✓ Seventh month of pregnancy: what happens, visits and advice for future mothers

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Seventh month of pregnancy: what happens?

Once the first half of pregnancy has officially passed, it is time to enter the third quarter, the last one, the one that will bring all future mothers to know their baby.

The baby bump is already big enough, it is impossible not to notice it. Unless parents have chosen not to know, mothers-to-be and fathers-to-be know with certainty the sex of their baby. You start buying everything you need for the little one on arrival and the family already breathes a magical atmosphere.

Let's see in detail what happens in the seventh month of pregnancy. How the mother changes, how the child changes and what are the precautions to have.

Symptoms of the seventh month of pregnancy

In the seventh month of pregnancy, the mother begins to feel, in addition to the increasingly frequent movements of the baby, also some discomfort typical of this gestational period. From the so-called Braxton-Hicks contractions, to heartburn, to the sense of fatigue. All disturbances generated by the growth of the child, by the weight of the belly and by the body that, little by little, prepares for birth.

Let's see what are the most common symptoms in a woman in the seventh month of pregnancy:

Braxton-Hicks contractions or false contractions: these are hardening of the belly, which last about 30 seconds and which are determined by the growth and movements of the baby. They don't have to worry, unless they are very frequent and possibly associated with cramps. In this case it is better to consult your doctor
back pain: the weight of the belly, the natural shift of the center of gravity in the pregnant woman, cause back pain, especially in the third trimester. It would be useful to do some postural, stretching, pilates with an expert
leg fatigue: a sensation common to many women in the seventh month of pregnancy. Fatigue is often associated with swelling of the feet, due to increased blood circulation. Doing lymphatic drainage massages, a foot bath, some physical activity (suitable for pregnancy) and avoiding tight shoes can be useful suggestions. But, in any case, consulting the specialist is the best choice
heartburn and digestive problems: these are very common and caused by weight gain and the growth of the fetus. It may be useful not to sit too long, but to walk and do a light gymnastics.
Breathing fatigue: during the seventh month the uterus grows, presses on the rib cage and this causes a feeling of heaviness in the mother
Frequent urination: caused by the child weighing on the bladder, increasing the stimulus
Colostrum: in some cases, as early as the seventh month, colostrum begins to come out of the nipples

The glycemic curve and the other tests of the seventh month

The morphological examinations are finished. When entering the third trimester of pregnancy, the checks to be carried out are blood tests, urine tests, routine tests, ultrasound to check the growth of the fetus. To these is added, in most cases, the Glycemic load curve or Glycemic curve.

This is a test that most gynecologists prescribe to expectant mothers to diagnose gestational diabetes. The test allows you to check the concentration of sugars in the pregnant woman's blood, before and after the administration of a glucose solution to drink.

La glycemic curve it is a test that may bother some women: the oral administration of the drink, in fact, in some cases causes nausea and vomiting. The examination takes place between the 24th and 28th week of gestation. Normal values on the blood glucose curve should be as follows:

Immediately after taking the glucose solution: up to 95 mg / dl;
After 60 minutes: up to 180 mg / dl;
After 120 minutes: less than 155 mg / dl.

Furthermore, in the seventh month of pregnancy, the gynecologist may request further tests to search for the hepatitis B and C virus.

How the baby grows in the seventh month of pregnancy

The seventh month is very important for the growth of the child. In this gestational period, the baby moves a lot, kicks vigorously, "points" as mothers usually say, changing the shape of the belly. By now he has acquired the reflexes of grasping, sucking, looking. He knows how to distinguish sweet substances from sour ones and when he tastes them he reacts with various facial expressions.

Furthermore, during the seventh month of pregnancy, the eyelids are already separated, therefore there is the upper and lower eyelid, in girls the clitoris, small and large labia are clearly visible, while in boys the testicles have not yet descended. in the scrotum.

Already starting from the 26th week - the one that introduces the seventh month - head and body are more proportionate and the respiratory system continues its growth with the appearance of the bronchi. The baby's skin becomes thicker and duller. Furthermore, it is during the seventh month that the development of the lungs is completed and the respiratory movements are more coordinated. The brain, on the other hand, continues to grow.

Maternity leave

The seventh month is also the one in which the expectant mother has to inquire about applying for maternity leave.

This is the period of compulsory leave from work recognized for dependent workers during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Maternity leave begins two months before the estimated date of delivery (subject to flexibility). Furthermore, the period of abstention may concern gestation periods prior to two months if the anticipated ban is arranged at the disposal of the Local Health Authority, if the pregnancy is at risk, or of the Territorial Labor Directorate if the duties are incompatible with the pregnancy. Mandatory maternity leave covers a period of time equal to 5 months between the birth.

During the periods of maternity leave the worker is entitled to receive an allowance equal to 80% of the global average daily wage calculated on the basis of the last pay period prior to the start of maternity leave, therefore, usually, the last month of work preceding the month start of leave.

also the self-employed workersthey are usually entitled to maternity allowance, but for this it is good to ask your social security fund for information.

Choosing where to go to give birth

Well yes. If you haven't done so already, now is the time to decide where to give birth. Ask your gynecologist for advice on which facilities are most suitable in your city.

You can choose between hospitals and private clinics. Depending on your situation, based on the birth (natural or caesarean), the gynecologist will be able to advise you in the best possible way.

Some anxiety, in this period of pregnancy, some worry about childbirth, is more than normal. Talking about it with the gynecologist or midwife who is following you in the path of preparation for childbirth is always recommended.

Dos and don'ts in the seventh month of pregnancy

Let's see what are the main precautions to have in the seventh month of pregnancy and, therefore, the things that the expectant mother must do and not do:

You MUST start a prep course (if you haven't already done so in the sixth month)
MUST NOT eat for two, but eat a balanced diet
You MUST NOT skip meals and always include healthy snacks (such as fresh fruit) in your daily diet
You MUST NOT forget to spread anti-stretch mark oil or cream on your hips, breasts and stomach every day
You MUST NOT forget to take the vitamins prescribed by the gynecologist, essential for the growth of the fetus
You MUST NOT take too much caffeine, do not drink alcohol, smoke
YOU SHOULD NOT underestimate dental problems and red gums (which can occur in pregnancy)
You MUST NOT get too tired or make special efforts
YOU MUST NOT expose yourself to harmful substances
You MUST NOT lead a too sedentary lifestyle: we recommend a walk a day and some adequate physical activity (yoga, stretching, pilates)
You MUST start doing early breathing exercises (which can help at the time of labor)
You MUST NOT underestimate pain in the legs and back and do massages, stretching and relaxation exercises
MUST undergo routine medical examinations and if required by the doctor to the blood glucose curve
MUST inquire about parental leave
MUST CHOOSE where she will go to give birth
MUST prepare the suitcase for the birth (with supplies for mother and baby)
MUST start preparing everything needed for the baby's arrival. Doing things calmly and carefully is definitely the best choice.

The weeks of pregnancy

The seventh month of pregnancy starts from the 26th week and 3 days and ends at the 30th week and 4 days. It is the month that introduces the mother in the third trimester of pregnancy, the one that will lead her to finally get to know her baby.

It is a month of great changes, but also of great emotions, the one in which the idea of childbirth becomes more and more real and concrete.

All months of pregnancy

First month of pregnancy

Second month of pregnancy

Third month of pregnancy

Fourth month of pregnancy

Fifth month of pregnancy

Sixth month of pregnancy

Sources: INPS, Gemelli Polyclinic, Center

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Seventh month of pregnancy: what happens, visits and advice for future mothers