Your Third Trimester of Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

If you’re reading this, we’re guessing you’ve reached your third trimester of pregnancy – you’re almost there! Soon, you’ll be meeting your baby for the first time – how exciting! However, this period can often feel like the longest, as you’re so eager for your due date to arrive and carrying your baby during those last few months can be worrying and exhausting.

So, we’ve created a handy guide explaining what happens in your third trimester, including your baby’s growth, bodily changes to look out for, symptoms not to ignore, and expert tips to help it pass as comfortably as possible.

Your little one will be growing at a fast pace during the last few months of pregnancy. You might feel as if your belly couldn’t possibly grow any more, but your baby gains about half their birth weight during the third trimester - so be prepared for your bump to get even bigger! Third trimester weight gain is perfectly normal and a sign that your baby is reaching a healthy weight.

Your baby reaches a lot of amazing developmental milestones during the last trimester too. Their brain is growing at a rapid rate, meaning that they start to open their eyes and respond to light, sound and touch.

They will also start to grow fingernails and toes, and their skin will start to smooth as they begin to get plumper. You will also experience rapid foetal movement in the third trimester, where you’ll notice patterns in your baby’s movement like kicks and punches.

Not only will your baby be going through a lot of changes, but you will also – you might notice some third trimester pregnancy symptoms begin to develop, such as:

For many mums, tiredness is a common symptom - which is no surprise, as you are carrying an almost full-term baby! Third trimester fatigue is common but should be taken seriously; now is the time to make sure you’re reaching out to your partner, family and friends for support, so that you can get some well-deserved rest.

Feeling like you have to pee more than usual? As your baby starts to move further down your pelvis, it can put pressure on your bladder, which can cause leaks. This is a completely normal third trimester symptom and nothing to feel embarrassed about.

Top tip: Wearing a thin daily panty liner can give you some extra security during this time.

Increased hormone levels mean that the connective tissue in your pelvic area will start to loosen to prepare for giving birth – the result? An achy back and hips! Gentle exercise that strengthens the hip muscles can help to ease the pain. If the pain is keeping you awake, try sleeping on your side with your knees bent, using pillows to support your stomach. If it’s causing you a lot of discomfort, visit your GP to get it checked out properly.

During pregnancy, your body can experience false contractions, known as Braxton Hicks. These can range from mild to more painful, which is why some women might mistake them for labour contractions. The key difference is that Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and may disappear if you start moving around or change position, whereas labour contractions get closer together as they progress and don't go away when you move around – but if you’re in any doubt, it’s worth checking in with your doctor.

Another common third trimester symptom is swelling around your ankles and feet, which is usually caused by water retention, hormones and weight gain. Keeping your legs elevated can help keep you as comfortable as possible. In some rare cases, swelling can be a sign of something more serious, so speak to your doctor if the swelling comes on suddenly or gets worse.

Although you can expect a level of discomfort during your third trimester, there is a difference between normal symptoms and more serious side effects. Make sure you know which warning signs to look out for and contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of them.

• Vaginal bleeding
• Extreme vomiting
• Severe headache
• Intense abdominal pain
• High fever
• Painful urination
• Lots of watery vaginal discharge
• A sudden decrease in your baby’s movement

Our first and most important tip for your third trimester of pregnancy is don’t push yourself too hard! Your body is going through a lot of changes, so make looking after yourself and your baby a top priority. Here are our top tips:

• Take your prenatal vitamins: these aren’t just for the early stages – we recommend you take your prenatal vitamins, like folic acid and Vitamin D, throughout your whole pregnancy to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients and minerals you need
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet - as well as taking your vitamins, eating a healthy diet full of varied fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains and protein will help to keep you and your baby healthy
• Keep active if you can - we know that carrying an almost full-term baby is tiring, but if you have approval from your doctor, try some gentle-to-moderate exercise like walking, yoga and swimming to help boost your mood and improve your blood pressure
• Do Kegel exercises to help build your pelvic floor - Kegels help to keep the muscles around your bladder and uterus strong, so if you do them during your pregnancy, it can help prepare your muscles for giving birth
• Go to all of your health check-ups - make sure to attend all of your antenatal appointments to check that you and your little one remain healthy throughout your third trimester. Your doctor or midwife can also offer helpful advice about breastfeeding and looking after your new-born

Of course, we know you’ll be getting very excited to meet your baby, so the last trimester of pregnancy is also a great time to:

• Take childbirth classes with your partner, friend or family member
• Pack your overnight back ready for when you go into labour
• Have your nursery ready – nesting is real!
• Buy and install your baby’s car seat
• Make sure you have all the baby supplies you need (including Mitosyl Protective Ointment, of course)

We hope this piece on the third trimester of pregnancy has answered any questions you may have had and helps to make the time pass as quickly and comfortably as possible. For more pregnancy information and advice, check out our blog for articles on morning sickness and how your body changes during pregnancy.

Don’t forget to try our Mitosyl products when your little one does arrive with gentle formulas to soothe and protect against nappy rash.