You've come a long way in your pregnancy, haven't you? This third trimester is a very special, and a bit challenging, time. It's a time when you feel all the excitement of holding your baby, but also a little bit of fear and fatigue. Simply put, this is a time for you and your little one to grow and get ready for the big day. Shall we talk about this in detail?
What is the third trimester? When does it start?
We divide pregnancy into three main parts, which are called trimesters. One trimester lasts about 12 weeks. The third trimester is the last three months of pregnancy. To be precise, it is from 28 weeks to 40 weeks, or until the baby is born .
Just think, by the end of this period, your uterus will be the size of a watermelon! You may also experience new symptoms, such as shortness of breath, false labor pains, or Braxton Hicks contractions. The baby is gaining weight very quickly during this period, and his organs are almost fully developed before they come out.
Most major health organizations agree that the third trimester of pregnancy begins at week 28. Although there are some minor variations, most doctors consider week 28 to be the beginning of the third trimester. This lasts until the baby is born, which is usually 39 or 40 weeks.
Prenatal care you will receive in the third trimester
During this time, your doctor will schedule more frequent prenatal visits to check on you and your baby. This is because they want to keep an eye on your baby's health. Unless your pregnancy is high-risk , you will usually have prenatal visits every two weeks until you are 36 weeks pregnant. You will have prenatal visits once a week for the last four weeks, from 36 to 40 weeks.
Don't forget to tell your doctor about any new symptoms or changes you're experiencing at these clinics. This is also a good time to ask any questions you may have. As with previous clinics, the following things will be checked:
- Your blood pressure .
- Your weight .
- The position and size of the baby in the womb.
- Fundal height .
- Baby's heart rate .
- Your urine (this checks for things like protein).
- You will be informed about the vaccinations you need to receive . The doctor will tell you about the recommended vaccinations during pregnancy.
Towards the end of your pregnancy, some doctors will check your cervix to see if it has started to dilate or efface. They will also test you for a bacteria called Group B strep around 36 weeks.
If your pregnancy is high-risk, or if your due date is past, your doctor may recommend a nonstress test or a biophysical profile to further confirm the baby's health.
What symptoms can you expect in the third trimester?
By the time you reach your third trimester, you may feel like a balloon is about to burst! Not everyone will have the same symptoms, but many people start to feel a little more aches and pains during this time. This is because your body is still growing and preparing for childbirth.
You may experience all or some of these symptoms:
- `(Braxton Hicks)` contractions: These are not like real labor pains. Real pains come and go, and become more intense over time. But `(Braxton Hicks)` are very light, irregular, and do not increase in intensity. They can feel like menstrual cramps. They decrease when you change positions or walk a little. You should also drink plenty of water .
- Difficulty breathing: Taking a deep breath can be a little difficult at this time. The main reason for this is that your lungs have less room to expand. This difficulty sometimes decreases as the baby moves down into the pelvis in preparation for birth (this is called `lightening`).
- Frequent urination: As your baby descends into your pelvis, he or she presses on your bladder. This can cause you to need to urinate more often, and you may leak urine when you laugh, cough, or sneeze. However, if you feel like you are leaking amniotic fluid, be sure to tell your doctor.
- Heartburn: Your growing uterus can put pressure on your stomach, causing stomach acid to come up. That's what causes heartburn and indigestion.
- Edema: Water retention and weight gain can cause swelling in the legs and ankles. Elevating your legs can help reduce this swelling.
- Varicose veins and hemorrhoids: As the amount of blood in the body increases, the veins can swell. This can cause spider veins to appear on the face and arms, and large veins to form in the thighs. Hemorrhoids can also occur when the veins in the rectum swell.
- Insomnia: It can be difficult to get a good night's sleep during this time due to frequent trips to the bathroom and the discomfort caused by a large belly.
- Nesting: This is the feeling of having a lot of energy to tidy up the house and prepare everything for the baby before the baby arrives. Some people feel a great sense of energy during this time, wanting to tidy up and put everything in order. However, even if you don't feel this way, it's normal. Some people do, some don't.
Remember, if you have any concerns about any symptom, never hesitate to ask your doctor about it. They will advise you accordingly, especially for you and your pregnancy.
How do you take care of yourself in the third trimester?
It's normal to feel tired and want to slow down during the last few months of pregnancy. It's okay if you've lost your energy. Try to move your body and exercise in a way that's comfortable for you. For many people , walking, yoga, and swimming are helpful during this time. In addition, there are other things you can do to take care of yourself:
- Eating a nutritious, balanced diet .
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Ask for help when you need it. Your friends, family, and partner can all support you as you approach the birth of your baby.
