What to expect before giving birth
The Third Trimester
The third trimester marks 12 more weeks of pregnancy (give or take). The third trimester is physically demanding, especially as the due date nears. An increase in hormones can effect your mood. Anxieties and worries can become common as the due date approaches. Worries about childbirth and parenting, especially for first time parents, can become a stressor.
The third trimester also brings down physical symptoms in the third trimester range from things you have been experiencing the whole pregnancy, to new feelings.
Insomnia, which can also be common in the first trimester, can come back in the third due to the body’s growing belly. Large body pillows of many different shapes and varieties can aid in sleep and in finding the right comfortable position.
Heart palpitations and backaches can also punctuate the last stage of pregnancy. Neither of these effects are something to be nervous about and are completely normal with pregnancy. Backaches can be mitigated by physical therapy, back support when sitting, or a warm or cold compress.
What can you expect the week before?
Physical symptoms in the week leading up to birth often include Braxton Hicks contractions, which can occur throughout the entire third trimester. Braxton Hicks contractions are a tightening of the stomach area that can vary in both strength and length, but are usually no longer than two minutes. These contractions are often described as infrequent and irregular and will increase as the due date nears. These should not be confused for labor and contact with a medical professional should occur if there are more than six contractions an hour.
A sense of urgency and impatience are common emotions. One can feel stressed or have strong nesting urges to prepare for the baby that is coming.
Everyone’s experience will be slightly different, and it is hard to be completely prepared for the process of pregnancy and labor. The important thing is to trust your body and the medical professionals helping you.
