Congratulations, you’re nose’s away from the finish line! From counting kicks to choosing a name for your baby, the third trimester has much to offer. Midwife 360 has curated a handy guide to guarantee a healthy and pleasant birth. Below are the dos and don’ts for your third trimester.
Fetal Development
While you may feel enormous, your baby still has a lot of growing to do, meaning you do too! A baby’s bones, skin, hair, teeth, digestive system, brain, and five senses completely mature throughout the last three months. Babies will start turning upside down eight- full term in preparation for delivery.
Symptoms
With so much happening within your body, aches are bound to happen. Bodily functions like the bladder will become uncontrollable. You will experience significant stomach discomfort, exhaustion, heartburns, and body aches.
The body will begin to warm up in preparation for nursing, which means your breasts will leak at the most inconvenient times. Although as a dedicated future Mother it’s important to persevere and know the delivery will be so much more rewarding.
You also must call your midwife if you suspect something is wrong with you or the baby, even if you are unsure what it is. In pregnancy, it’s key to follow your intuition.
Do Stay Active
You may believe that going to work is the greatest approach to divert yourself if you are experiencing mood swings. However, avoid hunching over your desk or sitting for extended periods of time. In just a few hours, it can cause back discomfort and exhaustion. Standing up will give the baby more space and allow you to breathe easier.
It is better to stay active throughout the last trimester of pregnancy in order to increase blood circulation for both you and your baby. So, limit the amount of time you sit, and if it’s difficult for you, set time intervals. These time intervals train your body and get you into the habit of staying active. Start as soon as you can even if it’s only standing for a few minutes at a time.
Maintain your fitness routine if you did it before becoming pregnant. Discuss and document any changes to your routine with your specialist, especially as you enter your second and third trimesters.
If you weren’t active prior to finding out you were pregnant, seek medical advice about introducing a fitness program into your normal schedule. Professional advice can help you choose a regimen that is both safe and pleasant for you and your developing child.
Do Practice Lactation
Your gynecologist will instruct you to condition your nipples for breastfeeding by the third trimester. The notion of breastfeeding can be daunting for most first-time mothers. You will come to realize that it is the best thing that could happen if you go forward with it. Following 36 weeks, you can begin stimulating your nipples to reduce pain and prepare your breasts for the baby.
Massaging or stroking your nipples stimulates the body’s production of oxytocin. Oxytocin is involved in alertness, labor induction, and intimacy between the delivering parent and child. This hormone also causes uterine contractions after delivery, allowing it to readjust to its pre-pregnancy shape.
Stimulating the breasts may also assist to induce complete labor by generating stronger and longer contractions. In clinical settings, healthcare workers frequently use the medication Pitocin, which is the manufactured type of oxytocin.
Sleep
Do :
As you know, sleeping while pregnant is very tasking. Between finding the right position, kicking, and waking up in the middle of the night. You may have realized by now that it isn’t only about getting enough sleep. Your sleeping posture is extremely important in guaranteeing your child’s safety.
We’ve found that sleeping sideways with a pillow is something you should try. It’s not only cozy, but it’s also safe for the infant. Sleeping sideways, according to physicians, also enhances blood flow to the placenta.
Don’t :
There’s terrible news for those of you who like to sleep on your back, avoid it. The pressure increases backaches and hemorrhoids. Furthermore, it can impair digestion, and produce hypotension which can cause dizziness.
Nevertheless, don’t be alarmed if you suddenly find that you’ve turned onto your back overnight. Very few individuals sleep in the same position all night. There is no severe damage done, however, try to avoid this when possible.
The fact that you woke up in the first place is most likely your body’s way of signaling you to shift positions or to just use the bathroom…again.
Do Take Vitamins
Choosing a well-balanced diet high in essential nutrients is the greatest approach to give your body all of the required nutrients it requires to support a developing baby. Simply abiding by a balanced diet, on the other hand, may not be sufficient for pregnancy.
Integrating prenatal vitamins include increased quantities of key nutrients that pregnant mothers need in higher doses, such as folic acid, calcium, and iron (although this should be done throughout your entire pregnancy).
These vitamins aid in the optimal stages of fetal development and help to avoid birth complications.
Don’t Eat Raw Food
Raw or undercooked meat and eggs put you at risk of contracting E.coli and salmonella. Food poisoning is another concern. These illnesses are associated with major, life-threatening infections, which can result in severe birth abnormalities and even miscarriage. Ensure that all of the eggs and meat you consume at this time are fully cooked
Don’t Clean Kitty Litter
Touch and caress your cat as often as you like, but steer clear from cleaning their litter box.
Billions of germs and parasites live in cat feces. One specifically is Toxoplasma gondii. This Toxin is particularly harmful to expecting mothers.
Initial contact with this will pose issues with your pregnancy, issues such as miscarriage or stillbirth are common. Babies infected with this parasite may have major health issues, such as convulsions and mental abnormalities.
Further Questions
If you have any more questions about your baby’s health throughout pregnancy or your mental health, please contact Midwife360. P. Fadwah Halaby, owner, and trained midwife, and her team of midwives provide a comprehensive approach to gynecological and prenatal care.
We firmly believe in empowering and educating each woman and family we serve. If you have any concerns or would like to make an appointment, please contact Midwife360 today.
