Pregnancy Third Trimester
A Look at the Last Trimester of Pregnancy Week by Week
As you prepare for the last trimester of pregnancy, you may notice that some weeks fly by and others crawl along slowly. You may be more tired and have more digestive discomforts. Your baby grows from nearly 4 to 8 pounds in this last trimester. What happens in the last 13 weeks of pregnancy?
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 27
Your baby's lungs are producing a substance called lecithin, which is necessary for the baby to be able to breath on her own after she is born. Are you noticing any burning or tingling in your hands that radiates as far as your elbow? This is a common effect of pregnancy known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 28
Your baby's hair on her head in Week 28 of pregnancy is now longer than the fine hair on her body (called lanugo.) With only 12 weeks left of your pregnancy, you may be enrolled in your childbirth classes by this time.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 29
During Week 29 of pregnancy, your baby begins to develop a layer of fat called "subcutaneous fat," which is the first layer just below your baby's skin. If you notice you are having frequent leg cramps, it might be due to having a lack of calcium in your diet.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 30
Your baby weighs between 4-4.6 pounds (or 1800-2100grams) and is about 12 inches long (or 31 cm). Are you aware of the signs of preterm labor? Find out more.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 31
As your baby takes up more and more space within your abdominal cavity, some mothers will experience a hiatal hernia in which the stomach is displaced upward and causes the hiatus of the diaphragm to widen. What else is happening in Week 31?
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 32
As early as Week 32 of pregnancy, your baby may begin to dream when he sleeps. What options can you have during labor? Is your care provider supportive of your preferences? Find out about writing a birth plan.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 33
Don't forget to include extra protein in your diet from week 33 until week 40 of your pregnancy since protein is the building block for cell growth and development. As pregnancy progresses into the final weeks, mothers often see more swelling, especially in their ankles. Find out what is normal and when to call your provider.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 34
As your baby begins to get bigger, he will get into position for labor. Your body's production of extra blood volume to sustain pregnancy and nourish your baby finally reaches its peak levels in week 34 of pregnancy. This is a great time to begin doing perineal massage to prepare your body for labor.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 35
Since your growing baby is taking up room and pushing up your stomach contents, you might be plagued with indigestion, heartburn and find that eating smaller meals to remain more comfortable. What helps to treat these discomforts?
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 36
Your baby now makes enough of the necessary digestive enzymes to help her digest food after she is born. It is more important to eat the right foods than it is to watch every pound that you are gaining in the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 37
By Week 37 of pregnancy, your baby now has very definite movements and she can both turn and elevate her head. This is a great time to begin packing your labor bag to take to your place of birth. Find out what helpful things you should be packing in your bag.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 38
Typically in the last few weeks of your pregnancy, your baby will have dropped into your pelvis and may even be engaged. You might even find that you lose a pound or so in these last weeks of pregnancy, even as your baby is gaining weight.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 39
Perhaps you have discovered from your prenatal visit that your cervix is effaced and dilated. Will this mean you will go into labor soon?
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 40
Are you having regular contractions or have you lost your mucous plug? What are other possible or definite signs of labor? Find out more.
Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 41-2
Have you gone past your due date? Many mothers do. Here are things to know about being overdue and what options you may have for labor induction.
