What to Expect at Prenatal Doctor Visits: The Third Trimester

Week 28 to week 40 make up the third trimester, seemingly the longest trimester of the three. This period of the pregnancy should be known as the trimester with the reality slap. The due date that seemed like it would never come is now coming up, causing an excitement, but at the same time anxiety about what's going to happen. Parents-to-be should be sure to register for childbirth classes in the seventh month and should make sure to have everything baby may need as he or she could come at any time. By the end of this trimester baby will weigh around 7 pounds and be around 20 inches in length.

Along with the routine checks (weight, blood pressure, urinalysis, and heart rate), there are a few bigger tests. The Hemoglobin and Hematocrit (H&H) test is done between weeks 28 and 32 and is to check for anemia. This is done by either a regular blood draw or a finger prick. It's perfectly normal for pregnant women to have dip in the H&H levels, but iron supplementation or more testing could be suggested for before and during labor.

The Glucose Tolerance test is done during the 28th to 30th week. This is to test for gestational diabetes. There is a one hour test in which the mother-to-be is given a super sweet orange serum to drink and has her blood drawn an hour later. If her blood sugar levels are elevated in her blood she must return for the three hour test. For this test the expectant mother must fast the night before and is given a larger amount of the same serum and has her blood drawn every hour for the next three hours. If her blood sugar levels are elevated in two of the drawings she has gestational diabetes and will need to change her diet. Her doctor will explain all of the necessary changes to her.