THIRD TRIMESTER:
Week 34 to 40+
You: This is the time that some call ‘Zwischen’, the land of ‘in-between’. It offers you an opportunity to just be fully present in this half-way house between pregnancy and motherhood, whilst at the same time, external pressures such as work, and the pressure to begin labour on or before your due date, can distract you and make you stressed. Try, if you can, to stay calm and take the opportunity to connect with your baby and gather your physical and emotional strength for the birth and new motherhood. You may start to notice changes in your feelings and your body, for example, you might feel the need to be at home and ‘nest’, or you might have physical signs such as increased clear vaginal discharge or more intense braxton hicks.
Your baby: So for the final fruit and veg comparison, in these final weeks your baby will go from Cantaloupe Melon to Pumpkin, but, while you may definitely feel like you are carrying a watermelon, you do not, I repeat NOT have to give birth to a giant squash! Babies are soft and squishy and their heads are malleable and small, so try not to panic. During this time you should be feeling strong and regular movements, so keep tuning in to your baby and report any changes to your midwife. At around 37 weeks, your baby will ‘engage’ – this is when their head moves down in your pelvis. You might feel this happen as it can make some much needed room under your ribs.
Key scans / tests etc: You will be offered midwife appointments at 34, 36, and 38 weeks. At 36 weeks they will check your baby is ‘head down’, and if not, you should be informed of options for a breech baby including ECV, a procedure to help them get into the head down position. If you are a first time mum you will be offered another appointment at 40 weeks. During these final weeks, health professionals will discuss with you their recommendations if you go past your due date, including a further appointment at 41 weeks and the offer of ‘membrane sweeps’ or medical induction.
NOW IS THE TIME TO…
HAVE A ‘MOTHER BLESSING’
This is a bit like a baby shower with a difference – it’s all about YOU! Gather your best female friends around you and let them shower you with love and good wishes, in the form of bump art, foot massages or even special words such as favourite poems. Bring food to share and celebrate this special time.
Explore other weeks of pregnancy: