What happens to the body of women during the last month of pregnancy?

• Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expecting their first child very soon.
• During the last weeks of pregnancy, the body of a pregnant woman undergoes several changes.
• They can move more slowly and make dreams more alive.
• Most changes are normal, but it is always best to consult a doctor if you are worried about anything.
• Visit the INSIDER homepage for more.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expected to host their first child together in late April or early May. The Duchess of Susbad has been photographed several times showing her pregnant belly in bloom, but little is known about her feelings during her third trimester.

Dr. Isis Amer-Wahlin, consultant in obstetrics and gynecology at the My Pregnancy application in Boznun, told INSIDER what women can normally expect in the last weeks of pregnancy.

Read more: It's a myth that women always feel "brilliant" when they're pregnant

1. The belly of a pregnant woman changes shape

After about 35 weeks of pregnancy, the pregnant bells begin to descend, as the baby moves into the pelvic cavity – the best position for birth.

"In this case, the expectant mother may find that it's easier to breathe because the pressure on her lungs goes down," said Amer-Wahlin. "Unfortunately, other annoyances can occur when the baby sits on the pelvis, such as back pain, pelvic pain and increased urge to urinate."

According to Amer-Wahlin, the best thing to do at this point is to rest well and place pillows under your stomach and between your knees to ease any discomfort.

2. Contractions of Braxton Hicks

The "false" contractions, called contractions of Braxton Hicks, are common from 16 weeks of pregnancy. But they become more frequent as the deadline approaches. According to Amer-Wahlin, they are not usually as painful as real contractions, but if they become intense, you should watch them because they could be the real thing.

3. Excited dreams and exacerbated emotions

"The last month of pregnancy can be a moving time for the mother," said Amer-Wahlin. "The reality of work is getting closer, hormones continue to flow throughout the body and parenting instincts become stronger."

It is rather normal to feel worried or anxious and to have a shorter fuse than usual. And dreams can be brighter because of the hormonal fluctuations experienced by pregnant women. It may also be because women wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, interrupting their REM sleep – when most of our dreams happen.

"Frequent interruptions mean that expectant moms are more likely to remember their dreams than ever before," said Amer-Wahlin. "It's definitely worth discussing dreams with your partner because they are also likely to experience more vivid dreams as the expected date of their birth and the birth of their baby approaches. . "

4. Members can inflate

It is normal to feel swollen hands and feet during pregnancy because the body holds liquids. The best way to combat swelling is to avoid tight clothes and drink a lot of water.

Excessive swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, which can be dangerous for the mother and baby if it is not treated, so it is best to consult a doctor if you think this is getting worse.

5. Movements can be different

Amer-Wahlin said that the mother's and baby's movements may be slightly different as the due date approaches. The expectant mother may become slower as the baby becomes heavier. The baby will probably feel calmer as well because he will have less space to move around the uterus.

"However, if the expectant mother feels that the movements have rapidly declined, she should trust her instinct and immediately contact her doctor," said Amer-Wahlin.