Gearing Up for the Home Stretch: The Third Trimester of Pregnancy
The third trimester is the most critical phase of pregnancy. This is the phase where the baby’s development inside the womb is in its finishing stages and your body prepares itself for the baby’s arrival.
As first-time mothers, you might be confused about what you should do. You’ve gone through the cravings, the morning sickness and the endless check-ups and you may be wondering if there are any other preparations that you missed.
Well, there are a few things you should do before your baby comes. Take a look at some of them below:
- 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 pains 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 lighter 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.
Always remember to not overexert or overwork yourself in the process.
- 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 bursts 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, 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 f you have zero idea on how to breastfeed. If you want to learn more about breastfeeding, you can read about it here.
- Pick 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 their clinic’s location, price, and the services they offer in choosing one.
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.
If you have more questions about pregnancy or child rearing, check out some of our links here.
Sources:
http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/exercises-for-pregnant-women
http://www.parenting.com/article/thirdtrimestersymptoms
http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/thirdtrimesterofpregnancy?page=2
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthylifestyle/pregnancyweekbyweek/indepth/pregnancy/art20046767?p=1