The Third Trimester (Weeks 28 to 42)

Filipino Pregnant mom

Getting ready for the delivery

• You may be feeling a bit bulky.
• Stretch marks, swollen ankles, colostrums(yellowish early milk), a protruding navel and shortness of breath are common.
• During this time, you may have take extra, unscheduled checkups based on your symptoms.

Pre-term Labor

• Call or consult your doctor if you have regular, rhythmic contractions before 37th week. Other signs which you should be aware of are vaginal bleeding, mucous discharge cramps or contractions and back or pelvic pains.

Pre- eclampsia

• Pre- eclampsia is a pregnancy-related form of high blood pressure. It is most common in first-time mother or woman having babies with new partners. The risk to a mother and baby can be serious.

Signs of pre-eclampsia:
• Swelling of face and hands
• Sudden weight gain
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Upper abdominal pain Calcium supplementation may help prevent pre-eclampsia. However, before taking any supplement, always consult your doctor.

—– 7th Month—-

What happens to mom? You may be putting on a pound a week. Your abdomen is expanding upward and sideward and you may start to the stretch marks. You may experience stitch-like pains down the sides of your abdomen as it stretches. Some rib pain is normal. The pressure your uterus is putting on your bladder will make you urinate more frequently.

What Happens to baby? Your baby has another growth spurt and is about 14 inches long. He is fully formed at this time. If born prematurely, your baby would likely survive with special care.

My experience: I have noticed the occurrence of some pink stretch marks at the lower side of my abdomen.

——— 8th Month ——-

What happens to mom? Your uterus may be around 4 inches above your navel. You may be feeling more discomfort in your pelvis and abdomen. Your breasts will grow as your body gets ready to feed the baby. They may be more tender and leak colostrums- link, . Your baby is maturing and developing reserves of body fat.
Typical weight gain: 19 to 27 pounds

What happens to baby? You baby is kicking strongly, but is getting too big to move around much. He is probably turning downwards, head first, in preparation for birth. Your baby is around 4 to 5 pounds.

——— 9th Month ———-

What happens to mom? Your uterus is roughly 6 inches above your navel. Your navel is probably pushing out because your abdomen is fully stretched. By now, your uterus hardens and contracts (Braxton-Hick contractions) but this is not true labor yet.
Typical weight gain: 22 to 29 pounds

What happens to baby? It’s becoming really crowded in your womb, so your baby can’t move around too much. Your baby may weigh nearly to 6 to 7 pounds and be about 18 to 20 inches long—just about ready to come out.

The Second Trimester (weeks 13 to 27)

My wonderful Experience in giving birth