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What
to Expect in the Third Trimester
Your
seventh month:
Your baby is now about 15 inches long and weighs about
2 to 2 1/2 pounds. The baby exercises by kicking and
stretching, and changing position from side to side.
You might even be able to see the movement.
You
will continue to put on weight at the rate of around
a pound a week until your last month, where your weight
gain will be limited to only a pound or two on average.
A slight amount of swelling to your feet is normal.
You may feel better if you lie down or prop your feet
up during the day.
Your
will still be tested every time you visit your doctor
for blood pressure and urine samples.
Your
eighth month:
Your baby has grown to about 16 inches long and weighs
about 4 pounds. Your baby changes position in the uterus
this position is maintained until the baby is born.
Continue your daily activities, with rest periods, but
stop doing any heavy lifting or work that causes strain.
Your
breasts will become significantly larger, as they prepare
to produce milk, sometimes becoming rather uncomfortable.
A good bra is the key at this time. They may also become
tender to touch and feel sore.
By
week 32, your baby's face is smooth, and closely resembles
that of a newborn. He/she continues to put on fat, and
it is becoming a tight fit inside the uterus by now.
If your baby were born now, he/she has a good chance
of survival.
It
might be a good idea to prepare your hospital bag and
finish last preparations for your baby`s arrival.
Your
ninth month:
At 36 weeks your baby is about 19 inches long and weighs
about 6 pounds. The baby's weight gain is about 1/2
pound per week. At 40 weeks, the baby is full-term and
weighs from 6 to 9 pounds. Your baby settles further
down into your pelvis. You may feel more comfortable
and your breathing will be easier, although you may
need to urinate more frequently. You will be visiting
your doctor every week until your baby is born. Your
baby is still growing and moving, but now it has less
room. You might not feel the kicks and movements as
much as you did in the 2nd trimester.
By
the end of this trimester, your baby's head will most
likely be engaged in the pelvis. His immune system is
not yet mature, and he continues to receive antibodies
from you through the placenta. His/her body is covered
with vernix caseosa, a cheesy substance that protects
his/her skin from the amniotic fluid.
During
this final stage of your pregnancy, your baby is continuing
to grow. By the end of your pregnancy you should have
gained about 25 to 30 pounds. About 7 1/2 pounds of
that weight should be the baby. Even before your baby
is born it will be able to open and close its eyes and
might even suck its thumb.
Braxton-Hicks
Contractions, sometimes called false, or pre, labour,
are a common natural occurrence. Your uterus is simply
preparing for the real thing. These contractions are
usually very irregular, and do not fall into any set
pattern, as do real contractions. If your contractions
begin to form a regular pattern of 4 or more an hour,
be sure to contact your doctor immediately.
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