Third Trimester of pregnancy

During the third trimester of pregnancy, you're probably preparing for labour, delivery and the life with your new baby. 

Here are a few facts you may want to know about the thirds trimester.

1. Movement

Your baby’s movement may not be as vigorous due to the lack of room but the frequency of movement should remain unchanged. As per the second trimester, monitor the pattern and frequency of your baby’s movements. You should be feeling regular, frequent movements right up until labour. 

2. Swelling

Swelling is common and you may notice significant swelling around your ankles in the third trimester. This is due to gravity, increased blood volume and plasma. Try to elevate your legs with pillows in bed. When you’re on the sofa, pop your legs up to reduce further swelling and ask for a foot rub!

3. Sleeping during the third trimester

As your bump grows, getting to sleep and having a full night’s sleep can be difficult. Pregnancy pillows really do help with comfort and are worth investing in.  It’s best to sleep on your left side but your right is fine, if it’s more comfortable. Avoid sleeping on your back unless you are well propped up.

4. Backache and pelvic pain

Backache and pelvic pain are probably the most common symptoms in the third trimester. Good posture and a support belt may help to elevate some of the discomfort. 

5. Take breaks

Still working? Make sure you’re getting restful breaks and feel well at work.
Although you may have work commitments, don’t underestimate the value of taking restful breaks or even days off, if you need to. This is one of the most challenging times for your body so look after yourself.

It’s nearly time for the arrival of your baby, here are some useful things to bear in mind as you prepare:

6. Newborn skin

Your baby’s skin is five times more permeable than ours. It takes a newborn 4 – 6 weeks to build up their natural enzymes and skin barriers. Therefore, no products should be marketed as ‘safe for newborn’ because the physiology of the skin is extremely complex.

7. Packing your hospital bag

It’s recommended that you pack a hospital bag by 36 weeks, even if you’re planning a home birth, (in case you need to go into hospital at some point).

Click here to read our blog on what to pack. 

8. Preparing to be at home with a newborn.

Cook some hearty and healthy meals now you have the time to and freeze them in preparation for when you get home. 

9. Pelvic floor muscles

Keep these in as good shape as possible. They lie like a hammock across the base of your pelvis and your baby will pass through these muscles when he or she is born. Gentle squatting or half-kneeling, half-squatting movements are good to practice for stretching.

10. Sometimes things don’t go according to the birth plan

Most women have a birth plan written and ready, but as labour progresses things can change. Rather than hold onto your original plans try and just go with it. 

For our fourth trimester blog click here