Third Trimester

(27-40 Weeks)

The third trimester of pregnancy is usually filled with lots of celebration with baby showers or other special events.

This time can be both physically and emotionally challenging as your belly grows, and certain positions might make it hard for you to get comfortable. Your family and friends can offer support as you get ready for the big day.

Embracing the positive aspects of the third trimester can help you navigate the challenges and savor the moments leading up to the arrival of your baby. Soon, you’ll hold them in your arms.

What can I expect?

As your pregnancy progresses, your baby’s movements will become more obvious. These exciting sensations are often accompanied by increasing signs of discomfort, including shortness of breath, more frequent urination, and Braxton Hicks contractions. Your body is preparing for labor and Braxton Hicks contractions are ways for your body to practice for actual labor. Braxton Hicks can be a feeling of your belly tightening and may sometimes feel uncomfortable. Talk to your provider about the signs of labor and when to call them or go to the hospital.

During the third trimester, you will do a lot of preparing for the moment when you begin to labor. Nesting instincts will give you a burst of energy towards the end of your pregnancy and give you the desire to organize and prepare for the arrival of your new baby. 

It’s best to have a plan for what you would like to have happen when your labor begins, and a “go bag” (bag of items to help you during and after delivery) so you feel prepared for when labor begins. Remember: your due date is only an estimate of when you may deliver your baby, so you may experience some false alarms.

This is also the time to identify who you want to support you on the day you deliver your baby. A labor and delivery doula can be an excellent addition to your support team. Doulas are non-medical professionals that can help you to prepare for delivery, be at your side during your labor, and sometimes visit you after delivery. It is important to find a doula that you feel comfortable with and who will support your birth plan. Many insurance companies cover some of the costs of a doula.

During these last few weeks of pregnancy, it is also important to make sure you have everything you need to bring a baby home and care for them, such as a car seat, a crib or bassinet, diapers and wipes, and baby clothes.

If you have difficulty purchasing items needed for your child, reach out to Hope Florida at 833-GET HOPE (438-4673), to speak to a caring Hope Navigator who is committed to putting every mother and Florida parent on the path to success.

During the third trimester, your health care provider might ask you to come for more frequent medical checkups as you prepare for the birth of your baby. At these visits, your provider will take your vital health measurements, discuss your birth plan, and other factors might affect your pregnancy and birth.

If you have specific preferences for how you labor and deliver your baby, such as avoiding medication or delaying umbilical cord cutting, define your wishes in a birth plan.

Your body is designed to labor and deliver your baby, and it is important to pay attention to your body’s unique signals during this process. Things don’t always go according to plan, so remaining open-minded and flexible to what may happen during this process can help ensure that you and your baby have the best birth experience.

If you haven’t done so already, consider taking childbirth classes, also known as prenatal or antenatal classes. These are educational programs designed to prepare expectant mothers and fathers for the labor and delivery process and the early days of parenting. These classes may cover a wide range of topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. You’ll learn what to expect and meet others who share your excitement.

Your health care provider will measure your baby’s size and his or her heart rate during medical visits. Near the end of your pregnancy your provider will also check your baby’s position within your belly, ask about your baby’s movements, and may ask about your preferences regarding pain management during labor as you get ready for delivery.

You should keep a daily log of your baby’s movement patterns and report any changes in the frequency or intensity of them to your health care provider.

  • Count the Kicks is an application that can be downloaded on your phone to help you monitor your baby’s movements.

This checklist is a starting point to help you navigate the first stage of this exciting time. Talk with your health care provider, family, and friends to help guide and support you.

Florida’s Hope Navigators can help you find guidance and support from basic needs to education and employment. Learn more about additional available resources to help you during pregnancy.

Month 7

Your baby’s hearing is fully developed and respond to stimuli, including sound and light.

Month 8

Baby’s brain is developing rapidly at this time, and they can see and hear the world around them.

Month 9

Your baby is getting ready for birth and may change positions to prepare for labor and delivery.

Prepare & Celebrate: Third Trimester

Hospital Bag Inspiration
Shower & Sprinkle Ideas
Baby Shower Invites