Welcome to week thirty three!

You are moving closer to the time of birth now and may be thinking about how your birth plan is firming up even if it is informal.

It would be a good time to discuss your expectations with your partner and health care provider to seek their input. You may also be experiencing an increase in irregular mild contractions and feeling more pelvic pressure.

You may be experiencing an increase in irregular mild contractions and feeling more pelvic pressure.

How my Baby Grows

Your baby is the size of a pineapple now and is already 16-17 inches in length if measured from head to heel
The bones in your baby’s skull are not fused together yet which will allow his/her head to move through the pelvis at birth as the bones shift to conform to the tight space
If you have an ultrasound you will be able to see your baby’s breathing movements and maybe even a thumb in the mouth sucking
He/she is very active as muscles are gaining strength and bones are becoming more firm

Symptoms Mama may Feel or Experience

This is a time of great excitement as the time of your birth draws closer and closer, but it is also a time filled with lots of questions, it is a good idea to write your questions down so that you do not forget them when you go to your prenatal visit
If your baby is measuring either large or small for his/her gestational age you may be scheduled for a growth scan to evaluate your baby’s size

Have we mentioned emotions lately, don’t forget that it is very easy for the hormones of pregnancy to cause you to be sad, tearful, or ultra-sensitive, give yourself the grace you need
If you have had your baby shower by now it is time to make sure that all the essentials have been covered, if not, you can do a little shopping of your own
It is a good idea to work on the thank you notes from your shower and start designing your birth announcements now because after the baby comes there will be little time for that

Thoughts to Consider

Have your decided who you want to labor with you, if so, have you communicated that to family and friends to cut down on the drama when you head to the hospital or birth center in labor
Do you want to bring a special outfit for your baby to wear when they take pictures in the hospital or birth center, you might bring an extra outfit in case that one happens to get soiled at just the wrong time
Have you started a list of what you want to bring with you in labor, don’t forget things like cell phone chargers, pillows, your own toothbrush and toothpaste that you like, essential oils if you plan to use them and music
Have you figured out how to set up the car seat in the car, they can be trickier than you think, get it out of the box and try it out so you do not look like a rooky on the day you bring your precious baby home
It is also nice to place things in convenient places for when you come home with your baby

A basket with extra diapers downstairs if the nursery is upstairs
Bath products set up where you will be bathing the baby
Diaper bag filled and ready to go
Baby monitor taken out of the box, charged, and placed where you want it to be
Sleepers washed, folded and ready to use

Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

It is common for you to feel off balance or clumsy during the third trimester because your center of gravity is off, so remember to be careful walking around obstacles and going up and down steps
How are your self-care plans going, making time for exercise, relaxation and time for family and friends can help you get through the last few months
Don’t forget the third trimester yoga video available in the StorkAdvisor app and on our website

Dr. Cheryl Sharp,

Certified Nurse Midwife
Chief Content Officer

The Third Trimester