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Pregnancy

Third Trimester

The third trimester (7th month- delivery) is the most important period for both mother and child. Weeks of waiting and wondering will finally culminate with in short period. You may be anticipating the birth of your baby with pleasure, excitement and anxiety, which can be described as a nameless feeling of bud, which is waiting for blossom. It might be hard for you to believe that in a few short months you will be holding a new baby in your arms. You will have physical changes as the baby develops and grows in the womb and emotional changes as the idea of a new life becomes real. But at the same time, this time feel more uncomfortable for you because of this physical and emotional changes. The fetus grows rapidly during the last three months, multiplying its weight about three to four times. Usually the third trimester is the best time for preparing for your delivery. During this time your abdomen is very large and firm. You can see the movements of your baby clearly. By the end of the ninth month the baby is probably in the head first position in preparation for the delivery.

Seventh Month D
uring the seventh month, the baby is growing and gaining weight, so there is less space in your uterus and the aminotic fluid will start diminishing. This may affect the movement of the fetus and hence  you might not feel the movement and kicks as much as you felt during the second trimester. It is during this last three months that a fetus grows most. During this time the baby will respond actively to the sound and touch. You can feel your baby's arms and legs if you watch your abdomen. His skin becomes thicker but smoother and will be covered with a white coating called vernix'. This protects your baby's skin as he floats in the amniotic fluid, preventing his skin becoming prune-like during his 9-month bath. Babies are actually asleep for most of their time in the womb. Baby can open his eyes and used to suck his thumb and cry.  He loses most of the downy hair  known as lanugo from his body. By the end of this month he weighs1.6 kg (approx) and measures about 40-42 cm. His lungs, heart control and digestive system is immature now and there is a good chance of survival with expert pediatric care if the baby born now2    . 

Eighth Month
During this month, the fetus is too big to move around but it is possible for him to kick strongly and roll around. At this stage, many baby's, especially first baby's head will probably have descended into the mother's pelvis, ready for the birth. His brain is growing rapidly, and most of the internal systems are well developed except lungs. The brain and nerves started directing bodily functions. You can feel the baby's elbow or heel through your abdomen. At present the head bones are soft and flexible to make it easier for baby to fit through the birth canal. Nerve ending of your baby's ears are get connected now and it is possible for him to hear distinct sounds. If you are having a boy, his testicles have dropped from his abdomen where they will then descend into his scrotum. A layer of fat is forming underneath the thin, thus the skin will become less wrinkled, transparent and glowing. Soft nails have grown to the tips of his fingers and toes. Baby is practicing opening his eyes and breathing. The baby will gain about 28 gm every day for the remaining four weeks in the womb. By the end of this month your baby may weigh 2.5kg and measures about 46cm (18 inch).

Ninth Month & Beyond 
This is the average time for a baby to be ready to be born. Baby's lungs are mature and ready to start their function. His brain is still be developing rapidly. During this month, baby gains about 1 kg.  Usually baby will be in head down position and rests in the mother's lower abdomen. Some vernix will usually left on your baby, and it may still have some lanugo on its shoulder, arms and legs. A dark tar- like substance called meconium gathers in the baby's intestines; this will be passed in his first bowel movements after birth. His immune system is still immature, so he is receiving antibodies through the placenta, and after he is born he will get antibodies through your colostrum and milk. His fingernails may be so sharp that he scratches himself with them. By this time,  your baby may weigh 2.5kg and measures about 46cm (18 inch).

Changes in Mother
At this final count down, you may experience various doubt and fear mixed with exhilaration. You are longing for the pregnancy to be over. Your body's ungainly proportions don't help your mood either. You will have a feeling of heaviness in your lower abdomen. At the beginning of the third trimester, as the baby grows larger, he presses on your internal organs and it may lead to the problems such as breathlessness, heartburn etc but once the baby's head drops into pelvis most of these problems will get reduced. On the other hand, your bladder will be under more pressure, so you may need to urinate even more frequently.   Back aches, muscle cramps, and swelling of the hands and feet are quite common. 

