1. Be aware of your baby's movements
Your baby is growing all the time, so the type of movements will change according to his size. As your baby gets bigger and stronger, you'll probably feel sharp kicks under your ribs.
Every baby has a different pattern of waking and sleeping, but you'll come to know what’s normal for yours. You should feel your baby move up to and during labor. If you notice any change in his pattern, always tell your midwife or doctor straight away.
Every baby has a different pattern of waking and sleeping, but you'll come to know what’s normal for yours. You should feel your baby move up to and during labor. If you notice any change in his pattern, always tell your midwife or doctor straight away.
2. Learn about your third trimester antenatal appointments
During your third trimester antenatal appointments, your midwife will give you information about preparing for labor and birth, including how to recognize the signs of labor and how to cope with labor pain.
Your midwife should measure your bump at every antenatal appointment to check your baby’s growth. If she thinks your baby needs an extra check on how is growing, she should arrange for you to have an ultrasound scan.
If you haven't had your baby by the time you're 41 weeks pregnant, you'll see an obstetrician. He may offer you a membrane sweep to get labor going, and explain other ways to induce labor.
Your midwife should measure your bump at every antenatal appointment to check your baby’s growth. If she thinks your baby needs an extra check on how is growing, she should arrange for you to have an ultrasound scan.
If you haven't had your baby by the time you're 41 weeks pregnant, you'll see an obstetrician. He may offer you a membrane sweep to get labor going, and explain other ways to induce labor.
3. Be aware of pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy condition that is thought to happen when the placenta isn't working properly. It can happen from 20 weeks of pregnancy, but you're most likely to develop it in your third trimester.
Your midwife will look out for the signs of pre-eclampsia when you have your routine antenatal checks. The signs include high blood pressure and protein in your urine.
Although the tests your midwife carries out are the most effective way to pick up developing pre-eclampsia, it's worth being aware of the symptoms. Between appointments, watch out for severe headaches, blurred vision and swollen hands and feet. Call your doctor or midwife immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
Your midwife will look out for the signs of pre-eclampsia when you have your routine antenatal checks. The signs include high blood pressure and protein in your urine.
Although the tests your midwife carries out are the most effective way to pick up developing pre-eclampsia, it's worth being aware of the symptoms. Between appointments, watch out for severe headaches, blurred vision and swollen hands and feet. Call your doctor or midwife immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
4. Eat well
Eating well at this stage of pregnancy is important for your health and your baby's health. Try to eat plenty of iron-rich food, which helps you to make red blood cells. Your baby will take iron stores from your body, so he won't run short, but you might.
Boost your iron intake by having meals with iron sources, such as lean meat, leafy greens and fortified cereal in your diet. Have a glass of orange juice with your meals to help your body to absorb iron. See our iron calculator for easy ways to include iron in your diet.
Boost your iron intake by having meals with iron sources, such as lean meat, leafy greens and fortified cereal in your diet. Have a glass of orange juice with your meals to help your body to absorb iron. See our iron calculator for easy ways to include iron in your diet.
5. Do some stretches
Now is a good time to learn stretches that will loosen up your body ready for your baby's birth. See our slideshow of third trimester stretches to give you some ideas.
Try not to worry if you find it hard to learn new exercises. Even the occasional stretch and wiggle can help you avoid pregnancy niggles such as leg cramps. Just get moving and stretching!
Try not to worry if you find it hard to learn new exercises. Even the occasional stretch and wiggle can help you avoid pregnancy niggles such as leg cramps. Just get moving and stretching!
6. Massage your bump
As your bump grows, you may like to spend some time focusing on your unborn baby. It's perfectly safe for you or your partner to massage your bump, as long as you use gentle strokes that glide over the contours of your body.
It's a lovely way for you both to feel close to your baby, and you may even feel little kicks in response to the massage strokes.
It's a lovely way for you both to feel close to your baby, and you may even feel little kicks in response to the massage strokes.
7. Put together your baby items
This is the perfect job for your partner or a friend who wants to help. Cots and buggies can be difficult to put together, especially when you're a sleep-deprived new parent. Getting started now will make life much easier after your baby arrives.
8. Talk to your baby
Your baby can hear your voice now, and talking to him is a great way to start the bonding process. If having a conversation with your bump seems odd, try telling him about your daily activities, reading a book, magazine, or newspaper aloud, or singing to him.
9. Learn about the stages of labor
No one can tell you what your experience of labor will be like or how long will it last. But learning about labor can help you feel more in control when the time comes. Find out more about the three stages of labor.
