Being the last lap of the pregnancy journey, the 3rd trimester is usually a time where you have to do some critical things to ensure that you have a smooth delivery and successful postpartum. The 3rd trimester is the last 3 months of pregnancy.
What Happens In The Third Trimester?
Several things happen in the third trimester. The baby continues to grow and develops rapidly. Pregnant women most times will start showing the baby bump.
Women experience swollen ankle feet and face, Braxton Hicks contractions(random contractions of the uterus), difficulty in sleeping sometimes, frequent use of the bathroom, increased cravings.
In the fetus, bones have been formed, storing minerals already takes place in the body. The baby can also open and close their eyes. Weighs about 6 to 9 pounds. In the 37 – 40th week of pregnancy, a baby is ready to be delivered.
What Is Normal In The 3rd Trimester?
In the third trimester it is normal to experience these symptoms: tiredness, frequent urination, shortness of breath, you become slower, emotional shift, eagerness to see your little one, itchy nipple, swollen feet. Do not feel awkward when you experience all this. Trust me it won’t last forever.
Is The Third Trimester Really That Bad?
I wouldn’t say it is that bad perse, but the endless need to pee, body aches, bloating, mood swing, constant tiredness, and the expectancy of your little one can make it feel tough for women.
The third trimester is a time where women experience the toughest symptoms of pregnancy and this is completely normal. If you find ways to manage all these symptoms, it would be easier and more comfortable for you.
How Can I Make My Third Trimester More Comfortable?
You can make your third trimester more comfortable by:
- Staying hydrated.
To avoid swollen feet and ankles avoid caffeine, move around, do not wear high heels, - Prop your feet up.
- Massage. It helps a great deal to relieve body aches.
- Avoid fatty food and eat smaller portions to avoid constipation and heartburn.
- Take rest regularly, go out and have fun to keep you from being too anxious and cranky.
If you find it difficult to sleep try to exercise late in the day so that you can sleep much easier.
Understanding that the third trimester is the final stage one needs to make every day of those 3 months count. Below are 10 critical things to do in your 3rd trimester.
1. Stay Active
While drawing near to the last lap, it is usual for the drive and energy to wear out. Bearing an extra weight it may seem easier just to prop up your legs all day and rest. You move slower and get more tired and short of breath. It is normal.
But you have to carry on so you and the baby do not get lazy. Try to include activities in your everyday schedule so you don’t miss out on exercise.
I do know it can be super strenuous thinking of exercise when you can barely carry yourself in the third trimester but trust me you can do it.
Simple exercises like walking 5, 10 to 15 minutes is awesome. You could also try stretches to strengthen your calves and ease body aches. Swimming too is another great exercise to try if you are up to it. The key to exercising in pregnancy is to be active and fit so do not overwork yourself.
One way to check if you’re going overboard is by doing the Talk test. At the end of every exercise session, you shouldn’t be gasping for breath and you should be able to say a sentence without pausing to catch a breath.
If you can only say a few words before pausing then you need to take things a bit slower. As always, it is important to check in with your doctor about any exercise that you are engaging in to approve it is appropriate.
You can also become active by choosing to go out more often, stopping yourself from watching TV or movies till after exercise, having an exercise partner or someone you are accountable to.
Note that whenever you feel any discomfort like extreme waist pain, shortness of breath, bleeding, dizzy spells, and discomfort please stop immediately.
2. Prepare Your Home
The third trimester is the best time for you to start getting ready the home for the new baby. It is always preferable at this time because the pregnancy morning sickness has worn off in the first trimester and you have strengthened up a little bit in the second trimester.
You should aim to welcome your child to a clean and comfortable home so there is a need for a spring cleaning. Clear of any old stuff, those things that have been piling up for years and you won’t use anymore to give much room and air in the home.
Old shoes, clothing, furniture, bags should be revamped or given out. Touch up in any area you feel you need some touching up. Repaint anything broken and leaking to make your home safe. Repaint and redecorate.
You may also consider babyproofing the home now if you have not done so. You will want to be thorough while doing this because babies need a very clean environment as their immune system is still weak. Clean thoroughly all the furniture’s in the home.
The carpet will require deep cleaning as regular vacuuming may not be enough and you want to go extra. Cleaning with water extraction or steam cleaning is the best option here.
