What Do I Need to Know and Do in My Third Trimester?
You’re almost there mumma. The third trimester is the final stretch and there’s a lot happening. In your body, in your home and in your heart. Here’s everything that matters right now, simply and honestly.
Here’s what we cover..
- Your Doctor Visits
- When to Call Your Doctor Immediately
- Daily Care and Safety
- Preparing for Labour
- Your Hospital Bag and Gear
- Your Emotions
Your Doctor Visits
More frequent appointments From week 28 you’ll see your doctor every two weeks. From week 36 those visits become weekly until your baby arrives. These appointments matter. Go to all of them.
GBS swab between weeks 35 and 37 A quick and painless swab checks for a common bacteria called Group B Strep. It’s completely harmless to you but can affect your baby during a vaginal birth. If it comes back positive your doctor will give you antibiotics through a drip during labour. Simple and very manageable.
Counting kicks from around week 37 Your doctor may ask you to track your baby’s movements daily. The goal is around 10 movements, whether kicks, rolls or flutters, within a two hour window when your baby is usually active. If you notice a sudden change or drop in movement contact your doctor straight away.
If you go past your due date Your doctor will monitor your baby closely. This usually involves a simple test to check your baby’s heart rate patterns and an ultrasound to check the fluid around your baby and make sure everything is working well.
If your baby is breech Around weeks 35 to 36 your doctor may offer a procedure where they use their hands on the outside of your belly to gently try to turn your baby head down. It’s done with an ultrasound and monitored carefully throughout.
If labour needs to be started If you go past 41 or 42 weeks or there’s a medical reason to deliver your doctor may suggest inducing labour. Here’s what that can look like..
Membrane sweep – a doctor gently sweeps around the cervix to trigger natural labour hormones.
Gel on the cervix – helps soften and prepare the cervix for labour.
A small balloon – inserted and gently inflated to help the cervix open.
Breaking your waters – done with a small safe tool.
A drip – a hormone through a drip that starts contractions.
Your doctor will explain which option is right for you.
Tearing and episiotomy During pushing, your tissues will stretch naturally. Sometimes a natural small tear happens which often heals well. Sometimes a doctor makes a small cut to help the baby out more safely. Your doctor will make the best decision for you at the moment.
If you need a C-section You can discuss a gentle C-section with your hospital team. This can include being able to see your baby being born and having your baby placed on your chest for skin to skin contact immediately in the operating room.
When to Call Your Doctor Immediately
Sudden or severe swelling especially in your face and hands Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal. But sudden severe swelling, especially in the face, combined with headaches, blurry vision or flashing lights needs immediate attention. Please don’t wait.
Significant change in your baby’s movements If your baby suddenly feels much less active contact your doctor straight away.
Daily Care and Safety
Drink plenty of water Dehydration in the third trimester is a very common trigger for uncomfortable practice contractions. Keep a water bottle close and sip constantly throughout the day.
Sleep on your left side Continue sleeping on your left side to keep blood flowing well to your baby. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded check your position because lying flat on your back can restrict blood flow. A pregnancy pillow makes sleeping on the left side much more comfortable.
Restless legs at night A warm glass of milk or a calcium supplement before bed can help settle that jittery uncomfortable feeling. Ask your doctor about the right supplement for you.
Natural ways to help your baby turn if breech Gently rocking on your hands and knees, resting in child’s pose or doing pelvic tilts can encourage your baby to turn head down. Always check with your doctor first.
Labour inducing food myths Spicy food, pineapple, castor oil, raspberry leaf tea, none of these are proven to induce labour. One thing that can actually help prepare your cervix naturally is sex, because semen contains natural compounds similar to what doctors use in “inducing gel”.
Preparing your dog If you have a dog, start getting them ready for the baby now. Practice walking with a pram, get them used to baby gear around the house. Before you come home from the hospital, have someone bring a baby scented blanket home first so your dog can get used to the new smell.
Nesting energy If you feel a strong urge to clean and organise then go with it. Cook and freeze easy meals for after the birth. Tidy the house. Set things up. You’ll thank yourself in those first exhausting weeks.
Preparing for Labour
Your hospital bag, pack by week 30 Don’t wait until week 39. Pack your bag early in case your baby arrives sooner than expected. Include your important documents, a change of clothes, toiletries and baby outfits.
Your car seat You cannot leave the hospital without a properly installed rear facing car seat. Get it installed and checked by week 35.
Mini stations around the house Set up small changing and feeding stations in different rooms before your baby arrives. Stock them with nappies, wipes, burp cloths and snacks for yourself. You’ll be so glad you did.
Your postpartum recovery kit Gather these before you go into labour…
Frozen padsicles – dampen large maternity pads with water and a few drops of witch hazel and freeze them. They give wonderful soothing relief after birth.
A peri bottle – a squeeze bottle you fill with warm water to spray when you use the bathroom after birth. Helps enormously with stinging and soreness.
A sitz bath – a small basin that fits over your toilet to soak yourself in warm water. Very helpful for healing.
Nipple cream – if you’re planning to breastfeed get a good nipple cream ready. Cracked nipples in the early days are very common.
Your breast pump Get one sorted before the birth and read the instructions so you’re not figuring it out in the middle of the night.
Stroller and nursery Assemble everything while you still have the energy to bend over comfortably. Practice folding and unfolding the stroller a few times so it’s not a mystery on the big day.
Your Emotions
Birth anxiety Feeling nervous about labour is completely normal. Your body was made for this. Writing a birth plan, even a simple one, helps you feel more in control. And accepting that birth can be unpredictable takes a lot of pressure off.
Important decisions to make together Now is a good time to sit with your partner and make some final decisions, things like cord blood banking which involves saving the blood from the umbilical cord for potential future medical use. Your doctor can give you more information on this.
Placenta pills You might hear about turning the placenta into capsules after birth. There is currently no scientific proof that this boosts energy or prevents postpartum depression. And there is a risk of bacteria. Worth knowing before you decide.
Visitors after birth Decide now with your partner who you want in the delivery room and how long you want before having visitors at home. Your job after birth is resting and bonding, not hosting. Set those boundaries early and kindly.
Going past your due date If week 41 or 42 arrives and your baby is still not here, everyone will be texting you asking if they’ve arrived yet. Give yourself full permission to turn your phone off, ignore the messages and do something nice for yourself. A pedicure, a haircut, a quiet afternoon. You deserve it.
Your mental health Feeling emotional, overwhelmed or irritable in the third trimester is completely normal. But if the joy feels completely gone or you find yourself stuck in frightening thoughts that won’t leave, please speak to your doctor. You don’t have to carry that alone.
You are so close mumma. Everything you’ve done to get here has been extraordinary. Your baby is almost ready. And so are you.