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Third Trimester Experiences
by Lisa Rodriguez, R.N. and Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
reviewed and revised by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
The third trimester is usually considered to start at 27 weeks' gestation. You are getting down to the wire and preparing for the new addition to your family. You may be feeling many different emotions during this time. You may be very excited to meet your new son or daughter. You may be worried about whether your baby will be healthy. You also may be apprehensive about labor and delivery. In addition to these changing emotions, physical changes continue in the third trimester:- You will continue to feel fetal activity. You may now feel distinct parts of the baby moving. You may notice a rolling across your abdomen as the baby shifts his position.
- You may need to urinate often, just as you did during your first trimester. As the baby grows larger, there's less room in your abdominal cavity for your bladder. You may also lose urine when you sneeze or cough. This is called stress urinary incontinence or SUI and is common in the last trimester.
- You may notice it is harder to catch your breath. As the baby grows larger, expanding towards your rib cage, there's less room for your lungs to move when you breathe.
- You may notice that you are more fatigued at the end of the day, just as you were during the first trimester.
- Your belly button may go from an innie to an outtie.
- You may have Braxton-Hicks contractions.
- Your breasts may begin to leak colostrum, the first milk, which is yellowish in color.
- You may notice that the whitish vaginal discharge increases and becomes thicker.
- You may continue to be constipated.
- You might continue to experience heartburn.
- You may continue to become dizzy or faint.
- You may continue to have nasal congestion.
- You might have a backache from carrying the extra weight of your baby.
- You may have leg and feet cramps.
- If you have varicose veins or hemorrhoids, they may become worse.
- You may have swelling in your face, hands, ankles, and feet.
- You may suffer from insomnia.
- As the pregnancy comes to an end, you may have a burst of energy and find yourself buying and preparing things for the baby at a fever pitch-commonly known as nesting.
- Towards the end of the pregnancy, your cervix may begin to thin out, which is known as effacement. It also may start to open, which is called dilation.
- You may feel more vaginal pressure.
While the third trimester can be one of the more uncomfortable periods of pregnancy, it is also one of the most exciting. If you are getting frustrated with your aches and pains, as well as the changes in your shape, keep in mind that you are accomplishing an amazing feat--you are growing a whole person inside of your body. Try to keep a good attitude and recognize that the discomfort is temporary. You are almost there. Your little one will come out to meet you soon!
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Created November 14, 2000
Reviewed and revised August 25, 2004
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