Month 7 Enjoy the final third
Just one last hurdle to tackle before you hold your baby in your arms – the third trimester. Here’s what to expect.
EMOTIONAL CHANGES
Dr Priya Israel, specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist from Pietermaritzburg, says emotional changes in the third trimester of pregnancy vary according to each person. How you are feeling depends largely on your social, financial and personal circumstances. Your emotions will be influenced by the people surrounding you such as your partner, parents and friends. “For some women, the third trimester will be a happy period, as you near the end of your pregnancy and prepare for the arrival of your much anticipated baby. However, in the case of unplanned pregnancies, you may experience feelings of sadness and worry over not being emotionally or financially prepared for motherhood,” Dr Israel says.
Carol Leary, mother to newborn Alex, says that with her baby’s birth day approaching, she felt anxious and insecure. She says questions such as “What if something goes wrong during birth?” or “What if the baby is not healthy?” were always on her mind. Getting support and encouragement from your partner or family is really important at this time. Talk to your partner about your concerns, and clear up any labour day concerns with your doctor.
PHYSICAL CHANGES
Dr Judith Carter, a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist from Johannesburg, says there are many physical changes during the third trimester and aches and pains are very common during this time.
The growing uterus pushes up the diaphragm, which decreases lung capacity, causing shortness of breath. Your increasing size and shortness of breath may also cause sleep difficulties during this trimester. Another notable change may occur in the breasts. “Breast size may increase because your body is getting ready to welcome your baby and is producing milk,” says Dr Carter. Breast enlargement may be accompanied by backache. Colostrum, a yellow fluid, may leak from the nipples in preparation for breastfeeding. Make use of breast pads. Changes “down there” are also to be expected. Loss of bladder control may occur when laughing or sneezing (because of increased pressure on your bladder), and you might also notice more vaginal discharge. Varicose veins may appear on your legs as the growing uterus exerts pressure on the veins in the legs. You may experience Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labour. See table on the right.
KEEPING COMFORTABLE
To ensure your comfort during the third trimester, you should have adequate back support. “Back strain can be reduced by using cushions to support the back and wearing well fitted bras. “Massaging the back and feet may help to relieve strain,” Dr Israel says. You should also regularly elevate your feet to reduce ankle swelling.
Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when getting out of bed, moving from sitting to standing and bending down to lift things. Dr Carter recommends taking short breaks at work and if possible taking a few minutes to close your eyes. Keep up your healthy eating plan. Eat small, frequent meals and snacks, and consult with your doctor about what exercise you should be doing. If your energy levels feel low, check with your doctor, because you might be suffering from anaemia. An iron supplement can correct this. ●