6th Month Pregnancy Care – Precautions, Symptoms and Baby Growth

Welcome to the sixth month of your pregnancy. The sixth month of pregnancy is the final month of your second trimester. You will put on weight and your pregnancy bump grows reliably from this month on wards. Now you should get smart enough to understand the signs of premature labour. The sixth month of pregnancy is in respect of making yourself ready to be a mother. Read this article in detail to understand 6th month pregnancy care.

If you have not set up your maternity wardrobe than you must set it this month. Purchase soft material linen or cotton clothes which will fit you comfortably. A mom to be is full of mixed feelings. Anxious and happy. Start to get ready for a baby phase by shopping knick knacks for your baby.

6th Month Pregnancy Care

Lets discuss everything required for 6th month pregnant women in detail.

BABY DEVELOPMENT in 6th Month of Pregnancy

The growth of your baby will happen quickly this month, length as well as by weight. The foetus will start to look increasingly like a human miniature. The facial features and limbs attain definite shape and structure. Following are some of the vital changes that will take place on different body parts of your infant in month six of pregnancy.

Senses: The child starts to respond to certain senses, like touch, vision, sound etc. The baby may cover his face with the hand (sometimes) in response to the translucent light going into the womb from outside. The baby can now hear noises from the outer world and he definitely reacts to louder voice (by movements). Babies can hear your voice from this month onwards. Taste buds start to develop. Don’t be surprised when you feel a kick after eating ice cream or your favorite sweets. It’s your babies way of saying that it loved the taste.
Skin: Baby skin has a slight pink tint as the blood vessels have started to develop below the skin. Fat deposition starts under baby’s skin and the otherwise wrinkled skin begins to appear smooth and thick.
Eyes/Ears: Babies eyes begin to open widely and the eyelids start blinking. Before the sixth month of pregnancy is over retinas of eyes starts to get developed. Ear bones starts to get hardened which is essential for hearing.
Spine: The ligaments and joints of spinal cord of foetus also begin to develop. All these together form a backbone and will support the child when in upright position.
Genitals: The reproductive organs of female baby are formed and also correctly placed. But male baby’s testes which were formed near abdomen begin to fall downwards to their ideal place which is in the scrotum.
Muscles: Babies hand and legs muscles are developing considerably. They are responsible for the pushing and kicks which you must have started to experience inside the womb.
Routine is developed: Unlike the continuous restlessness you experienced in previous months, this month, the baby starts to design himself a routine of activity which is also followed by a time to rest.

Baby’s position can be anything during sixth month of pregnancy, transverse, breech, oblique or even sideways. Since there is enough space to swim in the amniotic fluid. During the last weeks the final position gets decided.

Sixth Month Pregnancy symptoms

The most prominent six month pregnancy symptoms are that your body is bloating month by month. Fatigue, heart burns, pain and irritation in the abdomen, indigestion, stretch marks, constipation, increased appetite, nasal congestion, headaches, muscle cramps, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, fuller breasts, backache, protruding naval, anxiety, mood swings are common in six months pregnancy. Weight gain is inevitable so a healthy diet and exercise will help you to maintain your body. Simple stretches, yoga exercises, breathing exercises and meditation will help in stretching pelvic muscles for easy baby delivery and mental fitness.

1) Bleeding gums: You may experience bleeding gums whenever you brush your teeth. It’s due to increased blood volume in the body. Take necessary measures to prevent Gingivitis during this month as you are more vulnerable to it.

2) Mild shortness of breath: During the sixth month of pregnancy, your heart and lungs are working 50% harder than usual. Moreover, the child starts to press the rib cage upwards. Therefore, you may encounter mild shortness of breath.

3) Start feeling your baby’s kick: During the fifth month, you may have slightly felt the baby’s movements in your womb. However, a significant change in the baby’s growth would have taken place since then. Before the current month is over, you will start to feel his kicks and movements often.

4) Itching: Your belly turns out to be well-rounded. The skin of your stomach area may start to itch as it gets to be dry due to stretching. It is an ideal month to start using particular creams to prevent stretch marks.

