What To Expect During Your Third Trimester
The Third Trimester is generally the final stage of pregnancy. In this period, the visit to the doctor will be on weekly basis. This frequent visit is to monitor the heartbeat and movement of the child in the womb.
What are the tests normally conducted?
One of the tests normally conducted is the GBS. It is a bacterium test called the group ‘B’ streptococcus test. Although it is harmless in case of adults, this bacterium could make the child critically ill.
The test is conducted by taking a swab from the vagina or the rectum. If doctors detect the bacterium, then the mother is administered antibiotic medicine intravenously during the labor. The baby thus gets protection against the bacterium.
Another important test is the breech. This is to ascertain the position of the baby, i.e. to ascertain whether the baby is in “head first position”. In common-man’s language, it is called head turning. For a normal delivery, the baby must be positioned “head first”.
If it is not so, the doctor will apply pressure on the abdomen with an attempt to turn the baby. If the baby is not in “head first position” even after applying pressure, then the doctor will suggest for Caesarean delivery or c-section.
Physical Changes:
During this period, cervix softens and dilates so that delivery can be smooth. In many cases, ‘would be mothers’ feel heartburns. Many ‘would be mothers’ also experience hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Some would also experience spider veins. To avert this situation, get the legs examined periodically and drink lot of water or liquids.
Many of the women have stretch marks during this period and in many cases, they would experience itchy sensation in this area. Breasts keep growing because milk glands begin to grow and expand. Depending on the size of the baby in the womb, some women feel pressure on the bladder.
Most of the women experience Braxton Hicks contractions. During this period, check weight of the mother regularly. Normally, the mother would have gained a weight of about 25-35 pounds. The mother will feel most discomfort.
Therefore, the best thing to do in the Third Trimester is to keep engaged in some constructive work and make positive assertions of your self.
