During the third trimester (7-9 months, 28 wks to delivery)
- You may have increased vaginal discharge and a milk from the breasts
- More frequent urination, if it burns, tell your doctor.
- Not sleeping well.
- Heartburn, try sitting up after a meal, eat smaller meals, if you are laying down, try laying on your right (your stomach empties to the right)
- Constipation; try drinking more water and eating more fresh fruits & veges
- Hemorrhoids, Ask about over-the-counter remedies, prevent constipation.
- Leg cramps, may occur at night, point your toes up toward your tummy, increase calcium intake.
- Lower back pain and sciatic nerve pain; don’t twist & bend at the same time, see our website for exercises to strengthen your back.
- Swelling feet and ankles drink MORE water, elevate your legs.
- Shortness of breath as the baby grows.
The fine body hair starts to disappear, the brain develops more quickly. At 28 weeks the baby is 14 inches long and weighs about 2 lbs. During this last trimester your baby gains ¼ to ½ lb per week. The sleep and wake patterns for the baby develop.
By 34 weeks most babies are in the head down position.
Things you can do:
- Read about labor & delivery on our website
- Get your bags packed, get a car seat
- Learn about cord blood banking or donation, ask the nurse about it
- Learn about pain medication options and labor/delivery procedures at the office
- Get your GBS test done at around 36 weeks.
Call us if:
You have a severe headache
You are bleeding or leaking fluid from the vagina.
You have decreased or no fetal movements.
You have visual changes.
You have contractions or feeling of pressure that occurs more than 5 times per hour.
Hospital bags: (labor bag)
Mother’s bag
- Nightgown/robe
- slippers
- loose comfortable clothing
- hairbrush
- toothbrush/toothpaste
- shampoo & soap
- deodorant
- lip balm
- pillows
Labor partner’s bag
- watch
- camera & film or charger
- music player
- snacks for coach, lollipop for mom
- massage & comfort aides
- coins for vending machines
- list of phone numbers
- blanket