The Final Trimester: A Guide to Everything to Expect in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Childbirth

By Anna C. Brooke

Everything you need to know to have a successful delivery and a healthy baby.

 

This is an indispensable resource for expectant mothers looking for accurate, reliable and comprehensive information about the final trimester of pregnancy and childbirth. It answers every conceivable question expecting parents could have, including dozens of new ones based on the ever-changing pregnancy and birthing practices and choices they face.

This guide reveals the naked truth about the tremendous joys, the excruciating pains and the inevitable disfigurement that goes along with pregnancy in the third trimester. It also provides adequate information on what you should really expect in the final trimester of your pregnancy ranging from body changes to baby growth to labor and delivery.

The Final Trimester includes thorough information on:

Staying healthy in the third trimester;

Common questions and answer about sex in pregnancy;

Choosing the best childbirth education class;

Preparing for labor and knowing when it has begun;

Normal labor and how a woman can get through every step of the way;

Epidurals and other medications for labor;

Non-drug techniques for easing labor pain;

Cesarean birth and complications that may require it;

And much more

 

The Final Trimester takes out the fear of childbirth by restoring women’s faith in their own natural power to give birth with more ease, less pain, and less medical intervention.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. K. Courtney
• Release date: Sep 17, 2018

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About The Author

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to a really exciting stage of your journey which is the third trimester of pregnancy. In this guide, you will find detailed information about how you may be feeling at this stage. You probably still experiencing most of the symptoms you had over the first two trimesters and possibly more bothersome than before. And there are new symptoms that are likely to develop near the end of your pregnancy.

This book will also provide you with adequate information about the right nutrition, exercises, and lifestyle in the final trimester of your pregnancy as well as common questions about sex in pregnancy.

You will be well informed about how you can prepare for childbirth, how to recognize the signs of labor, what to do when labor begins and how you can manage labor pain.

A woman's good health is essential to the well-being of her baby. It is also important to be duly aware of what to be expected during the final pregnancy trimester as this can greatly help to reduce any anxiety you may be having during the final stages of your pregnancy as well as to reduce or prevent the possibility of complications during pregnancy and also for a successful delivery to a healthy baby.

CHAPTER ONE: UNDERSTANDING THE FINAL TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

What is the final trimester?

A pregnancy typically last for 40 weeks. These weeks are categorized into three trimesters; the first, second and third trimester. The third, which is the final trimester includes week 28 to week 40 of pregnancy.

The final trimester can be psychologically and physically challenging for a pregnant woman. But by the end of week 37, the baby is considered full term and it is only a matter of before the baby would be born. By understanding what to expect during the third trimester can greatly help to reduce any anxiety you may be having during the final stages of your pregnancy.

At this stage of your pregnancy, your feelings tend to vary from worries to tiredness and then excitement about your baby.

As the third trimester progresses, your baby continues to grow. He or she will have a better chance if he or she is born early. And you should have more checks with the midwife in this trimester as it is very important to keep an eye on your health as well as your baby's. Your baby's position at the stage is also important and you may start thinking about what happens during labor.

In this these last few weeks, you need to get ready for your baby and also enjoy some time for yourself especially if you have started your maternity leave. Another important thing you should remember to do in the final trimester of your pregnancy is sleeping on your side at night and during daytime naps.

During this period, you may still be energetic but you are more likely to find your body slowing down naturally. Having a walk is ideal and you may engage in Pilates, pregnancy yoga and aqua natal class, which are all excellent ways to remain active in the final trimester of pregnancy.

This stage is also the best time to write your birth plan, which includes thinking about the different kinds of pain relief that are available and the ones you may like to consider (if you’re interested) when you are in labor. However, remember that your wishes may change and you may need extra help during labor and birth, therefore keep an open mind.

Changes in your body in the final trimester

As a pregnant woman in your third trimester, you may experience more swelling, pains and aches as you go around and also become more anxious about delivery. Other events to expect during the third trimester of pregnancy include:

Sleeping