What Happens in The Third Trimester

The third trimester of pregnancy is marked by a period between week 28 till you give birth, which is approximately week 40. The third trimester usually indicates that the end of your pregnancy is close by and you may begin to feel a mix of excitement, worry, anxiety and anxiousness to meet your baby.

This time should be used in putting finishing touches to all preparations while you wait to see your baby . You also relax and save up some energy for delivery and motherhood. Here are a few things you should know about the third trimester of pregnancy.

Common Symptoms Associated With Third Trimester Of Pregnancy

Throughout the pregnancy period you will experience a lot of symptoms such as fatigue, heartburn, backache, itchy skin and so on. However, there are symptoms that are more common during the third trimester and they will be detailed below:

The Need to Always Urinate At this stage of pregnancy, your baby shifts downwards into your pelvic region. This causes compression in your bladder and makes you feel the need to go to the bathroom every other time. You may even feel a little leakage when you sneeze or bend or laugh hard. However, you have to pay more attention at this stage also. If you feel a trickle or gush of fluid, it just might be your water breaking which is a sign of labor and you will need to contact your Physician immediately. Shortness of Breath At the beginning of the third trimester your baby grows bigger in the uterus and begins to put pressure on your diaphragm. This can make breathing somewhat of an effort. However, as you progress further into the third trimester, your baby moves further down to your pelvis, taking the pressure off your diaphragm and making breathing a whole lot easier. Swollen Ankles and Feet Many women would observe some swelling which is known as edema on their feet and ankles due to retention of fluid, weight gain and changes in their hormones. Placing your feet on an elevated platform every other time or putting your feet in cold water should help you feel better. Braxton Hicks Contraction You may begin to experience false contractions at this stage of pregnancy, this is your body preparing itself for labour and it is called Braxton Hicks. You can easily tell the difference between true labor and Braxton Hicks with the duration of the contractions. While Braxton Hicks are irregular and go away with body movement, true labor is regular, doesn’t go away and increases at intervals.

Wanted to make sure you bought all the necessary items for your new born See : The Newborn Baby Items Checklist

Tip: Prepare your maternity bag beforehand so that when you are in labor you are relax about your baby’s, your partner and your belongings. See : Maternity Bag Checklist

In Conclusion

As you get ready for delivery during this stage of pregnancy, you still need to pay attention to red flag signs such as very painful abdominal cramps, bleeding, burning sensation or pain while urinating and excess or little weight gain. Do not hesitate to speak with your physician as soon as you see these signs. You can even do that from the comfort of your home by logging on to the Sehat Cloud website, searching and connecting with a Physician.