8 months pregnant what should i be doing

Are there any real surprises ahead? In fact, month 8 can be quite different than month 7. Weeks 28 to 40 are frequently considered the third trimester, and the weeks in the middle of this are the eighth month of your pregnancy! Spending some time around your friends even via Zoom or FaceTime!

Since you may be feeling very tired by this point in your pregnancy, taking some time to relax and pamper yourself can also have the added bonus of putting some pep back in your step. A few particular things to keep an eye out for during the eighth month include:. Many factors go into determining an appropriate amount of weight to gain during pregnancy.

While you may be tempted to compare your baby bump with other moms or even pictures you see in magazines , factors like height and abdominal muscle strength can impact how you carry your baby. Those who are taller tend to carry their baby more in front, and those with stronger abdominal muscles may carry their bumps a little higher. One organ that really progresses is the brain, as it begins to have newborn-style brainwaves. By the end of the eighth month, they may extend beyond the fingertips.

As you get closer and closer to delivery, your baby will begin to settle into your pelvis. As they move down, you may notice that your bump even begins to hang a little lower!

This may even provide some relief from pregnancy heartburn. By the end of this month, your baby will likely be head down. If your baby has not flipped by 36 weeks, your doctor may begin to suggest some methods to help turn your baby. It's important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, during pregnancy.

A woman's blood volume increases dramatically during pregnancy, and drinking enough water each day can help prevent common problems such as dehydration and constipation. The U. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least minutes that's 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week if you're not already highly active or doing vigorous-intensity activity. If you are very active or did intense aerobic activities before becoming pregnant, you may be able to keep up your workouts, as long as your doctor says it's safe.

Before beginning — or continuing — any exercise routine, talk to your doctor. Exercising during pregnancy has been shown to be very beneficial. Regular exercise can help:. Low-impact, moderate-intensity exercise activities such as walking and swimming are great choices. You also can try yoga or Pilates classes, videos, or exercise apps that are tailored for pregnancy. These are low-impact and they work on strength, flexibility, and relaxation.

But you should limit high-impact aerobics and avoid sports and activities that pose a risk of falling or abdominal injury. These include contact sports, downhill skiing, scuba diving, and horseback riding. It's also important to be aware of how your body changes. During pregnancy, your body makes a hormone known as relaxin.

It's believed to help prepare the pubic area and the cervix for the birth. The relaxin loosens the ligaments in your body, making you less stable and more prone to injury. So, it's easy to overstretch or strain yourself, especially the joints in your pelvis, lower back, and knees. Also, your center of gravity shifts as your pregnancy progresses, so you may feel off-balance and at risk of falling. Keep these in mind when you choose an activity and don't overdo it.

Whatever type of exercise you choose, make sure to take lots of breaks and drink plenty of fluids. Slow down or stop if you get short of breath or feel uncomfortable. If you have any questions about doing a sport or activity during your pregnancy, talk to your health care provider. It's important to get enough sleep during your pregnancy. You'll probably feel more tired than usual. And as your baby gets bigger, it will be harder to find a comfortable position when you're trying to sleep.

Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart's job easier because it keeps the baby's weight from putting pressure on the large blood vessels that carry blood to and from your heart and your feet and legs. Lying on your side can also help prevent or reduce varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and swelling in your legs. Some doctors specifically recommend that pregnant women sleep on the left side.

Because one of those big blood vessels is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off of it. Lying on your left side helps blood flow to the placenta and, therefore, your baby. Ask what your health care provider recommends. In most cases, lying on either side should do the trick and help take some pressure off your back.

For a more comfortable resting position either way, prop pillows between your legs, behind your back, and underneath your belly. When you're pregnant, what you don't put into your body or expose your body to is almost as important as what you do.

Here are some things to avoid:. Leg cramps. To prevent them, stretch your calf muscles before bed, and gently massage the calf using downward strokes if a cramp strikes. Your healthcare provider can also recommend some stretching exercises that may help.

Not surprisingly, you may be feeling more tired this month. At eight months pregnant, your belly will have grown quite big, and you may find it tiring just going about your day.

