When do you enter 3rd trimester

28 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy

Welcome to the 3rd trimester! Pregnancy is divided into 3 stages, known as trimesters…. and you're now in the 3rd stage. Over the next few weeks, you will probably start to feel a bit more uncomfortable and tired.

What's happening in my body?

You may be getting a bit of heartburn and indigestion. That's down to your growing baby and hormones affecting your digestive system.

Your back will also be under strain, due to the extra weight you're carrying around. Your joints and ligaments will also be looser than usual.

Your ankles, feet and face could be puffing out a bit, particularly when it's hot. This is probably due to water retention, but get it checked out, just in case it's pre-eclampsia. This is a condition where you may feel perfectly well, but then your blood pressure can get dangerously high, very quickly.

Rest can help with a lot of your symptoms, so make sure you get lots of it. But if you are worried about anything at all, talk to your midwife or doctor, or call NHS 111.

3 ways to bust germs

Make sure you know about some of the harmful infections in pregnancy, so that you can do your best to avoid them.

Here are 3 ways you can protect your unborn baby…

1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly if you're in contact with children or nappies, as they could carry a virus called CMV (cytomegalovirus).

2. If you have a cat - wear gloves when emptying the cat litter tray, or ask someone else to deal with it. That's because cat poo can contain a bug that causes the dangerous toxoplasmosis infection. You should also wear gloves when gardening, in case you come into contact with animal poo.

3. If you have not had chickenpox let your doctor or midwife know if you come into contact with anyone who could be infectious. The disease can be spread up to 2 days before spots appear, until 5 days afterwards. It's safest for you when there are no new blisters or moist crusts on the spots.

If you're worried about coronavirus, have a look at the guidance from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on coronavirus and pregnancy.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are common in pregnancy, due to hormonal changes, and can even strike when you're asleep. Here's what you can do:

• sit or stand up - don't lie down
• pinch your nose just above your nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes
• lean forward and breathe through your mouth
• put an icepack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) at the top of your nose

Read more tips for stopping nosebleeds.

3rd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 28 weeks)

You may start getting new symptoms now, such as nosebleeds and indigestion.

Your signs of pregnancy could also include:

• sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
• stretch marks (read about stretch marks on week 17's page)
• swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information about gum health during pregnancy)
• pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb ("round ligament pains")
• piles (read about piles on week 22's page)
• headaches
• backache
• nosebleeds
• indigestion and heartburn (week 25 talks about digestive problems)
• bloating and constipation (read about bloating on week 16's page)
• leg cramps (week 20 explains how to deal with cramp)
• feeling hot
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urine infections
• vaginal infections (see week 15 for vaginal health)
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
• greasier, spotty skin
• thicker and shinier hair

You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:

• mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
• morning sickness (read about dealing with morning sickness on week 6's page)
• weird pregnancy cravings (read about pregnancy cravings on week 5's page)
• a heightened sense of smell
• sore or leaky breasts (read about breast pain on week 14's page) - a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 37.6cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 1kg. That's approximately the size of a pineapple, and the weight of a big bag of brown sugar.

Your baby's heart rate is changing all the time. Around week 5 or 6, when it was first detectable, it was around 110 beats per minute (bpm). Then it soared to around 170 bpm in week 9 and 10. Now, it's slowed down to around 140 bpm and it will be around 130 bpm at birth.

That's still a lot faster than your heart rate, which will be around 80 to 85 beats per minute. This is partly because babies' hearts are so small that they can't pump much blood, but they can make up for this by going faster. It also helps to keep them warm.

Your baby's heart can be heard through a stethoscope. Someone else might be able to hear it by putting an ear to your pregnant belly – give it a go, but it's tricky finding the right spot.

Action stations

It's time to work out where your baby will sleep, and it's best to do this sooner, rather than later, before you start running out of energy. Your baby will spend a lot of time in a cot, so make sure it's safe. If you're buying a new cot, look for the British Standard mark BS EN 716-1. Read more about what you need for your baby.

This week you could also...

You have maternity rights. You can ask for a risk assessment of your work place to ensure that you're working in a safe environment. You should not be lifting heavy things and you may need extra breaks and somewhere to sit. You can also attend antenatal appointments during paid work time.

It's a good time to tone up your pelvic floor muscles. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze or cough. Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a wee and then stopping midflow. Visit Tommy’s for more ideas about pelvic floor exercises.

Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they start around now. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.

Even if you've had children before, they're still worth going to as you can meet other parents-to-be. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website. You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.

It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

There's no need to eat for 2. Now you're in the 3rd trimester, you may need an extra 200 calories a day, but that's not much. It's about the same as 2 slices of wholemeal toast and margarine.

Try and eat healthily with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor who can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.

You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live. Don't keep it to yourself. It's important that you ask for help if you need it.

Getting pregnant again is probably the last thing on your mind. However now is a good time to start planning what type of contraception you would like to use after your baby is born. Getting pregnant again could happen sooner than you realise and too short a gap between babies is known to cause problems. Talk to your GP or midwife to help you decide.

You will be offered newborn screening tests for your baby soon after they are born. These screening tests are recommended by the NHS. This is because these tests can make sure that your baby is given appropriate treatment as quickly as possible. Your decisions about whether or not you want this tests will be respected, and health care professionals will support you. Ask your midwife or doctor for more information about newborn screening.

