At this time, you may be feeling as if there is no way your baby could get any bigger. You have not been able to see your toes for weeks and he or she is so squished into your ribs you cannot breathe. Well, it’s possible! And definitely your baby is going to grow more! This is also when your baby’s brain grows at its most rapid rate! Your third trimester also brings fun new things to your checkups with your midwife or doctor. Expect new things like glucose tests, anemia tests, strep b tests, and internal checkups as you stroll along.
At this time you will also start to feel that very active baby get even more active. A lot of fetal activity is very common during your third trimester. If you and your partner are bored, you may have some entertainment watching your belly roll around! With all of these new movements come new sensations. Below I will explain what to expect.
Braxton Hicks Contractions.
Don’t worry, these contractions are just like warming up before a long run, except, this time, it’s your uterus warming up for, hopefully, a short labor. These contractions are not as intense as real labor and should subside with position changes, rest and a lot of water drinking. As a matter of fact, there are 5 things you should do if you think you may be in labor: walk, eat, drink, take a nap, take a bath. If it’s not real labor, the contractions will stop after you do one, some, or all of these.
Discharge
Yuck! Even though this is not the most pleasant thing to experience it is very normal for this time of your pregnancy. As you get closer to your due date, you may notice a big snotty like substance in your panties-eeewww! This is your mucous plus and is completely normal. It may look a bit pink streaked or brown, like old blood mixed with mucous. What to expect after losing your mucus plug? Your cervix begins to dilate and efface in preparation for labor.
Did you get a boob job?
At this time you are definitely noticing a change in the size of your breasts, I am sure your partner has noticed too. Believe it or not your breasts will gain up to two pounds by the end or your pregnancy. What to expect with these pregnancy changes? Possibly some backache, both upper and lower, and you need to go get a new bra or two!
What’s your baby doing?
At the beginning of your third trimester your baby is beginning to open its eyes. He or she has bones developing and you should definitely be feeling those kicks and punches by now. Your baby begins practicing its breathing movements, training those lungs for his or her first breath in this world.
For some entertainment, get out that big flashlight of yours and shine it on your belly. What to expect? Some big movements from your little glowworm, because he or she can finally detect light. Yes, she can actually see it!
In the final few weeks your baby will gain weight rapidly absorbing a lot of nutrients and antibodies from the placenta at this time-storing fat to tide him over until your milk comes in. Your baby’s brain, lungs, liver, and other vital organs need these last few weeks to fully develop. If your doctor wants to induce before 39 or 40 weeks, wait! Your baby needs more time inside you to get stronger and stronger. So hang in there. Be patient. Your baby and your body know he needs more time just hanging out until it is time to celebrate his birthday.
Congratulations! You have made it through 40 weeks and possibly a little longer. You have been working hard on protecting your baby and keeping your baby safe. You are almost ready to give birth and meet that perfect mini combination of yourself and your partner!
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