Look, mum! Before you know it, you’re already in your third trimester! The last trimester normally consists of you feeling tired and thirsty most of the time. Let’s not forget the constant need to go to the bathroom!
Now that you’re on the last leg of your pregnancy, you can feel that it’s getting harder to move because of your big baby bump. However, you are only a few months away from welcoming your baby into the world. There’s so much excitement, yet also anxiety looming during this trimester when you think about everything you need to do before your little bundle of joy arrives.
As your body continues to change, these week-by-week guides and articles may be helpful for you to get through this last trimester.
When Is the Third Trimester
Your third trimester is the last three months of your pregnancy. You’ll likely feel tired and uncomfortable as your body adjusts to carrying a baby. Your baby’s growth will continue rapidly, and you might start to notice changes in your body as it prepares for childbirth.
The third trimester of pregnancy lasts from week 28 to week 40.
In this trimester, your baby’s weight will increase from about 1 pound in the first trimester to about 3 pounds in the third. Your tummy will grow as your baby moves and stretches inside you. You may feel more tired than usual because your body is working hard to ensure your baby gets all the nutrients he needs.
When Does the Third Trimester Start
The third trimester starts when you’re about 28 weeks pregnant.
The third trimester is the final stage of pregnancy, and it’s when you’ll start to feel your baby moving around inside you. Most women reach their final weight during this period, but it’s still important to eat well and keep up with your doctor’s appointments to stay healthy.
At this point in your pregnancy, only a few weeks are left until delivery! You’ll want to ensure that you’re taking good care of yourself so that you can stay strong for labour and delivery, which is often the most challenging part of being pregnant.
Pregnancy Third Trimester Symptoms
Third trimester symptoms are common, and it’s normal to feel a little bit overwhelmed as your body changes and prepares for birth. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
Here are some of the most common third-trimester symptoms:
Your growing belly may cause back pain, especially if you have an anterior placenta (a placenta that lies low in the uterus). You might find that you need to sleep on your left side or your back so the weight of your belly is more evenly distributed across both shoulders (rather than just one).
Heartburn is a common pregnancy symptom, but it can be especially prevalent during the third trimester as your uterus expands into your chest cavity. Talk with your doctor about steps to alleviate heartburn, so it doesn’t get in the way of enjoying this exciting time!
Leg cramps are also super common during pregnancy—especially during the third trimester when circulation slows down—and they can be painful! To help ease leg cramps, try massaging them with a heating pad or ice pack; stretching out the muscles; taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen (if allowed by your doctor), or drinking plenty of water.
You know how you feel when you’ve been up for 24 hours straight? That’s how tired you’ll be in your third trimester. Your body is working hard to make sure that everything is ready for your baby to arrive safely, and that takes a lot of energy.
Your belly is growing bigger and bigger every day, which means there’s more room for all those fluids that are building up inside your body, too. Bloating can cause discomfort and make it harder for you to breathe, so don’t forget about taking care of yourself during this time!
What to Expect in the Third Trimester
You’re in the third trimester now and you’re probably feeling pretty great. Your belly is so big that you can’t even see your feet anymore, you can’t lean to the side without falling on your face, and you’ve started to get those extra-painful ligament pains that make it feel like your whole belly is going to pop right off at any moment.
But don’t worry! You’re doing great—you’re almost there! In fact, we wanted to give you a little something more than just congratulations: we wanted to let you know what to expect over the next few weeks so that you can prepare yourself for what’s coming up.
1. Don’t overdo things during this part of your pregnancy
The last thing anyone wants is for their baby to come out with a broken leg or something because mommy was trying to lift too much or walk too far or stand too long without taking a break. So take it easy—you’ve got time!
2. Don’t worry too much about doing anything while pregnant
Just make sure it doesn’t hurt anyone else! There are lots of things out there that are safe for pregnant women, but not safe for their babies. Like alcohol, or some prescription drugs.
3. You may feel more tired than usual
our body is preparing for labor by starting to produce the hormones needed for contractions (oxytocin) and making more blood cells for delivery—this means that you may feel more tired than usual and have trouble sleeping through the night without waking up every few hours (or maybe even every hour).
4. Your energy level will be up
But that’s only for short periods of time. You’ll be more likely to sit down and rest during the day.
5. You may be getting a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions
These are practice contractions that don’t hurt. They happen because your uterus is getting ready for labor!
6. You may find yourself more emotional than usual
Happy or sad. This is normal! Just remember that it’s not about YOU—it’s about your baby.
7. You’ll want to eat more often
Eat more healthy snacks like fruits and veggies instead of junk food. This will help keep you energized throughout the day.
Danger Signs of Pregnancy in the Third Trimester
The third trimester is a time of great excitement and anticipation for many women, but it can also be a time of great uncertainty. The final three months of pregnancy are when the majority of complications occur, so it’s important to know the signs that your pregnancy isn’t going according to plan.
The following are some of the most common danger signs that you should look out for in your third trimester:
While your third trimester is a time of excitement, it can also be a time of worry. Here are some of the most common danger signs you should look out for in your third trimester:
- Abdominal pain that does not go away after a few days.
- Extreme fatigue.
- A fever that lasts longer than an hour or two.
- Sudden changes in the size or shape of your belly.
- Having difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
- Bloody discharge from your vagina
What to Eat During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
The third trimester of pregnancy is a great time to start preparing for your baby’s arrival.
