When writing this, I am 36 weeks pregnant or month nine and feeling happy as I get closer to meeting my little bundle of joy! This post is all about Third Trimester Recap and Healthy Pregnancy Tips, what to expect, and my best tips. I hope these posts help inspire or bring comfort to any other mamas or mamas-to-be.
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Changes in body
Fatigue
This was the first symptom I experienced diving into the third trimester. I remember feeling a little more exhausted than usual and would remind myself that it was okay to rest. I should enjoy the sleep while I can. 😉
Abdominal Achiness
The muscles and ligaments around your pelvic area and abdomen soften and relax from hormone changes, and some women may experience pain as the body accommodates their growing belly.
I felt pain near the pubic bone and groin area, especially when I would change sleeping positions. The other thing I noticed is Sacroiliac (SI) Joint pain. My pain pattern would shift, where it was just one-sided, or the pain alternating between the pelvis’s front or back. My physical therapist recommended muscle strengthening exercises and the Serola Belt for pelvic support during pregnancy.
Insomnia
Some pregnant mamas may experience more insomnia than others. Insomnia also varies from person to person based on lifestyle, stress levels, and other factors. It was difficult to get comfortable with my growing belly nights, and I would frequently wake up to change positions. That is why I recommend you invest in a pregnancy pillow like this one or this one. The PharMeDoc pregnancy pillow was a game-changer for me! It helped support my back, hips, and head for better sleep.
Braxton Hicks Contractions
These irregular contractions are your body’s way of preparing for labor. For me, they felt like a sudden intense muscle pressure on one side of the stomach. You’ll start to feel these practice contractions until real labor starts and will go away quickly as you change positions or move around.
Heartburn
Our internal organs move as the uterus expands, pushing the stomach upwards, causing heartburn and decreasing digestion speed. This may cause you to feel bloated, gassy, and constipated. Tums antacids brought me great relief during the third trimester!
Bladder Control
Especially in the third trimester, the urgency to urinate from the added pressure is real. It is always a good idea to empty your bladder before going to bed but don’t be surprised if you wake up in the middle of the night. I even experienced a little leakage from sneezing, coughing, and laughing, but it doesn’t have to be that way as long as you strengthen the pelvic and abdominal muscles daily.
Mental Health
I think our mental health is as important as any of the other symptoms. All the emotions, good or bad, are perfectly normal because your body quickly changes as it prepares for childbirth. For example, in the third trimester, women experience a change in hormones that cause them to feel more emotional (happened to me!).
Pregnant women already have many things on their minds and are constantly making choices, so I encourage you to delegate things to family members. Try to practice relaxation twice a day, leading to labor, as this will help relax your body for smooth delivery.
Preparing for postpartum
I feel the third trimester is mostly dedicated to getting things ready and planning for the birth experience; all of the decision-making can get overwhelming, so I highly encourage relaxation, too; your health and the baby are more important.
Birth Plan
When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to try a water birth because I had read hydrotherapy may offer comfort, relaxation, and pain relief during labor. That is when I came across My Mindful Birth, a midwifery clinic. My husband and I decided that home birth would be the best for us because we wanted to experience a more holistic birth experience, so we called our midwife, and she confirmed that I was a good candidate. Our home birth team will consist of a midwife and doula.
We are preparing for home birth by taking a 5-week hypnobirthing course (online). I also love the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast that offers the best tips from two experienced doulas. All the information they offer is helping to prepare my mind and body for birth.
Exercise
As long as you have your doctor’s OK and follow pregnancy precautions, exercise is safe to continue until your due date. I can’t stress it enough! Physical activity is super beneficial for our bodies. Taking some time to do daily exercises like pelvic rocks, squats, walking, and prenatal yoga or pilates are excellent options. I also recommend buying an exercise ball to sit on and relieve belly pressure. I’m obsessed with mine!
At 37 weeks, it is good to start the Miles Circuit exercises (approved by birth doulas). The link provides a better explanation of why pregnant mamas should try this, along with a downloadable PDF.
Pregnancy Tea
- Nettles tea to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
- Red Raspberry Leaf tea to strengthen the uterus.
- Lemon Balm to support the nervous system and digestive system.
I am not a big tea drinker, but I prepare my own iced sweet tea version, which works great. First, I take the three tea bags, pour 10-12 oz of boiled water, and let it steep until it gets to room temperature. I then grab a bigger glass and fill it with ice. Next, I pour the tea mix into the glass and pour a splash of lemonade to give it sweetness. That’s it!
Dates
Many midwives recommend eating Dates after 36 weeks as it helps to prepare the uterus and cervix for labor. I am willing to try this and am so glad other women walked this road before and left behind valuable wisdom! Since dates are high in sugar and caloric content, pregnant women should limit their intake to 6 daily or 3 Medjool Dates. Keep in mind that everyone’s body is unique, and it is always best to speak with your Midwife or Doctor to find out what will work best for you & your baby.
Relaxation
I think anxiety hits all pregnant mamas at one point in their pregnancy. I felt more anxious when I hit the third trimester because I was getting nervous that I only had three months left of the pregnancy. At one particular doctor’s visit, I walked in feeling anxious from concentrating on all the bad things that could happen when I gave birth. I decided to open up about my concerns, and my midwife was super attentive and compassionate. I left that appointment feeling heard, empowered, and capable of giving birth to my beautiful baby. She encouraged me to take things slow the next couple of weeks and practice relaxation as much as possible. I’ve been listening to guided meditations to relax the mind and body, and I can’t tell you how much this helps!
Baby Shower
We chose not to have a baby shower out of an abundance of caution for our family and guests due to the Covid pandemic. I think a baby shower is a nice event, but I was not feeling it because of everything going on. So instead, I created a baby registry on Amazon; purchases were shipped directly to my home (talk about convenience!)
RELATED: 10 Pregnancy Must-Haves, Essentials, and Hacks
Maternity Photoshoot
I did have a maternity session a month before my due date because I wanted to wait for milder weather. Little did I know it was the perfect time for some blooming trees! The photoshoot was breathtaking and dreamy! I feel pregnancy is a sacred event for women and should be honored as such–I love that these photos help capture that beautifully!
I am so excited to continue to share my journey of being pregnant with you! Hopefully, you enjoyed these Healthy Pregnancy Tips for the Third Trimester and found them useful! In addition, I am sharing frequent bump updates over on Instagram so be sure to follow along.
Also, I would love to know if you’re currently pregnant or have been pregnant – and one thing that really helped you out throughout your pregnancy! Let me know in the comments!
♥ Blessings!
Other posts you may like: FIRST & SECOND TRIMESTER RECAP | HEALTHY PREGNANCY TIPS
