3rd Trimester
Month 7
Body Shop: How You’ll Change
The constipation, heartburn and bloating you may have experienced all along could continue this month.
If you’re like many women, you may feel weary, bored and ready for all this to be over. Be sure to get plenty of rest to compensate for the hard work your body is doing.1
Mommy-Do List: Things to Do this Month
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Dehydration can actually cause contractions in the third trimester, so drink plenty of fluids to help prevent it.2
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It’s time to start childbirth preparation classes, preferably with your partner. In these sessions, you’ll learn more about what to expect during labor and birth.10
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Tour the labor and delivery areas of the hospital.
Nutrition Watch: Eating Right for Two
When it comes to describing food, "fast" and "healthy" don’t usually go together. Most convenience foods and colas taste good, but they’re full of preservatives and other stuff you should avoid while you’re pregnant. There are, however, fast foods that are actually good for you. Try some of these as light meals or snacks:
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Try a single serve fruit bowl that is packed in its own juice rather than in sugar syrup.
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One-ounce boxes of raisins provide fiber, iron and protein.
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Yogurt can provide you with 25 percent of your daily calcium requirement plus protein, fiber and other vitamins and minerals.
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Trail mix made with a handful of shredded wheat-type cereal, dried cherries and almonds makes an easy, nutritious snack.
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Opt for the salad bar in restaurants and grocery stores because they can offer a whole day’s serving of fruits and vegetables.
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Baby carrots, available in single serving bags, are full of vitamin A and fiber.
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String cheese like low-fat mozzarella sticks are full of calcium and contain some protein.
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A four-ounce serving of calcium-fortified orange juice provides half the daily requirement of vitamin C and about 15 percent of calcium.
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Single-serve boxes of whole grain cereal or packages of instant oatmeal are often fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
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Single-serve cottage cheese bowls are good sources of protein and calcium.7
3rd Trimester
Month 8
Body Shop: How You’ll Change
Strong, regular fetal activity is now the norm, and you may be able to feel a tiny heel or elbow against your abdomen. You may still have to deal with a lot of the discomforts of the last few months, with leg cramps and frequent urination becoming more of a challenge.
Understandably, you’re more eager than ever to come to the end of your pregnancy and begin your new life with your baby and you may be anxious about labor, delivery and the baby’s health. Hang in there – it’s almost time!1
Mommy-Do List: Things to Do this Month
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Do a home safety check and baby-proofing.
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Stock the medicine cabinet with baby essentials.
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Cook and freeze a bunch of meals for yourself for after the baby is born.
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Get the baby’s car seat ready and learn how to install it.
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Water could be an important part of your diet, but if you’re getting bored with the taste, try adding a splash of juice or a wedge of lemon or lime for a little extra flavor.
Nutrition Watch: Eating Right for Two
Protein is important throughout your pregnancy, but especially during the second and third trimesters when your baby is growing rapidly and your organs are getting bigger to accommodate her needs.
You should get about 70 grams of protein per day, which is about 25 grams more than you needed before pregnancy. As an example, two glasses of milk, a chicken breast and two cups of yogurt fill the bill. If you’re not a meat eater, you can get your protein from dairy, beans and soy products.2
3rd Trimester
Month 9
Body Shop: How You’ll Change
In this last month, the baby doesn’t have much room for moving around, but you may still feel an occasional kick. Since the baby is in a lower position, you may have to urinate more frequently. You may go from feeling extremely tired to having extra energy and vice versa.
A mixture of excitement, anxiety, apprehensiveness and relief is common. Give yourself a break and try to rest. After all, you’ve been waiting nine months!1
Mommy-Do List: Things to Do this Month
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Finalize your hospital arrangements.
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Make a list of important phone numbers and keep them close to the phone.
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Pack your bag for the hospital and plan how you’ll get there at different times of the day or night.
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Shop for the things you’ll need when you come home from the hospital such as food and diapers.
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Just because you’re reaching the end of your pregnancy doesn’t mean you should stop practicing the healthy habits you’ve formed.
Nutrition Watch: Eating Right for Two
If you’re a nonfat or low-fat milk drinker, there’s no need to switch to whole milk just because you're pregnant. The saturated fat in whole milk may not be good for your heart or your overall health.2
To get the calcium you may need during pregnancy, drink three eight ounce glasses of nonfat milk per day, or eat other calcium-rich foods such as yogurt, cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, almonds and dark leafy greens.2
Nursery