Is it normal to have four bowel movements a day at eight and a half months pregnant?

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

Hello, your situation is generally not affected, no need to worry. There are some signs before labor:
Uterine descent: The enlarged uterus begins to descend, reducing pressure on the diaphragm. The pregnant woman may feel relief from shortness of breath, the pressure on the stomach disappears, and appetite increases.
Lower abdominal pain and backache: As the baby's head descends, pressure on the pelvis increases, making the sensation of lower abdominal pain and backache more pronounced.
Increased frequency of urination and defecation: The baby descends, pressing on the bladder and rectum. After urination, there may still be a feeling of needing to urinate, and after defecation, there may be no sense of relief.
Increased discharge from the cervix and vagina, spotting: The baby's movements may become less obvious at this stage. Don't feel anxious about this—it's because the baby's position has become relatively fixed. However, if you still don't feel any movement after 12 hours, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Stopping weight gain: Sometimes, even weight loss may occur. This indicates that the baby has fully developed.