It can also be tougher to sleep comfortably at night at this point in your pregnancy. These measures can help give you a much-needed energy boost and help you sleep at night.

Oh, and be sure to rest whenever you can. Every little cat nap can help! Frequent urination. Your baby is dropping lower into your pelvis in preparation for being born. Otherwise, try to make sure you hit the restroom before you leave the house, or go into a meeting at work.

Stress or anxiety. You might start to experience more emotional symptoms when you start to see the end of your pregnancy and the birth of your baby fast approaching. It can help to talk to family, friends, your healthcare provider, and other moms about your thoughts and fears to get some reassurance that things will work out.

Buy a journal or memory book to record your milestones, symptoms, and questions for the next nine months. Sign up for your Due Date club or join an in-person pregnancy support group. Be sure to drink lots of water. Talk to your insurance company to find out which local doctors and hospitals are covered by your plan.

See more about Week 5 of your pregnancy. Female typing on smartphone. If you're ready, start sharing the good news with family members and close friends. Make your partner the official kitty litter changer. Experiment with morning sickness remedies. Decide whether you like your doctor enough to stick with him or her through delivery. If not, start looking for a new one. See more about Week 6 of your pregnancy.

Doctor Talking to Patient Sitting on Table. Schedule and prepare for your first prenatal visit , which should happen between 8 and 12 weeks. Compile a list of questions for your first doctor's appointment. Clear your beauty cabinet of any chemical-laden products like DEET-filled insect repellent. Buy a belly band to extend the life of your pants. See more about Week 7 of your pregnancy. Shop for a new bra , whether it's a maternity bra or just a bigger, softer style. Make Kegel exercises a part of your daily routine.

Pick up antacids in preparation for pregnancy heartburn , along with other drugstore staples. Make a dentist appointment. Discuss recommended prenatal tests with your doctor. See more about Week 8 of your pregnancy.

Create a baby budget. Make a pre-baby to-do list of all the things you want accomplish or enjoy before the baby arrives. Look at your household cleaners and swap in eco-friendly ones for any toxic ones. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Go for a walk, or do 30 minutes of another moderate exercise , and make it a part of your daily routine now. See more about Week 9 of your pregnancy. Comfy Not Frumpy! Wash your hands frequently to avoid getting a cold or the flu.

Try natural remedies for indigestion. Go shopping for maternity clothing. Review your company's maternity leave policy. If you're hoping for a VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean but your doctor isn't on board, consider jumping ship for a practitioner who will consider it. See more about Week 10 of your pregnancy.

Moisturize your belly, hips and thighs daily to prevent itchy, dry skin as it stretches. Avoid hot tubs, saunas , steam rooms, intense hot-weather workouts, super-hot baths, or anything else that could raise your body temperature above degrees.

Get a first-trimester screening to help your practitioner decide what tests may be warranted. If it's recommended by your doctor, get tested for chromosomal abnormalities through a nuchal translucency NT and chorionic villus sampling CVS. Listen to the baby's heartbeat with a Doppler at your doctor's appointment, if possible. See more about Week 11 of your pregnancy. Credit: Veer. Plan a babymoon vacation. Buy a body pillow for sleeping. Be sure to stretch and warm up before exercise because your ligaments and joints are loosened up now.

Until you give birth , avoid any exercises that require you to lie flat on your back crunches, Pilates, etc. If you're having multiples , your doctor will be able to spot the extra babies at your next ultrasound. See more about Week 12 of your pregnancy. Begin thinking about baby names. Start sleeping on your side. Research pediatricians. Eat smaller meals more frequently to stave off heartburn.

Consider borrowing previously worn maternity clothing from friends or family. See more about Week 13 of your pregnancy. Tell your family and friends your good news if you haven't already. Break the news to your boss , too. Take advantage of your energy boost by checking things off your to-do list at home and at work. Start taking weekly pictures of your beautiful belly. See more about Week 14 of your pregnancy.

Credit: Shutterstock. Sign up for a prenatal yoga class.