The Last Trimester in PregnancyThe last trimester in pregnancy is the final three months. For many, this can be the most difficult time, for others it is the most exciting time as finally the end of the discomfort is in sight. The most challenging aspect of the last trimester in pregnancy is the physical changes due to the increased weight, you may also find yourself unable to take part in activities you might have been able to do earlier on in pregnancy. In addition to the physical changes, you may find that your emotions are up and down. It is not unusual to feel slight apprehension as you start to consider being a parent for the first time, it is also not uncommon for women to feel nervous about giving birth. If you find yourself thinking like this, it is perfectly normal, in fact we'd suggest that these thoughts are experienced by almost all pregnant women. Usually these concerns are irrational, however that does not stop them from occurring, often the best thing to do is discuss your fears with a partner, friend or medical professional. During the last trimester in pregnancy it is paramount that you do not overdo things, it is fair to say that you will be feeling a little more tired than normal. With this in mind, take things a little easier, take plenty of rest and try to keep to a realistic sleep pattern. Depending on your individual outlook, you might be considering stopping work towards the end of the third trimester and using this time to relax and build your reserves up for giving birth. A common phenomenon during the last trimester in pregnancy is the nesting period. This can be extremely worrying for friends and family as they will be encouraging you to slow things down, in the meantime you're keen to ensure that the house is tidy, the nursery is ready for the impending arrival and you're thinking nothing about climbing a ladder to change a light bulb. If possible, try and accept help from other quarters, it's better to delegate rather than overdo things or put yourself at risk. The last trimester in pregnancy is also a great time for the rest of the family to get involved, the very fact that your weight has increased means that the pregnancy has become very visible. If you already have children, encourage them to communicate with your "bump". They will be concerned about their mum, they may even be worried that they will lose some attention that they have become used to, reassure them and speak to them about the excitement of having a new brother or sister.Looking back at our own experience during the third trimester, it was a wonderful time. In many ways it was the quiet before the storm, yet as a family it was a lovely bonding experience. We would play certain pieces of music to the "bump" and relax in the evenings by playing scrabble and taking things easy. When the birth day finally arrived, we were glad that we had taken the opportunity to relax and prepare ourselves. Read more of our articles on the first trimester First Trimester Emotional and Physical Needs Read about the other trimesters |