Clean the fans and the cupboards even the light fixtures. These are some parts that we do not give so much attention to in our everyday cleaning.
Replace broken, old, and worn-out stuff with new ones. Stash chemicals and detergents in a safe place to avoid risks of accident. Drugs should be kept in drawers and locked away.
While cleaning, pay close attention to the part of the house that involves more traffic. Anything currently taking space but hardly used should be stored to give more space in the house.
Clean up your fridge save space for breastmilk, formulas, and other perishable stuff you will be getting after delivery. Reorganizing is a huge task that will give you much peace when you have done it. You would want to start up early even plan before starting.
Get your partner and kids to join you in the planning process, and arrangements. You may hire the help of additional aid if need be. Once you have an organized home you can safely welcome the baby when it’s time.
3. Prepare The Baby Gear
I bet you must have bought tons and tons of stuff while doing baby shopping in earlier months. Most women can’t keep up the excitement for shopping for the baby, so shopping is always done early.
Well if you haven’t it isn’t too late the third trimester is also an ideal time to shop for the essentials and extras you will be needing for you and your baby.
When shopping for the baby get: diapers in different sizes, onesies, breast pump, car seater, towels, mittens, socks, toys, caps, formula bottles, blankets, decorations for the nursery. For yourself you should shop for: thick maternity pads, maternity bras, soft loose clothing, pillows, comfy panties, etc.
After shopping the next thing to do is to birth that idea of your dream nursery alive. Startup with the fixable. Fix the changing tables, strollers, cots, car seats, and every other thing that needs fixing and set them aside.
Paint if you have to then clean up the room. Decorate the walls with a choice design and if you haven’t known the gender you may choose to go with a neutral color theme. Next assemble the cot, changing table, drawers, lighting, and everything you would need in the nursery.
Work with your space available and plan where everything would best fit. Having a picture in mind of how you would want the nursery to be would give you an insight into how things should be fixed.
Ensure you put a waste bin that is covered, a recliner and rocking chair is awesome for breastfeeding and short naps. The room you choose for the nursery should be airy and well ventilated.
Everything does not have to be color-coded. Though there should be a blend of colors. The bedsheets and the blankets can go with the color theme. You should make a focal point in the room that is eye-catching.
The cot is usually the focal point in most nurseries but you can make yours different. Remember you will do a lot of changing and you would want to stay organized by using drawers to keep, diapers, bibs, etc.
You can even label them so it’s easy to find out where is what. Station this close to the bed where you would be sleeping for easy reach.
Complete the nursery with windows and doors decoration, a proper place for storing used clothes and nappy and yes a night light. The lightning in the room shouldn’t be so harsh. A cool calm feel is what you should be aiming for. Since setting up the baby gear takes time stocking up and starting the arrangement early is worthwhile.
4. Learn About Labor
Labour is quite intensive and overwhelming the whole process of bringing forth a whole human is no small joke. You need to be prepared.
The third trimester is the best time to start learning much more about Labour sooner than you think you would birthing your newborn. There are tons and tons of information out there that would give you great Inspiration.
Learn about the stages of labor, the signs, and symptoms that precede each stage, and how to prepare yourself for these stages. Learn about Braxton Hicks contractions, tips on how to stimulate labor, the positioning of the baby, how to manage labor pain successfully, when to come to the hospital and when to alert the doctor in case of any emergency.
Prepare your mind that you will be able to carry through with the whole process and birth a healthy and lively baby. You also want to learn about exercises that will strengthen your core and help you gain physical endurance as you will be needing it this time.
One thing that will help women during labor is to accept the fact that it is going to hurt and you prepare for it. I had no idea on the extent of the work involved during labor when had the contractions shook me to my roots. Labor like the name is it a tasky experience.
Take note of that and prepare your mind and body so that you would be able to accommodate the pain and whatever task you have to go through to birth your newborn. You achieve this with a lot of mindfulness. Prenatal yoga is very to learn focus and concentration.
Also, try deep breathing exercises. It is great to learn about different types of birth and there are and think critically on the one you think will suit you and discuss with your carer.
Preparing for labor also entails that you take lots of rest, eat healthily, and exercise. The last few weeks to devilry may be a bit shaky and emotional for you and you may be a bit nervous but it is completely normal.
