3rd Trimester - What to Expect
The thrid trimester is here! This means that you are almost there and will get to meet your baby very soon. Still, the third trimester usually feels like the longest. By this time, you look very pregnant and feel like it too.
Changes in Your Body
Some of the same issues and pains you had in your second trimester will continue. Now that the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs, many women find breathing even more difficult and notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often. Don’t fret, these problems will go away once you give birth which will be very soon now.
Some aches and pains often appear for the first time during the third trimester:
- Heartburn
- Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia or toxemia.
- Hemorrhoids
- Tender Breasts (and leaking)
- Trouble Sleeping
As your due date nears, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (called effacing). This is a normal, natural process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing process. Your doctor can check your progress with a vaginal exam.
Weight Gain
Everyone gains weight at different rates. On average, it is normal to gain about one pound per week, or three to four pounds per month, during the third trimester. By the end of your pregnancy you should have gained, on average, about 25 to 30 pounds. About 7 1/2 pounds of that weight should be the baby.
Changes in Your Baby
Your baby is still growing and moving, but now it has less room in your uterus. Because of this, you might not feel the kicks and movements as much as you did in the second trimester. During this final stage of your pregnancy, your baby is continuing to grow. Even before your baby is born it will be able to open and close its eyes and might even suck its thumb.
As your body gets ready for birth, the baby move into its birth position. You might notice the baby “dropping,” or moving down lower in your belly. This can reduce the pressure on your lungs and rib cage, making it easier to breathe.
At birth, the average baby is 20 to 22 inches long and weighs 7 1/2 pounds. But newborns who weigh between 5 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces and 8 pounds, 5 3/4 ounces are considered healthy.
