Congratulations! You have finally reached the ninth month. After a long journey, only about four weeks remain before meeting your baby. You may notice increased body heat, but rest assured, it’s not just the warmth of anticipation. What’s the reason behind it?
Many women in this stage feel warmer regardless of the weather. This is due to weight gain, the heart working harder to pump blood to the baby, and hormonal changes that may trigger hot flashes.
You may find yourself uncovering at night or seeking cool air in public spaces. You can ease this by:
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Wear loose, lightweight clothing.
- Choosing layered outfits in cold weather so you can remove some layers when needed.
By now, the natural weight gain is typically between 11–13 kg if your pre-pregnancy weight was normal. In the case of twins, it may reach 13–17 kg.
Pregnancy symptoms during the last weeks are often similar, though their intensity and duration vary from person to person and from time to time. Nausea may even return late in pregnancy. Consult your doctor about vitamin B6 supplements, or eat foods rich in it, such as oats, potatoes, bananas, avocados, and spinach.
You may also feel pressure or sudden shooting pains as your baby moves down into the pelvis, pressing the head against the cervix and surrounding nerves.
Dizziness and lightheadedness are also common due to a 30–50% increase in blood volume and slower circulation in the lower body. To avoid this, refrain from standing up suddenly or lying flat on your back for long periods and keep your meals regular.
Heartburn may also become your constant companion as the enlarged uterus presses on the stomach. To reduce discomfort, avoid fatty or spicy foods, eat smaller frequent meals, and don’t eat right before bedtime.