For some women pregnancy is magical and they seem to glow through the entire process. For others, it’s not quite such a delightful experience. But no matter how difficult pregnancy is for you, the end result is completely worth it—and if you reached the third trimester, you’re almost there!
Your Body
The third trimester extends to the 40th week, and some pregnancies may go as long as 42 weeks, but your baby is considered full term by week 39. You probably feel like there isn’t much room left in your uterus, but as your baby continues to grow, so will you! By this point, you (and your partner) need to be considering what to bring to the hospital, if you plan to induce, and what you’re going to name your baby.
You may experience Braxton Hicks contractions in the weeks leading up to delivery. These are false contractions—your body’s way of preparing for the real deal in the not-so-distant future. If you experience strong or regular contractions, contact your doctor. Even if you are weeks away from your due date, you may be going into labor.
Once you do go into labor, most doctors advise you to wait until contractions are only a few minutes apart before going to the hospital. If your water breaks, head to the hospital immediately. And remember: not every woman’s water breaks so even if it doesn’t, it may still be time!
Your Baby
During months 7-9 your baby is doing a lot of growing and changing, and baby’s movements are probably stronger. By week 28 your baby has begun opening her eyes, her sense of touch is active, she might have hair, and she can hear the outside world through the safe enclosure of your uterus. She is about 3 pounds and about 10 inches long. Babies born during the third trimester have a 90% chance of unimpaired survival.
By month 8, your baby getting ready for his grand entrance. He has a nervous system, bones, toenails, and his eyes can detect the light. The white coating on his skin is getting thicker, and he’s even starting to get chubby. By the end of month 8, your baby is probably a foot long and will put on about a half a pound a week until you deliver.
By month 9 of your pregnancy there’s very little room left, and baby is spinning around, getting oriented for delivery (head to your pelvis, looking at your back). She’s developing the ability to grasp her fists, and your body is making sure she has the antibodies she needs to fight off infections in the great big world outside your uterus. Full term babies are, on average, about 18-20 inches and weight 6-9 pounds.
Concerns
Weight gain is a concern for any women, and while you are pregnant, you may be more sensitive about this. Your pre-pregnancy weight has a lot to do with how much weight you should gain while you’re pregnant, but on average, about 30 pounds is considered healthy.
You may be more tired as more and more of your body’s energy goes toward growing your baby. Get plenty of rest and eat for energy, not for cravings! Swollen ankles (and even hands) are another common third trimester delight. While not uncommon, it can signal issues like pre-eclampsia. Contact your pregnancy caregiver immediately if you notice excessive swelling, more swelling on one side than the other, or swelling in the face and around the eyes.
While a warm bath can help ease the aches and pains of pregnancy, be wary of getting into hot tubs. While your upper half tends to stay out of the water in a bath, a fully submerged body can raise your temperature to a dangerously high level, which has been linked with certain birth defects.
Other fun changes you may notice in your body include varicose veins, stretch marks, heartburn, clumsiness, aches and pains (particular in your back or hips), the beginnings of lactation, and peeing all the time.
