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Third Trimester - Taking Care of Yourself
Concerns about Sex in the Third Trimester
Your changing Shape
Don't pressure yourself to feel sexy when you're feeling lousy or tired. Making love now may feel awkward or uncomfortable. You may try different positions to find one that is comfortable.
Fear of Hurting the Baby
In normal preganancies, sexual intercourse will not hurt the baby. You may notice milk leaking from your breasts or experience contractions duing orgasm, but these are not dangerous.
Fear of infection
As long as your partner doesn't have a sexual transmitted disease, sexual intercourse will not cause you or your baby to get an infection. Condoms can protect you if you are not sure.
You should avoid sex when:
1. Your doctor/midwife says so
2. Any time your vagina is bleeding
3. If your water has broken
4. In the last three months, if carrying more than one baby
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Intimacy Without Intercourse
Most women can continue to have sexual intercourse throughout pregnancy. but, if your doctor says no intercourse or if you don't feel like it, there are other ways to be close and affectionate with your partner. You may still enjoy:
- Touching and kissing
- Rubbing each other's head, feet and back
- Hiding love notes for your partner to find
- Watching a sunset together
- Cuddling in bed together at night or in the mornings
- Preparing your favorite foods together and having candlelight dinners
- Listening to your favorite music and slow dancing
- Taking baths or showers together
- Saying how much you love and appreciate each other
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Excercising in the Third Trimester
- Excercise can relieve backache, prevent varicose veins, prevent constipation and leave you in better shape afterwards.
- Stretching helps your blood flow. Stretch your arms, roll your shoulders, reach for your toes, practice squatting. Getting in good shape can help make childbirth easier.
- As your body gets larger, it may be more difficult to excercise. Slow down but don't stop. Even walking each day helps your body.
- Continue to eat nutritious food and drink lots of liquids, especially after excersing. Make sure you are gaining, not losing weight.
- If you continue to work out, stay off your back as the weight of your uterus could cut off blood supply to your baby. Don't point your toes because it may cause cramps in your calves. Know when to stop. If you feel dizzy, or have difficullty breathing, take a short rest. Check with your doctor if symptoms continue. NEVER excercise to exhaustion.
- As your body grows larger, wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes. Stay cool. Overheating can be dangerous for your baby.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Kegel Excercises
Kegel excercises can strengthen the muscles in your vagina. By excersing these muscles, you can prepare your body for childbirth and speed your recovery after baby's birth.
Kegel excercises can be done anywhere and at anytime. No one will even know you are doing them! Practice them in your car at a red light, when you answer the phone at home or work, or while laying in the bathtub. An easy way to find out which muscles to squeeze is to try to stop the flow of urine when you urinate.
Squeeze the muscles that you noticed and count to 3 sowly, then relax for 3 seconds and squeeze again. It may seem awkward or difficult at first to hold the squeeze, so do it 1 to 2 seconds and build up to 3. You should not do the excercises repeatedly while you are urinating. Try to do 20 - 30 of these a day. As you feel your muscles getting stronger, work up to 50-60 a day.
Note: If you are using your stomach, buttocks or thighs, you are probably squeezing the wrong muscles.
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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