The third trimester of pregnancy is the most critical phase of pregnancy. This is when your baby’s development inside the womb enters its final stages, and your body prepares for labor and your baby’s arrival.
As a first-time mother, you might be wondering if you’ve done everything you need to prepare. You’ve gone through the cravings, morning sickness, and countless prenatal checkups, and now you may be asking yourself if there are any final preparations before your little one arrives.
How to Prepare During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
Here are some important things you can do during your third trimester to help you prepare for labor and welcome your baby with confidence.
Avoid Overworking Yourself
The second trimester might have given you a lot of energy, but the same cannot be said for the final trimester. Your baby will still grow in size from about 2 ½ lbs. to at least 6-9 lbs. Carrying your baby’s weight around can deplete most of your energy. This is why doctors strongly recommend avoiding anything that can stress or overwork you.
Standing for long periods of time can put pressure on your feet and make your ankles swell. Sit down and prop your legs on top of a chair to reduce the swelling.
Another common situation for pregnant women is incessant back pain because of your expanding belly. To relieve the pain, sit down every few minutes, try an underbelly support garment and sleep on your side.
Perform Pregnancy-Safe Exercises
In order to prepare your body for labor, try some small exercises for expectant mothers. One example of an exercise that’s perfect for expectant mothers is swimming.
When people are in the water, they weigh one-tenth of their regular weight on land. This means you will weigh less, and the strain on your legs will be minimal.
Prenatal yoga is another option that expectant mothers can look into. Prenatal yoga can develop flexibility that will help reduce the pain in labor for mothers.
Before starting any exercise routine, consult your healthcare provider to make sure it is safe for your pregnancy. Always avoid overexerting yourself.
Prepare for Labor
As the final weeks of your pregnancy approach, you and your partner should start preparing for labor.
First, know which hospital or clinic you are going to give birth in. Normally, mothers choose the hospital nearest their home where their doctor is also practicing. This ensures that they will have their doctor when they give birth, and they will know where to go once their water breaks and they are ready to give birth.
Second, pack a bag of clothes and store them nearby so that you’re ready to go anytime that you go into labor.
Third, you should be ready with the things your baby will need, such as diapers, clothes, a crib, and so on. This way, you will have everything you need for the baby when you get back from the hospital.
Read Up on Breastfeeding
Part of being a mother is breastfeeding. As your pregnancy progresses, your body also prepares your breasts to breastfeed your baby. There are several exercises that you can try to get your body ready for breastfeeding. You can also join breastfeeding if you have zero idea on how to breastfeed. If you want to learn more about breastfeeding, you can read about it here.
Choose a Pediatrician
With weeks left before your baby comes, check out your local pediatricians and decide who among them will be your baby’s doctor. This is a decision you have to make beforehand to make sure that your baby’s pediatrician is someone you can trust and run to in times of emergency.
Consider factors such as the clinic’s location, consultation fees, office hours, and the services they offer when making your decision.
Getting Ready for Your Baby’s Arrival
The third trimester is the phase marked by countless preparations for the coming of the family’s newest member. It is at this phase that your baby undergoes the most changes to prepare itself for the world outside.
A lot of complications can happen during childbirth. This is why it’s really important to be prepared for the baby’s needs this early to avoid worrying about it when you go into labor.
Sources:
http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/exercises-for-pregnant-women
http://www.parenting.com/article/thirdtrimestersymptoms
http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-ultimate-pregnancy-to-do-list-third-trimester_10341209.bc?
http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/thirdtrimesterofpregnancy?page=2
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthylifestyle/pregnancyweekbyweek/indepth/pregnancy/art20046767?p=1
