When you’re expecting a baby, by the time you reach your third trimester, you’re on the last lap of the journey to meet them. What seemed so far away before is now imminent!
It’s only natural that, as your due date nears, you may be nervous, excited, and perhaps even a bit scared — especially if this is your first baby. You may wonder what labor will be like for you, how the birth will unfold, and more.
You’re in the best hands throughout your pregnancy with care from Dr. Kiran Joshi and Dr. Vibha Joshi at Garden State Women’s Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. They guide and partner with you every step of the way as your pregnancy progresses. Their expertise and warmth are unmatched, and critical to how you feel about the birth of your baby.
It always helps to be prepared, so in addition to your regular prenatal visits, we wanted to give new moms-to-be a “what to expect” list when it comes to sailing through your third trimester.
You grow as your baby grows. You may start to feel uncomfortable and awkward as you prepare to give birth. This is the final stage of your baby’s growth, and all of their body’s systems are reaching pre-birth readiness.
It can be harder to breathe deeply and more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Keep reminding yourself that the wait is worth it, and you’ll be back to being able to do those things and more very soon.
Your baby’s body heat goes straight to you, so you might feel discomfort around this. Stay well-hydrated, use a fan, and remove some layers, even if your third trimester is in the dead of winter!
If Dr. Kiran Joshi or Dr. Vibha Joshi says that your blood pressure is lower than normal at your prenatal visit, it’s likely because your baby is putting pressure on your primary vein whose job is to send blood to your heart.
Edema is the term for water retention, and during your third trimester, it’s normal to retain water in your ankles, feet, face, and hands. Don’t consider this as a time to reduce your physical activity, however.
Some things that relieve swelling include taking breaks from standing for too long, sleeping on your left side, and wearing compression stockings. Don’t wear restrictive clothing or shoes, and some evidence suggests that standing or walking in a swimming pool can help compress the tissues in your legs.
This is another result of your insides being compressed by the baby. You want to continue drinking enough, so try never to be too far from a bathroom.
You might also notice constipation and heartburn. You can talk to our doctors about what over-the-counter medications are safe to take to address these issues.
You might not like the look of stretch marks, but this is the most likely time for them to make an appearance.
Staying hydrated and exercising are good for keeping your skin supple, and so is eating enough Vitamin E and C, silica, and zinc. These nutrients help your body produce collagen, a protein in your connective tissue and skin that supports your skin’s structure and makes it resilient. Foods abundant in Vitamins B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin) are also good for your skin.
Our doctors can also talk to you about topical moisturizers that help diminish stretch marks.
In preparation for breastfeeding, you may see colostrum leaking from your nipples. This will be your baby’s first food, and it’s “liquid gold” before your milk comes in — full of nutrients that are tailored to your baby’s needs.
Vaginal discharge that’s thick and white also occurs.
Hemorrhoids can plague pregnant women, as can varicose veins.
Soaking in the tub with warm water and refraining from sitting too much can help, but also ask your doctor what over-the-counter remedies are safe to use.
As you get bigger, it’s normal to experience uncomfortable symptoms like leg cramps and backache, but one you may not be familiar with (especially if pregnant with your first child) is a type of false labor contraction called Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Unlike the contractions that occur when your baby is about to be born, these don’t follow regular patterns or grow in intensity. They’re your body’s amazing way of preparing you for labor.
We know this is a lot of information, but we don’t want you to be surprised by third-trimester developments. We’re here to answer your questions and help in any way we can.
Call us at 201-228-9596 to schedule an appointment, or request one online.
