Pregnancy is measured in trimesters from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), totaling 40 weeks. Your third trimester begins at week 26 and ends with labor. At the end of the third trimester, you will make the transition from being pregnant to being a parent.

• Normal Changes During Pregnancy
• Prenatal Visits
• Third Trimester Checklist

Normal Changes During Pregnancy

You may gain as much as 12 pounds this trimester. You will have to adjust your movements and activities to accommodate your increasing size. Be sure you are maintaining healthy posture, and get frequent, gentle exercise. You may find you need to urinate often as the growing uterus presses on your bladder. Continue to drink lots of fluids and eat fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation and hemorrhoids.

Mood swings, anxiety and increased irritability are common during the last three months of pregnancy. Talk about your feelings with your loved ones. Take frequent rest periods.

The baby gains the most weight in the last 13 weeks of pregnancy. Most of the organs are developed at the end of eight months. Tremendous brain growth occurs. At the beginning of ninth month, the baby settles down lower in the pelvis in preparation for labor and birth. See fetal growth for more information.
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Prenatal Visits

You will be seeing your obstetrician, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife or family physician every two to three weeks starting around week 32. After 34 to 36 weeks, you will see your provider weekly until birth. You may be seen more often, if needed.

At 35 weeks your provider will use a rectal or vaginal swab to screen for Group B Strep (GBS). Your provider will notify you if the test results are abnormal. See prenatal testing for more information about tests this trimester.
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Third Trimester Checklist

• Be sure you have signed up for classes on Birth Center Orientation, Preparing for Birth and Breastfeeding.
  
  
• Consider a lactation consultation.
  
  
• Choose a doctor for your newborn.
  
  
• Plan for a maternity leave from work.
  
  
• Prepare for baby's arrival.
  
  
• Consider birth control options for postpartum.

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