These are the things you should definitely not do during the third trimester:
- Alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and non-prescribed medications.
- Raw or undercooked meats and fish high in mercury.
- Soft cheeses and unpasteurized dairy products.
- Hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms.
- Sports that put a lot of pressure on the body or activities that have a high risk of falling.
Emotional feelings during the third trimester
In addition to the physical sensations, you may also experience a variety of emotional feelings as you approach your baby's arrival. It's normal to feel a lot of joy and hope on one hand, and a little anxiety and fear on the other. As well as the excitement of seeing your baby, you may also feel a little apprehensive about the birth and becoming a mother. Remember, everyone experiences pregnancy differently. There is no right or wrong way to feel. If you need help dealing with your emotions, talk to someone about them.
How is your baby developing in the third trimester?
The baby in the womb is growing in length and weight during this time, getting ready to come out. His major organs continue to develop and are fully functional by the time he is born. It is best for the baby to be in the womb for the full term (39 weeks) before being born. The baby gains more than half of his total weight in this last trimester. Usually the baby is in the head-down position , which means his head is facing down. This is the best position for childbirth.
Is my baby fully developed at 27 weeks?
No, a fetus is not fully developed at 27 weeks. Thanks to advances in medical science, a baby born at 27 weeks can survive, but the baby will require significant medical intervention . Babies born prematurely at 27 weeks are at a much higher risk of complications because many of their major organs are not fully developed.
What complications can occur in the third trimester?
Some complications can occur during the third trimester. Some of the most common are:
- Preeclampsia: This is a condition that causes other symptoms, such as high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
- Gestational diabetes: This is a condition that causes high blood sugar levels.
- Preterm labor: The onset of labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- Premature (pre-labor) rupture of membranes (PROM): The rupture of the bag of waters before labor begins.
- Intrauterine growth restriction: The fetus is less than the 10th percentile for gestational age, as assessed by the doctor.
- Breech: A position where the baby's legs or buttocks are positioned to emerge from the vagina instead of the baby's head.
Your doctor conducts regular check-ups to detect these potential complications early. Therefore, it is important to attend all check-ups and have the necessary tests to reduce the risk of serious complications.
How do you know if labor has started?
It can be a little difficult to recognize the signs of labor, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Keep an eye out for these key signs to see if labor is starting:
- Contractions: If you are actually in labor, your contractions will start to come closer together and become less frequent. For example, contractions that started every 10 minutes will now come every 5 minutes. Also, the duration of the contractions will increase. This means that the contractions that started every 30 seconds will now last for 60 seconds. Finally, the intensity of the contractions will increase, meaning they will become more frequent.
- Water breaking: This can feel like a sudden burst of water flowing through the vagina, or like a trickle of water leaking out.
- Bloody show: A ``bloody show'' is a bleeding that occurs near the end of pregnancy and when the cervix begins to dilate. This does not happen to everyone.
- Mucus plug coming out: This ``mucus plug'' acts as a barrier between your vagina and your uterus. When labor begins, it can come out of your vagina and onto your underwear. Sometimes it comes out as a lump, but sometimes you don't even notice it. Having this sign doesn't necessarily mean you'll go into labor that day. It usually happens when your body is getting ready to give birth, but it's not the same for everyone.
If you never know what might happen to you, it's best to play it safe and talk to your doctor.
When should you call the doctor in the third trimester?
Communicating with your doctor during the third trimester is more important than ever. Don't be afraid to ask them about what to expect during the third trimester, the signs of labor, and what symptoms might be signs of a problem.
You should talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms during the last few months of pregnancy:
- Signs of preterm labor (such as painful contractions or water breaking).
- Vaginal bleeding.
- Decreased fetal movement. (The frequency of fetal movement can vary, but if you don't feel any movement for longer than usual, call your doctor.)
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness and severe headache.
Remember, if you have any concerns, it's always better to be on the safe side and talk to your doctor.
A final take-home message
You're now in the third trimester of your pregnancy, the final stage of your journey. As you approach the end of this journey, it's normal to feel a mix of emotions—embarrassment, fear, joy—all mixed up. Your body and your baby are continuing to change and grow in these final months. You may start to feel some contractions and your vaginal discharge may increase. Don't worry; most of the time, it's your body's way of preparing for labor. But if you experience painful contractions or vaginal bleeding, call your doctor right away.
It's also a good idea to ask your doctor what to expect in the last few weeks of pregnancy. By asking questions and discussing concerns with your doctor, you can confidently approach the end goal of this pregnancy journey.
` Pregnancy, third trimester, childbirth, baby, pregnancy symptoms, childbirth, health
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