It is Official!

Most women think of the three trimesters in terms of three months each. Going by those definitions, you have considered yourself in the third trimester for quite a few weeks now. Technically, doctors see it a little different and many sources quote the beginning of the third trimester later. It gets complicated since women will carry their babies long or shorter periods of time. But, it is now official; you are in your third trimester by any definition!

The chance of your baby surviving preterm labor is around 90% and those worries can be lifted from your shoulders by now.

Pay attention to the baby movements more as you go through this last phase of pregnancy. Any movements out of the normal or if you notice a drastic drop in the number of movements, you should contact your doctor immediately. It is common to experience smaller, less wide sweeping movements; it’s the frequency of the movements you are concerned with.

Look at You Now:

With the brain developing more and more your diet is very important. Make sure you are taking your prenatal vitamins daily and that you are eating the nutrients your baby needs. This is not the time to be dieting or cutting back calories, nor is it time to eat in excess. Use common sense and feed your body appropriately.

Your digestive processes have slowed and there is less room in your stomach, so try to eat small meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals. This is a great way to keep your metabolism up even after the baby is born, and can help speed your body back to a normal size!

Water is extremely important for the end of pregnancy as well. It will prevent constipation which can lead to uncomfortable hemorrhoids and will help with any swelling in the legs. The more water you drink the better as it flushes out any excess water your body may want to hold onto.

If you are carrying twins, then immerse yourself in even more water and try swimming. Not only is a great form of exercise that is gentle on the joints while carrying the extra baby weight, but it can help you feel smaller and light. Floating with multiples feels so great in the last trimester!

Look at Baby Now:

The lungs and muscles continue to mature and by now the bone marrow is in complete charge of producing red blood cells. Your little one is also in complete control of regulating his own body temperature!

Big changes continue to develop in the brain. Every day, billions of neurons develop as the thinking and processing capacities of your baby increase. This is why you need to really watch the nutrients being passed to your baby to adequately fuel this important work.

Tips for Now:

You may feel enormous and ache all over, but that is no reason to hide on the couch with comfort food. Find better ways to comfort yourself and feel better about your appearance. Get a new haircut or go for a massage. Something as simple as a manicure and pedicure can go a long way in making you feel more womanly while carrying your baby.

Also, pampering yourself can sometimes be as simple as taking a long nap or sleeping in and letting the other half deal with the kids one morning. If you feel extremely exhausted, a few hours of solid extra sleep can be rejuvenating.