The Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Key Changes and Milestones

Pregnancy is divided into three stages of three months each. Its third stage is called the third trimester and it is the last stage of pregnancy. This stage includes from the 28th week of pregnancy to the 40th week of pregnancy. At this time the woman has to face both mental and physical challenges. By the 37th week of pregnancy, the size of the fetus is fully developed, after which the child can be born at any time. Women should also have complete information about the problems and care in the third trimester of pregnancy. Getting information about the third trimester reduces the anxiety of the woman related to the birth of the child.

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The fetus continues to grow in the third trimester of pregnancy. In the last seven weeks, the size of the fetus almost doubled. By the 32nd week of pregnancy, the weight of the fetus reaches 4 pounds (about 1.814 kg). Also, by this time the bones of the fetus are completely formed and the fetus starts responding by opening and closing the eyes and feeling the outside light. By the 32nd week, minerals like iron and calcium start accumulating in the body of the fetus.

By the 36th week of pregnancy, the head of the fetus comes to the right position to come out. If this does not happen, the doctor advises the woman to have a cesarean delivery. While the fetus is fully developed by the 37th week, by this time all the organs of the fetus are ready to function properly. According to some studies, the length of the fetus becomes about 19 to 21 inches in the last phase of the third trimester.

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Like the first or second trimester of pregnancy, the third trimester is also important for every woman. During the third trimester, the symptoms seen in the previous trimesters of pregnancy improve. Generally, at this time most women get relief from the problem of nausea and fatigue. But during this time also many types of changes start taking place in the woman's body. The changes taking place in the woman's body in the third trimester of pregnancy are being described in detail below.

Back Or Waist Pain:
In the last stage of pregnancy, the weight of the fetus increases and pressure is put on the back or waist, due to which the woman starts having back pain. At this time, the woman is getting ready for delivery, so she feels discomfort in the pelvic area and hips. To reduce the pressure on the waist, women should try to sit with their back straight. Also, use a chair that supports the back for sitting. 

Apart from this, the woman should sleep on her side only, so that there is no excessive pressure on the pelvic area and stomach while sleeping, the woman can keep a pillow between the thighs of both her legs. During this time, to be careful and to avoid back pain, comfortable shoes or slippers should be worn instead of high heel sandals. If the waist or back pain is severe, then after asking the doctor, hot bottle fomentation can also be done.

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Increase In Breast Size:
In the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy, the size of a woman's breasts increases continuously. By the end of the third trimester, the weight of a woman's breasts reaches about two pounds (about 907 grams). When the size of the breasts increases, women should wear such bras that support their breasts. As the date of birth of the child approaches, yellow fluid will start coming out of the woman's nipples. This yellow fluid is called colostrums, due to which the baby gets all the nutrients for the first few days after birth.

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Braxton Hicks Contraction
In the third trimester of pregnancy, the woman feels Braxton Hicks contraction in the lower part of the stomach. During this time, there is a slight cramp in the lower part of the woman's stomach. Generally, this contraction is similar to the contraction that occurs during delivery. Actually, through this contraction, the uterus of the woman is getting ready for delivery. The woman feels this contraction during the day and evening after any physical activity or sex. If this contraction is happening continuously, then understand that the delivery date is coming near. If the woman has a lot of pain during Braxton Hicks contraction, then you should immediately consult your doctor.

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Vaginal Discharge (Discharge):
A pregnant woman may have more vaginal discharge in the third trimester than in the first and second trimester. If this discharge is very high, then you should meet your doctor and talk about it. If this discharge is thick, clear and slightly red in color, it means that your delivery date is near. Actually, this discharge shows that the cervix of the pregnant woman has started widening for delivery. If the woman feels more fluid than usual, then it could also be the fluid coming during delivery, which starts coming earlier in some situations.

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Having Piles:
Piles in the third trimester of pregnancy is related to the problem of varicose veins, in which the veins near the anus get swollen. Due to high blood flow in this area, the veins near the anus become wide. Apart from this, the weight of the fetus in the womb also exerts pressure on this part. To avoid this problem, the woman should sit in a tub of lukewarm water for some time.

Other Physical Changes In The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling 
• Weight gain 
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination 
• Heartburn 
• Constipation, etc.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, a balanced and nutritious diet is necessary for the woman and the fetus. Not only this, by taking a proper diet, a woman can avoid many problems occurring during pregnancy. At this time, the woman should take vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the right amount. Know the essential nutrients and food items for the third trimester of pregnancy as follows.

Iron:
Iron forms a large part of hemoglobin in the body. Hemoglobin works to deliver oxygen to the body. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in a woman's body increases by about 50 percent. In such a situation, additional hemoglobin is required. If there is a lack of blood in a woman's body during pregnancy, then the chances of excessive bleeding during delivery increase. Therefore, a woman should include iron-rich foods such as beans, apricots, egg yolk, low-fat meat, fish and almonds etc. in her diet.

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Folic acid:
Folic acid is very important in pregnancy, it mainly protects the baby from neural tube defects such as spina bifida. You can get it by consuming green leafy vegetables.

Fiber:
Women are very likely to suffer from constipation during pregnancy. To avoid this, women should consume fiber-rich foods. Some studies have shown that eating fiber-rich foods in the third trimester of pregnancy reduces the risk of a woman getting severe hemorrhoids. Therefore, women should consume a fiber-rich diet such as whole grains, pulses, beans, fruits and vegetables.

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Calcium:
Women should take calcium daily in the third trimester of pregnancy. Calcium is found in high quantities indairy products such as milk, cheese and curd etc.

Other Foods To Be Taken In The Third Trimester

• Strawberry
• Banana
• Salad
• Avocado
• Ripe papaya

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Just like the first and second trimester of pregnancy, a woman should take adequate care of herself in the third trimester as well. Along with this, it is very important for the woman to have complete information about all the precautions to be taken at this time. What the woman should do and what she should not do during this time, all these things are being explained in detail below.

What To Do In The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy:

• Be as active as possible for normal delivery.
• Prepare yourself for breastfeeding.
• Be sure to take prenatal vitamins during pregnancy.
• Do regular exercise. 
• Get enough sleep.
• Include fruits, vegetables, low-fat protein and fiber in the diet.
• Do exercises related to pelvic muscles. 
• Drink water as per requirement. 
• Take the right amount of calories, try to take 300 calories more than normal days. 

What Not To Do In The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy:

• Do not travel long distances. 
• Do not try to bend forward.
• Do not drive in the last month of pregnancy, as it can harm the baby.
• Do not take caffeine.
• Do not climb on any stool.
• Do not lift any heavy object or luggage.
• Reduce the use of stairs.
• Do not eat uncooked fish. 
• Do not sit or stand in the same position for a long time.
• Do not drink alcohol. 
• Do not do exercises that cause abdominal injury. 
• Smoking
• Consuming drugs.
• Do not drink unprocessed milk.

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The third trimester of pregnancy is the period from the seventh to the ninth month of pregnancy, which usually occurs from week 27 to week 40. The baby grows rapidly in this trimester and starts getting ready for birth. The baby gains weight, his bones get stronger, and the lungs are fully developed.

Many changes also take place in the mother's body. The size of the abdomen becomes quite large and due to this, problems like backache, fatigue, and trouble sleeping become common. Pregnant women need more rest at this time and should get regular check-ups from their doctor.

Feeling the baby move in the third trimester is common and it is an indication of his health. Preparations for delivery should begin at this time, which includes a trip to the hospital, newborn needs, and mental and physical preparation for delivery. Overall, the third trimester is a time of excitement and challenges for pregnant women as they prepare for the arrival of their baby.