Month 7: Discomfort
- During this month as the baby grows more rapidly, your partner will feel some discomfort as her internal organs (lungs, liver, stomach, intestines) are compressed upward.
- She may also experience some constipation. Many doctors will recommend a mild stool softener to help.
Month 8: Feeling Awkward
- As the baby grows, mom's center of gravity changes. She will likely experience some lower back pain, and may have more difficulty getting up and down and walking.
- This stage will also affect her ability to sleep; she will have a few wakeful nights during this stage; this lack of sleep, combined with the hormonal issues, tend to make her a little more grumpy and testy
- She may experience some swelling in her hands and feet; she may need a larger sized shoe for a while
Month 9: Getting Ready for the Big Event
- Your partner's breasts will get heavier and may even begin to leak colostrum, which will be the baby's first nourishment after birth. This "top heaviness" will further upset her sense of balance
- Her organs will further compress and be pushed up against her diaphragm; this may cause an increase in heartburn or shortness of breath
- Her kidneys will be working harder, so she'll feel the need to use the bathroom a lot-even more than before
- You'll start to see some stretch marks on her abdomen as the skin is stretched
- Her legs and back will tend to cramp a lot. Some gentle rubbing and massaging may help relieve the pain
After the Birth
- A woman's body does not bounce back right after birth. Expect it to take at least nine months and probably closer to a year to get her original shape and size back. Be patient.
- If she is breastfeeding, she is likely to experience times when the "let down" of breastmilk is painful to her. Be watchful with her for the signs of a breast infection, which is not uncommon. Warm wet compresses can often help alleviate the pain.
