If you are in week 28, you have made it to your third trimester. It starts from 28th week and finishes at 40th week. Most of you should have your baby in your arms around the end of the third trimester. But some women take a bit longer and go into labour in 41 or 42 weeks. for most of the pregnant women, things get serious during the third trimester. Physical and emotional discomforts reach a higher level and test your mental strength every day. Here are my experiences during the third trimester.
Meralgia paresthetica
That tingling and numb sensation in outer thighs, that started earlier in pregnancy, reached a different level altogether now. It happens quite often and much stronger almost like burning sensation. Sitting and massage don’t bring relief as quick anymore. But to my surprise, I have had a few days without this problem and I loved having my legs not on fire all the time. I am not sure but a change in activity pattern (instead of going on a 5kms walk every day, now I am doing 30 minutes of moderate-intensity walk three times a day) might have something to do with this most welcomed relief. Try reflexology treatment as well. it may surprise you ( in a good way).
Emotional upheavals
I am happy about my pregnancy, even though, I feel a bit anxious, vulnerable and overwhelmed by the constant changes in my body. Throughout pregnancy, I experienced emotional ups and downs but nothing drastically challenging. I had just two episodes of an actual emotional meltdown. During these episodes, I observed a few triggers that, if not addressed on time, can make me breakdown eventually.
- If I am tired or exhausted for some reason it makes me feel low. So I make sure not to drain myself out. I do only moderate exercises, only for 30 minutes at a time, I buy groceries online, no more long drives for me, I ask for help in the kitchen and with other household chores. Sometimes I wake up feeling a bit tired, particularly during the third trimester. Be very careful those days. Just take plenty of rest, watch comedy shows, listen to good music do whatever makes you happy.
- Hunger and dehydration also make me feel emotional. So I eat good food, drink plenty of water and religiously take my nutrition supplements.
- Negative thoughts also take you towards an emotional slump. I think about how life will change after baby? Will I be able to work again?, When and how will I be able to go on my next hike? how will I manage outing with friends? Childcare is so expensive, and then we have to buy a house is it going to be financially challenging? And so on. and if that trail of thoughts carries on for few hours it turns into an emotional breakdown. I just ignore these depressive thoughts before they get big in my head. Reading a nice book or watching TV is a good distraction for me.
- Spending lots of time with pessimistic people and unsettled families can also terrify you. It could be a stressed-out mother who will tell you how her life became unproductive and boring after having children. Or someone sharing horrible childbirth story with you in your third trimester. Or spending lots of time with young families with disobedient and unsettled kids. Avoid these situations and people, because you may portray a picture of your future with their experiences. Avoid these situation to maintain your sanity.
Dry skin
It can be caused by dehydration or pregnancy hormones. Dryness can cause itchy flaky skin, which is more prominent around belly, thigh and arms. I treat it like any other dry skin problems.
- Drink water
- Have fresh fruits and vegetables
- Moisturise often with pure oil or cream-based moisturisers
- Avoid long and hot showers
- Get rid of harsh shower gel
- Avoid sun
Pregnancy brings weird problems. My face seems oily and the rest of the body has dry skin. Extra virgin Coconut oil on damp skin after a shower works best on my body. And I use Vitamin E rich, gel-based natural cream on my face and neck. Keeping skin clean and avoiding spicy, oily and sugary food also help reduce breakouts.
Brown patches
Have you noticed brown patches randomly appearing on your body? I did. It’s called Melasma, chloasma or pregnancy mask. Melasma is particularly bothersome to some women when dark patches start appearing on their face. They are caused by a steep rise in estrogen and progesterone levels in your body that stimulates excess melanin production. This is also known as hyperpigmentation. Exposure to the sun can make them look worst. You have to be more careful during summer months and protect your skin from UV rays. You can also try some skin lightening masks and peels. Other then that there is not much you can do about them. They are more common in dark-skinned women ( south Asian or African) but the good news is that they are temporary. Usually, they start fading after childbirth. If not you can visit a dermatologist and they might prescribe some skin lightening -Hydroquinone or retinoid creams. These treatments are not recommended during pregnancy and prolonged use can have adverse effects so be careful. I have shared my all-time favourite face mask to get clear and glowing skin in a previous post.
Restless legs
I have had restless legs during my teenage due to iron-deficiency and dehydration. But that is not the case now. My iron levels are fine and I drink plenty of water, even though in my third-trimester I started getting restless legs, particularly at night. That creepy-crawly feeling in the legs gives me an overwhelming urge to shake my legs and that makes it difficult to fall asleep. Usually drinking water, doing some stretches and leg massage before going to bed helps. However, it stayed off and on throughout the rest of my pregnancy.
Leg cramps
Some women wake up with severe leg cramp quite a few times a night but mine occurred early in the morning when I almost involuntarily or habitually stretch my body when waking up. And within a few seconds excuciating pain runs through the leg – ouch. It is not easy to start your day on a positive note during the third trimester.
