The time has come! The third trimester of pregnancy is in many ways the height of the pregnancy experience. Your baby will be experiencing the fastest period of growth and will be rapidly functioning as a little human. Your body will be changing quickly to respond to these changes and support the baby’s development. As this happens, there will be no hiding it from the world, so there will be increased attention toward you, which may be fun and challenging depending on the situation.
The third trimester may be a bit exhausting and some of the changes may come as a surprise. It can also be a lot of fun for mother and family. Here’s what to expect and some of our tips on adding a bit of fun to your last days before baby.
Your baby is developing more each day to prepare for surviving outside of your belly and is relying on you to help with healthy growth. Therefore, you will be noticing some pretty dramatic changes, accompanied by side effects of the increased hormones that are being produced to help you prepare for the big day. Some of these physical changes may include:
There will be a lot happening to your body from 32 weeks pregnant and beyond! Even if this is not your first baby you will be experiencing many symptoms for the first time. If any of your symptoms are troubling or overwhelming, make sure to speak with your doctor or midwife and to someone else who has been pregnant. Swapping notes and commiserating will provide a lot of relief right now.
This is also a very intense time and it is possible that you will have emotions and various mood swings that you aren’t expecting. It is very crucial to get support with the emotional side of things as well. Even if you think your feelings are just due to the increased hormones, find someone to talk to. If you are having fears or anxieties about the upcoming events make sure to speak to your doctor, midwife, partner, or to a friend.
There is no time like the present to get some of the important to-dos ticked off your list. Being prepared will help you and your partner enjoy what is about to come even more. As you reach 32 weeks pregnant, it is time to:
Your body and baby are gearing up for really big things! While it can be exciting, it can also be intense and it can be easy to get caught up in the changes happening to your body and distracted from the joy of what’s happening. Here are some things that you can do to enjoy 32 weeks pregnant and beyond and add some magic to these final days of your pregnancy.
For further reading:
Kindness + compassion for yourself in tough moments
The early days of parenthood: parent perspective
Are you interested in having the support of a doula during your labor or in the weeks following the birth of your baby? Visit our provider pages to find a doula in your area.