Third Trimester: The Home Stretch

From our friends at Adventist Health:

Congratulations — you’re in your third trimester! Weeks 29 through 40 are the last of your pregnancy. These final weeks are an exciting time as you get ready to welcome your baby into the world.

Preparing for childbirth

By now, the baby’s bones are fully formed and their eyes open and close. Although the lungs aren’t completely developed yet, your baby is making some breathing movements.

“Late in the third trimester, the baby may change to a head-down position and drop lower in your pelvis,” says Kori Pienovi, certified nurse-midwife with Adventist Health Portland. “The baby is considered full-term — meaning they are ready to be born — between 37 and 42 weeks.”
Your body is preparing for labor and childbirth now. You might feel more aches and pains, especially in your back, hips and pelvis. You also may have trouble sleeping. Try to sleep on your left side, which is better for circulation, and place a pillow between your knees or behind your back.

Baby’s growth puts pressure on your organs. You may feel short of breath or need to go to the bathroom more often than usual. Your breasts may feel tender, and your nipples may leak a watery, pre-milk liquid called colostrum.

Preparing for postpartum

If you have time (and energy!), do any prep work that you can before baby arrives to make coming home easier. Set up your breastfeeding or pump/bottle-washing station, collect your postpartum supplies, prepare freezer meals, and arrange for pet care or child care for older children for when you go into labor.

While the hospital will provide plenty of postpartum supplies, you may need to purchase extra pads, nipple cream and anything else you’ll want to be more comfortable in those first weeks. Now is the time to collect those items and make sure they’re easy to find.

Setting boundaries and asking for help

The weeks before baby’s arrival are also a good time to consider who you’d like visiting at the hospital — and once you come home. Think about who you’d like in the room while you’re laboring and delivering and whether you’d like visitors during recovery. Setting expectations with loved ones before you’re in labor can help put your mind at ease and make sure everyone is on the same page.

It’s also a great time to let loved ones know how they can best support you postpartum. Friends and family are always eager to help with and visit a new baby, so don’t be shy about letting them know what you truly need — meals, child care for older children, or help cleaning and caring for the home.

Ready, set, go!

When the time comes, your care team at the Family Birth Place will be there for you during every step of labor and delivery.