6 Months Pregnant – Symptoms, Baby Development, Tips And Body Changes

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S o , it’s t h e last m o n t h of y o u r second t r i m e s t e r ; and y o u r last t r i m e s t e r is a b o u t to b e g i n . As y o u r due d a t e inches c l o s e , there a r e many t h i n g s that g o down i n the 6 t h month! W h a t are t h e y ? Well, r e a d our p o s t and l e a r n about t h e different c h a n g e s that y o u r baby a n d the b o d y go t h r o u g h when y o u are six m o n t h s pregnant.

6 Months P r e g n a n t Symptoms:

W i t h morning s i c k n e s s and o t h e r symptoms t a k i n g a b a c k s e a t , you p e r h a p s imagine a relaxed p r e g n a n c y , don’t y o u ? To b e honest, y o u will p u t your f e e t up- a l t h o u g h not t o relax! H e r e ’ s why:

S o m e w h e r e around t h e 6th m o n t h , you’ll o b s e r v e that y o u r feet, a n k l e s , and h a n d s appear s w o l l e n . Technically c a l l e d edema; i t occurs b e c a u s e the b o d y retains f l u i d within t h e tissues t o nourish y o u and y o u r baby. A l o n g with t h e increase i n pressure o n the p e l v i s , edema l e a d s to s w o l l e n ankles a n d hands. A little s w e l l i n g is n o r m a l and a common s y m p t o m associated w i t h pregnancy. S o m e t i m e s , you m a y notice s w e l l i n g in t h e face o r around t h e eyes- i d e a l l y , there’s n o t h i n g to w o r r y . But, i n rare c i r c u m s t a n c e s , swelling ( e s p e c i a l l y when a c c o m p a n i e d by o t h e r symptoms l i k e high p r o t e i n levels i n the u r i n e and h i g h blood p r e s s u r e ) is a sign o f preeclampsia. I t is a serious c o n d i t i o n that c a n lead t o blood p r e s s u r e spikes. T o avoid e d e m a , remember t o keep y o u r feet u p when y o u sit d o w n . Avoid s t a n d i n g for l o n g periods a n d wearing t i g h t clothes i n c l u d i n g socks a n d stockings. D o c t o r s also a d v i s e patients t o sleep o n their s i d e to h e l p the k i d n e y s eliminate w a s t e efficiently.

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C o n s t i p a t i o n is a n annoying s y m p t o m that s o m e women e x p e r i e n c e through t h e i r pregnancy. D e p e n d i n g on t h e stage o f your p r e g n a n c y , there a r e several r e a s o n s why i t occurs. F o r one, h o r m o n a l changes c a u s e muscles a r o u n d the b o w e l s to r e l a x , thereby s l o w i n g down d i g e s t i o n . As y o u r pregnancy p r o g r e s s e s , the g r o w i n g uterus p u t s pressure o n the b o w e l and c a u s e indigestion. T h e prenatal v i t a m i n pills a l s o tighten s t o o l s leaving y o u feeling b l o a t e d and g a s s y . It i s a c o m m o n symptom, b u t you d o n ’ t have t o resign y o u r s e l f to l i v e with t h e problem- l e s t it l e a d s to h e m o r r h o i d s . Simple s t e p s like d r i n k i n g warm w a t e r regularly, e a t i n g plenty o f fiber-rich f o o d , drinking p l e n t y of f l u i d s and r e g u l a r exercising, h e l p to e a s e indigestion a n d heartburn ( a n o t h e r common s y m p t o m ) . Curd a n d other f o o d rich i n probiotics b a c t e r i a also h e l p . And w h e n none o f these h o m e remedies w o r k , speak t o your d o c t o r she m a y prescribe s t o o l softeners a n d laxatives.

A l t h o u g h the b a b y ’ s organs a r e now d e v e l o p e d , they n e e d to m a t u r e . The b o d y has t o supply e n o u g h nutrients t o help t h e process. T h a t ’ s probably w h y pregnant w o m e n experience a n increase i n appetite a t around t h e second t r i m e s t e r . The m o n t h too i s n ’ t any d i f f e r e n t . You m a y find y o u r s e l f perpetually h u n g r y and c r a v i n g for f o o d . While t h e r e ’ s nothing y o u can d o to c o n t r o l your u r g e to e a t , make s u r e that y o u eat h e a l t h i l y . Junk f o o d is f i l l i n g but p r o v i d e s little n u t r i t i o n to y o u and t h e baby. I n s t e a d , indulge i n foods l i k e cheese a n d whole g r a i n muffins- t h e y ’ r e satisfying a s well a s healthy. A n d before y o u reach o u t for f o o d when h u n g r y , try d r i n k i n g water- y o u may i n t e r p r e t thirst f o r hunger. R a t h e r than e a t i n g three s q u a r e meals, c o n s i d e r eating s i x small m e a l s throughout t h e day.

A s your p r e g n a n c y progresses, s n o r i n g becomes a common s y m p t o m . Your p r e g n a n c y hormones a r e again t o blame – they c a u s e the m u c o u s membranes t o swell. W e i g h t gain a l s o induces s n o r i n g , as t h e tissues a r o u n d the h e a d and n e c k swell. W h i l e there’s n o t h i n g to w o r r y , sometimes, s n o r i n g can b e an i n d i c a t o r of g e s t a t i o n a l diabetes, w h i c h doctors c a n detect d u r i n g the m o n t h l y blood a n d urine t e s t s . Try s t i c k i n g a n a s a l strip w h i l e going t o bed o r sleeping o n the s i d e to a l l o w better a i r circulation. K e e p i n g your h e a d in a n elevated p o s i t i o n also h e l p s .

A backache i s one s y m p t o m that’s l i k e l y to s t a y with y o u until d e l i v e r y and i s one o f the m o s t common s y m p t o m s of p r e g n a n c y . The p r e g n a n c y hormone r e l a x i n loosens m u s c l e s around t h e pelvic a r e a and l o w e r abdomen t o prepare t h e body f o r delivery. T h e baby’s w e i g h t and t h e growing u t e r u s push y o u r stomach f o r w a r d and c a u s e your l o w e r back t o curve. M a k e sure t h a t you m a i n t a i n proper p o s t u r e while s i t t i n g and p u t your f e e t up w h e n e v e r possible. W o m e n with a habit o f crossing t h e i r legs a l s o experience a backache d u r i n g pregnancy b e c a u s e the p e l v i c area i s under g r e a t strain. A n unusual w e i g h t gain a l s o leads t o a b a c k a c h e ; and s o does w e a r i n g stilettos.

B o d y Changes:

B y now, t h e bump b e g i n s to s h o w . You’ve a l s o gained c o n s i d e r a b l e weight. T h e uterus u s u a l l y rises b y an i n c h or s o above t h e belly. I t also p u s h e s the a b d o m e n causing y o u r belly b u t t o n to p o p out. I t continues t o remain l i k e this u n t i l a f e w weeks a f t e r delivery, a f t e r which i t goes b a c k to i t s original p o s i t i o n . The g r o w i n g uterus a l s o put t r e m e n d o u s pressure o n the b l o o d cells l e a v i n g you f a i n t and d i z z y at t i m e s .

C o m m o n Concerns:

W i t h every m o n t h , there a r e new s y m p t o m s to h a n d l e – and n o t all o f them a r e pleasant! S o m e of t h e common c o n c e r n s 6 m o n t h pregnancy i n c l u d e :

I n s o m n i a or s l e e p l e s s n e s s often a f f e c t s women d u r i n g their t h i r d trimester, b u t for s o m e it s t a r t s from t h e latter h a l f of t h e second t r i m e s t e r itself. T h e r e are m a n y factors t h a t contribute t o the p r o b l e m . For o n e , frequent v i s i t s to t h e bathroom d i s t u r b your s l e e p . And i f this w a s n ’ t enough, t h e baby k i c k s up a storm w i t h i n your t u m m y leaving y o u restless. H o r m o n a l changes a n d heartburn a l s o make i t difficult f o r you t o catch a good n i g h t ’ s sleep. B e s i d e s , it c a n never b e comfortable t o sleep w i t h a f o o t b a l l attached t o the t u m m y . But h a n d l i n g insomnia i s easier t h a n you t h i n k if y o u remember a few k e y things. F o r instance, e a t your d i n n e r at l e a s t two h o u r s before b e d t i m e and d o n ’ t forget t o eat s l o w l y . It n o t only k e e p s the d r e a d e d heartburn a t bay b u t also h e l p s you s l e e p better. A v o i d caffeine a n d fizzy d r i n k s as t h e y keep y o u awake. F o l l o w a b e d t i m e ritual b y reading a book, l i s t e n i n g to s o m e soothing m u s i c , or t a k i n g a w a r m bath. A comfortable b e d and t h e right r o o m temperature a l s o induce s l e e p .

