New Beginnings: Pregnancy Guides - Mission Health

Third
Trimester
PREGNANCY GUIDE
Months 7, 8 and 9
New Beginnings
In theHomeStretch
M OM
You are now in the last 3 months of your
pregnancy! You may have even more
changes in your body to cope with:
• More aching in your back, pelvis, hips,
and legs
• Rib pain from the pressure of the baby
• More pressure on your bladder
• Stretch marks on your abdomen
and breasts
• Trouble getting comfortable when
you sleep
• Fatigue (tired most of the time)
• Swelling in the ankles and feet
• Indigestion getting worse
• More uterine contractions that may
start to feel painful
• Discomfort when the baby is
moving a lot
• Dreams about the baby or birth
• Constipation
• “I can’t move – I am so big”
Trouble:
- Tying your shoes
- Getting up off the floor or out of
the bathtub
- Getting out of a chair or out of bed
- Climbing stairs
Don’t give up! You are
almost ready to
give birth.
A quick reminder of how to be more
comfortable:
• Exercise: Yoga, walking and swimming,
Kegels, pelvic tilts.
• Eat small meals frequently, don’t drink
fluids with meals.
• Drink plenty of water, milk or juice.
• Think positive thoughts, think about
seeing your baby soon.
• Relax – Play gentle music, practice
slow deep breaths while you relax
your tight muscles.
• Prop with lots of pillows – between
your legs, under your knees, under
your belly when you lie on your side.
Use a stool to prop your feet up.
• Talk to your partner, family, friends or
care provider about your fears.
I MPORTANT
T HINGS TO K NOW
Cesarean Birth: A cut is made through
the mother’s abdomen and uterus so
the baby can be born through her
abdomen. A cesarean birth could be
done if:
• The placenta is in front of the baby
(previa)
• The baby is lying sideways in the uterus
• The baby is breech (coming bottom
or feet first)
• The baby is unable to fit through
your pelvis
• Genital herpes germ is in the vagina
• The baby is having trouble getting
enough oxygen during the labor
27
• The umbilical cord has dropped into
the vagina in front of the baby
• A mother has had a cesarean birth
before and would need another one
Some of these problems happen before
labor starts and you and your care
provider might schedule a day for your
cesarean. Sometimes the problems
happen during labor.
Circumcision: When the foreskin that
covers the head of the penis is removed.
Informed Consent: Written permission
for a health care provider to perform a
procedure or operation. The health care
provider will explain the procedure or
operation before the consent is signed.
Examples of consents you may need to
sign in the hospital:
• Epidural - spinal anesthesia
• Circumcision
• Vaccinations
• Cesarean birth
Contraception (Birth Control): Ways to
keep a woman from getting pregnant.
The type of method you use should be
discussed with your health care provider
so it works best for you.
Fetal Kick Counts: A healthy baby moves
a lot in your uterus. You can help look
out for your baby’s health by paying
attention to these movements. Ask
your health care provider about doing
fetal kick counts.