Third Trimester Pregnancy Week: Monitoring Pregnancy Week By Week

Pregnancy week by week monitoring ensures good health for mother as well as baby. Each pregnancy week unfolds a new development in the baby, and the mother's body undergoes many changes as well. Third trimester pregnancy is the last stage of pregnancy. It culminates in childbirth on or a little after the pregnancy due date. You will be holding your little bundle of joy in your arms after nine months of nausea, weight gain, mood swings and joy.

Third Trimester Pregnancy

This stage of pregnancy development is the "last lap" before your baby arrives. After a comparatively relaxed second stage of pregnancy, you must gear up for backache, swelling of feet, and false contractions. You may need to visit the obstetrician every pregnancy week, or at least every 15 days.

Childbirth Classes

This is also the time to enroll in childbirth classes. Read all you can about labor, baby stage during pregnancy and parenting. Ask your instructor at the childbirth class any questions you may have. Remember, lack of knowledge creates fear about childbirth. Fathers, please be involved in the pregnancy and attend the classes with moms if possible.

Third Trimester Pregnancy Week By Week

This section deals with pregnancy week by week in the third semester. Third semester pregnancy consists of weeks 27-40. Some women may give birth a little before or after pregnancy due date. It is advisable to discuss your expected due date and pregnancy calendar with your doctor.

Week 27

1. The brain, lungs and eyes of the fetus are still developing. Your baby will soon have all organs and body functions that an average human has.
2. The mother's uterus has risen way above the navel, close to the ribs. This may put pressure on the lungs, leading to breathlessness.

Week 28

1. The baby is now more aware of the sounds inside as well as outside the womb. Talk to her, and she will know mommy's voice soon!
2. This pregnancy week is not going to be easy for mom. Constipation, gas, indigestion, rashes on skin and backache will make you grumpy. Listen to music, or go for a walk.
3. You will gain some more weight. A pregnancy week by week monitoring will help you check if you are gaining too much weight.

Week 29

1. The baby can now see, hear, smell and taste. Your little one is also getting fatter, attaining that chubby cuteness mommies adore so much.
2. You will feel exhausted often. Daddy, be nice and put up with the wild mood swings, strange food cravings and cranky outbursts. She will thank you for it later.

Week 30

1. The first baby hair covering the body has gone, and your baby can now blink.
2. A full-grown baby inside you may make you feel sleepless, since the baby puts pressure on your nerves and blood vessels. Sleep on your side, and use mattresses available for mothers to be.

Week 31

1. The brain develops fast, and the rest of the body of the baby is almost entirely developed by now.
2. The baby is growing big. Mom may feel backache and pain in the abdomen as the ligaments are stretched.
3. Your doctor will check for calcium deficiency on your examination this pregnancy week.

Week 32

1. Your little one is quite heavy at 3.5 pounds now. Every detail down to the last toenail has been worked out fine.
2. Another tough pregnancy week; you will feel tired, achy and constipated. The impending due date may be worrying you. Relax, talk to your partner or care provider.

Week 33

1. Your baby is chubbier this pregnancy week, as well as a cute pink in color! The tiny head has grown a little more this week.
2. This pregnancy week may see you feeling a little queasy. Water retention could be a problem. See your doctor immediately if you have symptoms like splitting headaches, cramps and swelling of face and arms.

Week 34

1. The nails on the little fingers and toes are already long. The baby can now open and shut its eyes.
2. Constipation and indigestion is still a problem for mom. Don't be alarmed at false contractions, they will stop if you move or change position.

Week 35

1. The baby is a chubby little bundle now. It is big, and you can feel her trying to move around in your belly.
2. The cervix will get ready to open and stretch during labor.

Week 36

1. The baby is ready for birth.
2. Mom, you need to get examined every pregnancy week. You need to start preparing for labor.

Week 37

1. The baby is heavy now at almost 7 pounds.
2. You may get the "nesting urge", cleaning the house from top to bottom. Don't overdo it though!

Week 38

1. The baby will settle into position for birth, either head first or "breech".
2. Be ready, labor will start anytime.

Week 39

1. The baby cannot move around much, at 7 pounds, its crowded for space in there!

Week 40

1. This pregnancy week marks the end of your pregnancy. At the end of childbirth, you will have a chubby, crowing little human wriggling in your or daddy's arms.

These are the major developments charted, stage by stage, during the third trimester pregnancy week.