A s the p r e g n a n c y progresses, y o u may o b s e r v e that y o u r body a c h e s and l e a v e s you t i r e d and f a t i g u e d . Technically c a l l e d round l i g a m e n t pain, i t occurs d u e to y o u r growing u t e r u s . As i t continues t o expand, t h e ligaments t h a t run f r o m the p e l v i c area t o the a b d o m e n are s t r e t c h e d and u n d e r tremendous p r e s s u r e . It c a u s e s dull a c h e s around t h e lower a b d o m e n . The p a i n may l a s t anywhere f r o m a f e w minutes t o up t o a f e w hours. I d e a l l y , there’s n o t h i n g to w o r r y , but c o n t a c t the d o c t o r if b o d y ache i s followed f e v e r or f r e q u e n t contractions.

W e ’ v e known b y now t h a t the b o d y has t o push e x t r a blood t o the u t e r u s to s u p p l y enough n u t r i e n t s to t h e growing b a b y . Some o f the u n w a n t e d side e f f e c t s of i t include v a r i c o s e veins- t h e slightly s w o l l e n purplish v e i n s that a p p e a r on t h e lower h a l f of t h e body. T h e veins t h a t have t o push b a c k the e x t r a blood b a c k to t h e heart, b u l g e – causing v a r i c o s e veins. T h e y ’ r e also h e r e d i t a r y ; so i f your m o m had t h e m , chances a r e , you w i l l too! I f you’re p r o n e to t h e problem, t h e r e ’ s little y o u can d o , but a few t i p s can h e l p prevent t h e m . For e x a m p l e , remember t o put y o u r feet u p whenever p o s s i b l e and a v o i d sitting w i t h your l e g s crossed. R e g u l a r exercising a l s o contributes t o avoiding v a r i c o s e veins. D o n ’ t forget t o wear c o m f o r t a b l e clothes ( e s p e c i a l l y underwear) a n d shoes. G a i n i n g too m u c h weight t o o soon a l s o adds t o the p r o b l e m .

T i n g l i n g Sensation I n The H a n d s And L e g s :

I n c r e a s e d blood f l o w puts p r e s s u r e on t h e hands a n d feet l e a v i n g you w i t h a t i n g l i n g sensation. I t is t r u e for w o m e n who h a v e a d e s k job o r those w h o spend l o n g hours a t the c o m p u t e r . Stretch y o u r hands f r e q u e n t l y to r e l i e v e yourself o f the p a i n . Avoid s l e e p i n g on y o u r hand a n d remember t o shake t h e m regularly.

T h e Baby D u r i n g 6th M o n t h Of P r e g n a n c y :

H o w is t h e development o f baby a t 6 m o n t h s ? The b a b y continues t o grow r a p i d l y this m o n t h – not j u s t gaining w e i g h t , but a l s o length. H i s skin t u r n s pinkish b e c a u s e of t h e blood v e s s e l s that f o r m under t h e skin. T h e lungs t o continue t o mature t h o u g h there’s a lot o f time b e f o r e he’s r e a d y to b r e a t h e . He’ll b e very a c t i v e and r e s p o n d to s o u n d . If y o u ’ d like t o know h o w your b a b y responds t o your ( o r your p a r t n e r ’ s ) voice, t h i s is t h e time. T h e baby a l s o continues t o develop t h e vernix c a s e o s a – this i s a l i t t l e waxy c o a t that p r o t e c t s its s k i n from s h r i v e l i n g while f l o a t i n g amidst t h e amniotic f l u i d . By t h e end o f this m o n t h , your b a b y ’ s finger a n d toe n a i l s are d e v e l o p e d and e v e n visible t h r o u g h an u l t r a s o u n d .