10. Create a birth plan
A birth plan is a way for you to communicate your wishes to the midwives and doctors who care for you during labor. It tells them about the type of labor and birth you'd like to have, what you want to happen, and what you want to avoid. Things may not go according to your plan, but writing one can help you to make decisions during labor.
11. Get to know your contractions
Be aware of and get to know your Brampton Hicks contractions. Pay attention to how they feel and how often they happen. It may help you to distinguish them from the real signs of labor.
12. Buy clothes for your baby
Think about the clothes and other essentials, such as nappies, your baby will need. Buy the basics before he’s born and put aside some money to buy some more later.
Bear in mind that you're likely to get lots of clothing from friends and family as presents. Wash everything before use in non-biological washing powder, to avoid irritating your newborn baby's sensitive skin.
Bear in mind that you're likely to get lots of clothing from friends and family as presents. Wash everything before use in non-biological washing powder, to avoid irritating your newborn baby's sensitive skin.
13. Pack your hospital bag
Even if you're not planning a hospital birth, you may need to go in unexpectedly, so get your bag packed well before your due date.
Check what the hospital provides and what you can bring yourself. If you prefer, you could pack two bags: one for labor and the hours immediately after your baby is born, and another for a stay on the post natal ward. Dads need bags too! Get your partner to pack his hospital bag.
Check what the hospital provides and what you can bring yourself. If you prefer, you could pack two bags: one for labor and the hours immediately after your baby is born, and another for a stay on the post natal ward. Dads need bags too! Get your partner to pack his hospital bag.
14. Get more sleep
If you're finding it hard to drift off at night, try investing in some good-quality pillows to support you. Tucking one between your knees and some under your tummy before you go to sleep might help you to get comfy.
15. Stock up on household supplies
Make life easier for yourself now. Stock up on basics, everything from tins to tights, before shopping becomes too much of a chore. Cook up extra portions of easy meals to freeze ahead for the early weeks. You'll be glad you did when your baby's arrived.
16. Install your baby’s car seat
If you are having your baby in hospital and are going home by car, you will need to put her in a car seat. Choosing the right car seat for your baby's age and weight is very important. You must also make sure that it is properly installed. If a car seat doesn't seem to fit your car perfectly, or if it seems difficult to fasten in place, do not buy it.
17. Be creative about third trimester sex
If you're having a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, you can continue to have sex right up until your waters break or you go into labor. But you may need to experiment to find comfortable positions as your bump gets bigger.
18. Call in the helpers!
Don't feel guilty about taking up offers of favors from friends and family. They'll love to feel that they're doing something useful for you. It's great having someone clean the house, for example, getting it ready for your new baby and all the visitors that she will attract!
19. Check out the hospital
If you're having your baby in hospital, find out if the maternity unit offers an online tour. In the meantime, you can read up on admission procedures in labor. Ask your midwife if you want to know about how your baby will be monitored labor.
20. Avoid back ache
Is your bump giving you back ache? Try not to lift anything heavy, as it will put a strain on your softened ligaments. This can be hard if you're already a mum to a toddler. Your midwife or a physiotherapist can supply a maternity belt that supports your back.
21. Prepare for the birth
Make sure you and your partner have all the important numbers on your phone: your midwife, doctor and the labor ward or birth center. If you have pets and older children, arrange for someone to take care of them. Then you'll be able to focus on just yourself and your baby when the time comes.
22. Read up on newborn care
If you haven't already, the third trimester is the perfect time to switch reading gears from pregnancy to baby. You won't have as much time to read after your baby's born, so learn all you can about the first few weeks now. Why not start by finding out what your newborn will look like after birth?
23. Prepare for breastfeeding
The more you know about how breastfeeding works and its benefits, the more likely you are to succeed at it.
Try to attend a breastfeeding class or a preparation for breastfeeding session some time during your pregnancy. These classes are offered by many hospitals and by the National Childbirth Trust as part of their antenatal classes.
Try to attend a breastfeeding class or a preparation for breastfeeding session some time during your pregnancy. These classes are offered by many hospitals and by the National Childbirth Trust as part of their antenatal classes.
24. Help to bring labor on naturally
Doctors still don't fully understand how labor starts. But if you're overdue and feeling fed up, many mums swear that walking, sex, acupuncture or eating curry kick-started their labor.
And you might even have some fun in the process! Find out more about natural ways on labor.
And you might even have some fun in the process! Find out more about natural ways on labor.
25. Follow your baby's development
Sign up for some Baby growth free newsletters to find out how your baby is developing, week by week.
26. Join your Birth Club
No one understands what you're going through as well as other mums-to-be at the same stage of pregnancy. Chat with other mums-to-be due in the same month as you in your birth club. It's a great place to make new friends and share your experiences.
By BabyCentre
By BabyCentre
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