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Home > Moms> Prenatal > Third Trimester Changes and Symptoms





Third Trimester Changes and Symptoms



You're getting closer every day to the magical moment of your baby's birth. And you're probably getting more excited, too.

But the third trimester may bring some physical developments that will make you even more eager for motherhood to start and pregnancy to end. As your weight and hormone levels increase, aches and pains might, too. But take heart. There are plenty of things you can do to increase your comfort. Remember, it won't last long now.

Aches and pains
Backaches
As your baby and uterus grow, many of your muscles will be stretching to the max. So it's no wonder that the weight of your growing belly will put a serious strain on your back muscles.

Getting backrubs from your partner will help a lot. So will stretching, resting when you can and having good posture when sitting or standing. Always try to wear comfortable shoes, too. You shouldn't be doing any heavy lifting. If you must lift something, use your legs and arms instead of your back.

Hip pain
The human body is amazing, especially when it comes to pregnancy. In preparation for childbirth, your increased hormones cause some body tissue to get softer and looser. As a result, joints around the pelvis relax. That will help to ease your baby's descent and delivery.

But this pelvic relaxation may produce hip pain, usually just on one side. Good remedies include exercises that your doctor may recommend to strengthen your lower back and stomach muscles. Warm baths and compresses may ease pain, too.

Leg cramps
The cause of leg cramps may be the same as backache: the softening of the pelvic joints. Bad circulation and your baby pressing on nerves may also cause leg cramps, which usually happen at night or in the early morning.

To help relieve the aches, try a little movement. Walking at a moderate pace, flexing your feet, and stretching your legs before bed may help. Just don't point your toes when you stretch. That could cause a cramp. Keep your legs elevated when you can. And talk to your doctor about trying maternity support hose or an elastic maternity belt.

Sciatica
You have two sciatic nerves that start in the lower back and run down your legs to your feet. When the baby and your enlarged uterus put pressure on those nerves, the result could be sciatica. It might feel like tingling, numbness or pain in the buttocks, thighs, legs and feet.

You may get relief from sciatica when your baby changes position. Until then, take plenty of warm baths and try a heating pad. It also helps to sleep on the opposite side of where you feel the pain.

Vaginal pain
Some women get sharp pains in the vaginal area a few weeks before delivery. This happens because the cervix has started to dilate. There's not much you can do if you have this type of pain. Just relax, rest, and know that your baby's on the way.

Other physical discomforts
Swelling and fluid retention
You might notice that your ankles and wrists are a little thicker than normal. That's from fluid retention, a pretty common issue in the third trimester. Moms-to-be have swelling because of a rise in the hormone, estrogen.

But it's for a good reason. Retained water helps accommodate expanded blood volume and it offsets water you'll lose during delivery.

Believe it or not, one of the best things you can do is to keep drinking water. Avoid diuretics or any medications that encourage loss of fluid. Elevate your feet when possible, and keep tight shoes in your closet, instead of on your feet. And exercise with your doctor's direction. It's great for circulation.

Heartburn
Heartburn is probably the most common discomfort of pregnancy. It can come from stomach acids rising into your esophagus and creating a burning sensation. Or from the pressure of your growing baby and uterus on your stomach.

The good news is that there are lots of ways to prevent and remedy heartburn. Like eating several small meals a day, rather than two or three big ones. Try to relax and eat slowly. By now you probably have a good idea of which foods give you heartburn. Pass on greasy, spicy or processed foods. Chocolate and soda may aggravate the condition.

After a meal, take a walk if you can. That helps keep gastric juices down. It's better not to lie down after you eat. If your heartburn is really uncomfortable, talk to your doctor about taking antacids.

Constipation
Constipation is also common in pregnancy. By now you know the reasons: high hormone levels slowing down your bowel muscles. And a growing baby crowding your digestive systems.

Drinking plenty of water can help. So can eating high-fiber foods like whole grains, bran and prunes. Exercising is good way to keep things moving, too.

Hemorrhoids
Constipation can lead to another issue. Hemorrhoids. If you've never had them, consider yourself lucky. If you have, you know they're painful, swollen veins, around the rectum, that can itch and bleed.

Soon after delivery, hemorrhoids usually shrink and go away on their own. In the meantime, try to prevent them by staying as regular as possible and not pushing during a bowel movement. Getting plenty of fiber, water, rest and exercise are good bets, too. Also, for many reasons, try not to stand or sit for long periods of time.

If you already have hemorrhoids, ease the discomfort by using compresses with ice packs or witch hazel pads. Take frequent warm baths with baking soda. Use soft, unscented toilet paper. If you notice any bleeding, talk with your health-care provider.

