Mom's development

Month 9

Approximately 5 in 100 babies aren’t head down by the end of the ninth month – and this is called a breech presentation. Fortunately, there are special exercises that you can do to help the baby turn naturally. If your baby is breech, your clinician will talk through those special exercises with you. If that isn’t successful, many clinicians offer an “external cephalic version. This procedure is done in the hospital or birthing center, just in case there are complications. First a medication is given to you to relax the uterus and then the clinician uses their hands to move the baby by pressing on your abdomen and uterine fundus. Several days before labor you may experience an increase in vaginal discharge, or one big glob of clear, pink or brownish mucus. This is the expulsion of the mucus plug that sealed off and protected the uterus. Some women do not expel the plug until they are in labor. The mucus plug has been there to protect the cervix from infection.

The sac of amniotic fluid the baby is floating in may rupture about 24-48 hours before labor starts. Warm, clear fluid will discharge from your vagina – sometimes this is a gush of fluid, but typically it is just a little trickle. If you’re not certain whether this is a little urine leak or a break in the water sac, empty your bladder, put a fresh sanitary pad on and lay down for 30 to 45 minutes. If your water broke, the fluid will pool in your vagina and be released when you stand up. Amniotic fluid is usually clear or straw-colored, rarely is it a dark green or brown color.

When actual labor begins, you may feel nagging low back discomfort or menstrual-like cramps. Some women have a loose stool or diarrhea as well. Usually any contractions you have will become regular at intervals you can time, and gradually they will increase in strength and duration. Some women, especially those with previous births, may progress through early labor quickly. Be sure to follow your physician’s instructions as to when it’s time to go to the hospital – and account for bad weather, high traffic and distance. In normal pregnancies, when contractions are 5-7 minutes apart and one minute in duration, or if your water breaks, you are ready to go to the hospital. Whenever in doubt, its best to play it safe – check in with your physician.

Congratulations -- You’re about to be a mother!