Looking After Yourself in the Third TrimesterThe third trimester is the time when you will feel the most uncomfortable and are aware of your pregnancy condition. You’ve put on a lot of weight by this point and you may find movement slow and at times laborious. Your baby is continuing to develop. It is common to visit the bathroom even more than during the earlier stages of your pregnancy, so you may want to plan your journeys accordingly. The main reason for this is because the baby has grown rapidly and is beginning to push or put pressure onto your bladder. You may also start to feel heart burn for the same reason, this is because the uterus is beginning to push against your stomach. There is not a whole lot of things to do to avoid these feelings, although you can reduce the symptoms by avoiding greasy or fatty foods. During the third trimester, your midwife or medical doctor may advise you to drink lots of water and eat fresh fruit and vegetables. If you are not already eating and drinking healthily, now is a great time to start as it will help reduce swollen ankles and the symptoms of hemorrhoids. The third trimester is the time to really look after yourself. Depending on how you feel, you may decide that you would like to stop working early on in the third trimester. All women are different in this area, some work for as long as possible, while others prefer to spend time at home before the birth of their baby. Obviously, the third trimester is the time to reduce all of your strenuous activities to a minimum. If you have an exercise schedule, you will need to look at this in detail and change it to something that is more appropriate. Try to use this time to rest your body as much as possible and prepare your mind for the birth and beyond. A phenomenon that many women experience during the third trimester is a period of immense energy. It is difficult to explain the reason for this, however for sure it can be a worrying time for partners as they watch their wives or girlfriends racing around the house, carrying boxes, cleaning and preparing their “nest” for the young one. Many experts feel that it is a natural tendency deep within us that kicks in during the third trimester, we need to prepare and make a home for the new baby. It’s usually nothing to worry about, however care needs to be taken to ensure that you do not become overtired, or take risks that may harm the baby. A lot of women find the third trimester frustrating and long for it to be over. Only a very small number of babies are born on their due date, so this only adds to the feeling of wanting it to be all over. Where possible, try to take your mind away from the often excruciating wait. Take plenty of rest, eat and drink well and make sure you’re ready at the same time as junior is ready. Read more of our articles on the third trimester Pregnancy Planning in the Third Trimester Read about the other trimesters |