Third Trimester

Pregnancy Week By Week - Week 34

By now you are starting to feel the extra weight, and cursing all those bowls of ice cream you had back during your first trimester. As baby’s head moves lower you go back to the wonderful having to pee all the time days, and you may be having trouble sleeping. While there’s not much you can do about any of these things, you can at least tell yourself that in six weeks you’ll have the perfect prize to show for all of your suffering.
During this week your baby is kick-starting her immune system, instead of relying entirely on mommy’s. She weighs five whole pounds and is 17 ¾ inches long.

Tip

It’s good to have a birth plan, even if you don’t entirely follow it. On your birth plan have your thoughts on how you would like your birth to go, and what you will use to relax yourself and control pain. This can be items like soft music, a birthing ball, tens machine a massage from your partner, etc. Having it all laid out in a plan can make everything much less scary when it’s time.

Pregnancy Week By Week - Week 35

About this week or next week you will start to visit your obstetrician or midwife on a weekly basis, so she can keep an eye on your blood pressure. Keep busy by taking care of yourself: good food, light exercise, and some nice skin lotion to keep stretch marks away.

Meanwhile baby is still putting on weight, and is a remarkable 5 ½ pounds and 18 inches long. He is likely going to stay in head-down position from here on in, so get used to the kicks to the ribs and elbows to your girly parts! Remember, only a few more weeks and you’ll have a new baby to cuddle!

Tip

Likely every girlfriend you know (as well as your mom and some people you hardly know) have told you their labour stories. While you may not be too keen on the information, it is good to hear that so many women you know have given birth successfully. Likely you will notice a huge range of labour times, baby weights, and uses of pain medication – because every birth is different! By getting a few different perspectives you can learn new ways to manage pain and make your birth a positive one.

Pregnancy Week By Week - Week 36

Four weeks! Right now that probably feels like an eternity, but once it’s over you’ll feel like it went by so fast. Enjoy your big belly – because it will be gone soon. Get some nice lotion and spend some time with your belly, it’s a good baby bonding experience and it will make you feel great.

Is it easier to breathe yet? Within the next two weeks your baby will ‘drop’ into the birth canal. Good news, you can breathe again. Bad news is, your girly parts don’t feel so good. This pressure will increase until labour time, so it may be time to pick up a pregnancy support belt to take some of the pressure off.

At six pounds and 18 ½ inches long baby is certainly ready to come out, just like you’re ready to have her out. But just a few more weeks will let baby add more fat stores, making it easier for her to regulate temperature, and hopefully sleep better!

Tip

Get a big pair of headphones, put them around your belly and crank up your favourite tune. Your baby can hear the music, and you’ll definitely feel a reaction! Try variations between soothing music and upbeat tempos – see what gets her moving!

Pregnancy Week By Week - Week 37

This is it – you are officially full term. Any time now, anywhere you could go into labour! Don’t panic, you’ll do fine. Are you nesting? The answer is yes if you find yourself tidying the house and cleaning every nooke and cranny.
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At six pounds and 19 inches your baby is ready – are you?

Tip

Check that you and your partner can work the car seat and buggy.

Have you decided to breast feed or bottle feed? Do you have all the feeding essentials? Invest in a medela breast pumps or avent bottles.

Pregnancy Week By Week - Week 38

“Was that a contraction?” You probably are starting to question every twinge and tweak as you head down the home stretch. Don’t worry - your body will certainly let you know when it’s time. But it still is probably a good idea to not stray too far from home. If you notice pink or blood ‘show’ in your underwear this is a sign that your cervix is dilating, so make sure the labour bag is packed and ready to go!
Baby’s lungs and brain are finishing off their final bits of development, and baby is itching to get out into the real world. He weighs about 6 ½ pounds and is 20 inches long.

Tip

Take your mind off the impending delivery by picking up some fun baby bath and skin products. Soap, shampoo, lotion, the works. Just make sure that it’s safe for baby’s sensitive skin. Why not get a little something for yourself while you’re at it?