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.
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 doctor. Also talk with your doctor 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 doctor 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 doctor before taking a laxative.
Tender Breasts
Your breasts have most likely increased in size and fullness 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 doctor can check your progress with a vaginal exam. And, your visits to your doctor 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 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces and 8 pounds, 5 3/4 ounces is a healthy range for newborns.
Prenatal Care
Visits and Tests
Be sure to continue to visit your doctor, 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 doctor 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
Did you know that only five percent of babies are actually born on their
due dates? If you have past your due date, this is normal and does not
mean anything is wrong. In some pregnancies though, your doctor might
have concerns about the baby's and/or your health, and labor needs to
be induced. Inducing labor means that your doctor will start your labor
through artificial means. Most doctors will wait one to two weeks after
a woman's due date before considering inducing. Some reasons why a woman
might need to have labor induced include:
Labor can be induced during a vaginal exam — your doctor 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. Discuss breastfeeding
with your doctor or with a pediatrician, 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 Doctor
Before your due date, make sure to talk with your doctor 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 women,
so don't feel embarrassed if you go to the hospital certain that you are
in labor, only to be sent home! It's always better to be seen by a doctor
as soon as possible once labor has begun. Here are the signs of true labor:
Signs of Labor
Caring For Yourself
Make sure to continue 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 doctor or nurse.
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
the third 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.
