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Third Trimester Expectations

As you near the end of your pregnancy, third trimester concerns may start coming to mind. Am I gaining enough weight? Am I gaining too much weight? Has the baby grown appropriately? How often will I continue to see the doctor? All of these are valid concerns.

This is a good time to continue reading up on the stages of pregnancy. Third trimester expectations are often broken down week by week, though you may just want to quickly glance to see if what you are going through is considered normal. You will be experiencing many changes in the final stages of your pregnancy. Third trimester concerns may consume your mind, but chances are you are right on track to staying fit and delivering a healthy baby.

The following are a few areas in which you can expect some changes to occur. During pregnancy, third trimester changes can be obvious, while some will only be noticeable to your doctor. You should always report any new, unexpected, or worrisome changes to your physician, though the following can help alleviate any concerns you may have that are commonly shared by other expectant mothers.

Here is a brief listing of what you can expect to occur during the third trimester:

Your Body:  As your breasts start to make colostrum, baby’s first food, you may notice some discharge. You will want to find a supportive bra, and may even need to wear it to bed. Sleeping will be increasingly uncomfortable during pregnancy. Third trimester insomnia may hit. Other discomforts at this time include heartburn, sciatic pain, Braxton hicks (false labor pains), and/or edema. As your baby grows, you may have trouble fitting into your maternity clothes, getting in and out of bed, or fitting behind a steering wheel. Have heart, however. The growth means you can feel, see, and even hear your baby’s movements from inside your womb.

Your Doctor Visits:  Your doctor will want to start seeing you more often as you near the end of your pregnancy. Third trimester changes occur so quickly that you doctor will want to monitor you, and your baby, once a week starting this trimester. You may also be sent for a stress test if your doctor has any concerns about the baby’s delivery, though this is rare. Expect your urine to be continually tested for protein, as well as your blood pressure and baby’s heart rate to be checked.

Your Baby’s Growth:  Your baby will about double its weight between now and birth, which is at around 40 weeks for the average pregnancy. Third trimester changes in your baby and his or her behavior include: the ability for baby to suck its thumb, baby opening his or her eyes and following light of the outside world, settling down into a birthing position (hopefully head down), and the formation of baby’s first stool (meconeum) in its digestive tract. You may have more time then you think to carry baby, as the average baby is born 4 days after its due date.

As you can see, your body is working overtime putting on the finishing touches in preparation for birth of your baby. During pregnancy, third trimester expectations and joys rival those you felt during the first trimester, when you first found out you were pregnant. Your baby is almost here, and the anticipation of wondering what he or she looks like is unbearable. The feeling is understandable. By the time your baby is born, you will have been thinking about his or her arrival for close to 10 months – a long time to wait! However, as with each of the other trimesters during pregnancy, third trimester experiences are a happy reminder of what is to come – your new, healthy baby.