Hooray – You’ve made it to the third trimester! The end of your pregnancy is approaching and you are so close to finally being able to hold your little one in your arms. The countdown to your due date has probably begun. But don’t rush just yet – with the third trimester comes a new set of challenges, both physical and mental. Let’s talk about some things to expect during your third trimester and how to feel better as you cross the finish line.
What is the third trimester?
The third trimester is the final chapter of your pregnancy. It starts around week 28 and lasts until you give birth. Since pregnancy is estimated to last about 40 weeks, the third trimester lasts about 13 weeks. It’s not often that a baby is born on their actual due date, so this last trimester can end early or a little late, depending on when your baby is born.
What changes happen to my baby in the third trimester?
During these last few weeks, your baby is putting on weight and things are starting to get a little tighter in there. The word “uncomfortable” becomes your daily mantra. Your baby will put on 5 to 8 pounds and grow about 5 inches during this last trimester. In addition to its weight, your baby also puts the finishing touches on many other bodily functions. They will transform cartilage into bone, grow hair and nails, and begin to use all five senses. Your baby’s skin will also become opaque and the digestive tract will begin to form your baby’s first stool, called meconium. The baby’s brain will also start to practice blinking, dreaming and even breathing.
Changes in your body during the third trimester
With all the growth and changes going on with your baby, it’s no surprise that you’ll start to see and feel a lot of changes in your body too. Some of the most noticeable changes you may see are:
- Weight gain – As your baby gains weight, so do you. Most women will gain about 8 to 10 pounds during the last trimester.
- Sleep changes – general aches, crazy dreams and weight gain make it difficult to sleep. Almost 75% of pregnant women will experience some level of insomnia.
- Changes in your breasts – Your breasts are preparing for the monumental task of feeding your baby, so you may notice that they have increased in size and are tender to the touch at times. They may even start leaking colostrum before the baby is born.
- Frequent urination – As the baby continues to grow, they put a lot of pressure on your bladder. You may find that you have the urge to urinate frequently. The pressure can also cause you to leak urine sometimes when you sneeze, laugh or cough.
Some other third trimester symptoms include:
- Braxton-Hicks contractions – these “false” contractions prepare your body for labor. They are irregular contractions or tightening of the muscles around your stomach. Some women don’t notice them at all, while others find them very uncomfortable. So how can you tell Braxton-Hicks contractions from real contractions? True contractions will have a regular pattern and do not subside or subside with rest.
- Pain – All the added weight and pressure of the baby can cause pain in your hips, pelvis and lower back.
- Vaginal discharge – Elevated estrogen levels can cause white vaginal discharge.
- Swelling – Fluid retention and extra weight can cause some swelling, especially in your legs and feet.
- Breathing difficulty – The baby takes up a lot of real estate by the third trimester, which makes it harder for your lungs to fully expand.
- Hemorrhoids – Constipation plus the weight and pressure of the baby on your pelvic floor can all lead to hemorrhoids.
- Crotch lightning – A funny name for a not-so-funny sensation, lightning crotch feels like a quick, sharp pain in the pelvis, vagina or rectum when you or the baby move. It is caused by the baby hitting certain nerves. Not everyone will experience flash crotch.
- Worry – not all pregnancy symptoms will be physical in the third trimester. As your pregnancy draws to a close, you are in a whirlwind of different emotions. The excitement and anticipation of meeting your baby is often mixed with fear and anxiety about the birth and all the changes that will happen as your family grows. Anxiety of some form is common and completely understandable.
Diet and exercise in the third trimester
While many of these third trimester symptoms may be unavoidable, you can ease or limit how often you feel some of them by eating a healthy diet and keeping your body as active as possible.
Your diet should be full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats and oils. These are the building blocks your baby needs to grow. The vitamins and nutrients in these foods help your baby build his bones, make red blood cells, develop healthy brain cells, and support every other organ in his body.
The food you eat is also incredibly important to your overall well-being. Eating healthy can help ease some of the uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms you may be experiencing. Your diet can prevent excess weight gain, which can help reduce pain or discomfort in the back and pelvic area, reduce pressure on the pelvic floor, and reduce the risk of hemorrhoids and bladder leakage. A high-fiber diet can also help with constipation.
Healthy, nutrient-dense foods can also boost your energy. The baby will get what it needs from you, which can leave you feeling exhausted. The best way to replenish your reserves is by eating a diet rich in vitamins and nutrients and taking prenatal vitamins. Try Pink Stork’s Total Prenatal + DHA capsules. They provide all the vitamins and nutrients you and your baby need.
Another way to ease some third trimester symptoms is by keeping your body moving as much as you can. No one is saying you have to hit the gym for hours and run marathons, but a simple walk or low-impact exercise routine can do wonders for your body and mind. As your baby and belly continue to grow, simple tasks—like getting out of bed—start to take a lot more effort. Light exercise keeps your joints and muscles loose, prevents excessive weight gain, and can even help baby move into the right position for birth. Another way to soothe your aching muscles is to take a relaxing soak Pregnancy bath flakes. They are made with 100% Dead Sea Salts and Magnesium to help with sore muscles, improve your sleep and reduce stress.
And speaking of birth…when it comes time to deliver your baby, labor and the act of pushing takes a lot of energy and stamina. By keeping your body active for as long as possible, you are actually preparing yourself for the amazing physical achievement of giving birth to your baby. And the best part about crossing that finish line is holding your new little bundle of joy! Preparing your body for labor is an important part of your and our third trimester Labor Prep Tea is here to help. Labor Prep Tea helps strengthen the uterine wall for better contractions, faster labor and relief from postpartum cramps.
