Finally, the most-awaited trimester is here!
The third trimester or the last three months of your pregnancy journey have arrived. This is the time when you are anxious as well as loaded with excitement. The weeks 28 to 42 have a lot of surprises in store for you.
This is the time when your body prepares itself for the delivery and your baby is all set to embrace the new unseen world. Your baby continues to grow in weight and size and all your baby’s body parts are getting their finishing touches.
In this trimester, you are likely to feel more uncomfortable as your body may give out false labor alarms or Braxton Hicks contractions in an attempt to prepare for the labor. This is the best time to go for child birth classes in order to learn ways to control your breathing during labor pains.
The lungs of your baby are still maturing and your baby positions itself in a ready-to-be delivered way or in the head down position. By the time you complete your
third trimester your baby will be 19 to 21 inches long and will weigh around six to nine pounds.
Besides these, your baby can:
• See and hear
• Your baby’s brain continues to develop
• The kidneys and lungs continue to mature
• The bones and skull remains soft so that the baby is able to slide out easily during delivery
• Your baby can suck his/her thumb
• Your baby can cry in your womb.
While these were the changes that happen with your baby, your body undergoes many changes too.
• You may have an increased urinary frequency as the baby continues to press against the main vein of your bladder.
• Swelling of your legs, ankles, and hands may happen as your body tends to retain fluids.
• Leg cramps may get frequent.
• Back pain may become your constant companion.
• Expect some varicose veins and increase in your vaginal discharge.
• Constipation, indigestion, and heartburn is likely to continue.
• Expect to have some difficulty in sleeping.
• Your breasts may start producing milk and colostrums may start dripping from your breasts.
• Braxton hicks or false labor contractions may begin at regular intervals.
• Stretch marks can appear on your abdomen, breasts, buttocks, and thighs due to stretching of the skin.
Now, that you know what to expect from the last trimester, sit back and enjoy the ride of pregnancy. It depends on how you see it, if you view it as a joyride, it will be one. If you think of it as a pain, it will be painful. The choice is yours!
Submitted by P T on February 2, 2010 at 10:15
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