Navigating the Third Trimester: Preparing for Your Baby's Arrival with Confidence

Are you ready for the final phase of your pregnancy journey? Join me, Carey, as we navigate the third trimester and uncover what lies ahead in today's episode of Parenting Powerhouse by Parenting Genie. From your baby's rapid development to the physical and emotional changes you'll experience, I provide insights and practical tips to help you tackle these last few weeks with confidence. Learn how to manage common symptoms like back pain, shortness of breath, and swelling, and discover the best sleep positions for maximum comfort. 

Feeling both excited and anxious as you prepare for your baby's arrival is completely normal, and this episode is here to support you every step of the way. We'll discuss the importance of frequent prenatal checkups, finalizing your birth plan, and setting up the nursery. Plus, get the lowdown on signs that your baby is getting ready to make their grand entrance, such as dropping into your pelvis. Tune in for an informative and reassuring conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to embrace this transformative time.

Thank you for listening to Parenting Genie Podcast. For more parenting information, visit our website https://parentinggenie.com.au. or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter @parentinggenie.
We value your feedback, so please feel free to reach out to us via email at [e-mail].

Episode Transcript

Carey Donohoe (00:02):
Hi everyone.
Today's podcast is titled ThirdTrimester what to Expect?
Welcome back to ParentingPowerhouse by Parenting Genie.
I'm your host,Carey, and todaywe're diving into what you can
expect during the thirdtrimester of your pregnancy.
You've made it to the homestretch, week 28, through to

(00:22):
birth.
It's an exciting time, but alsobrings new changes and
challenges as you prepare tomeet your baby.
So let's explore what you mightexperience during this final
phase of your pregnancy journey.
First, let's talk about yourbaby's development During the
third trimester.
Your baby is growing rapidly,gaining weight and fine-tuning

(00:44):
their organs to prepare for lifeoutside of the womb.
By this stage, your baby'slungs are developing, their
brain is growing quickly andtheir senses, like hearing and
sight, are becoming more attuned.
You'll likely feel lots ofmovement and as space gets
tighter in the, these kicks androlls might feel a lot stronger.

(01:05):
As exciting as this is, thethird trimester also brings
about some physical changes foryou.
One of the most noticeable willbe your belly.
As your baby grows, you maystart to feel more uncomfortable
due to the size and weight ofyour belly.
Shortness of breath is commonbecause your growing uterus
pushes up against your diaphragm, making it a little harder to

(01:28):
take deep breaths, sleep maybecome more challenging.
Finding a comfortable positioncan be tricky, mainly if you're
used to sleeping on your back orstomach by now.
Sleeping on your side is thesafest position, particularly on
your left side, which promotesbetter blood flow to your baby.

(01:48):
To get more comfortable, youmight need to surround yourself
with extra pillows for support,especially between your knees
and under your belly, and don'tbe surprised if you make more
trips to the bathroom overnight.
Your baby's weight puts extrapressure on your bladder.
You may also experience newaches and pains during this

(02:09):
trimester.
Back pain, which we discussedin our last episode, can
intensify as your belly growsand your centre of gravity
shifts.
On top of that, your hips andpelvis may start to feel sore as
your body releases hormones toprepare for labour.
These hormones help loosen theligaments in your pelvis, which

(02:30):
can lead to discomfort, but arenecessary for childbirth.
Swelling is another commonsymptom during the third
trimester, particularly in yourfeet and ankles.
This is partly due to the extrablood and fluid your body
produces to support your baby.
Elevating your feet whenpossible and staying hydrated

(02:51):
can help minimise the swelling.
Be sure to mention any suddenor severe swelling to your
healthcare provider, as thiscould be a sign of a more severe
condition like preeclampsia.
You might also start feelingBraxton Hicks contractions,
sometimes referred to aspractice contractions.
These contractions are usuallypainless and irregular and help

(03:15):
your body prepare for labour.
They're nothing to worry aboutunless they become regular, more
substantial and more painful,in which case you should contact
your healthcare provider torule out pre-term labour.
Let's talk about appetite.
You may notice that yourappetite increases as your baby

(03:35):
demands more nutrients tosupport their rapid growth.
However, you might alsoexperience heartburn and
indigestion, which are common inthe third trimester, as your
baby takes up more space pushingup against your stomach.
Eating smaller, more frequentmeals and avoiding spicy or

(03:57):
greasy foods can help reducethese uncomfortable symptoms.
Emotionally, you may be feelinga mix of excitement and anxiety
as your due date approaches.
These feelings are entirelynormal.
You're preparing for one of themost significant transitions in
your life, and it's okay tohave a wide range of emotions.

(04:19):
Don't hesitate to share yourfeelings with your partner or
support network.
Sometimes, just talking aboutit can make all the difference.
This trimester is also a timefor final preparations.
You'll likely have morefrequent prenatal checkups to
monitor your health and yourbaby's progress.

(04:39):
This is also a perfect time tofinalise your birth plan, pack
your hospital bag and set up thenursery, if you haven't done so
already.
These tasks can help you feelmore prepared and at ease as you
enter the final weeks ofpregnancy.
As you get closer to your duedate, you might notice that your

(05:01):
baby starts to drop or descendinto your pelvis in preparation
for birth.
This process is calledlightening, and while it may
make breathing a bit easier,since your baby is no longer
pressing up against your lungs,it can also increase the
pressure in your bladder andpelvic area, which might make

(05:22):
you feel like you have to go tothe bathroom even more
frequently.
Remember, every pregnancy isunique.
It's essential to listen toyour body and trust your
instincts.
If anything feels off or youhave any concerns, don't
hesitate to contact yourhealthcare provider.
They support you and helpensure that you and your baby

(05:44):
are as healthy as possible.
Today's episode on what toexpect during the third
trimester concludes.
I hope this information helpsyou feel more prepared as you
enter the final stretch of yourpregnancy.
In our next episode, we'llexplore the basics of newborn
care, covering everything fromnappy changes to feeding

(06:04):
routines.
And don't forget, if you haveany questions or concerns during
your pregnancy.
Parenting Genie is here to help.
We offer Parenting Live Expert24-7 services where you can
connect instantly with amaternal child health nurse for
real-time advice and support,whether it's a question about

(06:25):
pregnancy, newborn care oranything in between, we've got
you covered.
For more tips and insights,visit our website at
parentinggeniecomau.
We also have Genie Chat forinstant parenting answers from
pregnancy to raising afive-year-old.
Until next time, take care ofyourself and enjoy those final

(06:48):
weeks of pregnancy.