If weather permits, take a leisurely walk outdoors a few times a week. The fresh air will invigorate you, get your blood circulating, and help you de-stress. Ask friends or family members to help you with any last-minute errands and treat yourself to a little me-time — you deserve it! These are some of the most common pregnancy symptoms during the third trimester:. Shortness of breath. As your uterus gets larger, grows higher in your abdomen, and presses on your diaphragm, breathing can be difficult.
You might find that you can't make it up a flight of stairs without getting winded. The best thing to do is just to take it easy, move more slowly, and stand up or sit up straight so your lungs have more room to expand. If your breathing changes dramatically, or if you have a cough or chest pain, contact your healthcare provider right away.
The good news? Frequent urination. When you enter the final weeks of your pregnancy, you may find yourself needing to pee more often. This is because as your baby moves further down into your pelvis, she may press on your bladder too.
You may also find that you leak a little, especially when you laugh, sneeze, bend, or lift. If this bothers you, wear a panty liner. However, if you feel a gush or trickle of watery fluid, it could be your water breaking, a sign that labor is beginning. Swollen feet and ankles. Many moms-to-be notice a type of swelling, called edema, in their ankles and feet because of extra fluid retention, hormonal changes, and weight gain.
If you notice this, it could help to elevate your legs whenever you can and to soak your feet in cool water. To help you feel more comfortable, you may need to buy bigger shoes.
Itchy skin. As your belly grows, you may start to experience itchiness as your skin stretches and dries out.
Gently applying a moisturizing lotion and staying well-hydrated can help. Sore gums and teeth feeling looser. Your gums may feel sensitive, and they may swell or bleed when you brush or floss. It might help to rinse with salt water and to use a softer brush. Hormonal changes can cause your ligaments to relax, and these same hormones may also affect the tiny ligaments that hold your teeth in place.
As a result, your teeth may feel looser. Keep flossing daily, brushing twice a day, and going to your regular dental checkups.
Braxton Hicks contractions. In the third trimester, and sometimes even earlier, you may experience false contractions, known as Braxton Hicks contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions may be mild to start with and feel like a tightening of your abdomen, but as your due date nears they can become more painful.
You may be wondering how to tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and true labor contractions. In the third trimester, take advantage of your excitement and focus your energy on getting your pre-birth tasks done. Ask your healthcare provider about any vaccinations you need to get this trimester, including the Tdap vaccination which helps protect your baby against whooping cough , diphtheria, and tetanus.
Ask your healthcare provider whether you are at a high risk of preeclampsia — a high blood pressure disorder — and what signs to look out for. Take a childbirth class with your partner. These classes will also help your partner learn about his important role. Your healthcare provider will be able to recommend a good class near you. While this trimester could end at week 40 , in reality it ends whenever your baby is born. A baby is considered to have been born full-term if it is born in weeks 37 to 42 of pregnancy.
A baby born before week 37 is considered premature , and if your baby has not been born by week 42 , labour may be induced. While these are all part of a normal pregnancy, you can take steps to minimise discomfort. Speak with your doctor or midwife for suggestions, particularly if you are in pain.
You may also experience Braxton-Hicks contractions , which are a tightening of the muscles of the uterus. They last around 30 seconds, are irregular and not painful. They are not labour contractions, and not a sign that labour has begun. If this is your first baby, you may notice around 36 weeks that your baby has moved further down into your pelvis.
This is often referred to as 'the baby has engaged or dropped'. You will notice more room near your ribs and breathing will become easier, but this also adds more pressure on your bladder meaning more trips to the toilet.
In the last few weeks of this trimester your body begins to prepare for the coming labour. During this last stage of pregnancy, you may be worried or anxious about labour and the birth, or about how you will manage as a parent. Difficulty getting comfortable in bed and frequent bathroom visits can mean poor sleep, which is known to trigger irritability and low mood in some people.
Although most pregnant women see the third trimester as an exciting time and feel positive about the next stage, one in 5 will experience antenatal anxiety or depression. Seek help early if this is how you or your partner are feeling. By week 36, your baby is about 47cm long and weighs approximately 2.
If this is your situation, your doctor or midwife will discuss with you what this means for your labour, what your options are and how your baby might be born. By 40 weeks, your baby will be about 50cm, and weigh approximately 3. Developmentally, your baby is now ready to be born. Through the third trimester you will have frequent antenatal check-ups : about every 4 weeks until 36 weeks, then every 2 weeks after that. Ensure your diet is varied and includes a range of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as sources of protein, iron and calcium.
Weight gain is a normal part of pregnancy and most women can expect to gain between 11 and 16kg. Try to remain positive as you look forward to the end of your pregnancy. Soon you'll hold your baby in your arms!
Here's what to expect in the meantime. As your baby grows, his or her movements will become more obvious. These exciting sensations are often accompanied by increasing discomfort and other signs and symptoms, including:.
As anticipation grows, fears about childbirth might become more persistent. How much will it hurt? How long will it last? How will I cope? If you haven't done so already, consider taking childbirth classes. You'll learn what to expect — and meet others who share your excitement and concerns. Talk with others who've had positive birth experiences, and ask your health care provider about options for pain relief.
The reality of parenthood might begin to sink in as well. You might feel anxious, especially if this is your first baby. To stay calm, write your thoughts in a journal. It's also helpful to plan ahead. If you'll be breast-feeding, you might get a nursing bra or a breast pump. If you're expecting a boy — or you don't know your baby's sex — think about what's right for your family regarding circumcision. During the third trimester, your health care provider might ask you to come in for more frequent checkups — perhaps every two weeks beginning at week 32 and every week beginning at week Like previous visits, your health care provider will check your weight and blood pressure and ask about any signs or symptoms you're experiencing.
Regardless of your vaccination status, one dose of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis Tdap vaccine is recommended during each pregnancy — ideally during the third trimester, between weeks 27 and 36 of pregnancy. This can help protect your baby from whooping cough before he or she can be vaccinated. You will also need screening tests for various conditions, including:.
Your health care provider will also check your baby's size and heart rate. Near the end of your pregnancy, your health care provider will also check your baby's position and ask about your baby's movements.
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