You’ve reached the 28 week mark which means you are officially in the third trimester of your pregnancy. The third trimester is full of excitement, emotions, and bodily changes for you and your baby. At Doylestown Women’s Health Center, we will ensure all of your pregnancy care and obstetrics appointments go smoothly and that you will know what to expect in this final stage of pregnancy.
Your Baby’s Development in the Third Trimester
The third trimester spans from 28 to 40 weeks of pregnancy. During this timeframe, your baby will be growing rapidly inside of you and changing his or her body. These are the typical week by week changes you can expect in your baby:
28 Weeks: You baby can open and close their eyes
30 Weeks: Your baby will begin to shed a thin lining of hair they developed during the second trimester. Sometimes this hair is still present when the baby is born. You can see fine hairs on your baby’s shoulders, ears, and back. At this time, your baby will also start to grow hair on their head.
31 Weeks: Your baby can now control the temperature of their body and they will rely less on the temperature control of the amniotic fluid.
34 Weeks: Your baby will begin to turn it’s head down towards the birth canal.
39 Weeks: Your baby has reached full term and they are ready for the outside world. Delivery will be right around the corner!
Third Trimester Symptoms
At our Bucks County OBGYN, we want to prepare you for any uncomfortable symptoms you may experience in the third trimester and remind you that they are completely normal. The following are the most common symptoms experienced by women in their third trimester:
- Shortness of breath - As your uterus grows larger and expands into your abdomen, it will put pressure on your diaphragm which can make it more difficult to breathe.
- Frequent urination - As your baby moves further down into your pelvis, they will put pressure on your bladder causing you to urinate more often.
- Swollen feet & ankles - Due to the extra fluid retention, weight gain, and hormonal changes, your feet and ankles can become swollen. To alleviate this, elevate your feet whenever possible.
- Braxton Hicks contractions - During the third trimester, you will most likely experience ‘practice contractions’ to help your muscles prepare for labor. These typically start out mild and can become more painful as you get closer to birth.
Contact Doylestown Women’s Health Center for Your Pregnancy Needs
During your pregnancy care, if you have any questions or concerns, never hesitate to contact our Women’s Health Center in Doylestown, PA. Our doctors and staff will be happy to talk through your questions, symptoms, and bring you in for an ultrasound if necessary. We will ensure a healthy pregnancy and childbirth of your little one!