Third Trimester Weeks - Pregnancy Symptoms | Similac® (2023)

Baby fills up... FAST

By now, your baby is much closer to his birth length than his birth weight. While he may be only a few inches short of his birth length, he can still double or triple his weight! All this growth means you'll need to eat a healthy diet. During the third trimester, your baby's brain develops connections related to metabolic processes. This means that eating healthy now could reduce your child's risk of childhood obesity as they go through this period of increased growth. As always, consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet or nutrition.

Appetite during pregnancy: always hungry or not in the third trimester?

As your baby goes through a growth spurt, he may feel hungry more often. But you can also feel satisfied and full with less food than usual. This is because as the baby grows, it takes up more space, leaving less room for your stomach. So, despite feeling hungry more often, you may actually be eating less food. It may be a good idea to eat several times throughout the day, but smaller, nutrient-dense meals. As always, consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Your last monthly visit to the doctor

Around week 29, you will go for your last monthly visit to the doctor. After that you can go every 2 weeks or every week until the baby is born. Your healthcare professional will measure things like your blood pressure, your weight and heart rate, and the size of your baby. Be sure to communicate openly and clearly with your doctor. Let them know how you feel both physically and emotionally.

Notice something different? Stretch marks, varicose veins and numbness

As your body prepares for labor, you may notice some changes in your body that you don't exactly like. Don't worry, it's completely normal. Every woman is different and will have a different experience with these events. Here's what you need to know:

• Pregnancy stretch marks:Getting stretch marks doesn't mean you're gaining too much weight. About 90% of women get them. Its emergence and duration are largely hereditary.
  
• Varicose veins during pregnancy:Veins that swell or turn blue are a common condition called varicose veins. Your veins widen to accommodate the increased blood flow. Although they sting or irritate, they are usually harmless.
• Numbness and Tingling in Pregnancy:Your growing uterus can put pressure on the nerves that connect to your legs and arms. This can cause tingling in the feet, toes or hands. This is completely normal and will go away after your baby is born.

Always see your doctor if you think your experience of these symptoms is abnormal.

Baby position: the baby also prepares its body

Around week 32, many babies begin to move their head down into the pelvis to prepare for delivery during labor. As you move, the normal kicks and punches you're used to feeling can turn into shaking and shaking. Don't worry, it's completely normal. There's not much room down there and your little one is on a mission to move south!

Shoes don't fit the same? It may be swollen feet and ankles

While your body continues to store blood and other fluids, your growing uterus can slow blood flow. All of these can lead to leg swelling. It is very common and not dangerous. Here are some ways to manage the symptoms:

• Do not sit or stand for long periods of time. Take frequent breaks and walk at a brisk pace to keep your circulation and fluids moving.
• Elevate your legs when possible. Sleep with your feet propped up on a pillow to prevent fluid from pooling in your lower body.
• Lie on your side. Keep one or both knees bent. Use extra pillows for support.
• Continue to exercise regularly, but be sure to check with your doctor before trying any new exercise.

Get to know the Hospital and Facilities

You'll have plenty to worry about the day you deliver your new arrival. The last thing you want to deal with is red tape or getting lost in the parking lot. Many hospitals and birthing centers will allow you to pre-register at this time. If you haven't already, you may want to tour the facility and see a labor and delivery room. Even knowing where your partner will park can take some of the stress and uncertainty out of the day. If you feel like you're planning too much, you're doing it right!

Feel comfortable while you sleep

The baby grows very fast and moves everywhere. All this growth and movement is great for your baby, but it can make it difficult for you to find a comfortable sleeping position as the various organs are squeezed. Here is a post that may prove helpful for many women:

• Lie on your left side with your legs and knees bent. This position helps take pressure off the major veins in the legs and lower back. If you need to adjust your position at night, try the same technique on your right side.

Pregnant moms should drink more fluids

Water is essential in a healthy pregnancy. Water helps form both the placenta and the amniotic fluid that your baby depends on. And because you have increased nutritional needs during pregnancy, you need to drink more water than the average person. Make sure to drink 10 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Drink more if you exercise. You can measure other fluids, such as 100% fruit juice, vegetable juice, soup and milk, but you should try to keep plain water as your main source of fluids. To increase electrolytes, you can try a drink such asPedialito^®to restore hydration. If you feel dehydrated or are concerned about fluids, contact your doctor.

Your baby's position in your womb can vary greatly, whether it is facing right or left and head first or feet first. Throughout early and mid-pregnancy, your baby floats in your womb and changes position frequently. But for now, hopefully you've rotated into a head-down position for labor and delivery. There are three general positions for a baby preparing for birth:

If your baby is breech but not too far down in your pelvis, your doctor may try to position your baby a few weeks before your due date. If it cannot be rotated, your doctor may require a C-section.

Braxton Hicks contractions (also called false labor contractions) are a tightening of the uterine muscles that can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Many women mistake them for true labor contractions, which can be a concern if a woman experiences them in the second or early third trimester. Braxton Hicks contractions are thought to prepare your body for actual labor contractions, but it's important to know the difference.

Are they Braxton Hicks or true labor contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are normal and may increase in frequency as your due date approaches. It is important to remember that it is NOT a sign that your body is in labor.

If you think you are about to go into labor, contact your doctor immediately.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES:

third trimester nutrition Parents.com website.https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/nutrition/the-third-trimester-diet-change-you-need-to-make-now/

Third trimester appetite. WhatToExpect website.https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/appetite.aspx

Prenatal appointments. Website What to Expect.https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/prenatal-appointments/

Streaks. WebMD website.https://www.webmd.com/baby/features/stretch-marks#1

Streaks. Mayo Clinic website.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stretch-marks/symptoms-causes/syc-20351139

Varicose veins KidsHealth website.https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/veins.html

Numbness and tingling. Very well Family site.https://www.verywellfamily.com/entumecimiento-y-hormigueo-en-el-embarazo-4690620

Fetal position. WhatToExpect website.https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-32.aspx

Swollen feet. Healthline website.https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/swollen-feet-durante-el-embarazo#causas

The positions of the fetus at birth. Cleveland Clinic website.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9677-fetal-positions-for-birth

Braxton Hicks contractions. American pregnancy website.https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/braxton-hicks/

Braxton Hicks contractions. WebMD website.https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/true-false-labor#1