Do not burden yourself with worries, look on the bright side, and be positive. It could also be helpful to watch videos of the labor especially if you’re a first-time or it will give you an insight into the whole process you would go.
5. Make A Birth Plan
As you start learning about labor, one thing that should pop into your mind should be the birth plan. What is a birth plan? A birth plan consists of the things you would love during the birth of your child.
Those unique experiences you would want to have during labor. Do I need to have a birth plan? Dr. Melanie lagomichos aptly answers this question. She asks Are you a planner? That would determine if you want to have a birth plan or not.
You do not necessarily need to have a birth plan but having one is important. in your birth plan, you can discuss how the labor should go.
Your doctor or carer can introduce you to other alternatives to vaginal birth, ways to manage and reduce pain during labor if you want a natural birth, things to bring into the delivery room.
Your birth plan should state if you want your delivery in private or public rooms, who you want by your side during labor, if you need a Doula, mirrors by the bed to see yourself pushing out to baby if you want the whole process to be videoed, etc.
Whatever desires you have in my picture and write them down as you carry through research for labor start noting the things you desire when you want to give birth and discuss them with your carer.
You get better clarity on those things you’re not clear about and see what you could want and would not want. You need to be flexible too and realistic as not each of your demands will work out.
Your Carer will tell you and give you reasons and you both can find ways around it working together to get it suitable Birth plan giving you a labor experience you desire.
If you have to get templates of birth plans from the internet make sure you understand what each of the items means so you do not end up doing those things you do not understand.
6. Prepare For After Birth
Once you have worked out a birth plan with your carer giver, the next thing you should do is to start up with preparing an after-birth plan.
As I have learned, the three most important stages of having a successful pregnancy and caring for your child is what you do before and during pregnancy, during labor, and after pregnancy.
Most times we only focus on pregnancy and delivery. When postpartum preparations are critically important. After your delivery has taken a toll on you even your significant other how well you cope is by how much you prepare.
Once you have worked out a birth plan with your carer giver, the next thing you should do is to start up with preparing an after-birth plan. An after-birth plan is a write-up of the things you want to do after the birth of your child.
Of course and the after-birth plan is not set in stone it can be altered up and you should be open-minded for some changes. Discuss with your doctor or your demands you both can plan out something that would work best for you.
An after birth plan contains things like no circumcision, immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth, putting the baby to the breast immediately after birth, ok Hepatitis shot, no bottle feeding, etc.
Before you write out an after-birth plan ensures you know and understand what each item on the list is so you don’t end up spending too much time discussing unnecessary things that do not mean anything to you.
Another thing you should do during the third trimester is preparing for postpartum. How postpartum would be will largely depend on how well you prepared for it.
You will be overwhelmed a bit with your responsibility as a new mom and even recuperating back body after birth so you need adequate preparations so things will be easier for you.
Prepare and plan for who will stay at the house while you are away at the hospital. Plan if you want visitors after birth or just a few select persons. Save a lot of cash at hand so you don’t get financial strain.
You and your partner should discuss if you’re going to get a relative, friend, or family to help while you recover or if he’s going to be the one around.
Also, think of ways to manage the chores because house chores can be overwhelming after birth. Do not leave out fun things you can do to get yourself back, the exercises to try out, how to plan rest and reconnect with your inner self, etc.
I consider postpartum preparation the most neglected because many women mostly focus on pregnancy and delivery.
It is time to change that, and in your third trimester plan critically for after birth and put things in motion to have a quicker and easier recovery and lesser stress.
7. Stock Up
You will want to start stocking up on the essential and non-essential items you will be needing now and for after delivery. The best time to start the shopping is now in the 3rd Trimester as you will be doing a lot immediately after birth.
Get a sheet and imagine yourself not shopping for the next three to six months (that is your third trimester and the three months after birth) and start penning down those things that you would be needing.
Get tissues grains, oil, soap, cleaning materials, paper towels, canned tomatoes and other pastes, medicines, sugar, milk, tea, flour, biscuits, batteries, shampoo, toothpaste, sponges, towels, trash bags, butter, coffee, mayonnaise, foil, cling film, lotions, pretzels, hand sanitizers. etc.
