Every pregnancy is different, so this doesn’t apply to everyone, but for the majority of women the first trimester is usually the worst. Your hormones are through the roof and your body is trying to adjust to it, so you experience the dreaded morning sickness, along with other unpleasant symptoms. I like to think of the second trimester as the honeymoon stage, because typically this is the most bearable out of the three. For most women the morning sickness subsides, the other symptoms are less intense and may even disappear altogether. I think of the third trimester as the beginning, because it is when you, your baby and your body really starts getting ready for birth so you can start a new chapter in your life.
The third trimester begins at 28 weeks. Your body is going through a whole new set of changes. Believe it or not your belly is going to get bigger. You will most likely experience some abdominal pain, and you can’t do much about it other than just taking it easy. Because of everything that is happening to your body you will probably start to feel extremely tired. The best things you can do to combat this is to eat well, eat often and stay active as long as your doctor tells you it’s okay. You’ll most likely experience heartburn, crazy dreams and clumsiness.
During the third trimester is when most women start to notice the appearance of stretch marks, varicose veins, backaches, lack of bladder control and leaky breasts as your body gets ready for your precious little bundle to arrive. Most of these symptoms will disappear after you give birth. One of the scariest symptoms that can occur is Braxton Hicks contractions. It is completely normal and it’s just your body’s way of getting you and the baby ready for delivery.
Your little one is going through her own changes as she gets ready to come out and take on the world! All of her cartilage is turning into bone so make sure you get plenty of calcium during this time to keep her bones nice and strong. Her hair, skin and nails start to develop. Her digestive system is starting to get ready to process your milk and process her first of many poops. She will start to sharpen all 5 of her senses and she starts using these senses when she is still in your tummy. Lastly, your little one’s brain is developing at a rapid pace and will continue to do so right after she is born.
I truly believe that your body knows what it’s doing when it comes to giving birth. You can do certain things before hand to help yourself prepare for it, but in the end as long as you go with it, and let your body take over everything will turn out just fine.
Click here if you’d like to learn more about different changes that your body goes through during the third trimester.
Want to learn more about me? Click here!
