Like a first-time marathon runner who has just hit an uphill stretch at mile 19, your third trimester is filled with the thrill of knowing your due date is creeping ever closer, and the reality that you still have some hills to climb to get there. After a smooth second trimester, the seventh month of pregnancy can see a return of the extreme fatigue you might have felt earlier on, plus other pregnancy pains, ranging from backache to uncomfortable pelvic pressure to trouble sleeping. Despite all this, just keep putting one (swollen) foot in front of the other, mama, because the finish line is finally in sight!
Your Baby
Things to Start Thinking About
Kick Counts: After the 28th week, your provider might ask you to do "kick counts" once or twice a day. These simple checks only require you to lie down in a quiet place and tune in to your baby's movements, counting the number of times your baby moves (kicks, squirms, rolls, wiggles) in an hour, or the time it takes your baby to move 10 times. The pattern of movement should be roughly the same from day to day. A good time to perform kick counts is just after a meal. The sudden increase in nutrients flowing to your baby is often enough to jumpstart some activity. Contact your provider immediately if you stop feeling movement or kick counts show a lack of activity.
Making Yourself a Priority: A great item to put on the top of your to-do list this month? It's not decorating the nursery, it's something much more necessary: rest. "Rest when you can. Ask for help more. If working, try to work shorter hours or arrange for a more flexible schedule if possible," recommends Lizellen La Follette, M.D., OB-GYN at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae, Calif.
Testing for Gestational Diabetes: This month, your prenatal care provider may recommend you take a screening test for gestational diabetes, a temporary form of high blood sugar that some pregnant women develop in the third trimester. Testing for gestational diabetes involves drinking a sugary cola-like beverage and the checking your blood glucose level to see if it spikes above normal. If you have gestational diabetes, you will need to follow a special carb-controlled diet for the remainder of your pregnancy and check your blood sugar regularly, among other steps. Maintaining normal blood sugar levels is important for your baby's growth. Your prenatal care provider can give you more information about the test.
Planning for Life After Pregnancy: With just three months to go, it's time this month to start thinking about your maternity leave plans at work. Set up an appointment with your company's human resources department to talk about your options. If you plan to head back to work soon after giving birth, it's also a great time to start interviewing different care providers in your area. And don't forget to find a pediatrician! Ask local friends for recommendations and go from there.
LOOK AHEAD: Month 8
