Definition
The sixth month is the last month of calm, in which you risk becoming bored because nothing happens anymore. Only apparently, though.
In this month, many events take place, the most important of which is that of the fetus tumbling, which this month sits in your belly upside down! It is the period of calm before the emotional storms and physical frustrations that characterize the third trimester. It’s the month in which coquetry takes a back seat, your comfort now being paramount. Let’s discuss the sixth(6th) month pregnancy details below.
Table of Content
1. Definition
2. Mother’s symptoms
3. Fetal development
4. Visit to the doctor
5. Problems that may arise
Mother’s symptoms
Your appearance this month leaves no room for even the slightest doubt that you are pregnant. You can also gain a kilogram a week, news that would drive you to despair.
Your belly grows spectacularly, now the bottom of the uterus is at the level of the navel or a little above it. In the constellation of symptoms you present, this month there is no significant news.
You can have the same constipation, which can be even more annoying, the same abdominal cramps, caused by the stretching of the ligaments that support the uterus, the same nasal congestion, accompanied or not by episodic bleeding, the same bleeding gums when brushing your teeth or the same annoying headaches.
The breasts are even bigger in volume than last month, and the leukorrhea from the previous weeks has become more abundant.
The swelling of the ankles and calves becomes more noticeable, especially when you sit or stand for a long time. Hemorrhoids do not give you peace this month either and it seems that they will accompany you until the end of the pregnancy and a little while after. Apart from these symptoms, which you are already used to, it is very likely that you will present a series of new symptoms. Also read: What Happens Seven(7th) Month Pregnancy – Definition, Symptoms and Signs
Stretch marks – on the abdomen, you may be surprised to see stretch marks, which are like pink stripes on the sides of the abdomen, but not only there, they can also appear on the breasts or even the thighs. Cause: poor quality of integumentary tissues that do not have the necessary elasticity to be able to stretch without producing tears.
Perception of fetal movements – this month is the month in which your fears about the condition of your baby almost disappear. If in the past weeks, you had to wait for the visit to the doctor to see if the fetus is alive (by perceiving its heartbeat), now you only have to wait for mercy from him, because you will feel his blows when the world is dearest to you legs. But, more interestingly, from now on you can be surprised to see how something moves periodically from under your loose clothes.
Muscle cramps – towards the end of the second trimester, cramps may occur in the calves or soles of the feet. The most plausible explanation is the balance of certain electrolytes such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. Another theory suggests that the presence of cramps is caused by the circulation in the lower limbs due to the compression exerted by the pregnant uterus on the large vessels.
Numbness and tingling of the hands – sometimes, at the level of the fingers or palms, sensations of stinging or numbness may appear, the thumb, the first two fingers, and half of the ring finger being especially involved. These symptoms can be accompanied by some pain in the wrist, which can suddenly radiate to the shoulder.
These symptoms are called carpal tunnel syndrome and are caused by excess fluid that collects around the narrow tunnel, located at the level of the wrist through which the specific nerves of the fingers and palms pass. This accumulation of liquid compresses the nerves, leading to sensations of numbness.
Separation of the abdominal muscles – it is very likely that during this period two vertical bands will appear on your abdomen that stretch from the ribcage to the pubic bone, separated by a space that protrudes outward.
If you feel your abdomen, you will notice that there is a vertical depression between the two abdominal muscles, caused by the growth of the uterus which starts to push the rectus abdominis muscles laterally. Do not be scared; after birth, the two rectus abdominis muscles will regain their position, although the tone of your abdomen may not be as high as before pregnancy.
You lose urine – when you sneeze, cough or even laugh heartily, the diaphragm contracts and pushes the abdominal contents down, towards the uterus and bladder, causing an involuntary loss of small amounts of urine. Of course, this will not happen if you have been practicing Kegel exercises since the early months of pregnancy. If not, it’s time to start immediately.