Why do they happen? Well, I couldn’t find any to-the-point answer yet. It could be changes in blood circulation, extra stress on leg muscles, weight gain, extra pressure on nerves, low calcium etc. Can you do something to avoid them? Again there are lots of suggestions out there – drink plenty of water, walk every day, stretch your leg muscles, massages, take a warm bath before going to bed etc. All these things are part of my lifestyle. However, I got leg cramps almost every morning in my third trimester. The only good thing was that they didn’t last long. Just apply some pressure or massage for few second and you should feel alright. If they last longer, or you have any sort of swelling or tenderness in the leg you should speak with your GP or midwife.
Braxton hicks contractions
In simple terms, it’s tightening of your belly muscles. That starts in the second trimester but gets strong enough in third-trimester to stop you in your place. But they pass quickly. Just change your position, take some rest, or lightly massage your belly. These contractions are practice runs for your uterus muscles before the actual show ( labour contractions). Notice that they come more often when you are exercising or standing for long.
Belly discomfort and itchiness
Your belly is growing and this makes you feel uncomfortable in many ways. You feel pains, discomfort, stretching and itchiness. That’s the reason you should keep your skin well moisturized with some oil or cream-based moisturizer. Drinking water throughout the day will hydrate your skin and maintain its elasticity. My main nuisance was itchiness on belly, Mama Mio’s tummy rub butter gave me instant relief.
Also, it’s hard to find a comfortable sitting or lying position, and then your baby is doing aerobic inside your tummy particularly when you are quite and trying to read or write. Try sitting straight, leaning bit forward. I find it the most comfortable position. Sitting on an exercise ball also helps. When you rest, try to lie on your side and place some soft support under your belly. I prefer a folded towel or a thin soft pillow. Later in the third trimester, a large hard pillow between your knees will provide you with optimum support while sleeping. Most importantly, when you are getting out of your bed in the morning or after a nap, take your time. Once you are successfully stand up be mindful and notice how you feel, before stepping away from your bed.
Baby hiccups are another strange experience. At first, I couldn’t understand them and i got scared. but then i discussed it with my midwife and she said it totally normal. Baby hiccups can go on for a few seconds to a few minutes. And they may feel concerning. Somehow they prepare babies lungs and diaphragm for breathing when they are born. If you are concerned speak with your midwife or doctor.
Dizziness and headaches
Don’t be alarmed if you feel a bit dizzy upon standing up because that is again common during pregnancy. Blame your hormones. If you feel dizzy, sit down for few second, if still dizzy lie down on your left, if still not ok take few sips of water (I am assuming that in last six months of pregnancy, keeping a water bottle at hand is a habit) and lie down again. If you keep active throughout the day, these episodes should be less often.
Be active but do not exhaust yourself because that can trigger headaches. Those dreaded pregnancy headaches are annoying. And then not many painkillers you can take during pregnancy. It’s all about striking a balance or at least keep trying. In the last months of my pregnancy, I used to wake up with a heavy head. I think it was due to dehydration and low blood sugar levels. Because I felt better after eating something and drinking water. In case you are waking up with headaches, try drinking about 500 ml of warm water and an oatmeal cookie first thing in the morning, and see if it makes you feel better. Sometimes it can be due to high blood sugar or blood pressure. If dizziness or severe headaches persist speak with your care provider.
Sensitive teeth
You go to the bathroom to shine your pearls (teeth) and get minty fresh breath. As soon as you start brushing – ouch again, you have sensitive teeth. but you have to soldier through it easily and slow. because your pregnancy hormones make your teeth vulnerable to plaque. Take a mental note that you have to buy a soft bristle toothbrush and a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. If you see blood and have pain in your mouth, say hello to gingivitis (possibly). Don’t lose your heart just take another mental note of booking an appointment with your dentist. for consolation and your information, it is free through NHS during your pregnancy and 12 months after. Just don’t forget to get your Maternity Exemption Certificate signed by your doctor or midwife.
Oral thrush
Have you noticed a creamy or white layer on your tongue? no matter how many times you brush and mouthwash, it will come back. Then it is most probably oral thrush. This white layer is caused by the fungus Candida albicans. This fungus naturally occurs in the body, normally our immune system and healthy habits keep it in check. However, during pregnancy our immune system is not functioning at full capacity, therefore, the body is unable to keep the levels of fungus in check. If you have uncontrolled blood sugar then it increases the risk of developing oral thrush.
To keep this in check, maintain good oral hygine.
- brushing for at least two minutes, twice daily.
- after brushing, bacteria can still remain on the tongue, so be sure to brush or scrape your tongue. Though be careful if you are doing it right after a meal, vigorous tongue scraping can trigger vomiting in some pregnant women.
- wash your brush properly after each use and let it air dry
- change your brush every three to four months
- floss properly once a day
- use mouthwash because it can go where toothbrushes and floss can’t
- don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth
- don’t eat or drink after cleaning your mouth at night, lingering food particles will encourage fungus and bacterial growth
- Drink water, as it will wash down food particles and bacteria to the stomach, where stomach’s digestive juices will deactivate them.
