Pregnancy Stages: The Third Trimester

by Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger

21 May 2009 07:52 PM

Once you've reached the third trimester, you're in the home stretch. The third trimester of pregnancy begins in the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy and ends when the baby is born. Although your doctor or midwife has given you a due date, this is really just an estimate. The baby can come any time from thirty-eight to forty-two weeks.

This is a busy time for most expectant parents, as you are preparing for baby's arrival. Some women have a baby shower, especially if it's the first baby. Childbirth classes, breastfeeding classes, decorating the baby's room and shopping take up more time and thoughts turn increasingly to the time when the baby will arrive.

There is a lot happening for the baby too. By this time, the baby's organs and systems are developed, but the organs continue to mature until birth, particularly the lungs. During the last months of pregnancy, the baby is growing larger and putting on weight. Later in this trimester, the baby will turn into the head down position, in preparation for birth.

Most women feel best during the second trimester, but this can change in the third. The baby is growing larger and putting pressure on various parts of your body. Some of the discomforts of this stage are similar to those experienced in early pregnancy, such as fatigue and needing to use the bathroom frequently.

In addition, many women feel increasingly uncomfortable as the baby grows larger. This can result in trouble sleeping at night or frequent waking. Low back ache, heartburn and indigestion are common as the baby grows. Eating may be difficult, but smaller meals and snacks eaten six times a day is helpful for many women.

Keep making healthy food choices and avoid spicy food, if you are experiencing heartburn. Get plenty of rest and nap during the daytime, if possible, to make up for sleepless nights. Slight swelling is normal at this time, but significant swelling or sudden swelling should be reported to your health care provider, as this can be a symptom of pre-eclampsia.

Related Articles:

Pregnancy Stages: The Second Trimester

Pregnancy Stages: The First Trimester

Learn more about Pattie Hughes

Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University.

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