Pregnancy calendar - 3rd trimester
 The
Seventh month
The
Eighth Month
The
Ninth month
Visits To The Doctor in 3rd Trimester
Suddenly, high levels of pregnancy hormones give you an energetic and positive feeling. Your hair is thicker and skin glowing, but backache really sets in now.
Your baby will now be moving very vigorously, and a very loud noise is likely to be followed by a definite kick. The little tyke will now become prone to hiccups. Actually, babies are actually asleep for 98% of their time in the womb, but they do move in their sleep and certainly let you know when they wake up! Eyelids open for the first time.
By now you should be about 14-21 pounds over your normal weight. Some women develop a specific problem with their pubic bone that actually moves and rubs against the other bones of the pelvis as they walk, resulting in a painful condition know as symphysitis. Painkillers and rest, is usually all that is needed, but occasionally it can be temporarily disabling. Your breasts are also likely to have started leaking a milky substance, known as colostrums.
Into the third trimester, you really have to face up to the realities of motherhood and whether you are really up to the job. Reading plenty of advice and sharing experiences with other mothers is a good way to dispel anxiety. Ante-natal classes are excellent for this.
This is also your last chance to prepare before the 'bump' really gets out of hand and the pregnancy really begins to drain your energy. It's advisable to get your maternity shopping done early, and now is an ideal time.
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By now your pregnancy will be very noticeable and hopefully people around you will begin treating you appropriately, but occasionally you need to be quite firm with the 'novelty-seekers', who unmindfully want to touch your belly! Remember, pregnancy is a major life transition and the occasional sleepless nights, forgetfulness and lack of concentration are par for the course.
Surprisingly, your baby is still only about half of its eventual 'due date' weight - 3.5lbs. Expect to feel at least 10 sets of movements per day and it's a good idea to make a note of these. By 32 weeks your baby will measure about 24cms (head to rump) and will begin moving into the 'head down' position, ready for birth. Its skin however is still too big for its body.
The top of your bump will now be about midway between your belly button and rib-cage. Your breasts will also now begin to enlarge and become uncomfortable. Swollen ankles and varicose veins are also common symptoms of the restricted blood circulation in the uterus area. Backache continues to be problem.
Reaching a compromise between work or family commitments and pregnancy demands is quite a challenge at this point, but good pre-planning will pay off at this stage. One important task now is to ensure the paperwork for your maternity benefits is all in place.
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Now the long (but sometimes short) wait begins as you approach your labour. If you're feeling restless and fidgety it's because a final surge of hormones are preparing your baby's brain and lungs for the real world.
Growth will be closely monitored at this stage, but many babies still remain in the breach position, despite still rapidly growing. If the kicking slows down this is because the little tyke has no room to practice its penalty shots!
It is during these final weeks that you are likely to really feel the strain of carrying another human being. Your back, joints, ligaments and internal organs all begin to ache, hormones flood your body, and heartburn and shortness of breath may occur. The pressure causing this will ease up as the baby turns around (36 weeks). You should now be on maternity leave, so take it easy and pace yourself.
Mood swings are quite natural as the 'big day' approaches. Regularly attending ante-natal classes really helps reduce the anxiety of coping with labour. You should have a check up at least every fortnight, including tests for pre-eclampsia and anemia. At 38 weeks you will need to fitted with a nursing bra and, in extreme cases, a 'fem-brace' is given to help alleviate chronic backache.
You should now also be well-versed in the entire labour procedure.
Pregnancy isn't easy and quite different for each mum-to-be, but remind yourself at every stage of the pregnancy that this is one of the most important and exciting periods of your life, something you will look back on for the rest of your life as your admire the development of the beautiful child you have produced.
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During the last trimester, the frequency of doctor visits will increase to every two weeks and then every week in the last month.
As with previous visits, the level of weight gain is closely monitored as well as blood pressure and pulse rate.
A Doppler device will usually be used to check on the baby's heartbeat. The position of the baby will also be recorded at each session and your doctor will monitor closely the time when he/she drops down into the pelvic basin (this is the first sign that birth is approaching in the next weeks).
An examination of the wrists, hands and ankles is normal to check for fluid retention.
Sugar and protein levels in the blood or urine are checked regularly and an extra test for diabetes will be done between 28 and 30 weeks.
A final ultrasound scan will be performed about the 31st week to check on your baby's condition and ensure that there is no obvious stress.
Towards the end, a radio scan of the pelvis may be performed to ensure that the baby will have a smooth passage.
All of these last visits are intended to prepare for the birth. You may be invited to visit the clinic/hospital facilities and be given a chance to talk to the local staff. If you have any further questions about the procedures or the facilities, then this is the time to ask them, because you will almost certainly forget them by the time you are heading to the birth.
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11/02/04
The Spine
Facts about the Pelvis
Low Back Pain Fact Sheet
Low Back Pain Symptoms and Diagnosis
Low Back Pain: Tips on Pain Relief and Prevention
Nonspecific back pain
Chronic Pain Medicines
Chymopapain
Overview of Shoulder Problems
Shoulder Dislocation
Rotator Cuff Injury
Sciatica
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