Eight month of pregnancy

Changes in the Eight Month of Pregnancy

The baby’s body continues to develop and prepare for birth. The bones are getting stronger. The brain and nerves continue to develop. This development will continue after the baby is born. The bone marrow is producing red blood cells this month. Your baby is nearly ready to be born. If he were born this month, he has a good chance for survival. Here are a few things you can expect and plan for during the eight month of your pregnancy.
The fetus is more sensitive to light and sound. The pupils in his eyes dilate in response to light. He opens and closes his eyes frequently. Hair is growing on the head. The finger nails have reached the end of the finger tips. The baby has taste buds developed. He can taste sweet and sour in the fluid. He hiccups and cries by the end of the month.
After 32 weeks, you will have doctor’s visits every other week. This allows the doctor to monitor the baby to help prevent complications. These visits will be similar to the other visits. The doctor will check the baby’s heart rate and will measure the fundal height. The position of the baby will be checked to be sure he is in the head down position.

Pregnancy and The Effect of Music on the Fetus

 Toys, music CDs and other merchandise designed to provide music to unborn and newborn babies tout the positive effects of music on developing babies. Expectant parents may wonder if they should purchase these products, or fear they are putting their baby at a disadvantage if they don't listen to enough, or the right kind of music. Expert opinions vary regarding whether music has a positive effect.

Various studies conducted over the past two decades have demonstrated the ability of the fetus to hear sound. The inner ear is fully developed in last trimester of pregnancy. By 26 weeks, most respond with an increase in heart rate to sound stimulation. Many studies have pointed to the change in heart rate as a positive sign that the baby is stimulated by the music.

One study published in the Music Educators Journal looked at the effect of exposure to music in the prenatal period. Some participants were given music in the womb, either sedating or stimulating musical selections. After the birth of the baby, the parents and infants visited the researcher, and a range of activities and responses were observed by researchers. The study found that exposure to music in the prenatal period seemed to be linked to increased attention, more sound imitation and earlier vocalization in the baby.

Most of what the fetus hears is the mother's voice and internal sounds of the mother's body, such as breathing, movements and other sounds. There have been many studies that suggest the mother's voice is the preferred sound of newborns, who appear to recognize their mother's voice at birth. Singing along with music makes sense because it gives baby the opportunity to hear your voice and music.

It makes sense that stimulation of the brain with music would have a positive effect. It is when the baby is growing in the mother's body that the majority of brain development occurs. The idea behind research into music exposure during the pregnancy is designed to enhance the development of the brain with appropriate stimuli. Research continues into this subject and determining which music has the most positive effect.