6 pregnancy month

There are only three months left before meeting with the baby. How the appearance of the expectant mother changes at the 6th month of pregnancy, what happens to the child during this period – in the material of the KP

The sixth month of pregnancy is the last in the second trimester. Life will change very soon. You can start choosing things for the baby, the hospital and the doctor with whom you would like to give birth.

The CP will tell you what changes in the body the expectant mother will have to face, and our expert Elena Kollerova, obstetrician-gynecologist with 35 years of experience, doctor of the highest category, will answer popular questions of expectant mothers.

Key facts about 6 months pregnant

Menstruation	There can be no periods at this stage of pregnancy. If you notice spotting in yourself, you should immediately consult a doctor. The causes of bleeding in the sixth month of pregnancy can be various pathologies, including, for example, the threat of premature birth. Bleeding is also possible when taking heparin and bleeding disorders (1).
Behavior and mood of a woman	This period is considered the happiest. Endorphins have a positive effect on mood. And the increased activity inside the abdomen and the anticipation of a joyful meeting with the baby gives joyful emotions.
External signs	The belly is usually such that it is almost impossible to hide it. The chest is filled and increases in size. Hair and nails grow quickly. Some women may notice that the shoes have become small – it happens that pregnant women have an increase in leg size. But everything is individual. There are lucky women who observe the only change in appearance – a rounded belly.
Pain	A woman may feel discomfort due to the contracting uterus. The muscle tissue is stretched, there is a slight pain. This state is the norm. But if the stomach hurts a lot and often, you need to see a doctor. In the sixth month of pregnancy, so-called false contractions may appear. They accompany any normal pregnancy, do not provoke hypoxia in the fetus, do not lead to premature birth (1).
Weight gain	Weight gain at this time is usually 5-8 kg.
Characteristics of the fetus	The weight of the fetus at 6 months of pregnancy is 400-600 grams (depending on the week). At this time, the baby is actively developing the brain and spinal cord, tear ducts. The lungs are fully formed, but they are not yet ready to work outside the womb. And the baby already knows how to hiccup (1).

Symptoms, signs and sensations

Women have more than enough energy at this time: some are not too lazy to pick up every mote in the house, others tirelessly run around children’s stores, and still others work, forgetting about pregnancy. The belly is not yet as big as it will be in the third trimester, and does not interfere with an active life.

Let us describe the most striking signs and sensations that pregnant women encounter at this time.

Pulling pains

The uterus contracts, and sometimes the expectant mother feels a slight tone. In general, this is the norm. But, as our expert Elena Kollerova notes, there is such a thing as uterine hypertonicity. It’s better not to joke with this: if the stomach is sick and the sensations do not go away for a long time, this is a reason to see a doctor.

The sixth month is the time of the appearance of false contractions. They are also known as Braxton Hicks contractions. There is nothing wrong with them, such sensations can appear in any woman with a normal pregnancy.

Appetite

Expectant mothers no longer have the brutal appetite that was in the early stages of pregnancy. At 6 months of pregnancy, appetite usually returns to normal.

Constipation

At the end of the second trimester, some may experience a delicate problem – constipation. They occur due to the fact that the uterus presses on the intestines. Constipation can even cause loss of appetite.

At the first stage of the fight against this problem, women are advised to adjust their diet. Be sure to drink enough clean water – 1,5 liters (average figure, you can calculate the individual rate by multiplying the weight by 30 g), add more fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet, move as much as possible (2).

If this does not help, drug therapy is prescribed.

Is there a period at 6 months pregnant

There can be no talk of any menstruation at this time. Bleeding can be associated with a number of pathologies:

cervical polyps,
cervical dysplasia,
placental abruption,
risk of preterm birth.

In case of bleeding, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Growing belly

The abdomen in the sixth month changes significantly: it is almost impossible to hide it even under loose clothing. 6-7 months of pregnancy is perhaps the ideal time for a photo shoot. The expectant mother is not yet as tired as in the last stages of pregnancy, there are no edema yet, and energy is usually in abundance.

Breast augmentation

The size, soreness and sensitivity of the breasts are also growing, Elena Kollerova notes. Also, some pregnant women at this time may experience the release of colostrum. This is by no means a sign of an early birth, but only an individual feature.

Hemorrhoids

Many expectant mothers may experience hemorrhoids – this is one of the most common diseases associated with pregnancy. Hemorrhoids occur, on average, in 25,7% of pregnant women, there are acute and chronic (3).

At the beginning of the disease, women experience discomfort in the anus, and later hemorrhoids increase, bleeding and anal itching may occur.

It is important and necessary to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy, because there is a possibility that an exacerbation will occur after childbirth. When a child is born, there is a mechanical compression of the hemorrhoids by the descending head.

Sleep problems

Pregnant women face similar inconveniences at different times. Increased levels of progesterone and other hormones, hypoglycemia (low sugar), obsessive thoughts about the imminent birth of a child, and the inability to relax lead to sleep problems.

At the 6th month of pregnancy, the stomach has already noticeably grown, so one more reason is added to these reasons: it is now more difficult for a woman to choose a safe and comfortable position for sleeping.

“Back pain, fetal movement, frequent urge to urinate at night, heartburn, shortness of breath and general nervous tension can also cause insomnia,” notes Elena Kollerova.

Frequent urging to the toilet

The uterus continues to grow and presses on the bladder. Because of this, there may be frequent urge to urinate.

