Pregnancy is a period when the pregnant women undergo several changes in their body. Sometimes these body changes may cause discomforts also. But, pregnancy is a period which is to be thoroughly enjoyed. This is possible only by knowing more about pregnancy and the body changes that occur during this period. Body changes are significant especially during the
sixth month of pregnancy which falls between 23 to 27 weeks of pregnancy.
Body Changes Experienced in Sixth Month of Pregnancy
The most visible change experienced by most of the pregnant women in their sixth month would be the round abdomen which becomes significantly visible because of the growing foetus.
By the time a woman reaches her sixth month of pregnancy, the foetus would have grown around 2 pounds. Because of this, many pregnant women find it difficult to stand erect for a long time or sit in a posture for a certain period of time.
Some of the pregnant women experience rapid
weight gain in this period, which may be due to gestational diabetes which occurs during the sixth month of pregnancy. Enlargement of breasts is quite common in many pregnant women during their sixth month of pregnancy.
Happiness Due to the Body Changes
Since the baby has grown up to 2 pounds in sixth month of pregnancy, the baby becomes active. It starts moving inside the womb consisting of the fluid. The pregnant women at this stage can feel the movements of the baby, the changes made by the baby in the positions, punch from the baby’s small toes and palms, and even the hiccups of the baby. These symptoms when noted regularly would be a new and happy experience to the pregnant women.
Discomforts Caused Due to the Body Changes
Many pregnant women during their sixth month or later complain of slight to moderate abdominal and back pain. Some women also face discomforts or problems such as heartburning sensation, insomnia or sleeplessness,
constipation, headache, and swelling in their feet and hands in pregnancy. Another major discomfort experienced by many pregnant women in their sixth month is the itching in their stomach. This can be reduced by using moisturizers as prescribe by the doctor, which helps the skin to cope up with the stretching of the belly muscles.
Causes for Significant Body Changes
The major reason for causing significant body changes in the pregnancy period is the hormonal changes that occur during this period. Increased flow of blood and growth of the foetus in the womb also contribute to the changes in the body of the pregnant women.
Accumulation of fluid and waste materials inside the body which usually takes place mostly during this period also contributes to body changes such as swelling and
numbness of fingers and toes. These changes and discomfort experienced must be notified to the doctor so that he or she can suggest right measures to deal with them.
Coping With the Body Changes during Pregnancy
It is better to take nutritious
diet and food in small quantities in small intervals of time rather than taking huge meals at larger intervals. It is always good to avoid junk food during pregnancy. This will not only help in avoiding excessive weight gain observed in pregnancy in certain women, but also helps the baby grow healthy. This would hold good even for pregnant women with gestational diabetes.
Taking lot of water or healthy fluids such as fresh fruit juices would help in eliminating the accumulation of unnecessary fluids and wastes inside the body, which is most likely during pregnancy.
Expecting mothers happily undergo the pain during pregnancy as they know that it would not go waste. The lung development starts during the sixth month of pregnancy and the baby learns the habit of swallowing. This definitely would be helpful in case of babies which are born earlier.
