The Third Trimester of Pregnancy

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The Third Trimester: The Finish Line
The Third Trimester: The Finish Line
Have these been the fastest months of your life? Or have they been the slowest? Many women report that time seems to change when they're pregnant. Time flies by and drags on at the same time. Time really slips away when you're planning things, like organizing for the baby, but it seems to slow down when you think about how long it is taking to meet, hold, kiss this little person who has become the center of your universe.

This trimester you are going to undergo many changes, and they may affect your perspective on time, as well. However long or short your days, you are getting close to the finish line. Your baby will be here in weeks. You have such a short time to go to meet someone who will hold onto your heart for the rest of your life. When you think of it in terms of the rest of your life, twelve weeks (or less if you're reading this well into your third trimester) is like the blink of an eye.

Just when you thought maybe this growing body was really not such a big deal, you and baby both grow at a very fast pace (there's that time warp thing again). Baby's busy getting beautiful and that means adding body fat. Baby will put on weight very quickly during the third trimester. At times, baby will actually put on a half pound a week, which sometimes translates to a couple of pounds when mom steps on the scale. More weight means things may become more difficult for you this trimester.

After all, your body is working that much harder to do everything. You may feel tired. Your body may ache. You may feel a little breathless from time to time. You may feel the need to slow down a little, and that's okay. Consider this trimester a long preparatory period for delivery. Rest when you need to. Ask for help when you need to. You are pregnant and people want to do what they can for you. Let them help and enjoy the pampering while the focus is still on you. In a few short weeks, it's all about baby.

A decrease in energy level (sometimes slight, sometimes significant) and the physical stressors of weeks 28 through 40 come precisely at the time when you're getting your home, your child care arrangements, your self ready for the new addition. Even with the downtime you will need this trimester, it'll all get done.

All you need is a plan, the support of your loved ones, and the love you feel for this baby. Here's something to think about when you feel like you're not accomplishing all you want to do to get ready for baby. A baby who comes home to a bare nursery will feel just as loved as one who comes home to a decorator's dream room. The love you have for baby is all baby really needs.

Whatever doesn't get done will either somehow miraculously work itself out (via a good support system or the powerful nesting instinct which many women experience in the days just before delivery) or will simply wait until you and baby are home and settling into your love affair.