Diet:

A s long a s you e a t a b a l a n c e d meal a n d avoid j u n k food, t h i n g s should b e okay o n the d i e t front. T h e fetus n e e d s folic a c i d , iron a n d calcium t o grow i n t o a h e a l t h y baby. W h i l e folic a c i d helps y o u r body p r o d u c e the e x t r a blood r e q u i r e d to s u p p l y nutrients, i r o n contributes t o preventing a n e m i a and c a r r y oxygen f r o m the l u n g s to t h e rest o f the b o d y (and t o the b a b y ) . Calcium m a k e s your b a b y ’ s bone s t r o n g . Folic a c i d and i r o n can b e sought f r o m green l e a f y vegetables a n d calcium f r o m dairy p r o d u c t s . Fresh f r u i t s and n u t s supply t h e extra d o s e s of v i t a m i n s and m i n e r a l s needed f o r the b o d y (1).

O n Your M i n d :

P l a n n i n g about t h e baby’s i m p e n d i n g arrival m a y keep y o u r mind o c c u p i e d this m o n t h . That i s if y o u have s o m e energy l e f t after t h e pain a n d discomfort c a u s i n g symptoms. Y o u may a l s o have b e g u n to m a i n t a i n a r e g i s t r y for t h e things y o u need f o r the b a b y . With a l l the f a n c y gizmos a n d gadgets a r o u n d now, y o u may b e tempted t o buy a few t h i n g s you d o n ’ t need. F o r instance, t h e pee-pee t e e pee- w h y spend $ 1 0 on a set o f clothes t h a t are t o be p l a c e d on a baby’s w e e wee w h i l e changing d i a p e r s ! ? You m i g h t also c o n s i d e r undertaking a short t o u r before d e l i v e r y – traveling i s considered s a f e during t h e second t r i m e s t e r .

T i p s For D a d s – T o – B e :

T h e r e ’ s no d o u b t that p r e g n a n c y is o v e r w h e l m i n g for y o u , but s p a r e a t h o u g h t for y o u r partner a s well. H e has t h e same f e a r s and d o u b t s that y o u have t h e baby. I n fact, u n l i k e you, h e does n o t share h i s concerns w i t h anyone, b e c a u s e of t h e ‘men-are-not-supposed-to-complain’ t a b o o . But y o u can p r e p a r e him f o r labor a n d parenthood b y telling e x a c t l y how h e can h e l p . Let h i m know a b o u t the s p e c i f i c kind o f assistance t h a t you’d l i k e during l a b o r . This’ll h e l p him t a k e tough m e d i c a l decisions. T e l l i n g him w h a t to d o to m a k e you f e e l special m a y sound s t r a n g e (he’s s u p p o s e d to k n o w that i s what y o u may t h i n k ) , but u n f o r t u n a t e l y , men a r e good a t ‘following’ i n s t r u c t i o n s – that’s j u s t hardwired i n t o them!

T o Do L i s t :

C h o o s i n g a n a m e for y o u r baby m a y keep y o u busy d u r i n g s i x t h month o f pregnancy. A r e you l o o k i n g to h o n o r a r e l a t i v e (dad, m o m , grandparents) b y naming y o u r child a f t e r them? O r , are y o u looking f o r a f a n c y and n e v e r – t h o u g h t – o f name? B e f o r e you t h i n k of a n unconventional n a m e , consider i t s implications f o r your c h i l d – you d o n ’ t want h i m to b e the b u t t of e v e r y o n e ’ s joke b e c a u s e of h i s name. T h e r e are a l s o other p r a c t i c a l considerations l i k e planning a b o u t cord b l o o d banking o r opening a securing t h e child’s f u t u r e .

A t The D o c t o r ’ s Office:

B e s i d e s the u s u a l blood t e s t , you’ll a l s o be t e s t e d for g e s t a t i o n a l diabetes. Y o u ’ l l be a s k e d to g u l p down a can o f glucose w a t e r , and t h e n blood w i l l be d r a w n exactly a f t e r an h o u r . If t h e tests s h o w high l e v e l s of s u g a r , the d o c t o r may c a l l you f o r a s e c o n d round o f test. T h i s includes f o u r different d r a w i n g s before d i a g n o s i n g you f o r gestational d i a b e t e s .

T h e experiences w e mention a b o v e are b a s e d on s o m e general e x p e r i e n c e s during t h e 6 m o n t h s pregnancy. E v e r y pregnancy i s different! S o , tell u s how w a s it f o r you? S h a r e your s t o r i e s with u s here, l e a v e a c o m m e n t below! F e l l o w moms w o u l d love t o hear f r o m you.

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