5) Weight gain: This month, you will start gaining around ½ Kg of weight per week.

6) Lower backache: The pressure on your back muscles and spine increases. Therefore, unless not keep up a good healthy posture, your chances of experiencing back ache increases.

7) Gastric issues: If adequate measures are not taken, the issues like constipation, gas formation, indigestion, heartburn etc. from the previous month will continue this month as well.

8) Swelling: Mild swelling in hands, feet, and legs can appear this month due to the increased blood volume and retention of water.

9) Increased frequency of urination: The intervals between your urination decrease more during this month. This is because the pressure on the bladder by the uterus increases (more than the fifth month), as the baby and the uterus, are growing further.

10) Increased vaginal discharge: Another noticeable sixth month pregnancy symptoms. The color can vary from clear to slightly yellowish with a faint smell. If the color and odor changes noticeably seek medical advice as it can be an indication of infection.

PRECAUTIONS during pregnancy to be taken in the 6th month

1) Food
Constipation is unavoidable. So the best pregnancy precautions are to invest in some good diet which is fibrous. These issues will be no longer troubling you after childbirth.

2) Posture
The ever growing baby bump and also the itchiness on the belly forces to change the posture often. Ensure that you are taking enough precautions during pregnancy by always maintaining a good posture. Continue sitting on a cushioned chair and sleep on left side. If possible then invest in good quality pregnancy pillows available with leading maternity stores. Don’t ever slouch since it can put pressure on the womb and cut off oxygen supply of your baby.

3) Fitness and Exercise
Exercise every day. You may try basic stretching exercises, brisk walk or do Yoga. You may also try meditation which helps you to focus and remain stress free, both mental and physical. Remember to inform your trainer about your pregnancy month.

4) Inadequate sleep
Sleeping late at night and waking up at wee hours will become a routine now. Try to pamper yourself by taking nice warm bath, drink some milk and listen to some soothing music to calm your senses for a relaxing sleep before you hit the bed. It is crucial to get enough rest.

5) Cord Banking
It is better for you if you invest in Cord blood banking. This is the ideal time signing up. Baby’s stem cells from umbilical cord have healing properties for fighting with diseases in the future.

6) Keep a tab on Iron/Hemoglobin levels
You may suffer from iron deficiency during sixth month of pregnancy. Ensure to eat lot of foods rich in iron to increase the count of red blood cells.

1) Junk Foods
It is crucial to take enough precautions in pregnancy by keeping a tab on what you consume, disregarding your weird cravings.

A dangerous microorganism such as Listeria may get into your system which can cause fatal consequences.
Avoid foods like soft cheese, coleslaw, unpasteurized milk, raw milk, cold meats, and sushi.

2) Smoking And Passive Smoking
You must stop smoking completely throughout pregnancy. That’s not all. Avoid company of smokers as well because smoking is very harmful for your baby’s health.

3) Watch out for any unusual symptoms
When you experience symptoms such as bleeding, unbearable pain or anything else, immediately report it to your doctor. Don’t feel embarrassed to discuss even the slightest doubts.
Here are few essential tips you should follow when it comes to six month pregnancy care –

Train your brain to relax, sit back and take it easy.
There is a lot of responsibility being a parent but for now relaxing is most important.
Enjoy shopping furniture for your baby, shopping clothes and other knick knacks.
Having any kind of emotional turbulence needs to be discussed with your doctor.

Talk to your family, friends and closed people to discuss anything that disturbs you. Always surround yourself with positive people.

Tests Recommended During sixth month of pregnancy

Pregnant women must go for gestational diabetes testing. This is done in between 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy. Cases where your doctor finds out that you are at a high risk for suffering from gestational diabetes. The test is requested to get done in as early as 13 weeks. During the test, mom to be is asked to consume a high-glucose fluid, and then some blood is drawn and tested post one hour.

During your medical visit this month your doctor will also check the below mentioned parameters