What to Expect in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy?

Anxiety. This is the key word of the third trimester of pregnancy. You already start imagining how your baby is forming inside your belly, and with each passing day, the desire to meet the baby you are carrying grows more and more.

At the same time, you can’t wait for labor to arrive, you wonder if you will be a good mother, if you will handle the work that awaits you in just a few weeks. It’s not uncommon to find stories of women in the third trimester of pregnancy asking themselves if they made the right choice to become pregnant, whether it’s their first, second, or third pregnancy. That feeling of insecurity may cross your mind! But know that all of this is temporary—certainly, as soon as the baby is born, you will feel confident, strong, and ready to take care of your child.

Tiredness

At this stage you may feel more tired than in the second trimester, when your energy is at its best after a tumultuous trimester full of nausea and vomiting¹. Your belly is certainly much heavier than before. Now, the baby is growing. Their development is complete and they need to stay inside the uterus to gain weight and also mature their lungs so they’re able to breathe on their own after birth.

Painful Movements

The pokes and movements are more intense and painful. Why does the baby like to kick mom’s ribs so much? Breathing can become a difficult task. The pressure the baby and the ever-growing uterus put on the lungs during the third trimester can make it harder to breathe. Standing up, bending, rolling over, or putting on a simple sock can feel like an impossible job!

Have you ever seen a turtle flipped onto its back? It can’t get up by itself, can it? That’s exactly how a pregnant woman feels in her third trimester. There are times when she lies down and simply can’t get up, as well as finding herself short of breath in certain positions. That’s why it’s important to have help in certain situations—an extra hand to put on underwear or socks is always welcome. This is the moment for dad to help! Get your husband involved to help with clothes and everything else mom needs.

How to Deal With Discomforts in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy?

Having an ultrasound for more than 5 minutes while lying on your back can be torture! That’s because the weight of the belly on the diaphragm makes breathing difficult. So if that’s your case, talk to your doctor about the position, because they will certainly help you by pausing or adjusting how the exam is done so you don’t feel breathless.

Remember that the best position for a pregnant woman is on the left side, it relieves the weight from the vena cava, which carries oxygen to the mother’s brain and the baby as well. You may also notice your feet swelling more, your heart beating faster, and feeling much hotter. All of this is due to the extra blood circulating in your body.

Vaginal Moisture

You might also feel more vaginal moisture². Because of the uterus pressing against the bladder, it’s possible for small leaks of urine to happen. Remember that urine has a typical smell—if you notice leaks of fluid that are odorless or smell like bleach, you need to investigate further to check for the possibility of water breaking.

Small bloody mucus leaks can also begin to happen. These are certainly parts of the mucus plug. However, if you have any doubts about where this mucus is coming from, check with your doctor. They can tell if there is any dilation and possible signs of labor (premature or not).

Pain

Back pain is a constant companion in this third trimester. In addition, leg pain and sharp pains in the vagina. Sometimes women may feel like their pelvic bones are splitting open, it’s so uncomfortable. This is due to the uterus dropping lower and the possible engagement of the baby in the pelvis³.

But the third trimester isn’t just discomfort, there are good parts too! Preparing the baby’s clothes, washing, ironing, and organizing the drawers is a unique pleasure for moms.

Nesting for the baby’s arrival is part of the motherly instinct. The hospital bag and the baby’s room are readied with great care. There’s no feeling like having everything ready, just waiting for the baby to arrive.

Explanatory Video

Now is the time to get souvenirs and also organize a diaper or baby shower if that’s your plan. If you haven’t made a list yet, hurry—there’s not long to go until your baby arrives! You can also schedule a maternity photo shoot. It will look even better with your big belly and the whole family adoring your little one.

If you have other children, involve them in this moment. This will definitely spark the same love for the soon-to-arrive baby. If your doctor hasn’t given you their contact information, ask as soon as possible! If you feel any sudden changes or strange symptoms, call them immediately or go to the maternity hospital.

It’s time to get ready for labor! If you haven’t checked out the maternity ward and routes to get there, do it now. Time how long each route takes at different times of the day and night—can you imagine being stuck in traffic during labor? Better safe than sorry!

Also, talk to your doctor about what kind of birth you can have. If you want a vaginal birth, know that it’s possible for labor to happen up to 42 weeks of pregnancy. You can also help speed up the labor process. While planning for birth, keep your waxing up to date!

Can you imagine arriving at the hospital with a forest to clear? Choose the hair removal method that works best for you and go for it! If you don’t want to remove all the pubic hair, you can do a deep bikini wax, especially if you’re going to have a C-section.

Tip: If you don’t have anyone to help you after childbirth, it’s time to get organized. If you’ll be alone with your baby, stock up on basic supplies in the pantry and, if needed, ask for help from your mother-in-law, sister-in-law, friend, or the baby’s godmother.

Now’s the time to gather support to help the new mother—washing dishes, doing laundry, ironing baby clothes, cleaning the house, and cooking. You’ll be grateful when that time comes!

See also: What to Expect in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy?

Photo: Laurence Vagner,miss pupik