When is third trimester of pregnancy

Although most pregnant women see the third trimester as an exciting time and feel positive about the next stage, one in 5 will experience antenatal anxiety or depression. Seek help early if this is how you or your partner are feeling. By week 36, your baby is about 47cm long and weighs approximately 2. If this is your situation, your doctor or midwife will discuss with you what this means for your labour, what your options are and how your baby might be born.

By 40 weeks, your baby will be about 50cm, and weigh approximately 3. Developmentally, your baby is now ready to be born. Through the third trimester you will have frequent antenatal check-ups : about every 4 weeks until 36 weeks, then every 2 weeks after that. Ensure your diet is varied and includes a range of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as sources of protein, iron and calcium. Weight gain is a normal part of pregnancy and most women can expect to gain between 11 and 16kg. A pregnancy weight gain calculator can be a handy tool to track your weight gain through the third trimester.

Try to stay active throughout pregnancy - even in your third trimester. While it's important to stick with safe, gentle exercise as you get closer to your due date, recommendations state that pregnant women without complications are encouraged to participate in regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. In our pregnancy week by week guide, you can find out what to expect and follow your baby's development during the third trimester.

Read more on raisingchildren. In this video parents and a midwife describe physical and emotional changes in the third trimester of pregnancy including discomfort and baby movement. Our Dads Guide describes how this can affect men. Afterward, be sure to send thank you notes for the gifts you received and of course to the party host. As you approach your due date you may have a strong urge to get your home ready for your baby. Tracking fetal movement.

Our kick count chart can also help make it easier. Watching for signs of labor. Look out for any signs of labor , such as lightening the feeling that your baby has dropped lower , loss of the mucus plug, your water breaking, or your contractions getting stronger and closer together. You can monitor your contractions with the help of our contraction tracking chart. Reading about labor and childbirth. Finalizing your baby name choice. Considering middle names. Check out our articles on middle names for boys and middle names for girls for more inspiration.

It's wise to slow down and conserve your energy for labor, childbirth, and taking care of your newborn. If weather permits, take a leisurely walk outdoors a few times a week. The fresh air will invigorate you, get your blood circulating, and help you de-stress. Ask friends or family members to help you with any last-minute errands and treat yourself to a little me-time — you deserve it! These are some of the most common pregnancy symptoms during the third trimester:. Shortness of breath.

As your uterus gets larger, grows higher in your abdomen, and presses on your diaphragm, breathing can be difficult. You might find that you can't make it up a flight of stairs without getting winded. The best thing to do is just to take it easy, move more slowly, and stand up or sit up straight so your lungs have more room to expand. If your breathing changes dramatically, or if you have a cough or chest pain, contact your healthcare provider right away. The good news? Frequent urination.

When you enter the final weeks of your pregnancy, you may find yourself needing to pee more often. This is because as your baby moves further down into your pelvis, she may press on your bladder too. You may also find that you leak a little, especially when you laugh, sneeze, bend, or lift. If this bothers you, wear a panty liner. However, if you feel a gush or trickle of watery fluid, it could be your water breaking, a sign that labor is beginning. Swollen feet and ankles.

Your baby's size and position might make it hard for you to get comfortable. You might be tired of pregnancy and eager to move on to the next stage. If you've been gearing up for your due date, you might be disappointed if it comes and goes uneventfully. Try to remain positive as you look forward to the end of your pregnancy. Soon you'll hold your baby in your arms! Here's what to expect in the meantime.

As your baby grows, his or her movements will become more obvious. These exciting sensations are often accompanied by increasing discomfort and other signs and symptoms, including:. As anticipation grows, fears about childbirth might become more persistent.

How much will it hurt? How long will it last? How will I cope? If you haven't done so already, consider taking childbirth classes. You'll learn what to expect — and meet others who share your excitement and concerns. Talk with others who've had positive birth experiences, and ask your health care provider about options for pain relief. The reality of parenthood might begin to sink in as well. You might feel anxious, especially if this is your first baby.

To stay calm, write your thoughts in a journal. Swollen feet and ankles. Many mums-to-be notice a type of swelling, called oedema, in their ankles and feet because of extra fluid retention, hormonal changes and weight gain. It can help to wear comfortable shoes, put your feet up whenever you can and drink plenty of fluid — it may not seem logical, but drinking enough water helps flush the excess fluid out of your system.

Some gradual swelling is normal during pregnancy, but a sudden swelling in the face, hands or feet could be a symptom of preeclampsia , a rare but potentially dangerous blood pressure condition that is not to be ignored.

Itchy skin. As your belly grows, you may start to experience itchiness as your skin stretches and dries out. Itchy skin during pregnancy can also be the result of hormonal and chemical changes in your body. Wearing loose clothing, gently applying a moisturising lotion and cool baths can help. Sore, bleeding gums. Your gums may feel sensitive, and they may swell or bleed when you brush or floss. Hormonal changes can increase the risk of plaque build-up and this is what can lead to those bleeding and inflamed gums.

It might help to rinse with salt water and to use a softer brush. Keep flossing daily, brushing twice a day and going to your regular dental check-ups. Braxton Hicks contractions. They help your muscles prepare for labour. You can usually tell Braxton Hicks contractions apart from true labour contractions by keeping in mind that Braxton Hicks come at irregular intervals and often go away if you move or change positions.

True labour contractions come at regular intervals and get stronger and closer together over time. There is no official guideline in the UK on how much weight to gain during pregnancy but, on average, if you had a normal pre-pregnancy BMI you can expect to gain about to grams per week during the third trimester. Your doctor or midwife can give you specific, personalised information based on your situation.

The third trimester runs from 28 weeks until your baby is born. Your pregnancy is considered full term at 37 weeks, and most babies are born in the week either side of their due date. According to experts only 5 percent of babies are born exactly on their due date. Most babies are born in the week either side of their due date.

The due date that you get using a Due Date Calculator or from your doctor is a general estimate of when your baby will be born. In the third trimester, take advantage of your excitement and focus your energy on getting your pre-birth tasks done. Ask your doctor about any vaccinations you need to get this trimester, including the Tdap vaccination which helps protect your baby against whooping cough , diphtheria and tetanus.

Take a childbirth class with your partner. Plus, your partner can also learn more about what to do to support you well during labour and delivery. Your doctor will be able to recommend a good class near you.

Read as much as you can about labour, delivery and baby care. This will help ease your anxieties and prepare you for the events ahead. Discuss your options with your midwife and doctor, and find out whether you need to take any additional steps based on your choice.