In the final two week. your pelvic joints expand for the birth, so you may have some discomfort in this area. With that your cervix will be softening in preparation for the labour. You will experience vigorous fetal movements, sometimes visible even through clothing. You may not get any comfort sleep because lying on your back makes you breathless. Sleeping on the left side by holding the upper leg and abdomen on pillows is quite helpful. Your navel will have flattened or even popped out.  

There will be an increase in body temperature as the fetus radiates body heat which cause the mother feel hot. Swelling of the ankles, hands, and face may occur (called edema), as the mother continues to retain fluids. Colustrum, a fluid in the breasts that nourishes the baby until the breast milk becomes available, may leak from the nipples. Also breasts feel full, and bluish veins appear beneath the skin. A supportive bra will help relieve discomfort. More stretch mark will be appear on the abdomen, thighs and buttocks. 

Towards the end of the pregnancy, noticeable contraction of the uterus, called Braxton Hicks contractions, increase in frequency. These contractions, which have occurred intermittently throughout pregnancy.

Sexual interest may decrease as both partners feel overwhelmed by the size of the pregnancy and the mother becomes increasingly tired and uncomfortable

At the beginning of the third trimester, your physician will insist you to have prenatal visit once in every two weeks and by the end of the eighth month, your prenatal visits may be scheduled to every week. It will depend on the medical condition of the expectant mother and development of the baby. Your health care provider will continue to monitor your blood pressure and weight, as well as the activity and movements of the fetus. 

Pregnancy is a unique experience for every woman. Your sensations may vary from those of your friends who are at the same point in pregnancy. It is better to ask to your friends, relatives or even from your mother about their experiences during pregnancy and share yours.




