but even the pelvic position is not a pathology; it is only necessary to more thoroughly prepare for childbirth. If desired, the specialist will show the expectant mother what the baby looks like in the tummy, and even take a photo or video as a souvenir.

In addition, when performing an ultrasound, the specialist will pay attention to the condition of the placenta and clarify the degree of its maturity. It is of no small importance to determine the volume of amniotic fluid in order to timely detect oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios.

As usual, during the next visit, the specialist will measure the woman’s body weight and abdominal circumference, determine the height of the uterine fundus and other indicators. If the expectant mother is bothered by any unpleasant sensations, symptoms of hemorrhoids, varicose veins, etc., then it is necessary to inform the doctor about this in order to prescribe a course of treatment in a timely manner. If a woman registers on time, when she was in the seventh week of pregnancy or a little later, and also undergoes all prescribed examinations and adheres to the doctor’s recommendations, the risk of developing any pathologies is minimized.

Possible dangers in the seventh month of pregnancy

During this period, there is a possibility of developing the following pregnancy complications:

• Threat of premature birth. During the period from the 28th to the 32nd week of pregnancy, the risk of premature birth of a baby is low, but still the likelihood of such an outcome cannot be discounted. The survival rate of a child depends on the timing of birth. At 28 weeks, the baby is unlikely to be able to breathe on his own without the use of special equipment, and childbirth at 7 months of pregnancy (at 31-32 weeks) poses almost no danger to the life of the newborn. When there is a threat of premature birth, a woman may experience blood in her discharge (spotting), and often pain or pulling in her lower abdomen.
• Preeclampsia. Metabolic disorders in the third trimester are called late gestosis or late toxicosis. A woman may experience symptoms such as nausea, high blood pressure, headache, spots before the eyes, and noticeable swelling. Treatment consists of eliminating symptoms and normalizing metabolism.
• Low water. The volume of amniotic fluid must meet certain standards. To determine this indicator, AFI (amniotic fluid index) is used. If AFI is less than normal, a woman may be diagnosed with moderate or severe oligohydramnios. Treatment consists of prescribing drugs that normalize metabolism and improve the tone of the vascular walls.
• Polyhydramnios. If the AFI at seven months is significantly higher than normal, we are talking about polyhydramnios, a condition in which the volume of amniotic fluid increases for some reason, as a result of which the abdomen becomes too large. Provoking factors may be heart or vascular disease, diabetes, an overly large fetus or multiple pregnancy. To combat polyhydramnios, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease, and also take additional vitamins, magnesium supplements or diuretics.

The seventh month of pregnancy is one of the most important stages of bearing a baby. To avoid complications and all sorts of troubles, it is advisable for the expectant mother to adhere to the following recommendations:

• It is necessary to limit contact with strangers as much as possible in order to avoid infection with infectious diseases such as influenza and colds (ARVI). Despite the fact that the fetus at the 7th month of pregnancy already has its own immune defense, and the infection cannot cause any congenital pathologies in its development that would require termination of pregnancy, it is still necessary to observe preventive measures, because any disease of the expectant mother, with which increases the temperature, worsens the baby’s condition.
• Due to the development and strengthening of fetal bone tissue, a pregnant woman’s need for calcium increases, as a result of which teeth may suffer. Since dental treatment during the third trimester is carried out in the most extreme cases, it is necessary to take all measures to preserve tooth enamel by ensuring careful oral care and organizing a balanced diet.
• Any flight or long trip is difficult for an expectant mother who is 7 months pregnant. When lifted into the air on an airplane, a woman may experience increased blood pressure, vomiting, and blocked ears. All this negatively affects the condition of the fetus, so flying or traveling in other ways is possible only in the most extreme cases, for example, if an urgent move is necessary. It is also undesirable to go to the sea, because sunbathing in the third trimester of a pregnant woman is contraindicated.
• On the advice of a doctor, you can perform special exercises for pregnant women, but some exercises may be contraindicated.
• It is better to abstain from intimate relationships for a period of 7 full months; as a last resort, you should choose the safest positions. An orgasm is especially dangerous for an expectant mother, as it can cause excessive contraction of the uterine walls and, as a result, cause premature birth. Of course, masturbating is all the more undesirable, because it can lead to very negative consequences.
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You can find out more about what happens during the 7th month of pregnancy on a specialized forum. If possible, you should attend courses for expectant mothers and watch videos, which will allow you to best prepare for the arrival of a new family member.