You’re finally in your third trimester. You’ve done your stroller research, and with all the prenatal appointments you’ve had by now, you might feel like you know your doctor better than some of your own colleagues. The countdown to your due date is on.
And while you may (understandably) be focused on the moment that you’ll see your baby for the first time, there are still some third-trimester pregnancy symptoms you might have to contend with. By this point, you’ll know that pregnancy can throw some pretty weird and wonderful symptoms your way — and normally you can blame the changes on your hormones.
By the beginning of week 28 (the official start of the third trimester), your body still has a little bit more changing to do to prepare you for birth. Here, a Flo expert outlines which third-trimester pregnancy symptoms you can expect and why they’re happening.
Third pregnancy trimester: What can you expect?
The third trimester of pregnancy can feel like a strange time. Your body is getting ready to welcome your baby into the world, and alongside conversations about symptoms, your doctor will likely want to talk to you about your birth plans.
The nausea that might have characterized your first trimester will probably have ended, and you’ll likely feel much bigger than you did during your second trimester. Dr. Charlsie Celestine, obstetrician and gynecologist, New Jersey, US, explains that your doctor’s priority at this stage is to make sure both you and your baby are healthy.
“We see you more frequently to make sure everything is progressing normally,” she says.
Your baby could be born from 37 weeks onward and still be considered “term.” Once you reach this date, you’ll see your health care provider more. “Labor could start at any time,” says Dr. Celestine.