When do you start your third 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…
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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).
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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.
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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:
29 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy
Are you feeling excited? Or nervous? Or maybe you're a bit of both.
Being pregnant stirs up all kinds of emotions. You could feel very sad, for example, that a loved one who's passed on will never get to meet your baby. The important thing to do during pregnancy is to talk to friends, family, your midwife or doctor, and discuss anything that's worrying you.
What's happening in my body?
You might be feeling a bit breathless, as your baby pushes against your lungs. It puts a strain on your body carrying extra weight around too.
You may feel irritated when people tell you to enjoy your sleep while you can, as it's not very easy right now. You could be getting leg cramps. Plus if the baby's pressing against your bladder, you may be going to the bathroom more often throughout the night.
Babies seem to have a habit of being really active just as you want to go to sleep. They have their own sleeping and waking patterns, and you'll be lucky if your schedules coincide! Get to know your baby's patterns. If you notice that they change or stop, contact your midwife or hospital.
Rest when you can in the day. It's best to try and sleep on your side. Try supporting your body when you lie down by putting a pillow under your bump, and another one between your legs.
If you feel unable to cope, because you're just too tired, talk to your midwife or doctor.
How can I tell if i'm having a boy or a girl?
You may have been told the sex of your baby at your anomaly scan, but sometimes it's tricky to get a proper look. Also it may not be your hospital's policy to reveal the sex before the birth.
It's not possible to tell your baby's sex from any of these following things.
The position of your bump
Some people think a neat high bump means you're carrying a boy, while a low rounded bump contains a girl. In fact, the differences are more to do with:
- your height
- your muscles
- how many babies you've already had
- how much you eat in pregnancy
Your baby's heart rate
Some people say that if it's over 140 bpm, then it's more likely to be a girl, but there's no science to back this up.
Gender prediction kits you can buy on the internet
These claim to measure testosterone in your urine, or traces of the baby's DNA in your blood. However they rely on you providing a usable sample and that's not easy. They are also very expensive. Some doctors think that you're just as likely to get the right result by tossing a coin.
Spinning a wedding ring over your pregnant belly
It's supposed to spin in circles for a girl, or like a pendulum for a boy. But there's no scientific basis to this.
3rd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 29 weeks)
You could be feeling awkward and uncoordinated. It takes a while to get used to having a bump. Your sense of balance could be all over the place, as your centre of gravity changes. If you fall over, don't panic, you've got plenty of padding in there, but let your midwife or doctor know.
This week, your signs of pregnancy could include:
- sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
- 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
- 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)
- 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 38.6cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 1.2kg. That's approximately the size of a butternut squash and the weight of a small chicken.
Your baby is perfectly formed. Over the next few weeks, they have lots to do, such as maturing their organs and gaining fat.
For the past few weeks, your baby has been covered by a greasy white layer of something called "vernix" that protects the skin and soft, downy hair for warmth. This starts to disappear now. Your baby is getting ready to make an entrance in about 11 weeks' time.
Action stations
Start writing your birth plan, if you would like to have one. Think about:
- what sort of pain relief you want, if any
- who you would like to be your birth partner and what kind of role you want them to have
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 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 of pregnancy (from 28 to 40 weeks)
At 30 weeks pregnant, you are ready to go on maternity leave.
In the case of twins, prenatal leave is from 28 weeks. Active work, physical and mental overload during this period can provoke premature birth.
It's time to put on the bandage - it will help your baby stay in the right position and you in good shape after childbirth.
The child still needs a lot of nutrients, vitamins, mineral salts. Use your vacation to relax, but don't lie around all day. We hope that hiking in the fresh air has become a habit for you. nine0003
Do not forget to keep track of the ratio of drunk and excreted liquids. Accumulating in the body, the fluid disrupts the functioning of the kidneys, increases the load on the heart, which causes an increase in blood pressure. As a result, the child suffers: he lacks nutrients, oxygen.
A sharp headache, flashing flies before the eyes, convulsions are signs of eclampsia, a severe complication of pregnancy that poses a threat to the life of the mother and child. Urgently call the ambulance. nine0003
At this time, the uterus becomes very sensitive to the pushes and movements of the child, its muscles periodically tighten.
It's like she's doing gymnastics. If this rarely happens and you do not feel pain, then everything is in order and there is no cause for concern. But if the uterus tenses often, pain appears - call an ambulance. If spotting appears, amniotic fluid is pouring out, do not wait for contractions - immediately to the hospital!
Sex life from 32-33 weeks is not recommended. nine0003
At 32 weeks, another scheduled ultrasound examination is scheduled to assess the correct functioning of the placenta, if necessary, the study of fetal heart sounds.
The last month is the most difficult. The load on the body has increased to the maximum. You are already tired of the long wait. Approximately two weeks before delivery, a mucous plug will come off the cervix, which is a lump, sometimes slightly stained with blood.
Do not forget to make up for the lack of calcium in the body - until the last day of intrauterine existence, the child intensively stores minerals. Eat fully and properly - the fetus eagerly takes everything valuable for the formation of the body.
He needs protein now. Be sure to take a prenatal multivitamin. Rest during the day. Lie on your side, slightly raise your legs. nine0003
Many women suffer from constipation at this time. Only a rational diet will help. Eliminate grapes, fresh cabbage, peas and other legumes, fresh milk, muffins, sweets. Useful: curdled milk, fermented baked milk, kefir. Steamed dried fruits normalize bowel function well. Don't take laxatives. In the last trimester of pregnancy, they can provoke uterine contractions and cause premature birth.
Sometimes, if the fetus is very large, the navel turns outward. Don't be scared and don't try to push it back. After giving birth, everything will return to normal. nine0003
By the last weeks of pregnancy, the mammary glands are greatly enlarged. The appearance of colostrum is another harbinger of close childbirth. The bra should be tight, with wide straps, always cotton.
Be prepared for contractions to start at any moment. Trim your fingernails and toenails short, and shave your pubic hair.
Prepare things for the newborn and for yourself. Show your husband or relatives where they lie. An exchange card, passport, insurance policy, birth certificate should always be with you. nine0003
Think that you have to help your child come into the world. Everything will be ok!
3rd trimester of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus
3rd trimester of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus - Private maternity hospital Ekaterininskaya Clinics3rd trimester: 27th week - birth
The baby is almost formed! In the last weeks of pregnancy, when he continues to gain weight and moves in an enclosed space, you may feel more comfortable. Try to get as much rest as possible. Symptoms of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy may include:
- Swelling of hands, feet and face. Excess fluid in the body can cause swelling of the hands, feet and swelling of the face. If possible, try to rest in a horizontal position more often, while raising your legs up, this will improve blood circulation and relieve leg fatigue.
- Discharge from the nipples. Colostrum may begin to come out of the nipples, a liquid that the baby will feed on until milk appears. To avoid stains on clothes, put special pads in your bra. nine0044
- Braxton Hicks contractions. Your baby is getting ready to be born and you may feel light "training" contractions. These contractions that come and go at regular intervals are called Braxton Hicks contractions. If the contractions are strong and prolonged, call your doctor. This could be the start of labor.
The main stages of the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
- During pregnancy, you will put on weight from 10 to 16 kg. Weight gain is mainly due to the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid and an increase in the amount of fat and fluid in the woman's body. nine0044
- 37 weeks is considered the full term of pregnancy.
Development of the child in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
By the end of the 3rd trimester:
- The child takes a head down position in the pelvis, preparing for birth.
