 	        			Changes in Your Body

You could still be having some of
the same discomforts you had in your second
trimester, but now you will notice that you may
have to go to the bathroom more often or that you
find it even harder to breathe. This is because
the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more
pressure on your organs. Don't worry, your baby
is fine and these problems will lessen once you
give birth. You also might have some of these
changes:

Heartburn

As your baby gets bigger, your uterus pushes on
your stomach and can cause heartburn, especially
before bedtime or right after you eat. Continue to
avoid greasy, fried foods and eat six to eight
smaller meals instead of large meals. You also can
take small sips of milk or eat small pieces of
chipped ice. If your heartburn is severe and
doesn't improve with these tips, talk with your
doctor. Also talk with your doctor before taking
an antacid medication.

Swelling

As you near the end of your pregnancy, you might
notice more swelling than you had before,
especially in your ankles, fingers and face.
Continue to drink lots of fluids (water is best)
and rest when you can with your feet elevated. If
you notice sudden, extreme swelling in any of
these areas, or have a rapid significant weight
gain, call your doctor right away. This could be a
sign of preeclampsia or toxemia.

Hemorrhoids

You might begin to experience more discomfort from
hemorrhoids now from the increased pressure of
your growing baby on the veins in your rectum. You
might also be constipated, which makes hemorrhoids
worse because you might strain for a bowel
movement. Try to avoid hemorrhoids by drinking
lots of fluids and eating plenty of whole grains,
raw or cooked leafy green vegetables, and fruits.
Try not to strain for bowel movements, and always
talk with your doctor before taking a laxative.

Tender Breasts

Your breasts have most likely increased in size
and fullness as your pregnancy has advanced. As
you near the end of your pregnancy, hormones in
your body cause your breasts to increase even more
in size, to prepare for breastfeeding. Your
breasts can feel full and heavy, and they might be
tender or uncomfortable. Wearing a well-fitting
maternity or nursing bra will help you be more
comfortable, because these types of bras offer
extra support. Some pregnant women begin to leak
colostrum in the third trimester. Colostrum is the
first milk that your breasts produce for your
baby. It is a thick, yellowish fluid that contains
antibodies that protect new babies from
infections. If leaking becomes a problem for you,
you can purchase disposable or cloth nursing pads
(that you can use when nursing your newborn) to
place inside your bra.

Now and after delivery, it is a good idea to only
wash your nipples with water instead of soap. Soap
might cause the skin of your nipples to become
dry, irritated and crack. If you do have skin
cracks, which can be sore and painful, use a
heavier cream that contains lanolin for extra
moisture.

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 starts to prepare for
the birth, your baby will start to move into its
birth position. You might notice the baby
"dropping," or moving down lower in your
abdomen. This can reduce the pressure on your
lungs and rib cage, making it easier to breathe or
not to get out of breath so fast. As you near your
due date, 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. And, your
visits to your doctor may increase the month
before you give birth. The average baby is about
20 to 22 inches long and weighs approximately 7
1/2 pounds at birth, but anywhere between 5
pounds, 11 1/2 ounces and 8 pounds, 5 3/4 ounces
is a healthy range for newborns.

Prenatal Care

Visits and Tests

Be sure to continue to visit your doctor, and ask
him or her to answer your questions and address
your concerns about labor and delivery. As the
birth of your baby gets closer, you and your
doctor will discuss what kind of delivery you will
have. Some women need to have a cesarean section
(c-section), in which a surgical incision is made
in the abdomen and uterus to remove the baby. If
you are able to plan on a non-surgical, vaginal
birth, you may want to have your baby naturally,
without medications, and you may want to take a
childbirth class. Many women find childbirth
classes very helpful, even if they have already
had a baby. And, women also bring their partners
or a friend or relative to these classes,
particularly if this person will be with them to
offer support and coaching during the birth of
their baby.

Inducing Labor

Did you know that only five percent of babies are
actually born on their due dates? If you have past
your due date, this is normal and does not mean
anything is wrong. In some pregnancies though,
your doctor might have concerns about the baby's
and/or your health, and labor needs to be induced.
Inducing labor means that your doctor will start
your labor through artificial means. Most doctors
will wait one to two weeks after a woman's due
date before considering inducing. Some reasons why
a woman might need to have labor induced include:

    *

      A woman might have a chronic illness like
high blood pressure or diabetes that threatens the
health of the baby.
    *

      The baby might not be growing or thriving in
the uterus. Sometimes, the uterus can become
unhealthy for the baby.
    *

      A woman might have the membranes that
surround the fetus rupture (or have her "water
break") without going into labor naturally within
a reasonable amount of time.

Labor can be induced during a vaginal exam — your
doctor might rupture or strip the membranes
surrounding the fetus or insert a gel or
suppository containing a hormone to stimulate
contractions. A drug called Pitocin can also be
given intravenously (put into your body through a
vein in your arm or hand) to start contractions.

Deciding to Breastfeed or Bottle-Feed

Woman breastfeedingIf you haven't thought about
whether you will breastfeed or bottle-feed your
baby, this is the time to learn more about both,
and make a decision about what you plan to do.
Breastfeeding has many more advantages over
formula for your health and your baby's health.
Discuss breastfeeding with your doctor or with a
pediatrician, and then make a decision that is
right for you. Click here to learn more about the
benefits of breastfeeding, how to make it work
best for you, and for tips on breastfeeding after
returning to work.

When to Call Your Doctor

Before your due date, make sure to talk with your
doctor about how to reach him or her if you go
into labor. It's also helpful to be familiar with
the hospital or birthing center, where you should
park, and where to check in ahead of time. Know
that sometimes you can think you're in labor, but
really are not (called false labor). This happens
to many women, so don't feel embarrassed if you
go to the hospital certain that you are in labor,
only to be sent home! It's always better to be
seen by a doctor as soon as possible once labor
has begun. Here are the signs of true labor:

 

Signs of Labor

    *

      Contractions at regular and increasingly
shorter intervals that also become stronger in
intensity.
    *

      Lower back pain that doesn't go away. You
might also feel premenstrual and crampy.
    *

      Your water breaks (can be a large gush or a
continuous trickle) and you have contractions.
    *

      A bloody (brownish or blood-tinged) mucous
discharge. This is the mucous plug that blocks the
cervix. Labor could be at any time, or days away.
    *

      Your cervix is dilating (opening up) and
becoming thinner and softer (also called
effacement). During a pelvic exam, your doctor
will be able to tell if these things are
happening.

 

Caring For Yourself

Make sure to continue the healthy behaviors that
you learned in your first trimester. Many pregnant
women feel great in their last trimester and still
have lots of energy. But, your energy may lessen
as you enter your 9th month and you may begin to
slow down. This is completely normal. It's
important to get enough rest now, even though it
might seem difficult to sleep as you get larger.
Your baby's stretching movements, having to
urinate often, and an increase in your body's
metabolism might interrupt or disturb your sleep.
And, if you are having any leg cramping, this can
affect your sleep as well.

You might have a better night's sleep if you try
to avoid eating large meals three hours before
going to bed. You can also try some mild exercise
like walking, which can help relieve stress and
may improve sleep. Avoid long naps during the day.
If you can't sleep because you are anxious about
becoming a mother or about your labor and
delivery, try talking with your partner or friends
who've been through this before. You can also
talk with your doctor or nurse.

Weight Gain

Everyone gains weight at different rates, but 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.

This page last updated: October 2004
Source: Womenshealth.gov