Third trimester weeks

Third trimester weeks

ULTRASOUND SHOWING 3rd TRIMESTER.

Pregnancy stages have three trimesters, each of which is marked by specific fetal developments. A pregnancy is considered full-term at 40 weeks; infants delivered before the end of week 37 are considered premature. Premature infants may have problems with their growth and development, as well as difficulties in breathing and digesting.

In other words, your third trimester lasts from the month 7 through month 9 of pregnancy. The third trimester begins in the week 28 of pregnancy and lasts until you give birth, which may be around the week 40 of pregnancy.

Your little one will get a whole lot larger in the third trimester, the fetus grows about 2 1/2 pounds and 16 inches long in week 28 of pregnancy to between 6 and 9 pounds and 19 to 22 inches long in week 40. Indeed, your baby is growing fast — so don't be surprised if his increase in size (along with a decrease in living space) leads to some serious kicks and pokes in your gut.

Here are some changes which can be seen in the baby (growing fetus)

DOCTOR DOING ULTRASOUND

Changes in Bones: 

As your baby transforms cartilage to bone in months 7 and 8, he’ll be getting all of her calcium from you — so be sure to eat plenty of calcium-rich foods.

Changes in skin, hairs, and nails:

 By week 32 of pregnancy, baby’s formerly see-through skin will become opaque. In week 36, fat continues to accumulate as your baby sheds his vernix (the waxy substance that protects his skin from your amniotic fluid) and lanugo (the hairy coat that keeps him warm in there).

Changes in Digestive system:

In the final weeks of pregnancy, meconium — or baby’s first poop, consisting mostly of blood cells, vernix, and lanugo — starts to build up in baby’s intestines.

Changes in Five senses:

Your baby’s touch receptors will be fully developed around week 29 or week 30. By week 31 of pregnancy, your baby will get signals from all five senses, perceiving light and dark, tasting what you eat, and listening to the sound of your voice.

Changes in Brain:

In the third trimester your baby’s brain will grow faster than ever, test-driving some nifty skills including blinking, dreaming and regulating his own body temperature.

Around week 34 of pregnancy, baby’s body turns southward, settling into a heads-down, bottom-up position — unless, of course, your baby remains stubbornly in the breech position (in which case your doctor will likely attempt to manually turn baby around week 37).

Changes that can be seen in the body.

You may be getting a bit of heartburn and indigestion. That's your growing baby and hormones creating havoc with your digestive system.

Your back will also be under strain, thanks to all the extra weight you're now carrying around. It won't help that your joints and ligaments are also 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.

What are the precautions which must be taken during third trimester weeks of pregnancy.

Here are three ways you can protect your unborn baby during the third trimester weeks…

1.   Don't take any medicine without consulting a doctor.

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

3.   Don't empty your cat litter tray and wear gloves when you're gardening. That's because cat poo can contain a bug that causes dangerous toxoplasmosis infection.

4.   If you haven't 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 two days before spots appear, until five days afterward. It's safest for you when there are no new blisters or moist crusts on the spots.

Things which can be noticed in the third trimester weeks of pregnancy.

Your signs of pregnancy could also include:

• sleeping problems
• bloating and constipation
• leg cramps
• feeling hot
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urine infections
• vaginal infections
• darkened skin on your face or brown
• greasier, spotty skin
• stretch marks
• swollen and bleeding gums
• piles
• headaches
• backache
• indigestion and heartburn
• thicker and shinier hair

weekly development of the baby the third trimester.

28 Weeks: Eyes Wide Open

When you are 28 weeks pregnant, your little one can open and close his eyes, and can even sense changes in light.

30 Weeks: Shedding Hairs

During the second trimester your baby grew a coat of fine hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby may start to shed this hair sometime soon. But don’t be surprised if you notice a little leftover lanugo when your baby is born; some babies are born with patches on their shoulders, ears, and back. Around this week of pregnancy, your baby may also, start to grow normal hair on his head.

31 Weeks: Controlling Body Temperature

Your baby’s brain is maturing and growing rapidly this week. It can now control her body temperature, so she no longer has to rely on the temperature of your amniotic fluid for temperature control.

34 Weeks: Turning Head Down

Around the time you’re 34 weeks pregnant, or soon after, your little one will most likely turn head down in preparation for birth. She's getting ready for her big journey!

39 Weeks: Full-Term Baby

By the time you reach 39 weeks, your baby is considered full term. Of course, she’ll continue to grow, and major organs like the lungs and brain will continue to develop in the years to come, but she’s ready for the outside world now.