Photo life

Usually, by the 6th month of pregnancy, a woman adds about 5-6 kg. The abdomen is rounded, growing rapidly, new changes in the figure can be observed every week.

Baby development at 6 months pregnant

Every week the baby gets stronger, grows and develops. By this time, the child’s lungs are formed, but they still cannot function outside the womb. He also learned to hiccup, and the expectant mother can notice it. You should not be afraid: hiccups in a baby are the norm.

21 Week

21 weeks – the time of formation of the skeleton of the child. For the normal formation of bones, it is important that calcium is present in the mother’s diet. Therefore, you should pay attention to dairy products, for example, add more cottage cheese to the menu.

22 Week

During this period, the body length of the fetus reaches 28-30 centimeters, and the weight is approximately 500 g. At the 22nd week of pregnancy, the proportions of the baby’s body change. Every day he looks more and more like a newborn: the head is no longer so big, the arms and legs, on the contrary, are increasing. The child actively moves in the womb: sucks his finger, turns his head, moves his fingers.

23 Week

It is at this time that you can most often notice that the child hiccups inside. The fact is that at week 23 the respiratory system is intensively formed. The kid makes breathing movements, trains, so that later he can breathe air. In the process, he can swallow amniotic fluid, hence the hiccups.

24 Week

The sense organs at this time are very developed, and the baby can even react to the bright light that falls on the mother’s stomach. The child may even turn away at this point.

At this time, all organs and systems are formed, now the child will begin to gain weight.

Examinations at 6 months of pregnancy

We tell you which doctors the expectant mother will visit during this period.

US

As our expert Elena Kollerova notes, the second mandatory screening examination consists of two stages: blood donation to determine the level of hormones and ultrasound.

During the examination, the doctor of ultrasound diagnostics can identify defects in the development of the internal organs of the child and other pathologies: for example, abnormal development of the brain, dropsy of the brain, structural changes in the brain, heart disease. During an ultrasound, the doctor will carefully examine the internal organs of the fetus, tell the gender of the crumbs, if you have not been told before. The external genitalia are already precisely formed.

Time is also taken to examine the placenta and amniotic fluid. The doctor determines whether there is oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios, whether the placenta is formed.

By the way, many mothers undergo a second screening at the 5th month of pregnancy: it is carried out from 18 to 21 weeks.

General detailed blood test

Every pregnant woman needs to take a complete blood count. Based on its results, you can monitor whether the pregnancy is proceeding normally, whether there are any deviations. It is also important to monitor the hemoglobin of a pregnant woman in order to prevent anemia.

Urinalysis

Before each visit to the antenatal clinic, a woman takes a general urine test. It allows you to determine the condition of the kidneys, because pregnancy is a serious burden on the body.

Gynecologist visit

Pregnant women at the 6th month of pregnancy should visit the doctor once every two weeks. The doctor examines the test results, measures the abdomen, checks the pressure. It also monitors the weight of the pregnant woman: each visit must be weighed.

Do’s and Don’ts for Expectant Mothers

In order to get the maximum pleasure from pregnancy, not to visit doctors once again and, in general, to come to childbirth prepared, a woman needs to follow certain rules.

Food

The nutrition of the expectant mother, in general, corresponds to the general recommendations for a healthy diet. Adequate intake of macro- and micronutrients is important for the normal development of the child. But malnutrition and overeating, as well as the abuse of junk food, can complicate the course of pregnancy, and also lead to health problems in the child. Excessive consumption of sugar can cause asthma in the future or obesity in childhood (1).

In the diet of a pregnant woman should be vegetables and fruits, grain products, dairy products, protein products, fats. Some foods can be eaten in moderation.

Marine fish (or even exclude) because they may contain mercury. These are, for example, such species: king mackerel, shark, bigeye tuna and swordfish. Consumption of foods high in mercury negatively affects the nervous system of the fetus.
Products containing caffeine (primarily coffee) – no more than 200 mg per day.

You can not eat raw meat, fish, eggs, unwashed vegetables and fruits.

Physical exercise

The key to a successful and easy pregnancy is physical activity. Exercises will:

reduce back pain
normalize bowel function,
reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and obesity,
improve overall health,
recover faster after childbirth.

Ideal physical activity for pregnant women: walking, swimming, exercise bike, yoga.

Of course, there are contraindications, for example:

multiple pregnancy,
placenta previa,
severe heart disease
severe anemia, etc.

Be sure to check with your doctor before you start exercising during pregnancy.

Cosmetic procedures

In the absence of contraindications, a woman can visit a hair removal master, wax or sugar clean her hair, do manicures and pedicures, and cut her hair.

Permanent make-up, tattoos, laser hair removal should be postponed. This is contraindicated.

No bad habits

Pregnant women should never smoke or drink alcohol. Smoking is a risk factor for impaired growth and development of the fetus, an increased risk of preterm birth, the birth of a child with low body weight and body length. Smoking almost triples the risk of having children with intrauterine growth retardation (4).

Drinking alcohol can lead to the loss of a child, stillbirth and a number of pathologies in the baby (5). There are no permitted doses of alcohol during pregnancy.

Sex

You can have sex in the sixth month of pregnancy if there are no contraindications. However, by this point, the belly and the fetus inside are quite large, so couples need to be careful. It is worth choosing “safe” poses.