Third trimester

Mom's symptoms

The countdown begins

During your third and final trimester, you and your baby will prepare for labor and delivery. This is a great time to start thinking about baby names and make sure your hospital bag is packed and ready to go!

You may have an expected due date, but remember that this date is only an estimate. Your baby could be born before, on, or even after the date your doctor has discussed with you.

Pregnancy symptoms

While some of the symptoms you experienced early in your pregnancy have disappeared by now, you may notice a number of additional changes during your third trimester:

• Back — Your growing belly and changing center of gravity may cause you to arch your back more than you normally would, straining your lower back muscles and leading to new aches and pains.¹ Additionally, you may experience sciatica — a sharp, shooting pain that runs from your lower back down your leg. The pain is caused by irritation of the tissue around your sciatic nerve or compression of the nerve itself.¹ Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about how to treat sciatica.
• Breasts — Your nipples may leak a pale yellow fluid called colostrum. Colostrum contains water, proteins, minerals, and antibodies, and it will feed your baby for the first few days after delivery, until your milk begins to flow.¹
• Uterus — By week 36, your uterus reaches up to the base of your rib cage and may continue moving upward to your diaphragm. Your uterine muscles will probably start to tighten for short periods. These are called Braxton-Hicks contractions, and they're a sign that your uterus is getting stronger and preparing for labor.² Most women experience Braxton-Hicks contractions frequently throughout the third trimester and especially during the last month of pregnancy. The contractions may be mildly uncomfortable, but not painful; you'll feel your uterus harden for about a minute and then return to normal.

Other symptoms you may notice during this time include:^1,3

• Stronger and more frequent fetal activity
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Constipation
• Heartburn, indigestion, gas, and bloating
• Occasional dizziness, faintness, and headaches
• Leg cramps
• Bleeding gums
• Ankle and foot swelling
• Varicose veins
• Hemorrhoids
• Lower abdominal aches
• Protruding navel
• Shortness of breath
• Easier breathing as the baby "drops" as labor approaches
• More frequent urination after the baby drops

How baby is growing

This trimester, your baby will undergo a significant increase in size and weight, and his or her lungs and brain will mature.

Your baby will also be active and turn freely — until he or she gets too big for somersaults near the end of your pregnancy. By now, you've probably noticed a rhythm to your baby's movement. Some women feel more movement after lunch or in the late evening after laying down to rest. As you get closer to your due date, your doctor may ask you to set aside a certain time each day to count and record the number of kicks, just to be sure your baby is staying active.

Around week 32 or later, your baby may move into pre-delivery position, with his or her head down. A fatty substance called vernix will develop on your baby's skin to ease passage during labor.

Learn more about getting ready for labor and delivery.