During the third trimester, fetuses develop rapidly and can survive outside the mother’s body if delivered before full term. Women experience discomfort due to weight gain and cramped space. Organs become fully mature and immunity is gained. Women attend regular prenatal appointments and should rest and stay hydrated.
During the third and final trimester of pregnancy, fetuses develop rapidly, reaching a state known as “extrauterine viability,” which means they can survive outside the mother’s body if they are delivered before full term is reached, as might be necessary in case of pregnancy complications . Fetal development progresses by leaps and bounds in the third trimester of pregnancy, and women often experience much more discomfort during this stage because the fetus gains weight rapidly and the environment in and around the uterus becomes quite cramped.
The third trimester officially begins in the 29th week of pregnancy. Initially, the baby will be very active, but as weight gain occurs, the baby will settle deeper in the pelvis and become more sluggish because there is limited room to move. As a result, a less active child isn’t necessarily a cause for concern right now. Women typically experience symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, heartburn, aches and Braxton Hicks contractions. The breasts will begin to produce colustrum and some women experience breast leakage. Urinary incontinence can also become a problem.
For the developing fetus, the third trimester of pregnancy marks the time when the organs become fully mature. Skeletal and sexual development will become complete during the last third of pregnancy and at 37 weeks the organs will be fully developed. The fetus’s eyes will open and become sensitive to light, and the brain, smooth during the first two trimesters, will begin to acquire the deep creases and wrinkles associated with a fully developed brain.
In the last month of pregnancy, weight gain occurs very rapidly as the fetus prepares for delivery. The fetus will also start gaining immunity through the placenta to reduce the risks of getting sick after delivery. If the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive, injections of immunoglobulin may be recommended. During the third trimester of pregnancy, women usually also attend regular prenatal appointments to monitor the development of the pregnancy and check for warning signs indicative of developing complications.
Every pregnancy is a little different, and women can experience different things during their third trimester. This period of pregnancy can be emotionally intense as women prepare for childbirth, especially if they are having their first children and attempting to adjust to the major life changes that accompany. There are medical options available for some of the discomforts experienced, such as heartburn, and women are generally encouraged to rest and stay hydrated while eating a balanced diet to provide nutrition for the developing fetus, as well as themselves.
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