Third trimester of pregnancy: from what week? Features and recommendations of the doctor

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The third trimester of pregnancy is the final stage before childbirth. Very soon everything will change, and the pregnant woman will become a mother. What happens to the baby, what complications can arise, how to avoid them in the third trimester of pregnancy? What week does this stage start?

The last trimester starts at 29 weeks and continues until delivery. In obstetrics, the 28th week is considered the border between the second and last trimester. If the baby is born at this time, he will weigh about 1 kilogram, and his height will be approximately 35 centimeters, with appropriate medical care, he has every chance of surviving.

So, what happens to the baby and mother at the last stage of pregnancy, what complications can develop during this period, what vitamins can help a pregnant woman prepare for childbirth and avoid negative consequences?

Child

The fetus becomes large, it can no longer somersault in the uterus and repeatedly change its position. Starting from the 28th week, the child tends to takehis natural prenatal position - head down, this is how it will be easiest for him to overcome the birth canal and be born. He will finally take his place only by the 35th week.

The seventh month of pregnancy (from the 29th to the 32nd week) the baby's nervous system is actively improving, all his senses are already functioning: he tastes, hears, sees. By the 32nd week, subcutaneous fat accumulates, the folds on the skin straighten out, the body becomes more proportional. The internal organs already reach a high level of development: the pancreas produces insulin, the kidneys and liver are finally formed. At the same time, there is a significant weight gain of the baby, his weight is already about 1600 grams, and his height is 40-45 centimeters.

Eighth month (33-36th week) - the fetus grows at an active pace. Nails grow on his fingers. He has already developed sucking, swallowing and respiratory reflexes. He swallows amniotic fluid, which enters the kidneys, where approximately 500 ml of urine is formed per day. His body is still covered with fluffy hairs, but their number is gradually decreasing. The baby has its own rhythm of life, which does not always coincide with the mother's.

The ninth month (from the 37th to the 40th week) - during this period, all the processes of maturation of the child are completed, he is already completely ready for life in the outside world. Its weight is from about 2500 kilograms to 4500, height - from 45 centimeters to 55. By the end of pregnancy, the baby occupies the entire uterus, it is crowded, so the nature of the movements changes, they are more likekicks with legs and arms. The child can no longer roll over, so many pregnant women begin to worry about the decrease in fetal activity. But there is no reason to worry, this is a natural normal process, as a rule, its activity increases in the evening and after eating.

In the last month of pregnancy, the vellus hair on the baby's skin almost disappears, remaining only a small amount on the shoulders.

The body of a woman

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the child is growing rapidly, and the woman's body is under heavy stress. The uterus presses on neighboring organs. Its bottom supports the diaphragm, it becomes difficult for a woman to breathe. She puts pressure on the bladder, and the woman begins to run very often to the toilet. There are heaviness in the legs and swelling.

By the beginning of the third trimester, weight gain is approximately 7-8 kilograms, and by childbirth, the weight increases by another 5-6 kilograms. So, the total increase for the entire pregnancy is 11-13 kilograms, but if there was a weight deficit before pregnancy, then the increase can be 15-16 kilograms.

Some women experience morning sickness at this stage of pregnancy, heartburn often appears in the third trimester of pregnancy, these discomforts are associated with hormonal changes in the body. You either need to learn to cope with them or endure them, but if they get worse, you need to consult a doctor.

Due to the increased activity of the child in the evening and at night, the woman has very frequent insomnia. The large size of the fetus becomesthe cause of painful and unpleasant sensations at the time of movement. Weight gain and a large tummy are the cause of pain in the third trimester of pregnancy in the lumbar region.

The psychological state of a woman is changing, she is interested in issues related to the bearing, birth and development of a baby. In the third trimester of pregnancy, according to pregnant women, the "nesting" syndrome becomes very obvious, which is expressed in the fact that a woman begins to equip a children's room, acquires a dowry and toys. These changes are associated with hormonal changes and are a natural mechanism that helps create favorable conditions for raising a child after birth.

In the third trimester of pregnancy at weeks 37-38, all the mechanisms aimed at preparing for childbirth are launched in a woman's body. The hormonal background is changing, progesterone is being replaced by estrogens. Under their influence, the tone of the uterus increases: training contractions appear, the cervix begins to ripen, and the mucous plug leaves. Psychologically, all the interests of a woman come down only to childbirth.

