Custom Search

Many OB/GYN doctors will tell you that if this is your first baby, chances are you will go pass your due date. And although this does happen, it does not happen to all. In fact there are many first time mothers who have their baby a week or two earlier than their due date and somtimes even earlier.

Swelling:

If you have not started swelling, you will probably start soon enough. Many pregnant women will experience swelling during the third trimester of their pregnancy. Although swelling is not anything to worry about, it is not very comfortable. One of the best thing you can do to reduce swelling is to elevate your feet when you are sitting or laying down. Yo ucan use a pillow in bed and sleep with your feet elevated. If you are having a lot of problems with swelling, make sure to talk to your prenatal doctor for advice.

One reason for swelling is due to sitting too long and having no movement as when you are taking a road trip. If you are planning on going on a road trip during this period, make sure that you drink plenty of water and stop every hour or so to walk around and stretch-out.

Stretch Marks:

If you are one of the lucky ones, you many not have any stretch marks showing yet. But chances are, you will start getting some stretch marks towards the end of the third trimester. While there are a few very lucky women who don't get any stretch marks, most women will not be able to avoid this. There are lotions and creams that is sold to reduce or prevent stretch marks, but I would not count on these working well.

One of the best thing you can do to avoid or reduce your chances of having a lot of stretch marks is to avoid getting big fast. Make sure that you consume the same amount of food every day and also exercise. This will keep you from getting big fast which is one of the causes of a lot of stretch marks because your skin doesn't have the time to catch up with your growth.

Nesting:

Towards the end of the third trimester, many pregnant women claim that they get the urge to nest. Many say that this is a sign that the baby will come earlier than predicted. And although this has happened to many women, it is not a sure thing. You can still have a late baby even if you start nesting early. And for some, you may not nest at all.

During nesting, you will probably have the urge to clean the house, and not just organize, but really clean the whole house. You will also get the urge to have the baby room ready for the baby's arrival.

Packing Your Hospital Bag:

If you have not started packing for your hospital stay, this is the time to do it. Make sure that you pack early enough as you don't want to be surprised by the early arrival of your baby and you all of a sudden are trying to get to the hospital. Don't forget to pack for the baby.

Doctors Visits:

If you have not already started seeing your doctor once every other week, you will start shortly. And once you get to your last month of pregnancy, you will be going to the doctor's office for your prenatal on a weekly visit. And if you make it to your due date week, your doctor will probably have you come in every day to keep an eye on the progress.

Your doctor will also start checking for dilation at any point during your third trimester. They might even talk to you about scraping your membrane which can start the labor process early.

Childbirth Class:

If this is your first pregnancy, or you have never attended a childbirth or Lamaze class, this period is the best time to do it. Most childbirth classes are done at hospitals. Contact the hospital that you are planning on having your baby for their pregnancy classes and costs.

It may not seem like an important class to attend because you can always just read some information about having a baby, but actually going to a class will reduce any worries and stress that you might have about labor and delivery. You will also have an opportunity to tour the hospital and the area where you will be having your baby.

Spotting:

Most spotting should be gone by now, but there are a handful of women who will still experience spotting up to the point when they have their baby. As long as you are being monitored by your OB/GYN doctor, this is not a concern.

If your doctor just performed a pelvic exam to check for dilation, you may notice a little bit of blood from it. This is normal and will go away. As you get closer to your due date however, make sure to tell your doctor about any unexpected spotting that you may notice as this might be a sign of something more serious or a sign of your baby coming out.

Signs of Labor:

There are a number of signs of labor. One major sign is your water breaking. You might also experience contractions. If your water breaks, you might think that you wet your pants, which some experience during the end of the third trimester, but it is wise to go to the ER to make sure that it is not your amniotic fluid that is leaking.

Baby Shower:

If you have not had a baby shower yet, this is the period that most women will be given a baby shower by a friend and even a family member. You can also give yourself a baby shower, after all this event is to get everyone excited about the new baby's arrival.

Almost every major store has a baby gift registry and if you are unsure of the items that you need, you can always request for gift cards for the stores near you.

Getting Bigger:

You are getting closer to the end of your pregnancy. You will start getting bigger faster in this period. You can feel and see your bump get bigger and bigger to where it is hard to see your feet without having to really bend over to look for them.

As you get bigger, you will start slowing down, and feel like sleeping a lot. This is probably to prepare your body for when your baby arrives as you will have a hard time finding time to sleep. Some pregnant women will also experience some sort of pain around their pelvic area, which can be from your cervix opening up getting ready for delivery.

Nutrition:

It is still very important to eat a healthy diet as you are feeding your baby also. Make sure that you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as drink plenty of fluids (juices or water).

Taking prenatal vitamins everyday should be continued until your baby is born. If you are planning on nursing, your doctor might have you continue your prenatal vitamins until you are finished nursing.

Baby Movements: