Are you already 8 months pregnant ? The final preparations for the baby's arrival are in place, impatience is at its peak! The eighth month of pregnancy is between the thirty-third and thirty-sixth week of amenorrhea (SA) and the thirty-first and thirty-fourth week of pregnancy (SG).
Find in this article a presentation of our anti-stretch mark treatments as well as our treatment to reduce stretch marks established during or after pregnancy.
Summary :
- Important events of the 8th month of pregnancy
- What are the body changes for the mother-to-be during the eighth month of pregnancy?
- The anti-stretch mark routine during the eighth month of pregnancy
- Baby development at 8 months of pregnancy
Important events of the 8th month of pregnancy
During this penultimate month of pregnancy you will be able to see your baby for the last time during the last ultrasound . When you see him again, it will be his due date to hold him in your arms!
What exams during the eighth month of pregnancy?
We are not changing the rules, this month you will still have a compulsory prenatal visit , it will be the sixth. It will take place during the first two weeks of the eighth month. As usual, your practitioner will check:
- Your weight
- The dimensions of your pool
- Your blood pressure
- Your fundal height
They may also ask you to do a urine and blood test to make sure you have not contracted any infections.
You may have to take a vaginal swab to look for signs of Streptococcus B, a bacteria that can be dangerous for the baby during a vaginal birth. If you test positive, you will need treatment to cure it.
He will also take the opportunity to give you his latest advice regarding childbirth . Don’t hesitate to come with the person who shares your life and ask all the questions that come to mind!
The last ultrasound
During the eighth month, the last of the three obligatory ultrasounds during pregnancy also takes place. This third ultrasound will allow:
- see what position your baby is placed in
- check its size and check that it continues to grow well
- see the amount of amniotic fluid
- Check the maturity of the placenta
- Check the baby's heart rate and organ functionality
If no risk is detected during this ultrasound, you will not have to do any more before your delivery. Please be aware that if your baby were born today, he or she would be considered premature. He could live well but would be regularly monitored and your stay in the maternity ward could be a little longer.
The last steps before the baby arrives
It's time to finish your maternity suitcase and your file! Think carefully about your blood group card, your analysis results and your health insurance card.
Take comfortable clothes and everything you might need: books, tablet, chocolate, body creams, etc.
For your baby, remember to take clothes in birth size and 1 month. Bodysuits, pajamas, small hats and gloves will be sufficient. You can also take him a pacifier, a cuddly toy and body care products. The Essential Baby Care Box from Laboratoires Téane is a very good start! It contains everything you need to take care of babies' fragile skin from birth . The products are certified organic and provide hydration, protection and soothing. They contain 100% natural active ingredients including our patented Cassia Alata extract, essential for strengthening and repairing the skin barrier.
You will find all our advice for preparing your maternity suitcase in our dedicated article “ Preparing your maternity suitcase ”.
Moreover, it is also the time for you to finish the room of the upcoming baby as well as the last changes in the house. Also remember to finalize your birth plan!
Discover our range of products suitable for 8 months of pregnancy
What body changes for the mother-to-be at 8 months of pregnancy?
Your entry into the eighth month often means maternity leave ! This is the time for you to relax and get as much rest as possible before your baby arrives.
What changes for the mother during the 8th month of pregnancy?
Nothing new compared to the previous month except greater fatigue . Your belly now weighs a lot (weight of the baby, amniotic fluid, placenta, uterus) and it can be heavy to carry. In short, get as much rest as possible. Be alert to loss of balance that can occur at any time due to this big belly.
In addition, the pounds will continue to pile on and this is completely normal. During the last trimester your baby gains impressive weight! Don't forget to eat a balanced diet while treating yourself when you want (in a reasonable way of course!). Too much weight gain at the end of pregnancy could cause you to develop gestational diabetes and be dangerous for you and your baby. Although each body is different, we recommend weight gain of between 9 and 13 kilos during pregnancy .
Things to know at 8 months pregnant
Your uterus, more and more, will continue to press on your bladder and trips to the toilet will be very frequent. Don't hold back from drinking lots of water, your body needs it to create life!
You may still experience Braxton Hicks contractions this month. If they are painful or they intensify and come together, contact your maternity ward or midwife, they could actually be labor contractions!
At 8 months pregnant , you should also know that your cervix begins to soften in preparation for the baby's passage, you may also feel your pelvis pulling you. Your bones are moving apart to allow your baby to descend and position themselves for D-day. To help the baby pass through, and avoid an episiotomy (incision which allows the perineum to be opened a little more to facilitate the passage of the baby) or a tear, you can massage yourself every day with an oil . First, choose a vegetable oil such as sweet almond, argan or wheat germ oil. Then, massage your perineum with it from the 8th month and regularly until delivery.
Water retention, painful back and breasts, difficult sleep, constipation, frequent urge to urinate, etc. Your nights are complicated and fatigue ends up weighing on your morale. Consult your doctor if it becomes too hard for you, you absolutely must rest before the arrival of your little angel.
The anti-stretch mark routine during the eighth month of pregnancy
To avoid stretch marks before the end of pregnancy, do not forget to apply morning and evening a few drops of organic Soothing Anti-Stretch Mark Oil mixed with the organic Anti-Stretch Mark First Care Cream . The combination of the two products will hydrate your skin, soothe tightness and scratching sensations. But also increase the production of collagen and protect elastin fibers. Everything you need to make your skin stretch without cracking!
If you already have small stretch marks appearing, use the organic SOS Stretch Mark Repair Balm . It will reduce the appearance and color of red stretch marks as soon as they appear. To be used all over the body and even the chest since it is compatible with pregnancy. You can continue its application after childbirth because it is also compatible with breastfeeding . In fact, we recommend a 2-month treatment to obtain visible results.
Baby development at 8 months of pregnancy
Your baby is gaining strength in this eighth month of pregnancy! In fact, it grows, its muscles lengthen, its bones calcify (except those of the head to facilitate passage during childbirth). Her lungs are preparing for ectopic respiration and her digestive system is improving. He continues to drink amniotic fluid all day long and meconium (the baby's first stools) settles in his intestines. His first bowel movements will also be carefully monitored by the medical staff!
Her skin becomes thicker and is no longer transparent at 8 months of pregnancy . And then he continues to respond to your voice and moves when you touch your belly. Moreover, his movements are more and more raw and you will be able to see your stomach deform in a very strange way! He doesn't have enough space, and he quickly went around your uterus!
It is often during this 8th month that he takes his final position: head down and butt in the air! This is called the cephalic position .
Finally, know that at the end of this eighth month, baby measures between 43 and 47cm and weighs 2.5 kilos !
To find out everything about the ninth month of pregnancy, consult our article dedicated to this last month .
