During the third trimester, you may also experience:
Backache
From all the extra weight put on through pregnancy, your back may feel sore or achy. Additionally, your pelvis and hips may also feel uncomfortable due to the ligaments loosening in preparation for labor. To ease achiness, sit up straight, sleep on your
side with a pillow between your legs, wear comfortable shoes, and use a heating pad on the achy area (as needed).
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common experience during the last few months of pregnancy, caused by carrying extra weight, difficulty sleeping, and emotional aspects of preparing for the baby’s arrival. Exercising, eating healthy, napping and taking time to relax
can help maintain your energy through the day.
Frequent urination
The baby becomes much larger during the last trimester and can put a lot of pressure on your bladder. This causes the need to urinate much more often than usual, including throughout the night (which can also cause fatigue). Additionally, leaking may
occur when you laugh, sneeze, cough or exercise. Wear a panty liner to absorb leakage, and limit fluid intake before bed to keep nighttime bathroom trips at a minimum.
Shortness of breath
As the baby grows, the uterus rises to the bottom of the rib cage, taking up some of the space where the lungs normally expand. This can cause shortness of breath. Propping your head and shoulders up at night and exercising can help with difficulty breathing.
Heartburn
Increased production of the hormone progesterone can stimulate the esophagus, which helps keep food and acids down, to relax. This can cause acid reflux (heartburn). Waiting to lie down after meals; eating smaller, more frequent meals; and avoiding greasy,
spicy or acidic foods will help you avoid heartburn.
Constipation
Extra progesterone can also cause constipation. Introducing more fiber and liquids into your diet will help symptoms.
Braxton Hicks contractions
Toward the end of your pregnancy, you may begin to feel slight or intense contractions as you near your delivery date. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions, which may lead to labor and actual contractions – marked by an increase in intensity
and frequency. If you feel regular and intense contractions, you may be in labor and should call your doctor.
Discharge
Close to your due date, you might have a clear, thick, or blood-tinted discharge that indicates the cervix has begun dilating for labor. If this flow is heavy and soaks through a panty liner, you should call your doctor. A large amount of sudden discharge
probably means your water has broken, signaling the beginning of labor (this does not often happen before contractions begin).
Anemia
Abnormally low blood cell or hemoglobin (a protein that contains iron) levels can slow the baby’s growth or induce preterm labor. Iron supplements can help treat anemia.
Gestational diabetes
A pregnant woman may develop diabetes during pregnancy that lasts until after the baby is born. Monitoring blood sugar levels and healthy eating habits will help manage gestational diabetes.
Hemorrhoids
Veins around the anus can become swollen and discolored (varicose veins) during pregnancy as extra blood begins flowing and the uterus grows and puts pressure on surrounding areas. Hemorrhoids can itch and cause discomfort. To relieve symptoms, it helps
to sit in a warm bath. If hemorrhoids become problematic, ask your doctor if you should use hemorrhoid ointment.
Varicose and spider veins
Varicose veins are blue, swollen veins caused by pressure from the abdomen. If varicose veins appear, you can prevent them from worsening by moving throughout the day, propping your legs up when sitting for long periods and wearing support hose.
Thin red veins – called spider veins – may also develop due to increase blood flow. These tend to get worse during the third trimester, but both spider and varicose veins usually clear after the baby is born.
