• The last trimester of pregnancy lasts between 28-40 weeks
• During this period, your baby grows fully and changes position to get ready for birth
• Some women experience labour earlier or later than the expected 40 weeks

The final 7th, 8th and 9th months of pregnancy mark the third trimester.  In the final stage, your baby matures fully and prepares itself as well as your body for labour and childbirth.

For some women, childbirth may happen earlier than 40 weeks. While for others, obstetricians may need to induce labour if the third trimester exceeds 40 weeks. This trimester ends whenever your baby is born.

Your body will change remarkably as you approach the final stage of your pregnancy. You can expect the following third trimester symptoms or bodily changes to happen:

• Pain in the back and abdomen
• Shortness of breath 
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea 
• Braxton-Hicks contractions
• Breast enlargement and leaking
• Vaginal discharge 
• Increased urination
• Constipation 
• Heartburn 
• Stretch marks
• Weight gain 
• Varicose veins and leg cramps 
• Insomnia 
• Vivid and weird dreams
• Swelling of the face, hands and ankles
• Skin pigmentation

Your fetus continues to grow in weight and size during the last trimester of pregnancy. The most significant fetal change during this phase is in the position of your baby as it turns itself head-down. Other fetal development milestones in the third trimester include:

• Your baby begins to open and close the eyes
• Your baby can hear and suck on its thumb
• Your growing baby is able to cry and smile by the end of this trimester
• The organs such as kidneys and lungs mature
• Your baby gains body fat and muscle tone
• Your baby’s skin will become opaque
• The touch receptors will be fully developed

It is important for you to remain healthy in order to give your baby a healthy start. Here are some things to do and things to avoid during the third trimester of pregnancy.

• Keep track of your baby’s movements
• Exercise regularly as per your doctors advise
• Consult your obstetrician routinely
• Choose your baby’s paediatrician 
• Consider lactation counselling
• Learn about the signs of labour
• Avoid travelling long distances
• Do not sleep on your back
• Avoid engaging in strenuous physical activity
• Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking
• Do not eat raw meat or unpasteurised dairy