The Third Trimester of Pregnancy

29th Week
30th Week
31st Week
32nd Week

33rd Week
34th Week
35th Week
36th Week

37th Week
38th Week
39th Week
40th Week

Pregnancy Symptoms in Third Trimester
It's not uncommon for pregnant mothers to start to "nest" in the third trimester. This nesting instinct can be mild in some women, and more severe it others. You may have the obsessive need to clean and tidy up your house, or organize and prepare your nursery. In the final days of pregnancy, nesting can be a sign that your labor and delivery is just around the corner!

The third trimester lasts between weeks 29 and 40 of gestation. Keep in mind, though, that a full-term baby can come anytime between week 37 and 42, and only a small percentage of babies actually arrive on their due date.

Get ready to see your doctor very regularly in the third trimester - every two weeks up until week 36! From week 36 until you deliver, you will be having prenatal visits every week!

Once you hit the third trimester of pregnancy, you should learn everything you can about labor and delivery. You’ll want to start thinking about a birth plan, what you want to occur during your childbirth. Do you want a natural vaginal childbirth, or would you like to have pain medication during delivery?

Lifestyle During Pregnancy
It's the final stretch of pregnancy! You won't have to carry all that extra weight for much longer . . . but just because you've got a big belly doesn't mean you should stop exercising or eating right! Women who exercise regularly will have more energy, experience less swelling, less back pain, and have an easier labor. With all these positives, who wouldn't want to exercise during pregnancy? If you're still not feel motivated enough, or simply don't have the energy, why not try a few pregnancy stretches? They may make you feel better.

Along with exercise, remember to continue to eat right during pregnancy. To decrease your fatigue, you may want to eat six mini-meals throughout the day, instead of three large meals. Breakfast can start out with oatmeal with bananas and a glass of orange juice. For variety, you may want to add some scrambled eggs to the menu. A mid-morning snack can include a yogurt parfait or even some low salt pretzels, crackers, or even a few veggie sticks. Instead of a heavy meal at lunch, eat a salad, pasta, or soup that has plenty of vegetables and at least one source of protein. A smoothie makes a refreshing mid-afternoon snack. Go wild for dinner, and choose grilled or baked lean meats or fish, or even a nice, warming stew. An evening snack can offer a filling and delicious treat before resting for the night. Eat your snack at least an hour before bedtime. These are just some healthy ideas that will refresh you and give you some much needed energy.

As your delivery day approaches, your emotions may whirl out of control as the anxiety and stress of being a new parent begins to hit you. To help you feel better, reach out and get emotional support from your family, friends, and partner. Support groups and even counseling can help alleviate your fears. Open communication with your husband or partner is also important. For some women, keeping a journal helps prioritize and find solutions for the issue that they are facing. Express yourself and don't keep anything bottled up!

Remember that having crying spells one second and laughing hysterical the next is a perfectly normal part of pregnancy. This emotional rollercoaster won't last forever. To cope, try to find ways to relax!

Educating yourself about what to expect during pregnancy and labor and delivery will also greatly help. Knowledge is half the battle when it comes to pregnancy temper tantrums.