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| Pregnancy Information The Third Trimester. Free Help & Advice on Natural Remedies The Third Trimester!
The third trimester can be thrilling and exciting as the time of birth approaches. Many parents simply cannot wait to hold their baby in their arms and are kept busy preparing for the new arrival by choosing names, buying and making clothes and preparing the nursery. Even though you may feel impatient and long for your baby's arrival, remember to savour these last few months of special physical closeness with your baby inside you. What to expect during the last 3 months of pregnancy…physical and emotional changes During the third trimester of pregnancy, your abdomen will continue to grow and your body will begin to prepare itself in earnest for birth as well as for breastfeeding. Let this be a special time of reflection and bonding with your baby, as well as a time to prepare for the arrival of this unique and precious person who is growing inside you! At the same time, as baby grows bigger, the expectant mom often becomes more tired. As in the first trimester, fears may surface again about your ability to care for and protect your child and there may also be concerns and anxiety around the process of birth itself - especially if you are a first-time mother! As always, BabyNature is here to walk the last steps of pregnancy with you! See our great 'Tips for Pregnancy Health in the Third Trimester' at the bottom of this page for more help and advice. You are also welcome to use our free Ask Us email or telephone helpline for more personalized service. Physical changes in the third trimester In the third trimester you may gain up to 12 pounds and your increasing size will begin to affect your activities and movement. As your growing baby begins to take up more space in the abdomen he/she may cause increased pressure on the other organs and structures, causing various symptoms. Heartburn is common and is often accompanied by other digestive problems including constipation and hemorrhoids. The bladder may be compressed causing you to urinate more often as you probably experienced in the first trimester as well. Your breasts will become fuller, tender and may leak colostrum which is the milk that your baby will drink for the first few days of life if you breastfeed. Due to the extra weight you are carrying you will probably find that your feet become sore and swollen in this last stage of pregnancy. You will find that you become tired much more easily and need to rest often. This is normal and it is important to take it easy and give yourself time off to prevent exhaustion - especially because many women experience difficulties falling asleep in the last weeks of their pregnancy! From the beginning of the ninth month you may notice that the baby “drops” into the pelvis and your belly sits lower - this is in preparation for birth. This change also means that there will be less pressure on your lungs and you may feel more comfortable and find breathing easier. Emotional changes It is completely normal to experience mood swings, anxiety, and irritability in the last three months of pregnancy. You may feel emotionally vulnerable and anxious about the labour and birth process as well as how you are going to cope with being a mother to a real, live baby. Although first-time mums are most likely to have these types of fears, the emotional aspects and expectation that come with the final stages of pregnancy are common to all pregnant women. Your baby’s development in the third trimester Although you and your baby are entering the home stretch of pregnancy, there is still quite a lot of growing to do. This is the time when all your baby's body, brain and nervous system functions are being perfected and refined and when he or she begins to develop body fat (along with cute dimples!) as preparation for the first few days after birth - for keeping warm and also as a source of nutrition. Your baby is running out of space to move around and because of this you may feel less kicking and other movements compared to the previous few months. While some babies are very active, others may move less and this may be a reflection of their unique personalities and is often continued after birth! Although the amount of movement differs from baby to baby, be sure to report any sudden or worrying changes in movement immediately to your health provider as a precaution. By the third trimester, your baby’s skin is covered in a white, waxy substance called vernix which is protective. Most of this will have disappeared by birth, but some may remain when baby is born, which is perfectly normal. Later in the third trimester, your baby will begin to develop meconium in the intestines - which becomes the first bowel movement after birth. At this stage babies undergo rapid brain and nervous system development and also begin to develop reflexes. They can open and close their eyes and begin to practise breathing movements by inhaling amniotic fluid into the lungs. Many babies hiccup as a way of exercising their lungs! The eyes can produce tears and brain scans during the third trimester have shown that babies of this age even show evidence of dream activity! Don't you wish you could tell what your baby is dreaming now?! At 40 weeks, around your due date, your baby is about 20 inches long and weighs between 6 and 9 pounds. He or she will usually have turned 'upside down' (although not all babies do) with the head engaged in your pelvis, ready for birth! Caring for your (and your baby’s) health in the third trimester Depending how far along you are, you will be seeing your obstetrician, midwife or health practitioner every 1-3 weeks in the third trimester. Ask your health care provider about preparing for and recognising labor and information about what to do when you go into labor - as well as warning signs that may indicate complications. It is also important to discuss breast-feeding and birth control options for after the birth. Tips for Pregnancy Health in the Third Trimester
How can BabyNature help in the third trimester? The following 100% best quality natural products from BabyNature have been formulated for the expecting-mum in her third trimester of pregnancy.
Michele
Carelse M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure and is not a substitute for a professional consultation with a medical or health professional. Do not make any changes or additions to your prescription medicine without first consulting your doctor. Should symptoms persist, please consult your doctor. Feelgood Health, 8 Gabriel Rd, Plumstead. P.O. Box 735, Plumstead, 7801, Cape Town, South Africa. Ph. (+27) -21 7970193, help@feelgoodhealth.co.za |
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