It may feel like there is no possibility of further stomach stretching. Your baby bump will surely get a lot bigger in the third trimester. The feeling at this stage tends to go from worry to tiredness and worry to excitement about the expected one.
Your baby will continue to grow till delivery. As the third trimester progresses, there are better chances if they grow early. You need to schedule regular visits to the doctor or midwives because it is crucial to keep track of your baby and your health.
If you are worried about what to do and what to expect during the last months, here is an authentic guide. Let’s dive into the details without further delay.
When does the Third Trimester Begin?
It starts around the 28th week of conceiving and lasts until the delivery, around 40 weeks after conceiving. Simply, your third semester lasts from 28 to 40 weeks or 7 to 9 months. In short, the third trimester is the final weeks of pregnancy.
During this duration, labor can start anytime, according to the situation and health of women, pregnancy hormones relax, and babies. However, usually, the babies linger past the 40-week deadline. If your delivery date passes without labor, you can try different techniques to induce labor, as if you reach 41 or 42 weeks, you are considered overdue. At this point, the healthcare providers induce labor if it does not occur naturally.
Visible Symptoms in Third Trimester of Pregnancy?
When you have a healthy baby inside your womb, you must feel lots of movements. You may also experience different changes as the bump grows. The symptoms include:
Nausea: It follows sickness in the early morning that calms down after the first trimester, but with time, it is possible for nausea to linger in case you are carrying twins, triplets, quadruplets, and more.
Headache: In pregnancy, the woman’s senses become sensitive. Even minor smells can irritate them. Smells, lack of sleep as well as overheating, with other factors, can trigger migraine and normal but severe headaches during the last months. Therefore, you are suggested to stick to normal eating, exercise, and maintain an optimal sleep cycle. Get some time out of your busy life to spend some time and de-stress yourself.
Diarrhea: As your body gets ready for the delivery, many body muscles, especially the rectum, loosen the grip causing the condition known as pre-labor diarrhea. Still, are there many weeks or months before your due date? Don’t worry! It can also trigger due to additional fiber intake or stomach bugs. If diarrhea prolongs, contact your doctor as soon as possible because it can lead to weakness.
Abdominal Achiness: with the stretching of abdominal ligaments which support the lower abdomen, the growing bump. Therefore, you can feel pain and leg cramps. There is nothing you can do about it other than ignoring and taking it easy.
Lighting Crotch: No doctor is truly certain what are root causes of the lightning crotch are. It is a sudden shock felt in your crotch area. According to a theory, the pressed nerve that passes to the cervix triggers it. Apart from that, if the baby changes position and does excessive movement, it can also trigger a lightning crotch. You should take it easy, but if it prolongs, it is better to consult your healthcare provider.
Apart from these notable and common symptoms, a woman can also experience heartburn, backache, stretch marks, insomnia, clumsiness, and crazy dreams during the last trimester.
What Should You Worry About in the Final Months?
The last trimester gives many false indications of labor, but the real signs of labor include:
Bloody show: It is stringy mucus with blood is a legitimate signal that the baby is on the way. It is possible that you may ignore the discharge of the mucus plug.
Pelvic Pressure: This is one of the most worrisome conditions. A crampy feeling in the groin area can be a visible symptom of labor.
Baby Dropping: around 36 weeks, you may waddle as the baby arrives or drops into your pelvis.
Labor contractions: These contractions get severe instead of pain relief when you move. As compared to Braxton hicks’ contractions, these movements are more severe, intense, and painful.
Fetal Development in the Third Trimester?
The third trimester is the main phase in which the baby grows older. The baby grows from about two and a half pounds to 16 inches long in 28 weeks of pregnancy. By the end of the last trimester, the weight increased by 6 to 9 pounds. In this phase, the growth speed is faster, so there is no need to worry if you feel some kicks and pokes.
Here are a few major fetal developments in the last trimester.
Digestive system
In the last weeks of conceiving, the first excretion of the baby mostly consists of blood cells, vernix, and lanugo which are accumulated in the intestine of the baby.
Bones
In the seven and 8th months, the cartilage transforms into real bones. The baby consumes maximum calcium from your body, so make sure to consume calcium-rich food.
Hair, Nails, and Skin
In the second last month of the due date, the baby’s layer-like skin will become opaque. By the end of week 36, the fats continue to accumulate as the baby is ready to shed its vernix as well as language.
Five Senses
In the third trimester, the bay’s receptors will be fully developed. In the 31 weeks of conceiving, the baby will start receiving signals from all senses. He can now understand light, and dark, listen to sound, and taste whatever you eat.
Brain
The third trimester is the time when the brain grows at full speed. The test-driving skills include body temperature regulation and dreaming.
What to Consider in the Third Trimester?
You are in the final days of carrying the baby in your womb, but there are lots of things to consider in the meantime. Here are some factors to keep in mind in the last trimester:
Track the fetal movement
From week 28 on, you should consider how many times the baby has ticked and note any change in activity during that time. Feel if there is anything abnormal, especially in the last month.
Keep moving
Movement is a very important part of staying healthy and fit as long as your healthcare provider allows you and recommends a few fitness safety precautions. It is safe to keep moving slowly and carefully in the last few weeks.
Watch your weight
The weight gain graph will significantly go up in the final months, and it slows down with the approaching due date. Do not worry if you even lose a pound or two. In case you have gained too much weight, talk to your doctor and move accordingly.
Schedule checkups
It is the right time to follow your checkups carefully. Schedule weekly appointments and keep a check on your vitals and overall health. The doctor can change the medicines according to the requirement. So stay in touch with them.
What to Avoid During the Last Three Months?
With the increasing belly, you can see your weight gain speedily. You might not be doing a lot these days, but here are a few things that you need to avoid even thinking about:
Laying on your back
It is possible that your might not be sleeping or doing any exercise these days, but you should prevent lying on your back as the whole weight of the uterus and baby can potentially press the varicose veins that transport blood in the lower body can make you feel tired and short of breath.
Traveling
This is a fascinating task, but pregnant women should give up the plans in your last trimester to carry on birth plan. You should not travel too far from the house. Moreover, means of traveling like air travel and local traveling should be avoided.
Hot Tubs and Saunas
In the final days of pregnancy, you should not stay in the water for a long time. You are suggested to avoid hot tubs till your delivery. When you take a bath, keep the temperature low to 97 to 98 degrees.
Conclusion
The third trimester is the most crucial part of early pregnancy. It requires ultimate care, attention, and many preventive measures. You should track the baby’s development, blood pressure, and take care of their health. Avoid long travel and rigorous exercises. consult the doctor in case of too frequent urination, increased blood circulation in last and second trimester.
Also interesting to read:
- Guide to Healthy Pregnancy and Prenatal Care
- Healthy Food of Pregnancy – The Ultimate Guide
- Calorie Calculator in Pregnancy: A Tool to Maintain Good Health
- How to Get Pregnant: Tips and Techniques for Those Trying to Conceive
- What You Need To Know About Depression in Pregnancy
- 40 Weeks Pregnant: A Guide for Mom-To-Be
- 39 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Signs & Baby’s Development
- 35 Weeks Pregnant: A Guide to Final Stage of Pregnancy
- What Should a 24 Weeks Pregnant Women Expect
- 16 Weeks Pregnant: A Complete Guide to Middle Stage
- 26 Weeks Pregnant: A Guide to Baby’s Development
