What to Expect from a 3rd Trimester Pregnancy

When thinking about 3^rd trimester pregnancy you should know that this is the most challenging period of your pregnancy.

It is possible that the position and the size of the baby stop you from getting comfortable and you could already be tired with pregnancy and impatient about the next step.

Information about pregnancy in the 3^rd trimester

Most probably the movements of the baby seem really obvious by this time. Although these could be exciting, the discomfort that you experience could increase with every day that goes by. Naturally there are a lot of different symptoms that you also have to handle.

Breast growth

When you get to pregnancy in the 3^rd trimester, you already have 2 pounds of extra tissue in the breasts. As the pregnancy progresses, you may experience some leaking colostrum. This is the substance that will nourish the baby during his or her first days of life.

Weight gain

During 3^rd trimester pregnancy you could have 25-35 extra pounds compared to your initial weight. This includes the weight of the baby, amniotic fluid, placenta, uterus, larger breasts, blood and the extra fluid that you have in your body.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Women experience some warm ups of labor during pregnancy in the 3^rd trimester. In the majority of the cases these contractions are weak and they come and go unexpectedly. The labor contractions are longer, closer together and stronger. If the contractions get regular and strong, you should call your doctor.

Backaches

It is a known fact regarding 3^rd trimester pregnancy that the hormones make the joints and muscles relax in the pelvic area, and so there is more pressure on the back. A heating pack or ice pack could make the pain better. Also you could ask for a massage whenever you feel the need.

To get some support during pregnancy in the 3^rd trimester, you should opt for low heeled shoes. The backache shouldn’t last for longer periods of time, but if it does or there are some other symptoms as well, you should make sure to talk to your doctor or midwife.

Shortness of breath

Women in their 3^rd trimester pregnancy often notice shortness of breath. This is because the uterus is pressing against the diaphragm. The symptom gets better before childbirth when the baby descends into the pelvic region. When sleeping you should prop your back with pillows and make sure that you have a good posture.

Heartburn

Another change during pregnancy in the 3^rd trimester is that the uterus could press the stomach from its normal position and this could lead to heartburn. To make it better you should have more frequent, smaller meals and stay well hydrated. Don’t have any carbonated drinks or fried foods.

Swelling

This is a common symptom of the 3^rd trimester pregnancy. It is caused by the fact that the uterus is putting pressure on the blood vessels that transport the blood from the lower extremities and so you could have swollen legs, ankles and feet. The swelling could pressure on the nerves, causing a tingling sensation.

During pregnancy in the 3^rd trimester, you could also have puffy or swollen face because of the water retention, especially during the morning. If the swelling doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor or midwife about the problem. To make the swelling better, lie down for a while.

As you can see there is a lot going on during 3^rd trimester pregnancy and you will have a lot to deal with. Nonetheless there are some things that could try to make you feel better.