Warning Signs during Last Trimester of Pregnancy

It is necessary to take immediate action if warning signs are observed during the last trimester of pregnancy. Read on to learn more about the warning signs that should not be ignored during last trimester of pregnancy.The third trimester of pregnancy is the most crucial phase and the last lap of your journey to motherhood. This phase is not only important for your health but also for your baby’s proper growth and development to ensure that the newborn is healthy. It is also a phase where certain harmful obstetric health complications can develop, causing complications in delivery.There are a few warning signs you should not ignore if you are in the last trimester of your pregnancy. If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help. In this articleBleedingSevere Nausea or VomitingDecline in Baby’s Activity LevelEarly ContractionsPersistent Headache and Visual DisturbancesBleedingExperiencing bleeding in the third trimester of pregnancy may be a sign of health threat to both mother and baby’s life. Bleeding can mean different things, especially in the last stage. 95% of the time, any bleeding experienced in the later part of pregnancy is due to medical complications such as Placenta praevia (Abnormally located placenta) or Abruptio Placentae (Sudden separation of placenta from the uterine lining). Any amount of blood discharge accompanied with abdominal pain during the last trimester of your pregnancy should be immediately reported to your obstetrician for medical help.Severe Nausea or VomitingIt is common for a pregnant woman to feel nausea at times. But if you experience severe or persistent nausea accompanied with pain or fever in the third trimester of your pregnancy, this might point out to a health complication for both you and your baby. Regular nausea can lead to dehydration and malnutrition that could harm your baby. If you experience increased nausea than before, with a high temperature or chilling sensation, contact your obstetrician immediately. Your doctor can prescribe you adequate medication and suggest changes in your diet to treat this warning symptom.Decline in Baby’s Activity LevelDecline in your baby’s activity level is another warning sign you should not ignore if you are in the last trimester of your pregnancy. According to researchers at University of Texas Medical School at Houston, keeping track of your baby’s kicking is essential to confirm the health of the baby. Although, there is no optimal number of movements, but an expecting mother in her last trimester can establish a baseline and subjectively perceive whether her baby is equally or less active. As a thumb rule, the baby should have 10 or more kicks in 2-3 hours, and anything lesser than that point to a warning sign in the baby’s health that should not be ignored.Early ContractionsEarly contractions in the last trimester of your pregnancy are a sign of preterm labour, a complication that could harm your baby’s development in the placenta. If you are a first timer, you might not be aware of the differences between true labour and false labour. False labour contractions, known as Braxton- Hicks contractions, are non-rhythmic, unpredictable and do not increase in intensity. Whereas, true contractions are rhythmic and are about 10 minutes apart and only increase in intensity. Having true contractions in the last trimester of your pregnancy are a sign of warning and should be immediately reported to your doctor. If it is too early for delivery, your doctor may be able to postpone the labour with medication.Persistent Headache and Visual DisturbancesIf you experience persistent headache accompanied with visual disturbances during your last trimester, these symptoms could be a sign of a health complication like Preeclampsia. Marked by high blood pressure and excess protein in urine, this condition could be potentially fatal for your baby. Good prenatal care can help cure preeclampsia early before delivery. If you experience symptoms like high blood pressure, visual disturbances and persistent painful ache and throbbing in your head, contact your doctor right away.These warning signs pose a serious threat to the health of your baby. In case you experience one or more of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical help immediately. By being cautious in your last trimester, you could avoid serious health complications and have a healthy baby.Which warning signs should not be ignored during the last trimester of pregnancy? What precautions should be taken during the last trimester of pregnancy? What is the difference between false labour and real labour? Discuss here.