09_BT_Sept 2022

Bump to Birth
9 Months
Third Trimester (Months 7 to 9 / Weeks 25 to 36)
By the time a foetus has spent seven months in the womb, it acquires a sense of taste and smell. Whatever the mother
consumes also reaches the foetus in some mild form. Since the foetus is surrounded by amniotic fluid, flavours tend to find their
way into the fluid, which is commonly swallowed by the foetus.
In the last month, the baby practices motor skills and kicks. When the mother laughs, eats sweets or drinks an iced tea, the baby
responds by bouncing up and down.
By the time they are 28 weeks, they start with their strong little kicks, telling mommy that they are alive and well and learning
how to use their bodies.
A study by scientists at the University of Dundee, published in PLOS ONE in June 2015, showed that foetuses between the 21st
and 23rd week of gestation moved around and touched themselves in response to their mothers stroking the bellies.
According to an article titled ‘Foetuses may express emotion in the womb’ by James Meikle, published in Fairfax Digital in
September 2003, “images published for the first time seem to suggest that unborn babies can smile, blink and cry weeks before
they leave the womb.”
Yes, that's quite true. And today, we've come even further, thanks to 4D technology. Ultrasound scans have captured varied
emotions on a foetus' face – crying, squirming, smiling, wrinkling the nose, raising a brow and so on. Often, these are reactions
to what the mother may feel or do. If she is angry, upset or under stress, it can certainly reflect on the little baby.
Month 7 Month 8 Month 9
How to prepare and
train babies in the womb
There are no hard and fast rules but
a general guide would help you feel
more in control and help you bond with
your baby.
Enjoy the sunshine
Go outside and soak in the sun. Add
foods rich in Vitamin D to your diet.
Autism and weak bones have been
linked to Vitamin D deficiency. A mere 20
minutes in the sun helps your little one
get strong bones and a healthy heart.
Start reading out loud to your baby
Researchers found that regular
reading triggered a preference for
hearing stories out loud which was
demonstrated by babies increasing their
sucking speed once they were born.
Exercise
Exercise helps blood circulation in your
body and your womb. It increases
neuron cell growth in your baby’s
hippocampus. This triggers learning and
memory development by 40 percent.
6 BabyTalk | September 2022