Wow. I’m on the home stretch now. I am in disbelief with how quickly this time has come around. It only seems like yesterday when, on a cold dark December morning Mark and I finally got our positive pregnancy test after 2 years of trying and a successful round of IVF.
If you’ve been following my journey via here or Instagram you’d have seen that I’ve been lucky enough to have had a really good pregnancy. I wrote about all of the symptoms I experienced in my first and second trimesters and what I loved about them and so, here is what I’ve experienced in my third trimester:
Third Trimester Symptoms
Low Iron
I have always been a little bit anaemic so it was inevitable that this would be something I would experience in pregnancy. I have been put on iron tablets that I need to take twice daily. Apparently they can cause some side effects, including constipation, but touch wood I haven’t experience any… yet!
I feel more tired
So, I guess this goes hand in hand with the low iron but most women experience this in the third trimester. The baby puts on most of it’s weight during this time so it’s natural to experience low energy. I sometimes have to have a short nap as soon as I get home from work which I actually secretly love!
Harder to move around/ takes more effort
With the ever growing bump and weight it has made moving around a lot harder. Turning over in bed and changing positions on the sofa take a lot of momentum and effort!!
Varicose Veins
I wrote about these lovely joys of delight in my Second Trimester post but unfortunately these have got worse for me. Protruding veins in my lower legs and groin. Not good. I have been assured that they won’t obstruct a natural vaginal birth and should disappear after the baby comes so I hope this is the case!
Back pain
I finally succumbed and got myself a back support belt and wondered why I hadn’t got one earlier!! It has really made a difference. I wear it most days when I’m at work and sitting at my desk. Not only does it support my back but also the bump too which aids in the ligaments in my abdomen from stretching further than they have to with the weight of the baby.
More toilet trips during the night
Another something that most women experience in the third trimester. Weirdly, I have been sleeping so deeply throughout my pregnancy (I have been practising hypnobirthing which I think has made a big difference with this!). So when I do wake up it makes it harder to get myself up and to the toilet (especially with the extra weight!) The bladder is so small at the moment it can hardly hold anything before needing to be released!!
Nipple changes
Over the last couple of weeks I have noticed my nipples changing… getting darker and bigger! I am assured that this is completely normal and it’s just them getting ready for when they’re needed in breastfeeding… This hasn’t stopped me looking at them in complete disbelief that they’re still the same nipples I’ve had all my life though!
Discharge
Another thing I mentioned in my second trimester post. I really didn’t think this could increase any more… I was wrong. Sorry to be graphic but my god there have been so many times when I’ve thought I’ve had an ‘accident’. I’ve had to start wearing panty liners!
The Tears
I am not normally a crier. In fact I have been told I have a heart of stone when it comes to any sort of emotion but the third trimester has brought me tears I never knew I had. I have found myself starting to get emotional over the smallest things. And once I start, there is no stopping them. I have been told this is totally normal behaviour for a hormonal heavily pregnant woman… and you know what? I have to say, it has felt good to cry like that every now and then, even if it is due to something so trivial.
Under Pressure!
Baby is head down now and as it gets lower and lower in my pelvis, I have started to feel little shocks when the baby hits against my cervix. It’s not a pleasant feeling, I’m not going to lie and can take my breath away sometimes but it’s a good sign that baby is moving into position and that is exciting!
What I’ve Loved
Feeling the baby move in a different way
In the third trimester the baby gets bigger and bigger taking up most of the room in the amniotic sac which means that there is less space between the baby and the outer layer of skin around your belly. Which means that your baby’s movements are more prominent. You can feel EVERYTHING. I have loved being able to distinguish what is a head and what is a bottom/ pair of feet. Of course this means that the movements can also take your breath away at times but in a totally amazing way.
NCT Classes
July brought the start of NCT classes for us. 7 weeks of a 2 hour class with 7 other local couples who are due around the same time has been really enjoyable! The course has covered so many different topics on birth and after the baby is born. Stuff I had never thought I needed to be taught about. If you are pregnant and have been thinking of taking part in these courses then I definitely recommend it. I feel like we’ve made some friends along the way who I think will prove to be invaluable in the time after the birth.
Getting the nursery ready
We got organised really early and chose our nursery furniture really early in my pregnancy (pretty much straight after our 20 week scan!). I was like an excited child myself when it was delivered and felt such pride putting it all together with Mark. I’m planning on doing a little blog post on it once all of the soft furnishings are in!
Putting up the push chair
The pushchair arrived at the same time as the nursery furniture. We’ve gone with the Bugaboo Fox. It didn’t come put together but after watching the simple instructions on YouTube it was up and together in no time. We are so happy with it and I am so excited to use it! I’m also planning on writing a review about it as soon as I can.
Baby shower
My family and friends threw me the most perfect baby shower. I know some people are in 2 minds about baby showers in the UK, however I wanted one just as an excuse to get everyone together who will have a part in the babies life, have a few drinks and get excited together! Me and the baby were so lucky to be thoroughly spoilt and I felt so heart warmed to be amongst my nearest and dearest.
All the midwife appointments
Once you hit 28 weeks, the midwife appointments that used to be once every 4 weeks change to once a fortnight and then once a week after 35 weeks. I love going to midwife checks as I get to ask lots of questions, find out how big my bump is and also listen to the baby’s heartbeat each time. It’s such a special fifteen minutes.
Nesting
Honestly. This is a real thing. I am finding that nothing in my house is clean or tidy enough. I have ordered about a million plastic boxes to but ‘clutter’ in and away out of sight and the amount of things I have sold or taken to charity shops over the last few weeks could fill a skip. It’s felt so good!
Maternity Leave
As I write this I have 1 week left of work until I go on maternity leave and I am so excited! I am so ready to wind down and concentrate on myself and the new life I am about to bring into the world. BRING IT ON.
What did you enjoy about your Third Trimester?
Hannah x