You might be wondering what to eat during the third trimester of pregnancy. It’s important to remember that you are still eating for two, so you’ll need to keep up your calorie intake and make sure you’re getting enough nutrients.
Here are some tips for eating healthy during the third trimester:
- Make sure you’re getting enough protein (10-50 grams per day)
- Focus on fruits and vegetables, which are packed with vitamins and minerals
- Eat more whole grains than refined grains like white rice or white bread
- Drink plenty of water (6-8 cups per day)
Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide for Your Third Trimester
Week 28 pregnancy guide
Week 29 pregnancy guide
Week 30 pregnancy guide
Week 31 pregnancy guide
Week 32 pregnancy guide
Week 33 pregnancy guide
Week 34 pregnancy guide
Week 35 pregnancy guide
Week 36 pregnancy guide
Week 37 pregnancy guide
Week 38 pregnancy guide
Week 39 pregnancy guide
Week 40 pregnancy guide
Must-Read Articles for the Third Trimester
Changes to Expect for Each Trimester of Pregnancy
Compulsory And Optional Pregnancy Scans In Singapore
Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby’s Movements in Pregnancy: Trimester by Trimester
Breaking Down Safe Sleeping Positions Trimester by Trimester, to Avoid Stillbirth
Contraction Stress Test: Why Some Pregnant Woman Have It in Their Third Trimester
Counting Kicks In The Third Trimester of Pregnancy: A Mum Shares How She Ensured She Counted Her Baby’s Kicks
Sports and Exercises That Are Safe During Pregnancy
When To Stop Travelling While Pregnant? Here Are Tips For Travelling Safely By Air, Road And Sea
Sex During Pregnancy: Safe Positions Per Trimester
Maternity Leave in Singapore: What You Need to Know
Maternity Hospitals in Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide for New Parents
The Importance of Maternity Insurance for Expecting Mums
Maternity Photoshoot? Here’s How To Make Them Stunning
Baby Shower Rules of Thumb: Who Not to Invite and What to Do at a Baby Shower
Pregnancy Health
Understanding Prenatal Testing: The Tests You Need to Have Per Trimester
Essential Vaccines You Need During Pregnancy
How Much Pregnancy Weight Should You Gain?
Fetal Development Stages: Your Guide To The Complete Pregnancy Period
Baby’s Movements Through Pregnancy: What’s Normal & What’s Not?
Back Pain During Pregnancy – Can You Prevent It?
5 Reasons For Pain In Lower Right Abdomen During Pregnancy
Rib Pain During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention, and Remedies
Plantar Fasciitis in Pregnant Mums: What You Need to Know About Foot Pain In Pregnancy
Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy: Best Sleeping Position And What To Do For Relief
Placental Abruption: Causes, Symptoms and Its Effect On Your Baby If Untreated
How To Deal With Pregnancy Fatigue
What Does Having Twins Feel Like In the Womb?
Image Source: iStock
Preparing for the Big Day
How To Make A Birth Plan: A Complete and Detailed Guide For Singapore Parents
Pregnancy Guide: Normal Delivery vs. Caesarean
Hypnobirthing: A Pain-Free Delivery For Singapore Mums
Is Home Birth Legal In Singapore? Here’s What You Must Know
Water Birthing: Everything You Need To Know About Water Birth
The Complete Delivery Bag List For The Entire Family
Newborn Baby Checklist: All the Essentials You Need for Baby’s Arrival
Useful Information for Labour and Delivery
Braxton Hicks Contractions: All You Need To Know About False Labour
What To Do When Labour Starts? What Mums-to-Be Need to Know
10 Practical Labour Tips for First-Time Mums
The Stages Of Labour: A Guide For Pregnant Mums
Labour Signs For Twin Pregnancies That Mums-To-Be Should Know
Engagement of Foetal Head, What Does It Mean?
Breech Pregnancy: Types, Causes and How to Help Baby Turn
1 Or 2 Centimetres Dilated: What Exactly Does It Mean?
Everything You Wanted To Know About A VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-section)
Pros And Cons of Different Vaginal Birth Positions During Labour
How Does Sex Help Induce Labour? 5 Safe Positions to Try If You Want to Get It Moving
Best Exercises To Practice Breathing Techniques For Labour
10 Tips to Be the Best Birth Partner: Every Dad’s Labor Survival Kit
7 Signs That Labor Is 24 To 48 Hours Away And You Must Get Ready
Touching pregnant belly | Image from Pexels
Getting Ready for Breastfeeding
3 Tips on Breastfeeding After a C-Section
When Does Breast Milk Start to Come In During Pregnancy?
10 Things You Can Do to Stay Awake While Breastfeeding
Breast Milk Storage Guidelines – Is Your Stored Breast Milk Safe to Drink?
Shopping
Here’s Your Guide to the Best Baby Strollers of 2022: Reviewed For Function and Performance
Best Baby Cribs in Singapore: Quality Brands You Can Use Until Toddlerhood
Best Manual Breast Pumps in Singapore: 5 Convenient and Comfortable Picks
Best Maternity Products from Mama’s Choice: Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Your Baby
Baby Registry Guide: Mum-Approved Gifts for Newborns in Singapore
If you have any concerns about your health or your baby’s health in the third trimester of pregnancy, do not hesitate to ask your OB-Gynaecologist during your next check-up.
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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