Possible Complications

In the third trimester of pregnancy, a woman's body is under a heavy load, with a predisposition or chronic diseases, serious complications are possible. You need to know about them, since timely treatment is very important for the life and he alth of the mother and child.

Preeclampsia. It is also called late toxicosis - this is one of the most dangerouspregnancy complications. Symptoms of this condition are: protein in the urine, severe swelling, high blood pressure. The reasons for the development of preeclampsia are still not fully understood, it has been established that the risk factors are chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The risk of the disease increases several times in women younger than 18 and older than 35, also in multiple pregnancies and in primiparas

Preeclampsia is the cause of complications that threaten the life and he alth of both mother and child, serious of them: convulsions with loss of consciousness, cerebral edema, premature detachment of the placenta, internal bleeding, intrauterine death of the fetus, bleeding in the mother, liver, kidney, respiratory failure.

Treatment of this condition is carried out on an outpatient basis, if therapy does not help, a caesarean section is performed.

• Placental insufficiency is a violation of the normal functioning of the placenta. A clear sign of this condition is fetal hypoxia. The reasons for the development of this complication are: hypertension, anemia, kidney pathology, diabetes mellitus, bad habits. For the treatment of placental insufficiency, drugs are prescribed that improve uteroplacental circulation.
• Shortness of breath is the sensation of lack of air. The bottom of the uterus in the third trimester of pregnancy is located so high that it prevents the lungs from expanding when exhaling, from here breathing becomes less deep, but more frequent. Shortness of breath can occur even at rest if the woman is lying on her back. As a rule, the condition improves about 2 weeks before delivery, when the baby descends to the entrance to the pelvis. To prevent shortness of breath, do not overeat, stay in stuffy rooms, lie on your back.
• Insomnia is a fairly common complication of the last stage of pregnancy. It manifests itself both in violation of falling asleep and in frequent awakenings. The reasons for this may be: an uncomfortable posture, fetal movements, a desire to empty the bladder, training contractions. To improve sleep, you need to sleep with special pillows for pregnant women, take a walk in the fresh air before going to bed, take a warm shower, and ventilate the rooms often.
• Constipation is a fairly common complication. This is primarily due to the relaxing effect on the walls of the intestines of the hormone progesterone. Often constipation is accompanied by bitterness in the mouth, bloating, an unpleasant aftertaste, a feeling of fullness in the intestines. It is necessary that in the diet of a woman dominated by products that favorably affect the functioning of the intestines: carrots, beets, pumpkins, zucchini, apples, prunes, dried apricots, kefir, yogurt. You need to drink about one and a half liters of water a day and move a lot.
• Varicose veins. It occurs due to the weakening of the walls of blood vessels under the influence of progesterone, plus due to an increase in blood volume. Many pregnant women suffer from swelling of the legs, which increase at night, then protruding bluish veins appear on the legs - this is varicose veins. A measure of prevention is wearing compression stockings, comfortable shoes. It does not followalso stand for long periods of time.

Selections

Whitish and transparent discharge during pregnancy in the third trimester without impurities and odor, in a small amount - this is quite normal. It is quite another matter if they become abundant and their structure changes:

• Clear and copious discharge usually indicates amniotic fluid leakage.
• The sour-milk smell of secretion indicates thrush.
• Brown discharge after 37 weeks is a clear sign of impending labor. This is gradually moving away the cork.
• Yellow discharge during pregnancy in the third trimester may occur as a sign of urinary incontinence or an infectious disease, especially if there is itching or irritation of the genitals.
• Pink - are the norm before childbirth, but at an earlier date it is a dangerous pathology (placental abruption, amniotic fluid leakage, vaginosis).
• Bleeding is a reason to see a doctor immediately, as it is a threat to the life of the mother and child.

A pregnant woman should be alerted by any non-standard reactions of the body. You need to carefully monitor your condition, and if the discharge is accompanied by fever and pain in the third trimester during pregnancy, you need to urgently consult a doctor.

Cold

Cold diseases at the last stage of pregnancy are extremely undesirable, since the immune system is very weakened, in addition,the placenta is aging, therefore, its protective functions are reduced, the risk of infection of the baby increases.

