Is 10 Months Of Pregnancy Normal? What Happens To The Baby In The Womb

The pregnancy is believed to last for 9 months, but when the couple hear about the 10th month of pregnancy, they are in confusion. The confusion is typically from the method of counting the pregnancy. Traditional lunar-month counting, one month equals about four weeks and 10 lunar months equals about 40 weeks of pregnancy. 

Therefore, it isn't a bad thing when the baby reaches the so-called 10th month of pregnancy. Typically, it is used to describe the last few weeks of a normal pregnancy, when the baby is ready to come out into the world and the mother's body is readying itself for birth.

What Does ‘10th Month of Pregnancy’ Actually Mean?

Dr Lavanya Kiran, Director and Lead Consultant, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, KIMS Hospitals, Electronic City, Bengaluru, explains "This is a common mistake, particularly in India, as people have traditionally counted the months of pregnancy based on the lunar month instead of the calendar month”. 

A lunar month is about 4 weeks, and "10 lunar months" is about 40 weeks or 9 calendar months, about the standard 37-40 weeks recognised full-term pregnancy period throughout the world. 

The "10th month" is therefore not an additional month after the normal 9, but rather, the description of the last stretch of the normal full term pregnancy, which is about weeks 37-40 or so, sometimes a little longer.

What Is Happening To The Baby During The 10th Month?

By around 37 weeks, the baby is considered early term, while 39 to 40 weeks is generally described as full term. Development does not suddenly stop when the pregnancy reaches 37 weeks.

During these final weeks:

• The brain is still developing and changes are still taking place even at very close range to the birth.
• Lungs keep maturing, readying the baby for breathing on their own.
• Fat remains under the skin for after birth thermoregulatory function.
• The baby can come into a head-down position which helps him to prepare for delivery.
• Other movements might be more uncomfortable due to limited space. More rolling, stretching and pushing will be seen than large kicks.
• The baby repeats swallowing and breathing with amniotic fluid.Baby keeps practicing swallowing and breathing movements with amniotic fluid.
• The baby has a lot of fine hair (lanugo) which covers most of his/her body that disappears in the later stages of pregnancy, but some may stay at birth.
• Along with the protective skin coating, vernix may also decrease towards the end of the pregnancy.

Importantly, a change in the type of movement does not mean movements should stop. WHO recommends that pregnant women are made aware of the importance of fetal movements in the third trimester and report reduced movements to their healthcare provider.

What Happens To The Mother's Body At This Stage?

The final weeks can feel physically demanding. The baby's increasing size and position can put more pressure on the pelvis and surrounding organs.

• You may notice:
• Increased pelvic pressure
• More frequent urination
• Difficulty sleeping
• Increased tiredness
• Backache
• Stronger or more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Increased pressure as the baby's head moves lower into the pelvis

Antenatal monitoring also becomes particularly important during this period. WHO's antenatal-care recommendations include monitoring fetal growth and maternal blood pressure during pregnancy, with fetal movement assessment forming part of third-trimester care.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), key maternal body changes reach their peak in the final weeks. Your blood volume increases, and your joints naturally relax. Your weight distribution shifts, and your digestion slows down. Understanding these changes helps you tell normal late-term discomfort apart from signs that need medical attention. 

Does Being In The 10th Month Mean The Baby Is Overdue?

No. “This is one of the biggest misconceptions around the phrase 10th month,” explains Dr Kiran. Pregnancy is considered post-term after 42 completed weeks, not simply because someone has reached a 10th lunar month. A person at 37, 38, 39 or 40 weeks may still be within the expected term period.

Research also shows why doctors focus on the exact gestational week rather than the month. A 2022 iScience study examining low-risk pregnancies found that births at 37 and 38 weeks had higher risks of certain adverse outcomes compared with births at 39 and 40 weeks.

This does not mean every pregnancy should continue until 40 weeks. 

Medical conditions involving the mother or baby can make earlier delivery safer. The timing of delivery should therefore be decided by the obstetrician based on the individual pregnancy.

Why Do The Baby's Movements Feel Different?

As the baby grows, the uterus becomes more crowded. This can make movements feel less like sharp kicks and more like:

• Rolling
• Stretching
• Pushing
• A foot or elbow pressing against the abdomen

However, reduced space does not mean the baby should become inactive.

If you notice a clear or sustained reduction in your baby's usual movements, contact your maternity team promptly rather than waiting until the next appointment.

What Does The Doctor Monitor In The Final Weeks?

Your healthcare team may monitor several factors depending on your pregnancy.

These can include:

• Baby's position
• Fetal growth
• Fetal movements
• Maternal blood pressure
• Signs of pre-eclampsia
• Amniotic fluid when clinically indicated
• Cervical changes if labour is suspected
• Maternal symptoms and overall wellbeing

The exact frequency of appointments varies depending on individual risk factors and local maternity protocols.

What Are Signs That Labour May Be Starting?

Once you've reached the 10th lunar month, it does not imply that labour will begin directly. Keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Bigger and closer contractions.
• Some mucus discharge or “show” which may be tinged with blood.
• When your waters have broken, whether in a gush or dribbling.
• Increasing pelvic pressure
• Ongoing lower back pain with other labour symptoms.

Contact your maternity team at the earliest if you experience any of the following: your waters break, you have a lot of bleeding, you have severe pain or notice less of your baby's movement.

ALSO READ- Pregnancy and Unwanted Facial Hair: Gynaecologist Explains The Hidden Link

Conclusion

Pregnancy month 10 is typically a discrepancy and not an additional month of pregnancy. In the lunar system, 10 months is approximately equal to 40 weeks, meaning that this period is considered within normal gestation time. Dr Kiran suggests to “watch the baby's movements, go for regular checks and understand the signs of labour, and not fret about being ‘overdue’ just because the number of the month is up.”

So therefore the most important number is not how many months the person says they have been pregnant for, but rather gestational age in weeks.