Your third trimester of pregnancy is the final stretch. There will be all sorts of excitement surrounding the impending birth of your new baby. However, along with the blissful anticipation may come a considerable amount of emotions and physical challenges.
You may be tired and ready to get it over with, and eager to finally hold your baby in your arms. However, the best way to make it through the challenges of the third trimester is to anticipate them.
Here are some of the most important things to know about what to expect during your last three months of pregnancy.
Nesting
As your baby’s due date approaches, you will feel a strong urge to start creating your “nest.” That means you may begin obsessively cleaning, buying all the latest baby products, and creating your space for your baby when they arrive.
It’s a natural instinct that most mothers can expect during the last few months of pregnancy. Sometimes it doesn’t happen until the very last leg, so if it hasn’t happened yet by the first seven months, it will likely begin soon.
Contractions
Leading up to your birth your body will start to experience light contractions known as Braxton Hicks. They are your body preparing for labor and may feel like a sharp tightness in your lower abdomen.
You might feel these mild contractions as a slight tightness in your abdomen. Although a lot of women confuse them with labor, they’re not quite as intense.
If you suspect that what you’re experiencing is not Braxton Hicks, and is, in fact, premature labor, then you should contact your doctor immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Difficulty Sleeping
The first and second trimesters are nothing compared to the sleep difficulties you will experience during the third trimester.
You will likely have a sore back due to the pregnancy hormones, and your hips will feel stretched and achy. These changes in your body can make sleep a real chore.
Sure, everyone says “Get plenty of sleep before the baby comes!” However, it’s a lot easier said than done.
Although there’s no easy fix, you can ease your discomforts by investing in a quality mattress and a pregnancy pillow.
Heartburn
If you’ve never had heartburn before, chances are that you probably have it now. When you’re pregnant, your hormones relax the valve which rests between your stomach and esophagus. As a result, your stomach will release acid into your esophagus resulting in painful and uncomfortable heartburn. To reduce heartburn, you should avoid eating spicy foods, citrus, and heavily fried foods. Your doctor may recommend certain medications to help ease your symptoms as well. iority39 \lsdlo