Viewer's Comment
 Vasavi Reddy, Bangalore     16/6/2016
Very useful information as the parents get excited with the first pregnancy experience.... happy parenting.. Thank you
 Mehnaz, Muscat     8/5/2016
Very useful information v can able to get through this thanks for useful information
 Ruth Wanyenze, Uganda    8/5/2016
Thank you so much for ur article cause it has helped me so much.
 Prema, Erode    6/3/2016
Very useful informations... Thanks for ur greatful information
 Saroja Pandya, Gondal    23/2/2016
Realistic info. With no over halming. More Helpful to the first experience of pregnancy. Thank you
 Ambika, Hyderabad    6/2/2016
Very helpful for pregancy womens.thanks
 D sunitha, Hyderabad, AP    6/9/2015
Very interesting and very informative and more valuable points.
 Meena Karthik, Bangalore    5/9/2015
Thnx for ur information.... I'm very happy with this
 Lavanya, Visakhapatnam    11/8/2015
Thanks for the valuable info... Its very helpful for those who having their first experience of pregnancy.. i am too one of them...
 Purna Chandra, Gollaprolu    15/5/2015
Thnx for ur information... Im very happy with this...
 Suvarna Yadav, Satara    11/5/2015
Nice article. Very helpful
 Pushpa, Banglore    30/3/2015
Its realy great im happy with this information
 Jemini Keshav, India    11/1/2015
Thanks alot the information has so much cleared , l hope it will helping other also.thanks
 Stella, Nigeria    8/1/2015
Thank you for your numerous information at least some fears doubts have cleared.
 Victoria , Lagos    15/10/2014
Thanks alot the information has so much cleared my doubt
 Sana Imran, Pakistan    30/8/2014
It's very pleasurable and most informative experience wid u. l hope it will helping other womens also.thanks
 Seema Kumari, Kota    27/3/2014
Thank you for this valuable information. My all worries cleared.
 Lucy, Nigeria    31/1/2014
I appreciate,the information is helpful...
 Eisha Pradhnesh, Mumbai    15/1/2014
Its really helpful information,all my worries are clarify.Thank u very much.
 Parm, Chandigarh    28/12/2013
Its really helpful to hv a know about so many things in one topic only as i used to search here and dere to check out thge symptoms n dos n donots of my pregnancy....thanks a lot,,,lookin forward for new updates about foetal positions in womb,
 Agboola Ademola David, Lagos    24/12/2013
I really appreaciate this information, all my worries have been clearified. The one that scare most is the rate at which my wife feel heat ds days.
 Anu, Hyderabad    17/12/2013
Thanks for your valuable information about third semister..bec i cleared so many doubts through this thank you....
 Manjusha, Gujarat    26/9/2013
it was good to know the same symptoms which is typed here. Happy to read the article for clearing the doubts.
 Kala, Hyderabad    20/9/2013
Information was very helpfull for me thanku u so much
 A.A.Andrabi, Jammu and Kashmir    15/9/2013
I was really worring about a lot of things, by this article most of my doubts have been cleared. This is very informative. Thank u so much.
 Rohini, AndhraPradesh    14/8/2013
Information provided was helpful,Thank You...
 Selvi, Erode    23/7/2013
Thank you very much. I came to know lot of information from this site.
 Pooja Gautam, Noida    22/7/2013
Thanks a lot.Truly a benificial knowledge regarding 3rd trimester of pregnany.Most of my doubts have been cleared by this page.
 Chetna, Ghaziabad    13/5/2013
Really, Thanks a lot for the guidance, I was quite worried sitting in the office wondering whom should I consult with. But now got lot of relief as gor answers of most of my questions regarding slow movements and breathless.
 Shahbaz Ansari, Himachal Pradesh    16/11/2012
I Have gain lots of precautious knowledge about third trimester by your articles. thanks
 Dr.Naganeni.C.B, karnataka    19/10/2012
Its very nice. thanks to all
 Shubhi Sharma, Agra    14/10/2012
Thanx a lot.....thr were so many doubts but i got all solutions.Thanx again.
 Bhavna, Orissa    10/9/2012
Thanx a lot for the valuable information.It cleared so many doubts of mine and helped me a lot.
 Junurani Baruah, Guwahati    2/9/2012
Thanks for the information. It helped me a lot to get answers to some of my questions.
 Punithavathy, Pondicherry    21/8/2012
Thanks for the valuable information, these guidelines and information may help many women during there pregnancy.
 Shani Rahul, Kerala    8/8/2012
Thank you for the valuable informations!
 Prajakta Sawant, Mumbai    5/8/2012
Very good information... It actually made me aware of some minor points which may have been ignored.
 Anita, Delhi ncr    18/6/2012
I like this n very helpful...
 Nelly, Nigeria    14/5/2012
Thanks for the write up it is interesting, God bless you. pls eating unripe plantain is it good during last trimister and also banana.
 Obialo ezinne, Aba, Nigeria    3/2/2012
Your write up is quite educative, i am seven month pregnant, it has expose me to things i do not know. Thanks

Questions of
 Questions & Answers
 1.  Posted on : 21.8.2016  By  :  Jyoti Bahoria , Plot. no. 206 shree durga niwas, rewatinagar BESA View Answer (0) Post Answer
 

I am 30 years of age,I am diagnosed with PCOS last year, I always had regular periods and I am mother of a 4 year old boy my problem is my acne which I may facing since last 5to 6 years and it's recurring,I am fed up of this acne is there any treatment please suggest me It will be of great help.

 
 2.  Posted on : 6.7.2015  By  :  Poonam , Kolkata View Answer (0) Post Answer
 

My mother has got a renal mass in her right kidney approx 7cm and what we understood by her reports was that she has tiny multiple cysts in her lower pole, the doctor has told us that it is not malignant and non enhancing, but we have just done a ct scan and blood tests not even any biopsy so how can he be so sure it is not malignant, she seldom gets a lower back painin her right side, we are taking her to another consulting doctor for a second opinion, as to no what should be done, she is also type 2 diabetic

 
 3.  Posted on : 31.8.2014  By  :  Litu , Bangladesh View Answer (0) Post Answer
 

Hi, I am from Bangladesh. I donated blood to my wife without knowing the fact that it is dangerous. Now she is pregnant of two months. The blood group of both of us is O+. Could you tell me what risks may occur & what precaution should we take?

 
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