Uterine contractions – sometimes, you can feel a certain degree of strengthening of your uterus, followed by relaxation, changes that follow each other for a certain period of time. Don’t panic, they are absolutely normal. These contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions and can be called, in a way, a way for the uterus to prepare for the big exam in labor. Also Read: What Happens Eight(8th) Month Pregnancy – Definition, Symptoms and Signs
Fetal development
At the end of this month, your baby is about 25-30 cm long and can weigh about 500 grams. He already has a well-known posture, that is, slightly crouched, with his hands crossed and his knees to his chest.
The eyes are almost completely formed, and the eyelids can start to open, so your baby can already blink. He may also hiccup, cry, and wave his hands and feet. Sucking his finger has already become a habit. Also, the lungs begin to develop.
The pulmonary alveoli begin to develop an oily substance called surfactant, which facilitates the newborn’s breathing, and around them, capillary circulation has begun to be functional. In fact, the fetus has respiratory movements starting from intrauterine life, even from this period.
The skin of the fetus is still thin because the layer of fat is incompletely developed. Fingernails and fingerprints appear on the fingers. It is covered by lanugo and vernix caseosa.
The fetus’s brain develops rapidly. Fetal brain waves look similar to those of a newborn. With this month, a critical point of fetal development is reached, the fetus being able, under conditions of super-sophisticated medical assistance, to survive outside the uterine cavity.
In the United States, birth is considered real after 20 weeks. The face of the fetus has an appearance close to that of a baby. Also Read: What Happens Nine(9th) Month Pregnancy – Definition, Symptoms and Signs
Visit to the doctor
This month’s visit to your obstetrician will be a bit more detailed. The doctor will measure the size of your uterus, as well as the place where the bottom of the uterus can be felt.
He will also do an exam with valves, as well as a vaginal tact, to make sure that everything is in order at the local level. You will carefully control your blood pressure because after the age of 20 weeks, it is possible for women to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension, with the risk of its transformation into more serious conditions, such as preeclampsia and eclampsia.
He will also check the existence of edema in the calves. Don’t forget to ask him everything you are confused about your pregnancy and to discuss all the problems that have arisen during this period.
Blood pressure
Should I take this test? Advisable. When should I take this test? At all visits, especially in the last quarter. How is this test done? Blood pressure is measured with the help of a blood pressure monitor placed on the arm. When are the results ready? Immediate.
Weight
Why is this test done? Weight measurement. Should I take this test? Advisable. When should I take this test? At all visits, especially in trimesters II and III. How is this test done? Body weight is measured with the help of a precise medical scale and compared with the results of the previous month, observing the weight gain. When are the results ready? Immediate.
Ultrasound
Why is this test done? Collect information about the development of the fetus, the placenta, the uterus. Should I take this test? Mandatory. This month, ultrasound can provide information about:
– pregnancy age;
– if the size of the fetus corresponds to the estimated age of the pregnancy;
– if the fetus develops harmoniously;
– appreciates the increase in the dynamics of the fetus;
– appreciates the way of implantation and growth of the placenta, as well as gives information about its morphology and the umbilical cord;
– through Doppler measurements, circulation abnormalities can be detected at the level of the uterine arteries or the umbilical arteries, which can raise an alarm signal about the risk of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation;
– provides information about the position of the fetus in the uterus, about its movements;
– provides information about fetal cardiac activity;
– assess the amount of amniotic fluid;
– provides information on the state of the cervix (internal opening, length of the cervix, etc.);
– can discover certain fetal malformations;
– it is of invaluable help in assisting invasive diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis or puncture of the umbilical vessels;
– provides information about the sex of the fetus.
When should I take this test? It is recommended, if possible, during each visit to the doctor. How is this test done? The doctor visualizes on a screen similar to a computer monitor the data collected with the help of an ultrasound probe that he walks on your abdomen. When are the results ready? Immediate.
BCF sites
Why is this test done? Listening to the fetal heartbeats. Should I take this test? Advisable. When should I take this test? At all visits. How is this test done? In this month the fetal heartbeats (BCFs) can be heard using the obstetric stethoscope, which is shaped like a funnel. When are the results ready? Immediate.
