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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Third trimester - what to expect?

14 replies

tacosplease · 04/02/2020 06:57

I have three days left of my second trimester and will be coming into my third trimester on Friday! I’m quite pleased about this as it’s a big milestone and also feels like the end is just about in sight.

I was wondering what to expect from the third trimester, physically and mentally. Does your body go through any more major changes or is it just a case of your belly getting bigger from here on in?

Also, I haven’t even started buying baby stuff yet so should probably get on with that - as well as putting some thought into the birth and deciding on a birth plan...

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PeacefulInTheDeep · 04/02/2020 07:24

I'm 37+5 today and literally counting down the days till my C-section next week! I've had quite an easy pregnancy compared to what some other women go through, but I'm finding this last bit pretty tough.

I'm tired all the time and between that and hormones I'm feeling quite emotional - crying at the TV and snapping at my husband. Physically, everything I do now is very draining and I've had to slow down a lot over the last couple of weeks. In the last few days I've found that I can't sit on the floor with my toddler for more than 10 mins at a time without causing some serious aches and pains in my hips and back.

I'm very glad that the end is in sight! For me it's been a case of everything gradually getting harder and more tiring as I've gotten bigger and heavier, and making adjustments to deal with that. Until about 35 weeks I was fine though, it's not all doom and gloom! I'm still loving feeling this baby moving inside me and really looking forward to getting to meet him or her very soon!

Original poster

tacosplease · 04/02/2020 07:33

Until about 35 weeks I was fine though

Thanks Peaceful - so it sounds like I’ll hopefully have another seven weeks or so of feeling ok before things start to go downhill!

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LividLaughLovely · 04/02/2020 07:43

I’m 33 weeks with first (after losses).

I’m enjoying the third tri for lots of reasons. Being more visibly pregnant is ace. I’ve always wanted to experience having a bump and I feel like it’s only recently been the sort of thing strangers can notice.

Sorting the nursery is terrifying but again, I’ve always wanted to and now it’s beautiful and I can’t wait to use it.

Also, I was signed off work unexpectedly (placenta) last week, which has actually been ace for starting to relax. Working crazy hours in third trimester is NOT fun, and in my work there’s a level of martyrdom expected that I’m glad to eff off!!

Feeling him moving strongly and often is amazing.

Downsides so far are inability to stay asleep, random aches and pains, constant loo trips, constant worry that today something will go wrong. But I’d say this is the best part, still!

Spanneroo · 04/02/2020 07:51

The only real difference I find is that towards the end of the third trimester, you will have 0 fucks left to give. Look forward to not caring a bit what you're wearing, and enjoy having the confidence to tell off rude strangers without a second thought

I'd also highly recommend taking some time for yourself now. It might feel boring but I PROMISE you won't regret it. I went on mat leave on my due date with DD1 and went into labour that night, same for DD2, became a SAHM and now have newborn twins and I wish wish wish I had taken a week for me before DD1. Nowadays I can't even wee on my own...

fonxey · 04/02/2020 08:13

By about 33 weeks i started to feel like an overweight hippo. Couldn't move, felt tired, had a serious waddle. Very uncomfortable. Felt the baby move a lot though and more connected than even before.

Keha · 04/02/2020 10:33

I'm 36+2. I'm definitely struggling physically, despite having a pretty text book pregnancy (fingers crossed it stays that way). Walking is getting uncomfortable and can't sleep for the need to wee and inability to turn over. Getting pretty tired. On the other hand I'm also quite enjoying looking obviously pregnant, feeling the baby move a lot and getting excited for the big day. Still haven't packed my hospital bag or sorted out nursery. I'm convinced baby will be late so leaving some jobs to keep me occupied....

purplefig · 04/02/2020 10:46

I went off on maternity leave at 37 weeks and since then I would say everything feels much harder! I'm 39 weeks now and I'm staggered by how difficult even getting up off the sofa is. I went for a 2 mile dog walk on the weekend and it felt like I'd ran a marathon!

I'm also getting period like cramps, leaky boobs and more hip/back pain than before. Emotionally I'm doing fine though, surprisingly cheerful in fact!

If it all physically gets too much, I can't recommend going to your local pool and just floating. The feeling of weightlessness at this stage is just incredible.

Babyg1995 · 04/02/2020 10:50

32 weeks here I'm finding getting in and out bath hard now feel huge , swollen feet and ankles and very very emotional think it's due to the insomnia though will be glad when I get my c section in 7 weeks.

LiveFatsDieYoGnu · 04/02/2020 13:56

I'm 38+4 and been lucky to have a good pregnancy so far. Physically, I have achy hips/pelvis but I'm still capable of walking several miles a day, albeit slowly! Anything involving bending is getting tricky - putting socks on, picking things up off the floor etc. I've pulled some muscles in my side so turning over in bed is difficult and quite painful, and sleep in general is so-so - I'm waking several times a night due to heartburn/need to pee/general discomfort, and at times the tiredness during the day rivals first trimester exhaustion for sure. I love a good nap now I'm on maternity leave!

Emotionally I'm pretty chilled with the occasional flash of absolute terror at what I've let myself in for I think all the hormones sloshing around have a lot to do with this because I'm not generally a chilled out person...

Anyway, probably through pure luck, right now it's not nearly as bad as I thought it might be. Ask me again in another week

Altmosphere · 04/02/2020 14:51

@tacosplease we have the same due date! Closely watching the thread for some tips :)

fibeee · 04/02/2020 15:16

I'm almost 34 weeks. Third trimester has been ok so far. My body is definitely starting to feel the strain of the pregnancy now. For me serious baby brain kicking in, more aches and pains, cankles at night, heartburn from hell and BP issues. Sleep does not come easy with my head needing to be elevated so high for heartburn and pillows strategically placed everywhere to help reduce the aches.

Also starting to feel very anxious about getting the house prepared for the baby which I assume is 'nesting'.

But I can feel the baby so much which is just lovely and makes everything worth it. Their movements seem a bit different and it definitely feels like they're running out of room now.

Original poster

tacosplease · 04/02/2020 16:20

Thanks for the insights - it's really helpful to know what to expect!

@Altmosphere congratulations! I'm feeling pretty good at the moment, but am expecting to get a lot slower around the 35 week mark after reading this thread! How are you?

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Original poster

tacosplease · 04/02/2020 16:24

Also starting to feel very anxious about getting the house prepared for the baby which I assume is 'nesting'.

Me too, although work has been really busy and I think I will have to accept that not all the DIY jobs I had on my list are going to get done in time! Annoying but what can you do...

OP posts:

Altmosphere · 05/02/2020 10:53

@tacosplease
i am just at a point where even the idea of taking the stairs makes me sigh^^

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