3rd Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms
Clumsiness Take Over
If you do happen to fall, don’t worry as chances are, the baby will remain quite well protected within your uterus and inside the amniotic fluid, which is in itself, a natural cushion. Just be on the safe side, let your gynaecologist know. If you feel severe abdominal pain and contractions; see bleeding or leakage of amniotic fluid, call your doctor immediately.
Cramps
Braxto-Hicks cramps you get from time to time will get worse in the next few weeks. Remember, these are not the kind of contractions you will have in labour - think of it as ‘practise’. The cramps are usually painless but always uncomfortable. You will notice that they become more frequent the more active you are, but will lessen as you slow down at the end of the day. Braxton-Hicks have been known to false labour, so if you’re 36 weeks pregnant and your contractions are persistent regular and become increasingly painful, call your doctor or hospital immediately.
Long, sleepless nights
With the sheer size of your body and the baby’s constant squirming and kickboxing; you may feel like you’re never going to get comfortable enough for some shut-eye. Try or a combination of these:
- Make yourself a warm drink of milk and honey
- Reduce your fluid intake after 6 pm
- Take a warm bath just before bed
The Big Drop
You should be breathing easier now. why? Your baby has dropped or descended lower into the pelvis. This action called lightening, usually happens two to three weeks before delivery for the first-time mothers. With the easing of your breathing, your heartburn may also disappear. However, this new comfort is offset with a heaviness in your vaginal area - some women say they feel sharp twinges as the baby’s head moves and exert more pressure on their bladder and pelvic floor area.
Nursing Already?
Your breasts will discharge colostrum which is what the new born drinks in the first few days of life before your actual milk starts emerging. Colostrum has been said to be your baby’s protection against infections. It contains antibodies from your own immune system and this helps your baby until his own immune system gets strong enough to take over.
Leaky tap
It’s an embarrassing problem: as you cough or laugh, you find yourself leaking a little bit of urine. This is due to the enlarged uterus pressing on your bladder and the problem may continue even after you give birth. If you find it to be severe, get special pads designer for urinary incontinence.
Swollen Hands & Legs
Your hands and legs swell when you’ve been on your feet a lot. This is normal, but it can also signal pre-eclampsia. If you notice a sudden increase in swelling or sudden weight gain together with a significant headache or abdominal pain, call your doctor immediately.
