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Medical Video: What to Expect in the 1st Trimester: Q&A with Belly to Baby
When you enter the final weeks of pregnancy, everything can be very defeated. To help you enjoy the countdown of your baby's arrival, you will want to make sure all plans run smoothly.
Use this list to make sure you stay on the right track, from counting kicks, planning labor, to deciding on a name for the baby.
What needs to be done when entering the third trimester of pregnancy
You can check each item in this list, or just use it as a guide. Do what feels right for you.
1. Calculate the baby's kick
Every baby has a different pattern from the time you wake up and sleep, but over time you will be able to understand what is normal for your baby. What needs to be considered, Infants in the womb grow all the time, so the type of movement will change according to his size. The bigger and stronger your baby is, you may feel a sharp kick under your rib cage. You should be able to feel your baby moving ahead and during labor.
If you see a change in pattern, talk to your midwife or doctor immediately. Lack of motion may indicate a problem, and you will need testing to check the condition of your baby.
2. Learn about doctor consultation and lab tests for the final trimester
You will most likely be scheduled for regular check-ups every two weeks at 28-36 weeks of pregnancy, then switch to once a week for visits until you give birth. The closer the due date of labor is approached, you will be faced with various types of physical examinations, late-pregnancy tests, and discussions about future births.
During the third trimester, the doctor / midwife will provide information on how to prepare for labor and birth, including how to recognize the signs of labor and how to deal with labor pain. The doctor / midwife will measure the size of your abdomen at each consultation to check the growth of the baby. If he thinks your baby needs additional examination, he will schedule an ultrasound scan for you.
If you have not undergone labor when you are 41 weeks pregnant, you will be referred to an obstetrician. He may wipe the membrane to stimulate labor, and explain other ways to induce labor.
Important note: if it is not offered by your doctor, you can ask for (and must get) a streptococcal group B test (GBS), between weeks 35 and 37 of gestational age. If you have GBS bacteria in your body (usually in the reproductive or digestive tract) and don't know it, the bacteria can move to your child during labor, so that it may cause serious illness in the first weeks of life. Babies do not get GBS during a caesarean section, which means there are no antibiotics needed for planned Cesarean section - but, you still have to be tested, just in case you have to give birth prematurely.
3. Alerting the symptoms of an old pregnancy is worrying
Preeclampsia is a condition of pregnancy that is thought to occur when the placenta is not working properly. This can occur from 20 weeks of pregnancy, but is most likely to occur in your third trimester.
Midwives will check for signs of pre-eclampsia when you have your routine antenatal examination. Signs of preeclampsia include high blood pressure and protein in your urine. Although the tests conducted by midwives are the most effective way to find out and deal with the risk of preeclampsia, it is still important for you to be aware of the symptoms as early as possible. Beware of severe headaches, blurred vision, and swollen hands and feet. Contact your doctor or midwife immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
4. Design a birth plan
Birth plans are a way for you to convey your desires with midwives and doctors who care for you during labor. This plan tells them about the type of labor and birth you want to have, what you want to do and avoid, your preference for pain management techniques, who will be present at delivery, whether your baby will be roomed with you after birth, and much more.
Many things that are out of control that might occur are not according to your plan, but designing the big picture can help you make decisions during labor.
5. Make sure your body has enough iron
Having a menu and healthy eating habits is important for your health and your baby's. Try to eat lots of iron-rich foods, which help you to produce red blood cells. Your baby will take iron reserves from your body, so he is not deficient - but you might.
Increase your iron intake by eating iron-based foods, such as lean meat, green vegetables, and fortified cereals in your diet. Accompany your food with a glass of orange juice to help your body absorb iron more easily.
6. Prepare the house for the baby's arrival
For your life as a new parent, it will be easier than now by starting devoted work to prepare a house for the arrival of the baby. Assemble baby cots, baby car seats, and baby strollers from now on. Ask your partner or other family member to do it for you.
Clean and babyproof your home from now on. Consider hiring a professional housekeeper or asking a friend or family member to deal with this task, maybe when you are in a hospital or labor clinic. It's a relief to go back to a clean, clean house, and you won't have the time or energy to clean while taking care of a newborn baby.
Shop for household supplies from now. Fill the fridge and cupboard with stock of fresh and frozen food, kitchen and bathroom equipment, medicines, dry and wet wipes, and even spare underwear. And of course, don't forget baby supplies, such as diapers, washcloths, bottles, spare baby clothes, and formula milk if you plan to use this. Wash all clothes, baby cloth, and mattresses with baby-friendly soap to avoid irritating sensitive skin to your newborn baby.
Cook large amounts of long-lasting food and freeze for the initial weeks after birth. You and your partner will be too tired to cook in the first week after you take your baby home and you will be happy to have a filling meal that you can heat quickly.
Perform "clean-up" operations as early as possible before everything is too troublesome to do.
7. Get to know your contractions and learn the stages of labor
Know and understand your contractions. Notice how each contraction feels and how often contractions occur. This can help you to distinguish contractions from real signs of labor.
As you approach the date of delivery, no one can tell you exactly what your birth experience is or how long the process will last. But, learning about the stages of labor can help you feel more in control when the time comes.
8. Pack the hospital bag
Even if you don't plan to give birth at the hospital, you may need an unexpected hospital visit, so that you pack your bag well as early as possible before the due date of labor.
Check what the hospital provides and what you can bring yourself from home. If you like, you can pack two bags: one for labor and the period immediately after the baby is born, and one for you to keep in the treatment room. Eits, don't get me wrong ... New dad needs a bag too! Guide your partner to pack his hospital bag here.
9. Sleep more
If you find it hard to fall asleep at night, try investing in some good quality pillows to support you. Slip one pillow between your knee and some under your stomach before you go to sleep to help you sleep more comfortably. Check the Hello Healthy guide to get a good night's sleep here.
10. Preparations for breastfeeding
The more you know about how to work and the benefits of breastfeeding, the more likely you are to succeed in doing so. Try to attend a breastfeeding class or preparation session for breastfeeding several times during your pregnancy. These classes are offered by many hospitals and non-formal classes as part of the antenatal class.
11. Stretch
Now is a good time to learn stretching that will prepare your body before the birth of your baby. Try not to worry if you find it difficult to learn new stretching exercises in this third trimester. Even occasional stretching and shaking your hands can help you avoid the trivial issues of pregnancy such as leg cramps.
12. Learn about newborn care
If you haven't already done so, the third trimester is the right time to shift the focus from the care of the earth and the fetus to be a care around the baby. You won't have much time to read after your baby is born, so you can learn all about the first few weeks of your baby's life now.
13. Do a hospital tour
The more familiar you are with your environment, labor and birth will be less intimidating. While on tour to your hospital or maternity clinic, you may visit the delivery and recovery room and baby room, and get a big picture of the hospital's basic policies regarding childbirth.
Find out whether the maternity unit at your hospital offers online tours. If not, ask if you can register earlier. You don't want to have to sign a stack of paper and permits when you are five minutes into labor, or watch your partner be taken away to do it for you
Ask your midwife if you are curious about how your baby will be monitored during labor.
READ ALSO:
- 10 Things You Must Do During the First Trimester of Pregnancy
- Be Careful, This Is a Risk of Unplanned Pregnancy
- What Happens When Normal Childbirth?
