Just look at baby's smile, little toes and fingers, delicate skin. Such things hit your dreams often during the 3rd trimester. Welcome to last phase of pregnancy journey!
"Yes, new mothers are preparing to see their baby’s face and to start their parenting journey"
Hopefully, you had come across the most challenging and beautiful first and second trimesters. Now, it’s time to enjoy more fetal kicks and pray for both the new mom's and baby's health. Similarly, like the two trimesters, moms experience different symptoms, and physical changes, and should take care of her in this trimester. Let’s discuss everything from duration to the checklist for the third phase of pregnancy in the upcoming sections.
Duration of Third Trimester
Wow! You are in the final trimester wahoo! As everyone knows, the duration of 3rd trimester is the last twelve weeks of the pregnancy i.e. 27 to 40 weeks or from 7th to 10th month. But, this period can also vary in some cases and end in the 8th or 9th month.
Symptoms During Third Trimester
Mothers are standing at the last stage of pregnancy and also, they are completely out of shape. Do you think symptoms hit her hard even in 3rd phase? Undoubtedly, big yes. It’s absolutely a part of pregnancy, moms can deny it, let’s dwell on them in detail.
Backaches – mother feels severe pain in their back especially, in the pelvic region. Do simple exercises regularly to reduce the pain.
Heartburn – due to hormonal changes, stomach acid reflow into the esophagus that causes heartburns. Avoid eating fried, spicy, and citrus food to reduce the chances of heartburn.
Braxton Hicks Contractions – you can feel slight, irregular contractions and tightness in the abdomen. It increases when your due date is near.
Frequent Urination – you experience pressure on your pelvis due to the moments of a fetus. This causes frequent urination even when you sneeze, laugh, cough, and bend.
Clumsiness And Insomnia – you won’t feel energetic because of insomnia and clumsiness. Involve yourself in your favorite activities to overcome this and spend time with your love.
Third Trimester Emergency Symptoms
Apart from the listed common symptoms, there can be a chance of emergencies during the final stage. So, immediately fix an appointment with your health care provider or get admitted to the hospital.
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Increased vaginal bleeding & pain, severe abdominal pain, or headaches
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Baby dropping into the pelvis, your water breaking, pelvic pressure, and labor contractions
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Sudden rise in temperature and swelling
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Decreased fetal moment
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Don’t just ignore these symptoms because the world can welcome your baby at any time during your third trimester.
Baby Growth in 3rd Trimester
From weeks 27 to 40, the embryo is completely transformed into a baby, let’s get aware of such interesting thing week by week.
Week 28 –Baby’s eye partially opens and you feel their little stretches & kicks
Week 30 – RBC forms in baby’s bone marrow, head’s hair is grown, and weight gains quickly
Week 32 – a fetus can breathe, tender bones start to harden, and can detect lights
Week 34 – skin starts smoothen, nails grow up to fingertip, and their weight is about 2,100 grams.
Week 36 – their head start to turn towards your pelvis and you can feel more rolls and wiggles
Week 38 – Baby’s toenails grow and weigh up to 2,900 pounds
Week 40 – their chest muscles become more prominent, fat is added to the body, and they are waiting to see their parents.
Checklist for Third Trimester
Well, it’s your third trimester, the final stage of the pregnancy journey. Plenty of things to get included in the new mother’s checklist, here are some important points to ensure.
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Fix parental appointments
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Prepare a list of your doubts to ask a gynecologist
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Share if you feel anything uncomfortable
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Attend childbirth education classes with your partner
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Prepare hospital bags for newborn
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Plan ideas that help during postpartum
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Start converting your house as baby proof
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Fold and store your pregnancy clothes for your next pregnancy journey
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Ask for maternity leave or avail work from home option
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Practice meditations and special 3rd-trimester exercise
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Discuss baby names with family
Things to Avoid In Third Trimester
Whether it’s your 1st or 3rd trimester, no matter what there are always some restrictions to have a safe pregnancy journey and to avoid last-minute stress. Have glance at the most significant points to avoid during the final phase.
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Wrong sleeping position
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Eating excessively because of compulsion
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Less sleep
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Skipping the exercise schedule
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In taking less amount of food
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Traveling or going on vacations
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Smoking and consuming alcohol
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Ignoring doctor's instructions or exhibiting lethargic behavior
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Exposure to stress full situations, chemicals, or any harmful substances
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Ignoring signs of contractions
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Lifting heavy objects and involving in other physical activities
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Still proving that you are a workaholic
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Googling everything
Bottom Lines
During this phase, you can witness rapid growth of your baby as well as several changes in your appearance. As a husband, you must congratulate new mothers for being out of shape and pamper her as your first child. And also, new moms must prioritize her over the other chores, household, and parties for welfare of a child. Make this pregnancy journey more precious by clicking several pictures and hopefully, wait for the new arrival.
