  You're
Almost There!
It might be hard to believe, but you are in your final trimester of pregnancy! This
means that in a few short months you will be holding your new baby in your arms.
View the printable version of The Third
Trimester
Changes in Your Body
You could still be having some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester, but now you will notice that you may have to go to
the bathroom more often or that you find it even harder to breathe. This is because the
baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Don't worry, your
baby is fine and these problems will lessen once you give birth. You also might have some
of these changes:
Heartburn
As your baby gets bigger, your uterus pushes on your stomach and can cause heartburn,
especially before bedtime or right after you eat. Continue to avoid greasy, fried foods
and eat six to eight smaller meals instead of large meals. You also can take small sips of
milk or eat small pieces of chipped ice. If your heartburn is severe and doesn't improve
with these tips, talk with your health care provider. Also talk with your health care
provider before taking an antacid medication.
Swelling
As you near the end of your pregnancy, you might notice more swelling than you had
before, especially in your ankles, fingers and face. Continue to drink lots of fluids
(water is best) and rest when you can with your feet elevated. If you notice sudden,
extreme swelling in any of these areas, or have a rapid significant weight gain, call your
health care provider right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia or toxemia.
Hemorrhoids
You might begin to experience more discomfort from hemorrhoids now from the increased pressure
of your growing baby on the veins in your rectum. You might also be constipated, which
makes hemorrhoids worse because you might strain for a bowel movement. Try to avoid
hemorrhoids by drinking lots of fluids and eating plenty of whole grains, raw or cooked
leafy green vegetables, and fruits. Try not to strain for bowel movements, and always talk
with your health care provider before taking a laxative.
Tender Breasts
Your breasts have most likely increased in size and fullnesss as your pregnancy has
advanced. As you near the end of your pregnancy, hormones in your body cause your breasts
to increase even more in size, to prepare for breastfeeding. Your breasts can feel full
and heavy, and they might be tender or uncomfortable. Wearing a well-fitting maternity or
nursing bra will help you be more comfortable, because these types of bras offer extra
support. Some pregnant women begin to leak colostrum in the third trimester. Colostrum is
the first milk that your breasts produce for your baby. It is a thick, yellowish fluid
that contains antibodies that protect new babies from infections. If leaking becomes a
problem for you, you can purchase disposable or cloth nursing pads (that you can use when
nursing your newborn) to place inside your bra.
Now and after delivery, it is a good idea to only wash your nipples with water instead
of soap. Soap might cause the skin of your nipples to become dry, irritated and crack. If
you do have skin cracks, which can be sore and painful, use a heavier cream that contains
lanolin for extra moisture.
Changes in Your Baby
Your baby is still growing and moving, but now it has less room in your uterus. Because
of this, you might not feel the kicks and movements as much as you did in the second
trimester. During this final stage of your pregnancy, your baby is continuing to grow.
Even before your baby is born it will be able to open and close its eyes and might even
suck its thumb. As your body starts to prepare for the birth, your baby will start to move
into its birth position. You might notice the baby "dropping," or moving down
lower in your abdomen. This can reduce the pressure on your lungs and rib cage, making it
easier to breathe or not to get out of breath so fast. As you near your due date, your
cervix becomes thinner and softer (called effacing). This is a normal, natural process
that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing process. Your health care
provider can check your progress with a vaginal exam. And, your visits to your provider
may increase the month before you give birth. The average baby is about 20 to 22 inches
long and weighs approximately 7 1/2 pounds at birth, but anywhere between 5 lbs., 11 1/2
ounces and 8 lbs., 5 3/4 ounces is a healthy range for newborns.
Prenatal Care
Visits and Tests
Be sure to continue to visit your health care provider, and ask him or her to answer
your questions and address your concerns about labor and delivery. As the birth of your
baby gets closer, you and your health care provider will discuss what kind of delivery you
will have. Some women need to have a cesarean section (c-section), in which a surgical
incision is made in the abdomen and uterus to remove the baby. If you are able to plan on
a non-surgical, vaginal birth, you may want to have your baby naturally, without
medications, and you may want to take a childbirth class. Many women find childbirth
classes very helpful, even if they have already had a baby. And, women also bring their
partners or a friend or relative to these classes, particularly if this person will be
with them to offer support and coaching during the birth of their baby.
