| Third trimester: Counting it Down |
| Written by Jane Brown | |
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You've made it to your third trimester! Congratulations, you're nearing the end of the long, winding and sometimes bumpy road of pregnancy. By now you're probably very tired of being pregnant and ready to bring the new little person you've been carrying for what seems like forever into the world. For many new moms, the third trimester of pregnancy seems to last longer than the previous two. It's completely understandable to feel this way, as your excitement and anticipation concerning your new baby makes you eager to get the delivery over and done with. Compounding these emotional responses to the third trimester is the discomfort some pregnant women feel in their third trimester as their fully gravid bellies make them feel awkward and uncomfortable.The important thing is to stay positive and endure these last few weeks of pregnancy. Soon enough you'll be holding your newborn in your arms and acknowledging the fact that it was all worth it. Until then, a little knowledge about what you're experiencing may help to mitigate some of the discomfort you're feeling, or at the very least explain the purpose behind it. During the third trimester of pregnancy, your body is adapting to your growing child and preparing for the child's birth. This is likely to cause you some discomfort, as things are getting a bit crowded as you're carrying around what essentially is a little bowling ball in your belly. The third trimester is tough on pregnant women's backs. The increasing size and weight of your baby is going to put a lot of pressure on your back and hips. To help alleviate this pain, wear sensible shoes with good arch support, sit in comfortable chairs and engage in mild exercise. During your third trimester, you may also experience some shortness of breath. This is caused by your uterus expanding beneath your diaphragm, the muscle which pushes air in and out of your lungs. As you get closer to giving birth, this symptom will ease as your baby shifts lower down in your body to prepare for delivery. Until then, you can alleviate this symptom by practicing good posture and sleeping with your upper body supported. Your growing uterus can also push your stomach out of it's usual place, causing heartburn. The best way to avoid heartburn is to stay away from spicy foods and carbonated beverages. Keeping a pack of antacid nearby isn't a bad idea either. As in other trimesters, you will likely feel the frequent urge to urinate during your third trimester. Keep an eye out for urinary tract infections, and take precautions such as keeping a good stock of pantyliners to prevent any embarrassing situations. While you're pregnant, your body builds up an increased level of fluid. Because you're retaining more water and fluid, this will increase pressure on some bones and joints. During your third trimester this can become especially pronounced. To help ease the pain, use cool compresses, take frequent showers or baths or wade in a pool. Increased blood circulation during pregnancy can cause a few unpleasant symptoms. It may cause your veins to bulge or cause other problems such as varicose veins or hemorrhoids. To deal with painful varicose veins, try to keep your legs elevated and wear support hose. In the third trimester, your breasts will continue to grow in size as they prepare to make the milk that will nourish your baby. Don't be alarmed if your nipples start leaking a yellowish fluid. This is colostrum, which will nourish your baby in his or her first few weeks of life. The mood swings of your previous trimesters have probably leveled out as your body has become adjusted to the increased hormones rushing through your body, but this doesn't mean you're not going to feel some negative emotions at times. As mentioned before, during your third trimester you're likely to feel very anxious. You may also be plagued with feelings that you're inadequate to the task of raising a child. To help fend off some of these feelings, take an extra parenting class or two, and go for a walk every day. Walking can be some of the best therapy for emotional turmoil, as it is very relaxing. The skills you learn in a parenting class will make you feel more confident about your ability to parent. The third trimester of pregnancy is no walk in the park. It can be uncomfortable, painful and chances are that you'll just want it over and done with. It may be cliched, but the best bit of positive thinking you can employ during this time is the old adage, "This to shall pass." If you keep positive, keep busy and stay focused, you'll be able to endure this time with minimal discomfort and when the time does come for you to have your child, you'll know that your hard work and endurance has been rewarded abundantly. |
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