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Third Trimester - Your Baby's Health and Development
Changes During Your Third Trimester of Pregnancy
| Discomfort |
What To Do About It |
| Belly and Breast enlargement |
Sleep on your side, wear loose clothes, wear a support bra, even to bed |
| Constipation |
- Eat foods high in fiber like bran cereal, whole grain bread, and green, leafy vegetables.
- Drink lots of liquids such as water, milk, soup and fruit &prune juices.
- Eat raw vegetables and fruit or a fresh salad each day.
- Take a walk after meals.
- Don't take a laxative or enemas unless instructed by your health care provider.
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| Heartburn or indigestion |
- Eat slowly and chew your food well.
- Eat smaller meals, more often.
- Bake or broil food. Do not fry it.
- Avoid greasy or spicy foods.
- Try walking around after each meal instead of lying right down.
- Drink liquids between meals instead of with meals.
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| Leg cramps |
- Stretch your legs before bedtime.
- Eat a banana everyday.
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| Ankle/feet swelling |
- Wear loose fitting shoes or sandals.
- Stay off your feet as much as possible.
- When sitting, try to put your feet up.
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| Need to urinate frequently |
- Find the nearest bathroom and go often.
- Limit fluids before bedtime, but be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water and/or juice earlier in the day.
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| Tire easily |
- Try to sleep at least 8 hours a night.
- Rest 10-15 minutes, several times a day.
- Try some gentle excercise each day.
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| Lower backache |
- Keep your back straight and hold your head up while sitting or standing.
- Wear comfortable, flat shoes.
- Don't stretch to reach high places.
- Move around rather than standing too long in one place. If you must stand for long periods, try to keep one foot up on a stool with your knee bent.
- Put a board under your matress.
- Ask your doctor/nurse to show you pelvic rock excercises to strengthen your muscles.
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| Contractions |
- Try lying down on your left side for about 20 minutes.
- Drink two to three glasses of juice or water.
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Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
© 1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
What are Kick Counts?
Counting your baby's kicks, twists or turns can help you know your baby is healthy. Every day you should count how many hours it takes for your baby to move 10 times. Start when you are about seven months pregnant.
When do I Count?
- During your baby's most active time of day.
- After you have walked for 5 minutes.
- After you have had something to eat or drink.
Most healthy babies move at least 4 times in the hour after you eat.
How do I count Baby's Kicks?
- Start in the morning as soon as you get up.
- Write down the time you start.
- Put a check each time your baby kicks, twists, or turns.
- After your baby has moved 10 times write down the time again.
- After counting 10 movements you don't need to count again that day.
- Try to do kick counts the same time everyday.
Call Your Midwife Or Doctor Right Away If:
- Your baby takes two hours longer than usual to move 10 times.
- Your baby kicks less than 10 times in 12 hours.
- You feel something is not right. Trust your instincts and make that call. Ask to be seen TODAY.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families ©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
How Can I Help My Baby Develop?
- Continue to eat healthy foods Your baby is growing quickly these last three months. His weight may go from almost 3 pounds to 6-9 pounds at delivery.
- If you're still smoking, stop or cut down now
The more you smoke, the less oxygen your baby will recieve. Your baby may be born too soon or too small. When they grow up, babies of smokers aren't as smart, and have more behavior problems than babies of nonmokers.
- Monitor your baby's movements
Your baby lets you know when he is awake by kicking and moving around. He may seem less active, because there's less room to move. Be sure to count your baby's kicks to make sure he is okay.
- Sing and rub your belly
By now your baby's organs are all well developed except for the lungs. these may not be fully developed unitl the 9th month. Your baby can quiet to your voice or touch. Try listening to your favorite music or singing to see how your baby responds. Your baby's eyelid's are now open and he can see as well as he can at birth.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families ©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
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