Yay! Last Trimester!
Description
Welcome to your third trimester! Your baby has just discovered thumb-sucking, which actually has benefits (find out what they are!). As for you, mum, your discomfort increases from swelling hands and feet to having restless leg syndrome. Your consolation? You'll meet your little one soon.
Your Baby's Development
In this week by week pregnancy guide, you'll learn that:
- Your baby's auditory ability is getting stronger by the day.
- He will start his cycle of hiccups and respond to the food you consume. If you try spicy food, you might feel a belly spasm, but it’s just a hiccup.
- He has also just discovered thumb sucking. It’s not as bad as it sounds because it actually helps strengthen his jaws and cheeks.
Pregnancy Symptoms
- You will feel a tight grip in your uterus for as long as a couple of minutes. It’s not painful, but definitely discomforting. These are called Braxton-Hicks contractions. They prepare the uterus for actual contractions, so relax.
- You will see mild swelling in your ankle, feet, and hands. This is due to a condition called edema. It usually occurs when fluid is accumulated in your body due to increased blood flow and uterine pressure on your vena cava.
- You are still experiencing inflammation, swelling or bleeding in the gums. Although it starts from the second trimester, this problem may continue until after delivery.
- Your legs may become jittery and tingle a bit--this is called restless leg syndrome. It could be due to iron deficiency.
Pregnancy Care
- To strengthen the gums, practice good dental care. Visit the doctor if bleeding persists, and floss every time you eat.
- If you are experiencing restless leg syndrome, try some gentle exercises to relieve yourself of body aches.
Your Checklist
- Start doing your research into placenta encapsulation if you are interested. If you want to know more about the process and which companies offer the services, click here.
- Consult the doctor for information on breast milk. Now is when you will experience hormonal growth and therefore breast milk formation.
Tips
Start considering storing your baby's umbilical cord blood to guard against future health problems.
Reminders
You can get a little too gassy this week. To help curb your farts, you may want to swap flatulence-causing foods like broccoli, cabbage and onions for less-gassy spinach and carrots.You can get a little too gassy this week. To help curb your farts, you may want to swap flatulence-causing foods like broccoli, cabbage and onions for less-gassy spinach and carrots.
Your legs may become jittery and tingle a bit – this is called restless leg syndrome. It could be due to iron deficiency. Try some gentle exercises to relieve yourself of body aches.