Third trimester of pregnancy symptoms

The third trimester of pregnancy is perhaps the most joyous and tedious time of the entire pregnancy. As you near the end you may feel impatient to have the baby and to get rid of the physical discomforts. But unfortunately you have to hold a little patience before the baby fully grows and presents itself in this world.

The third trimester of pregnancy starts around 29^th week and extends till 40^th week although the baby may arrive before that also.

The third trimester is marked by its own unique features and milestones. Let us quickly inform you about them.

What a mother expect in the third trimester of pregnancy

Experiencing third trimester during pregnancy

• Some of the discomforts that bothered you in second trimester will continue in third trimester as well.
• Along with them you may feel shortness of breath. This is due to the uterus that puts pressure on the lungs.
• Heartburn may also increase.
• Try to have smaller but frequent meals as eating in large quantities can be problem now.
• You may have to visit bathroom more often as the uterus puts pressure on your bladder.
• You may not be able to sleep properly. Try to sleep on your sides and take support of pillows to be comfortable.
• You may experience swelling of the ankles, face and fingers.
• The belly button will stick out.
• The breasts will get tender and may leak colostrums, a watery pre-milk.
• As you progress through third trimester of pregnancy you may feel the baby dropping or moving lower in your abdomen.
• Some women start experiencing contractions very early which can be real or false also.
• You may have more of back pain as the abdomen grows in size.
• Vaginal discharge or cervical mucus is also common.

Things to be careful about in third trimester of pregnancy

• Do not lift heavy objects.
• Maintain a healthy diet as your baby needs more nutrition now in the last lap of growth.
• Drink plenty of water to keep away constipation and swelling of ankles.
• Take adequate rest as your energy levels will start dwindling.
• Make sure to take supplements as anemia commonly occurs in third trimester of pregnancy.
• Beware of symptoms of preeclampsia and immediately contact your doctor if you experience them.
• You should continue with your exercise regime.
• Make plans to usher you baby and keep a bag ready as labor can start anytime.
• Talk to your doctor about your baby’s position and the options available to you.
• Try to notice the baby’s movements as she moves less and less. You can count them also and inform your doctor if you observe very less movements.
• Try to know more about labor so that you are well prepared.

Stages of  baby’s growth in third trimester of pregnancy

• At the beginning of third trimester the lungs of the baby are developed to breathe if it becomes necessary.
• The hair grows faster and the brain grows rapidly.
• The baby develops eyelashes that she can bat along with opening and closing of eyes.
• The baby will move less as there is space crunch and she will be more in fetal position.
• Almost all the organs are functioning and now onwards the focus will be on maturing them. Thus the baby will gain weight more rapidly.
• By eighth month the baby can suck her own thumb.
• She grows actual hair as lanugo starts falling.
• Everyday billions of nerve cells are developing in her brain which will be over by birth.
• Loud noise will startle her.
• By end of eighth month the baby may take a head down position. Her kicks will be forceful.
• The baby starts storing iron in her body.
• The baby almost doubles her weight since seventh month.
• In the ninth month the baby mostly makes rolling movements rather than up and down movements.
• By 37^th week a baby is considered full term.
• As you approach 38^th week of pregnancy the baby’s nervous system is fast maturing.
• The bowel of the baby is filled with black meconium which will be her first bowel.
• By 40^th week the lungs mature and the baby is completely with all organs completely matured and ready for birth.

You will have your labor anytime or the doctor can induce artificial labor also. Whatever be the case your wait for nine months is over. You and your baby are ready to greet each other and share an inexplicable bond for lifetime, or beyond it.