Do's and Don'ts for a Cold?

• You can't soar your feet and take warm baths.
• Do not take antipyretics.
• You can not go to the sauna and put the banks.
• The nose can be washed with saline, saline, chamomile infusion.
• You can gargle with chamomile, saline, soda, eucalyptus solution.
• You can - drink plenty of water.
• Required - bed rest.

You need to be especially careful before giving birth, avoid crowded places, do not contact with sick people.

Temperature during pregnancy in the third trimester

During this period, the usual and normal 36, 6 are very rare. The normal temperature in the last stages is 37 ° C. This increase in temperature during pregnancy in the third trimester is due to the influence of the hormone progesterone.

If the temperature has risen to 38 ° C, it must be urgently brought down, the safest way is to drink plenty of warm water: linden tea, milk, raspberry tea.

You can take a single dose of paracetamol if you suddenly have a high temperature during pregnancy in the third trimester. But in no case should you take aspirin and its analogues, they are very toxic for the child and can cause bleeding.

It is necessary to be cured before the onset of childbirth, otherwise, when the baby is born, he will be placed in another room so that hedid not catch an infection.

Vitamins

In the third trimester, most likely, you can not do without vitamins.

The main problems of this period can be reduced hemoglobin, convulsions, weakened immunity. Must be accepted:

• Vitamin C, which is responsible for the immune system, strengthens blood vessels.
• Vitamin A is taken with iron to prevent anemia.
• Vitamin B helps to cope with cramps, which are very common companions of the third trimester of pregnancy.
• Vitamin K is responsible for blood clotting and prevents bleeding.

For a baby who still receives all the necessary substances from the mother's body, you need:

• Vitamin D with calcium for the development and strengthening of the baby's skeletal system.
• Vitamin A for the bones, mucous membranes, skin and liver of a child.
• Vitamin E for the normal functioning of the pulmonary system.

The pregnant woman's menu, as before, should be he althy, balanced, varied and enriched with vitamins.

Intimacy

Doctors do not welcome intimacy in the third trimester of pregnancy because:

• High risk of uterine tone and preterm labor.
• By the end of the 9th month, as a rule, the cork begins to move away, the risk of infection of the fetus increases.
• The uterus at the end of pregnancy becomes very vulnerable, there is a high risk of herinjure.

Examinations

You should go to the doctor every two weeks during this period of pregnancy. In addition, during this period, tests are mandatory:

• Glucose test, take blood on an empty stomach and after drinking a sweet solution.
• Complete blood count, hemoglobin level analysis.
• 8th month pregnant - vaginal swab.
• At the 32nd week - measuring the pulse and heartbeat of the baby.
• At the 32-36th week - ultrasound.

From the 30th week it is better to start attending a maternity school, you should not refuse this opportunity, as group classes will help you cope with fears and prepare for the long-awaited meeting with the baby.

Rules of conduct in the last period of pregnancy

So, in the third trimester of pregnancy you need:

1. Be sure to attend all scheduled consultations.
2. Eat right: eat 5-6 times, in small portions, eat more fruits and vegetables.
3. Choose a maternity hospital, prepare all the necessary things and documents in advance.
4. Attend mum school and prenatal classes.
5. Perform Kegel exercises, which are excellent prevention of tears during labor.
6. Engage in preparing the baby dowry, but don't get too carried away.

From what week in the third trimester of pregnancy is it necessary to pack a bag for the hospital? Doctors advise to be ready from the 37th week, listthings that should be put in the bag, you need to prepare in advance. It is best to put things in a new plastic bag, as bags are not allowed to be brought into many maternity hospitals due to sanitary and hygienic standards.

Advice for expectant mothers

Doctors recommend in late pregnancy:

• Relax more, visit friends, chat.
• Don't drink a lot of fluids before bed because it will be difficult to sleep at night and you will have to wake up often to use the toilet.
• Raise your legs as often as possible and rest in this position to reduce swelling.
• More walks in the fresh air, but do not bother yourself with long walks.
• Listen to calm music, watch positive TV shows, read.
• Sleep at least 7 hours at night and several hours during the day.

In addition, you should visit the doctor at the appointed time and carefully monitor your he alth and your baby. Knowing that everything is going well will help you relax and enjoy the last few weeks of this wonderful state.