When is the 3rd trimester? The third trimester of pregnancy marks the final days of your pregnancy. It begins from around the 28th week to the 40th week or up to when you give birth.
You can also refer to it as the 7th, 8th, and 9th months. This trimester is characterized by faster growth and development of the baby.
During this last trimester, the baby will grow from around 2.5 pounds to 7-9 pounds. The baby kicks will become more noticeable due to taking in more space in the amniotic sac.
We shall categorize what to expect in the third trimester into two; what happens to the mother and what happens to the baby.
What Happens To The Baby?
The baby will experience tremendous growth in this stage. If the baby is born early at any stage during this trimester, they have a much better chance of survival. It is advisable to keep your hospital bag ready during the third trimester.
On the part of the baby, most of the body features will become more pronounced as they develop. The bones will develop from cartilage to proper bones.
This means that the baby will be drawing more calcium from you. It is essential to make sure you are getting enough from food sources such as dairy, eggs, leafy vegetables, seafood, beans, peas, etc.
Skin nails, and hair will also develop at this stage. Before this stage, the skin will be see-through but will now become opaque. The digestive system will also develop. The baby will have its first poop.
All the baby’s senses develop. The baby will open its eyes and can perceive light. They can also touch, taste, and hear voices.
The baby might recognize some familiar voices. The baby central nervous system and the brain will develop and start working. The baby will start dreaming, blinking, and performing other functions such as temperature regulation.
Perhaps the most widely known development at this stage is that of the baby turning to face downwards, heads down position. This happens around week 34.
The baby turns in preparation for labor. However, not all babies turn, some do not and is no cause for alarm. Your doctor may try manually turning the baby in week 37.
What Happens To The Mother?
The mother will experience some changes, as well. The most obvious one will be the tummy getting bigger. You will experience the baby moving a lot in the early weeks of the third trimester till when they turn.
Due to the rapid expansion of the abdomen, the round ligaments will…
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