You also want to start taking note of the perishables you will buy when the time is nearer. When you can stock up on the essentials and non-essentials a huge load is off your back as after delivery, you wouldn’t need to run around to do shopping most of the time.
For you as the mama, shop for comfortable clothes, breastfeeding bra or any other firm bra, comfy pants, a sitz bath, lanolin ointment, squirt bottle, doughnut pillows, and other pillows, tuck pads, stool softener, nipple cream, your favorite book/ magazine.
As the time gets closer you can prepare soups, stews, and sauces, precook pasta, buy the perishables and have them frozen. With all these, recovering after delivery will be much easier on you.
Do not over-purchase items because you are buying in bulk. Use a list when buying.
8. Prepare The Hospital Bags
You’re going to be needing a baby bag and a mother bag. The baby bag is an essential item for delivery. Yes, most women carry it but you don’t want to miss anything important in it that is why you plan and start preparing for your baby bag essentials.
I have written a concise post on the hospital bag checklist here. You may want to check it out. Meanwhile, here are some essentials you should put in your baby bag. Diapers, onesies, caps, swaddle, a special outfit for going home, formula bottles, toys towels, baby soap and cream shampoo, formula.
For the mother bag: free and comfortable clothes, toiletries, soap, conditioner, light scented perfume, toothpaste, lots of sanitary pads, thick stockings, your birth plan, books, cell phone, underwear, supportive nursing bra, a special outfit for going home, pillows, makeup, nightgown, earplugs, bathing sponge, camera, sweatshirt/ shawl, pen and paper, a file containing medical paperwork test results, your credit card, and some cash, hairbrush breastfeeding pillows, shower shoes eye mask, identity card driver’s license, gift for the nurses.
Whoever is going to the hospital with you will also need to pack a bag. You will need to cut down on some unnecessary items like expensive jewelry, gadgets, too much cash.
9. Discuss With Your Partner
If you haven’t had a heart-to-heart talk with your partner about the baby on the way you can consider doing it in your third trimester.
You will deliver soon, so you and the expectant daddy need to rub minds. As you plan about delivery and other stuff, also talk about how you intend to prepare for labor, how you want your birth plan to be, things to buy and not to buy when shopping, the finances at hand, and how much you will be projecting for delivery and after, knowing the gender of the baby, visitors after birth, how you both intend to plan activities during postpartum.
Also discuss the parenting structure, if you have any big plans for your child, how you intend to parent, incorporating your baby into the family life, coping during postpartum, balancing work and family life, etc.
While you discuss these, you lay the right foundation to receive your newborn. You are also mentally and physically preparing for the responsibility, and you will see that you easily fit into your new role as a parent without much hassles.
10. Celebrate Your Last Days Of Pregnancy
One thing you do not want to miss in the third trimester is celebrating your pregnancy. You are pregnant and about to birth a whole human; a baby born out of love.
It’s something worth celebrating and do not fail to do that. Take lots and lots of photos. You can even keep a record of the baby’s growth on your journey from the first trimester, do videos of when the baby moves in the tummy when you are cranky or eating up a storm.
Go out, dress-up party with the girls, and have fun. Reinvent your pregnancy time. It doesn’t have to be the same as what you see everywhere. Wear the clothes are you love as far as they’re comfortable and not tightening the bum.
Have a special dinner with your family go to the beach, movies, or concerts. Make the world see that you are pregnant and you are rocking it. Pamper yourself; breakfast in bed every other day is not a bad idea. Relaxing in a hot shower after a great workout is awesome.
Going for a massage something you would love. It would help with all the backache and waist pain to loosen up those stiff muscles and make you feel much better. Have treats and indulge in those things you so love but do not overdo it.
Host a baby shower, take funny photoshoots with your bum; your partner and your other kids shouldn’t be left out. Join a group of other pregnant women. It could be at prenatal class or yoga class interact and have fun again.
There is this feeling of closeness you have when you interact with you your kind. Have a fun time with your partner cuddle and relax, play silly, do anything you both always enjoy because when the baby comes before may take a while to do all this again. Go for a babymoon if it is safe for you to travel at this time and strengthen your bond, read books, do those things that make your life meaningful.
For an easier and enjoyable pregnancy, you need to do these 10 critical things I have listed above; try them, you would be thanking me thereafter.
Wishing you a safe delivery.