- eat crunchy fruits and salads, fibres in them won’t let the fungus settle on your tongue
Constipation
It can be the most dreaded part of the morning routine. No matter how much fibre you eat, most of the women experience some level of constipation during the third trimester. Your pregnancy hormone, growing uterus compressing all the internal organs, and restricted movements in the core all contribute to constipation. I am a vegetarian. All I eat is a fibrous vegetable, whole grain cereals, nuts and seeds. And never had constipation before pregnancy. However, in the third trimester of my pregnancy, I needed some help. I discussed with my doctor if I could take physsilium husk. It is a natural remedy, used by my family for years. My mother used it during her pregnancy. I have used it a few times during my teenage so I know I am not allergic to it. And my physician allowed it. So I regularly took it as per prescription for about two weeks, and once or twice a week thereafter during the rest of my pregnancy. I can say that I was able to keep it under control throughout my pregnancy. And my best advise to you is:
- Eat lots of fibrous fruits and vegetable
- drink plenty of water, lukewarm water is better to relieve constipation. but you have to make it a habit, Drinking warm water once or twice won’t help.
- avoid eating icecreams and drinking chilled beverages
- use the toilet as soon as you feel the urge, never ever hold it. Also, some people use toilet footstool. There is no harm in giving it a go.
- maintain a good posture
- do exercises like ballerina squats and deep squats
- stay active
- Iron supplements also cause constipation, so speak with your doctor and they can change them to something easy to digest supplement.
Haemorrhoids
I can not stress more how important it is to treat constipation as soon as it starts. Because during pregnancy, you will be surprised how fast it can lead to haemorrhoids. There are several factors play a role in the development of haemorrhoids – poor diet, iron supplements, hormones, pressure on the lower parts of your intestine, increased blood volume affecting veins in the rectum, less physical activity etc. Your best bet is not to let haemorrhoids settle in, particularly in your third trimester. Labour is difficult as it is, we don’t want additional pains of haemorrhoids during childbirth. In addition to the tips mentioned above to avoid constipation, there are a few tips to reduce haemorrhoids:
- do not strain during bowel movements, speak with your midwife or doctor and they may prescribe you a stool softner
- maintain the highest standard of personal hygiene, that includes not to use dry and rough paper towels and washing after each bowel movement
- do Kegel exercises regularly as they strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and can improve circulation in the rectal area
- avoid sitting or standing for a very long time to reduce pressure on your rectal area.
- use slitz bath
- products like Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads can relieve pain and itching. you can use any other product containing witch hazel
Lightening crotch
I would describe it as shooting pain that feels like an electrical bolt or zaps from the inside in the pelvis region. Usually, it’s mild but sometimes it stops me in my tracks. Mostly it comes when I am standing or walking. Initially, it was very scary, because I had never experienced anything like this before. Eventually, I got used to it. There are plenty of aches and pains you experience during your pregnancy. I just take some rest and it goes away. My health care provider is also not worried about them.
Palpitation
Your heart has to work harder when you are growing a baby in your belly. Increased blood volume can cause increased heart rate and sometime palpitation. You will notice it more often when exercising or during the third trimester. Fear, anxiety and stress also cause heart palpitation. Some women feel light-headed and uneasy. For me, it feels like my heart pounding fast. I have a few tips to feel better –
- Just slow down or rest
- slowly take a few sips of cold water
- take a deep breath 2-3 times – inhale by the nose and exhale by mouth
- do meditation regularly
- listen to a soothing instrumental music
- cold fresh air
Heart palpitation is considered very common during pregnancy and if you don’t have any underlying conditions you should be ok. Also, Your heartbeat should feel normal upon resting. In any case, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know, they may want to ensure there is nothing to worry about.
Breathlessness
I guess breathlessness is the most common problem during pregnancy. It gets more troublesome as your belly grows. I feel it more prominently, during exercises and after meals. In the third-trimester, no much room is left for the air or food in your abdomen. Your little bundle of joy taking all the space. Not much can be done about it, just take it easy. Slow down, eat small portions but more often, practice deep breathing exercises etc.
Back pain
Almost every pregnant women suffer from lower back pain during the third trimester of pregnancy. It is not a surprise, increased body weight, poor balance of the body weight, extra weight of hip joints all contribute to lower back pain. You have to keep an eye on these pains as they can go from mild to the severe stage very quickly. I used the following tips to keep these pains under control throughout my pregnancy.
- do pelvic tilt exercises
- do not stay in one postion ( sitting, standing or lying) for a long period of time
- rather then going on one long walk, go on two or three small walks
- wear soft and comfortable footwear
- use back support belt
- try pregnancy back and leg massages. reflexology massages also can help
- chiropractic adjustments also can help, but speak with you midwife or gynaecologist before taking these treatments.
I hope my experiences and tips help you survive inconveniences of third trimester of your pregnancy.
Take care!