I am not a medical professional but situations have pushed me to read and learn a lot more about what pregnancy entails, it's been a whole new experience of change and what motherhood would look like. Has it been a smooth journey, definitely not but it's been filled with a lot to handle.
The third trimester of every pregnancy is when parents are looking forward to holding their babies, but it is also the time that comes with so much pain and discomfort for the mother. We all know that pregnancy takes 40 weeks, but the reality is, everyone's pregnancy phase ends the moment the child comes out of the mother's stomach.
The third trimester begins at week 27 of the pregnancy, babies born before week 37 are considered premature, while babies born between week 37 and week 42 are said to be full-term babies. If as at week 42, the baby is yet to be born, the doctor may induce labor to limit the chances of complications.
As the due date comes closer, the mother will notice that she gets tired more easily and it becomes more difficult for her to sleep. She will also observe that her skin and ligaments will continue to stretch in order to make room for the growing baby. Heartburn and breathlessness are also symptoms to be felt as the baby gets bigger, placing more pressure on her organs including the lungs.
As of week 31, it is expected that the baby's lungs are more mature compared to what they were before, but not mature enough to produce surfactant, a substance that helps the baby with breathing once he or she is born. This is the point when the doctor will book more frequent appointments, probably every 2 weeks.
While it may not be so comfortable, expectant mothers are expected to stay very active even in the third trimester, ensure that you stick to exercises that are gentle and safe as the due date approaches.
In the third trimester, Braxton-hicks (false labor) should be expected more often, this happens in preparation for childbirth. Stretch marks may appear on the breast, thighs, stomach, and buttocks. The possibility of colostrum leaking from the nipple is there, colostrum is a breast fluid that nourishes the baby until milk becomes available.
A decrease in libido, white-colored vaginal discharge, constipation, and indigestion are expected at this point. Usually, in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy, the head would usually turn downwards in preparation for delivery. During this pregnancy phase, the baby has the ability to cry, smile, hear, suck on its thumb and even open his/her eyes to see.
The brain of the baby keeps developing, as it gains muscle tone and about 16% body fat, but despite all the development, the bones found at the top of the skull are easy to deliver. Most babies at this stage have blue eyes, and the color will remain that way until a few weeks after they are born. The ''vernix caseosa'' which is a protective coating covering the fetus's skin, as well as the ''lanugo'' which is a soft body hair, falls out and is almost gone by week 40.
The expectant mother needs to bear in mind that the baby is growing every day at this point, thus taking up more space in her abdomen. This could lead to stomach pain and discomfort, making it difficult for her to get proper bed rest at night sometimes.
There is also increased pressure on the back due to the weight making the mother feel sore and achy, this means back pain is expected too. During the third trimester, some experienced mothers complain of vivid dreams that could disrupt their night's sleep.
Conclusion.
Pregnancy is indeed a lot, and the third phase when the baby is gearing up to come out is the point when the mother feels a lot of pressure and other symptoms that she didn't feel during the first and second trimesters, but it's all for good because it also comes with the relieve that it is almost time to hold your baby.
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/third-trimester
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323742#third-trimester
https://www.webmd.com/baby/third-trimester-of-pregnancy
Hi, I am Tobi a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. If you want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues, you can find my YouTube channel where you can watch any episode for free, please do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here, Kindly do well to keep them coming.