Inducing Labor
It's helpful to know that only five percent of babies are actually born on their due
dates. This is very normal and does not mean anything is wrong. Sometimes, though, there
are problems or your health care provider has concerns about the baby's and/or your
health, and labor needs to be induced. Inducing labor means that your health care provider
will start your labor through artificial means. Most health care providers will wait one
to two weeks after a woman's due date before considering inducing. There are other reasons
why a woman might need to have labor induced. She might have a chronic illness like high
blood pressure or diabetes that threatens the health of the baby, or the baby might not be
growing or thriving in the uterus. Sometimes, the uterus can become unhealthy for the
baby. A woman also might have the membranes that surround the fetus rupture (or have her
"water break") without going into labor naturally within a reasonable amount of
time. Labor can be induced during a vaginal exam - your health care provider might rupture
or strip the membranes surrounding the fetus or insert a gel or suppository containing a
hormone to stimulate contractions. A drug called Pitocin can also be given intravenously
(put into your body through a vein in your arm or hand) to start contractions.
Deciding to Breastfeed or Bottle Feed
If you haven't thought about whether you will breastfeed or bottle feed your baby, this
is the time to learn more about both, and make a decision about what you plan to do.
Breastfeeding has many more advantages over formula for your health and your baby's
health. But it is best to discuss it with your health care provider, and then make a
decision that is right for you. Click here to learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding, how to make it work best for you, and
for tips on breastfeeding after returning to work.
When to Call Your Health Care Provider
Before your due date, make sure to talk with your health care provider about how to
reach him or her if you go into labor. It's also helpful to be familiar with the hospital
or birthing center, where you should park, and where to check in ahead of time. Know that
sometimes you can think you're in labor, but really are not (called false labor). This
happens to many, many women, so don't feel embarrassed if you go the hospital certain that
you are in labor, only to be sent home! It's always better to be seen by a health care
provider as soon as possible once labor has begun. Here are the signs of true labor:
Contractions at regular and increasingly shorter intervals that also
become stronger in intensity.
Lower back pain that doesn't go away. You might also feel premenstrual
and crampy.
Your water breaks (can be a large gush or a continuous trickle) and you
have contractions.
A bloody (brownish or blood-tinged) mucous discharge. This is the mucous
plug that blocks the cervix. Labor could be at any time, or days away.
Your cervix is dilating (opening up) and becoming thinner and softer
(also called effacement). During a pelvic exam, your health care provider will be able to
tell if these things are happening.
Caring For Yourself
Make sure to continue for these last three months the healthy behaviors that you
learned in your first trimester. Many pregnant women feel
great in their last trimester and still have lots of energy. But, your energy may lessen
as you enter your 9th month and you may begin to slow down. This is completely
normal. It's important to get enough rest now, even though it might seem difficult to
sleep as you get larger. Your baby's stretching movements, having to urinate often, and an
increase in your body's metabolism might interrupt or disturb your sleep. And, if you are
having any leg cramping, this can affect your sleep as well. You might have a better
night's sleep if you try to avoid eating large meals three hours before going to bed. You
can also try some mild exercise like walking, which can help relieve stress and may
improve sleep. Avoid long naps during the day. If you can't sleep because you are anxious
about becoming a mother or about your labor and delivery, try talking with your partner or
friends who've been through this before. You can also talk with your health care provider.
Weight Gain
Everyone gains weight at different rates, but on average, it is normal to gain about
one pound per week, or three to four pounds per month, during this trimester. By the end
of your pregnancy you should have gained, on average, about 25 to 30 pounds. About 7 1/2
pounds of that weight should be the baby.
The following resources also can help you with these last three months of your
pregnancy:
This page last updated: June 2003 |
