What You Should Know: The Third Trimester of Pregnancy (weeks 28-40+)

This is one of a series of articles on pregnancy. For more information about pregnancy and birth options, see my other articles including my series on homebirth.

The Third Trimester

Welcome to the home stretch! The third trimester begins at 27 weeks and ends with the birth of your baby. Lots of changes are still happening with you so it's best to be aware of how you're doing and feeling, particularly with labor and delivery being right around the bend.

Emotional Changes

This trimester brings with it a sense of frustration. It's difficult to sleep, you may have assorted aches and pains through your back, pelvis, and legs, and you have so much to do. You're hopefully preparing the baby's things for the impending arrival, yet you probably feel cumbersome, clumsy and large. You may feel annoyed with the fact that everyone stops you to ask you questions or give you advice.

Physical Changes

No one can help but notice your pregnancy now. Atop the large belly, you may have adopted the 'pregnancy waddle' from trying to keep your balance and shift your weight as you walk.

Frequent urination: you're in the bathroom all the time, right? It may just feel like it, but you'd beg to differ. Not only is the baby firmly resting on your bladder, but the amniotic fluid surrounding him is continually refreshed so you have to get rid of the old.

Acne: hormonal changes in pregnancy tend to lead to break outs. Some women only break out around the time that they would have had their periods, but other women find themselves struggling with acne throughout their entire pregnancy. Be careful using acne treatments, as some are dangerous during pregnancy.

Fatigue: Not only are you tired, but you can't sleep! The third trimester is a time of sleep changes. Some people joke that it's to prepare you for when your baby keeps you up all night, but you don't think that's funny now! Aches and pains, pregnancy dreams, frequent urination, and the inability to get or stay comfortable plague the third trimester. The only saving grace is that it's worth it.

Almost time for baby!

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