Percutaneous puncture of the umbilical vein
Why is this test done? The test obtains fetal blood with the help of a fine needle that is inserted into the umbilical vein. It is used as an adjunct to amniocentesis and ultrasound, especially if the doctor suspects that the fetus has hemolytic anemia due to Rh incompatibility.
Should I take this test? The test is done if a malformation has been discovered by ultrasound and if the amniocentesis results are inconclusive. It is also used if Rh incompatibility is suspected or if he has been exposed to an infection that has teratogenic potential.
When should I take this test? Between weeks 18 and 36. How is this test done? A fine needle is inserted through the maternal abdomen to the umbilical vein under echographic control and a small amount of fetal blood is aspirated. When are the results ready? In three days.
Glucose tolerance test
Why is this test done? The test is done to detect a glucose intolerance caused by pregnancy to detect a possible predisposition to gestational diabetes.
Should I take this test? Recommended especially if you are overweight or have diabetes in your family. When should I take this test? In week 24-26 of pregnancy and it is repeated in weeks 32-34.
How is this test done? The doctor will give you to drink a sweet liquid (glucose) on an empty stomach and your blood glucose will be measured after an hour. If the results show an increased level of glucose, the doctor may recommend a blood glucose test, every three hours, which is more accurate. When are the results ready? Immediately, if the glucotest is used.
Amniocentesis
Why is this test done? The test is used at this gestational age to measure bilirubin levels in the amniotic fluid when the presence of fetal hemolytic anemia determined by Rh incompatibility is suspected. Should I take this test? If you have Rh incompatibility with your partner and if a major damage to the fetus is suspected.
When should I take this test? After weeks 22-24. How is this test done? It is an invasive test, which must be done under hospital conditions. Under ultrasound control, a very thin but long needle is inserted through the mother’s abdominal wall, until it reaches the uterus, in the amniotic sac, from where a little amniotic fluid is aspirated.
The fetus affected by hemolytic anemia will eliminate in the amniotic fluid increased amounts of bilirubin, which is a metabolic product of hemoglobin. When are the results ready? At least a week.
Problems that may arise
Miscarriage – it would seem impossible to happen in such an advanced month of pregnancy, but abortions that happen during this period of pregnancy are not only dramatic but also quite common.
The causes of these types of abortions can be genetic (generally undetected trisomies or monosomies), defective placentation, infections during pregnancy that led to the death of the fetus (rubella, toxoplasma, etc.) or triggering the abortion by breaking the membranes, traumas such as car accidents or accidents. The most frequent abortions occur due to some immunological problems, the best known of which is the antiphospholipid syndrome.
Fetal hypotrophy – this month it may happen that during the ultrasound examination, some delay in the growth of the fetus can be noticed.
This delay is called fetal hypotrophy. Hypotrophy can be symmetrical, i.e. all the anatomical elements of the fetus are grown harmoniously, but behind the normal dimensions of the gestational age, or asymmetric, i.e. certain elements may be appropriate and others smaller than the apparent age. In general, asymmetric hypotrophy is caused by the presence of congenital or acquired malformations during pregnancy.
Fetal malformations – at this age of the fetus, certain developmental abnormalities can be detected more easily and with more accuracy: cardiac, renal, diaphragm, abdominal wall, central nervous system, etc.
Hypertension induced by pregnancy – if during a routine measurement, your blood pressure has a minimum that exceeds the value of 90 mm Hg, your doctor must repeat the measurement after 4 hours. If the results are similar, an appropriate treatment will have to be instituted, in order to be able to prevent in time the occurrence of serious complications such as eclampsia or preeclampsia.
Gestational diabetes – in general, about 3% of pregnant women develop this transient pathological condition during pregnancy, which goes away after birth. The placenta produces a series of hormones, that have an anti-insulin effect, and the mother’s pancreas does not produce enough insulin to overcome this handicap.