You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19):

To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:

Third Trimester: What to Expect | Week by Week

The third trimester can be physically and emotionally challenging for pregnant women. It brings back some of the toughest symptoms of early pregnancy such as fatigue and the frequent need to pee and introduces new ones like Braxton-Hicks contractions and bad aches and pains. In addition to being uncomfortable, you likely are feeling anxious. Researching and understanding what to expect during this final stage of pregnancy can help alleviate worry and help you prepare.

How Long Is the Third Trimester?

The third trimester spans between 9-13 weeks, starts week 29 and lasts until you give birth around week 40. A baby is considered full term at the end of week 37.

What to Expect During the Third Trimester

At this stage, you’re probably feeling a mix of tiredness, worry, excitement and impatience. You’re still having many of the same discomforts. Except, as your body grows, you’re even more uncomfortable. Take good care of yourself. Your baby is busy putting on her finishing touches and needs you to stay healthy.

Third Trimester Symptoms

Your baby is getting bigger, which puts more stress on your body. During your third trimester, you’re likely feeling lots of aches and pains. You’re beginning to slow down after the energy burst from your second trimester. Fatigue is setting in again and you’re feeling anxiety spike.

During your third trimester, you’ll gain half a pound to 1 pound per week, meaning by the end of your pregnancy, you’ll gain between 25 and 35 pounds.

You may notice the following symptoms as you get closer to delivery:

• Baby “drops”
• Baby moves around a lot
• Belly button pops out
• Braxton-Hicks contractions (“fake” contractions)
• Difficulty sleeping
• Heartburn
• Hemorrhoids
• Larger breasts
• Leaky breasts
• Lower back and hip pain
• More frequent need to pee
• Nipples and areolas darken and are more pronounced
• Pelvic spread (pregnancy “waddle”)
• Sciatica (tingling, numbness or shooting pain in lower back, butt and thighs)
• Shooting pain in your pelvis
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen ankles, fingers, or face
• Tender breasts
• Trouble sleeping

While you don’t feel it, as you near your due date your cervix becomes dilated and effaced to get ready for delivery. Here’s how to know when you’re in labor.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Bleeding at any time
• Extreme swelling
• High fever
• Painful contractions of increasing intensity and frequency
• Painful or burning urination
• Rapid weight gain
• Severe cramping or abdominal pain
• Sudden decrease in activity by your baby
• Vomiting

What’s Happening to Baby in the Third Trimester

Babies are considered full term after 37 weeks. Full-term babies are 19 to 21 inches and weigh 6.75 to 10 pounds.

During the third trimester, your baby’s brain development is in overdrive. Her bones harden and she can open and close her eyes. After week 30, your baby puts on 1.5 pounds per week. Around week 36, she moves head-down to get into position for birth. After week 37, her organs can function on their own.

Third Trimester Prenatal Care

You meet more frequently with your doctor during the third trimester - every two weeks until week 35, then weekly until delivery.

At every visit, your doctor collects a urine sample, takes your blood pressure, measures your fundal height, asks about fetal movement (kick counts). Your doctor also conducts a vaginal exam to see if your cervix is dilated (opening) or effaced (thinning). For a successful vaginal birth, your cervix needs to be 10 cm and 100% effaced.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling and any symptoms you’re having. Also, now’s the time to make your birth plan and decide on what kind of pain relief you want during labor and delivery.

Around week 36, your doctor performs a Group B strep test, a bacterium harmful to a baby that has to be treated with antibiotics. Around this same time, your doctor feels your abdomen to see if baby has settled into a head-down position for birth. Most babies who are breech (butt down) naturally turn head-down by 37 weeks.

Third Trimester Checklist

As with the previous trimesters, it’s important to continue to stay healthy. Also, keep moving! Little walks several times during the day can help alleviate pain. You also may need to stop long car trips and airplane flights after 34 weeks in case you go into labor.

In addition, here’s a list of things you may want to do before baby arrives:

• Develop a birth plan with your doctor
• Research and decide on pain relief during labor 
• Schedule your postpartum follow up appointments
• Go on a tour of Banner Health’s Maternity Ward
• Pre-register at Banner Health
• Attend a Banner Health prenatal class to learn about what to expect during labor
• Take a breastfeeding class at Banner Health
• Pack your hospital bag
• Plan your route and transportation to the hospital
• Pick a pediatrician
• Decide on circumcision
• Make a labor playlist
• Meditate to calm your mind
• Finalize paperwork for your maternity leave
• Create a maternity leave plan for your coworkers
• Make a few freezer meals
• Spend some time with your partner
• Download a contraction app timer
• Check with your insurance to see how to add your baby
• Check with your insurance to see if they cover a breast pump
• Install the car seat
• Make a plan about how to deal with visitors
• Find a family member or friend who can care for your pets or other children
• Wash your baby’s new clothes and linens
• Get your nursery ready
• Stock up on baby supplies, like diapers, wipes, and baby clothing in different sizes
• Check that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home
• Celebrate your pregnancy with friends and family

Learn more about Banner Health’s pregnancy resources, classes, education materials and support groups.

Third trimester of pregnancy (from 28 to 40 weeks)