Being pregnant 🤰🏼 is a super exciting time and also a big change in your life with so many new experiences! Your body will go through so many transformations over the next 9 months.
A full-term pregnancy is 4️⃣0️⃣ weeks and can range from 37-42 weeks. With each trimester you are going to notice a variety of different changes in your body and a lot of symptoms.
Let’s see what can you expect in the 3rd Trimester:
Mommy! You are almost there! The third trimester is from the 2️⃣8️⃣th week until your little one is born.
During this trimester you will be seeing your healthcare provider more frequently.
Normal Test:
- Check your blood pressure blood
- Listen to fetal heart rate ♥️
- Urine tests to check for protein 🚽
- Measure fundal height ⚖️
- Assess for hand and feet swelling 🦵🏼
Common symptoms:
- Leg cramps 🦵🏼
- Heartburn ♥️
- Backache
- Itchy skin
- Varicose veins
- Hemorrhoids
- Nausesa 🤢
Around weeks 36-37 you will be screened for group B streptococcus – this is a simple swab done at your healthcare provider’s office. The swab is very similar to one of a pap test – your swab is then sent to a lab for evaluation. If you are group B positive you will receive antibiotics during labour to prevent your baby from getting it when passing through your vaginal canal. 1 in 4 women is group B positive.
Now is the perfect time to take a prenatal class – this type of class is designed to help prepare you and your partner for labour, delivery, what to expect, and postpartum. This is a great option to help you prepare your birthing “wish list” so you are educated and can advocate your wishes throughout the process. If you are able to, book a hospital tour (if planning a hospital delivery), know where parking is and familiarize yourself with the birthing center. If you are planning to breastfeed it is great to take a Prenatal Breastfeeding Class so you feel educated and ready!
Pack your hospital bag 🎒! (We’ve already made a list for you, check it here.) This is an exciting time, but you do not want to feel unprepared when you go into labour. Pack your bag, your babies, and your partners and install the car seat into your vehicle. You will need to bring your car seat to the hospital with you – so it is a good idea to have the base and car seat ready to go around 36-37 weeks.
Remember – they call it your birthing “month”! A full-term pregnancy can last anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks. This is because your “due date” is really just an estimate of delivery.
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Always here,
OFM Group