The last trimester of pregnancy lasts begins 28 weeks after your last menstrual period and lasts until the birth of your child. The birth of the child usually occurs when you complete 38 to 42 weeks of pregnancy. This is the time when your baby grows large in size and your baby’s organs begin to mature. Your baby moves frequently, especially when you complete around 27 to 32 weeks of pregnancy. The last trimester of pregnancy comprises of many discomforts that can actually make it hard for you to sit for any examination or activities that may require lot of concentration.
Your body undergoes tremendous changes, and your baby is all set for the delivery day by getting into the head down position inside your uterus. The last trimester marks the home-stretch where your body prepares for the delivery process. You may feel more discomfort as you may continue gaining weight, and you may have false labor or Braxton Hicks.
With your due date nearing, you may find it more uncomfortable. With the growing size of your baby, you may face difficulty in breathing and may also find difficulty in sleeping. Besides these, there can be an increase in your body temperature as the fetus tends to radiate heat, making you feel hotter.
There can be an increase in urination as the pressure placed on your urinary bladder by the growing baby. You may also have the problem of fluid retention because of the growing pressure on your bladder. As a result, you may suffer from swollen hands, legs, and ankles. This condition is called as edema. This can give you a bloated feeling.
With the due date drawing closer, you may also witness an increase in leg cramps. Your abdomen skin may go dry and itchy due to the stretching of skin. Your breasts may start secreting colostrums or breast milk in order to prepare for the breast feeding process. As a result, you may experience some trickling of milk especially in the last trimester of your pregnancy.
Constipation, heartburn, and indigestion are also likely to continue. Backaches may get more common during this trimester, as the pressure on your lower back increases. You may also suffer from a condition called varicose veins, which can get severe with each passing day.
The last trimester means more rest, some breathing techniques to be followed to ease the delivery process, and of course some breast feeding classes to make that process easy after childbirth. Since the last trimester is trying on the both the body and the mind, sitting for long hours and performing activities that require concentration can become difficult.
Submitted by P T on February 24, 2010 at 12:01