Changes and developments
Frequent urination and leaking
Your expanding uterus is crowding everything out. Including your delicate bladder. This could send you on frequent, but not always productive, trips to the bathroom. It may also cause urine to leak, especially when you laugh, cough or sneeze.

To help both situations, empty your bladder completely when you urinate. You can accomplish this by leaning as far forward as your belly will let you. For leakage, wear panty liners and keep up the Kegel exercises to increase control. And, even though you know where it leads you, keep drinking plenty of water. It won't hurt to ease up at night, though.

Fatigue
Chances are, your energy level was great during your second trimester. So you might be surprised to see fatigue return now. The cause? The sheer physical exertion of the extra weight you're carrying. Waking up at night to go to the bathroom and other sleep issues contribute, too.

This isn't the time to tough it out. Or \";push through\"; your fatigue. Instead, take it easy and get as much rest as possible. Going to bed early is a good idea. So is squeezing in a short nap during the day. If you're working, relax at your desk for a few minutes after lunch.

Eating well and drinking enough water will help your energy level. If you've been exercising, keep it up if you can. But don't start exercising if you haven't been. Finally, this is a good time to start saying \";yes\"; to friends and family members who offer help.

Sleep problems
There are so many reasons for sleep disturbances now. Some people say it's good practice for the sleepless nights ahead, once your baby arrives. But most pregnant women would gladly give up that opportunity in return for some shuteye.

You probably know why you're not sleeping very well. The size of your stomach makes it hard to get comfortable. Excitement and anticipation about your baby may be keeping you up. Aches and pains might make it hard to drift off.

What can you do? Before bed, try a high-carb snack like crackers, fruit or toast and jam. Carbs trigger the release of serotonin, which helps you sleep. And try some of the relaxation exercises you may have learned in childbirth classes.

A better sleeping position could help. Always lie on your side, with legs bent at the knees. Bring a few extra pillows to bed. One to support your tummy. Another for between your legs. And one more wedged in the small of your back. If there's still room in the bed for your partner, ask for a relaxing neck rub.

Shortness of breath
If you feel you're having trouble catching your breath, it's probably not just excitement. Your growing baby is pushing on a muscle under your lungs. And that decreases your lung capacity. At the same time, your hormones are sending messages to your brain to make you breathe more deeply.

What can you do? First, don't worry. Your baby is getting plenty of oxygen.
But by keeping your back straight and your shoulders relaxed and down, you might breathe more easily. Exercise helps, too. The situation will improve during the last few weeks of pregnancy, when your baby drops into the pelvis. Of course, if you have severe shortness of breath, talk to your doctor.

Skin changes
Itchy bellies and stretch marks
Your itchy belly comes from the skin stretching and tightening, which makes it dry. Lots of moisturizer can help. So can anti-itch cream if your doctor gives you the okay.

Stretch marks are red or white streaks on breasts, stomach and upper thighs. It seems that heredity is main factor in determining who gets them. In spite of all the claims of special creams and lotions, there are no proven treatments for stretch marks. But they do tend to fade after delivery.

Spider veins and blotches
Spidery-looking red lines on your face, neck, arms and chest are probably the result of tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin. They swell because of increased blood flow. Some women also get dark blotches called \";chloasma,\"; on their cheeks, forehead or nose. Both spider veins and blotches usually fade after pregnancy.

There are a few things you can do for your skin. Eat healthy foods, drink plenty of fluids, and wash your face several times a day. Stay out of the sun. That can make things worse. If you're in a sunny place, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Finally, remember that a little foundation makeup or cover-up cream can do wonders.

Varicose veins
Varicose veins are fine bluish or reddish lines under the skin, usually on the legs and ankles. The culprit, again, is probably the uterus exerting pressure on the veins in your legs. Varicose veins can be a bit painful.

To avoid getting them, try not to stand for long periods of time, and don't sit with your legs crossed. Raise your legs when you can. Elevate them when you sit, and put a pillow under them when you're lying down. There are also special support stockings you can wear. Your doctor can give you a recommendation. And know that varicose veins usually improve after you have your baby.

PUPP
It's a cute name for a not-so-cute condition. PUPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques) describes itchy, red, raised patches on the skin. You might notice them first on your stomach. And they may spread to your arms and legs.

This condition runs in the family, and usually happens only in first pregnancies.
If you experience it, talk to your doctor about oral medications and anti-itch creams that might help. Oatmeal and baking soda in the bath can give you some relief. The symptoms do go away after pregnancy.


The third trimester is an exciting time as your due date nears. But, as you can see, it's also a time when you might experience a lot of physical changes and developments.

Try not to let them get to you by knowing they, too, shall pass. And keep your eye on the prize. One look at your wonderful baby and all of this will seem like ancient history.



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sluv nandini
P.s.to ss there is something related to allergy also.

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