In
the third trimester a baby bump is obvious enough that you could find yourself
getting some special attention from strangers and a slew of questions about
your child. ManyWeeksPregnant explains that even if you do start to feel like a
broken record, try to be friendly because “there’s something about a pregnant woman that warms people’s hearts”.
There’s
good reason to be so excited though! Your body is working hard to make sure the
baby inside is developed enough to be delivered in the next twelve weeks.
Lengthwise most of the growing is done, but now is the baby’s bulk-up time!
Being around sixteen inches and three pounds makes for a very skinny newborn,
so these last weeks will be spent giving your baby some ‘baby weight’. The
pounds can double, or even triple, in the time between now and birth. Brain and
bone development are progressing very quickly so taking your vitamins and
eating lots of calcium is especially important (the fetus absorbs about 250 mg
each day!). Increased consumption of vitamin C, protein, and folic acid are
beneficial to aiding in healthy advancement.
At
twenty-nine weeks into your pregnancy, you’ll really start to feel what it
truly means to be carrying. This point in your third trimester all the symptoms
you’re already acquainted with are giving you trouble day and night! Swelling,
a big appetite, food cravings, varicose veins, cramps, and numerous others are
common ailments that are annoying but still bearable. Other truly undesirable
symptoms include hemorrhoids and greater chance of a urinary tract infection.
As gross and uncomfortable as these abnormalities are, they aren’t cause for
concern either. However, if ignored both can lead to secondary infections and
turn discomfort into severe consequences. Proper medicines and creams can keep
your body happy and healthy, but always check packaging information and ask
your doctor if some medications seem suspicious.
This
late into your pregnancy work can become more of a hassle than a distraction,
depending on what you do. You may already be on maternity leave if your work is
physically taxing or dangerous in general, but even more tame jobs that have
simple make your belly seem like a hazard have reason to let you get some bed
rest. Many women choose to keep working practically until they’re in labor and
save maternity leave for after the baby is born. However, don’t feel guilty
about taking time off, especially if you’ve had even minor complications in
earlier weeks.
Whether
you’re already on maternity leave or not, ‘bed rest’ isn’t just about sleeping
all day and getting up for snacks! Light exercises are advised by many for
women in their third trimester. Stretching, walking, mild yoga, and swimming
are great ways to keep you and your child active and healthy. As you’ll come to
find in these final weeks, finding the perfect balance of exercise, rest, and
work will be the end goal for mommy and baby.
