Third Trimester

The third trimester begins at 28 weeks and continues until delivery. During these final weeks, your baby continues to grow and mature while prenatal visits become more frequent and attention increasingly turns toward fetal movement, preparing for labor and delivery, and getting ready to bring your baby home.

What to Expect During the Third Trimester

Prepare For Your Prenatal Visits

Common Third Trimester Changes & Concerns

As your baby grows, you may notice increasing pelvic pressure, back or hip discomfort, Braxton Hicks contractions, heartburn, difficulty sleeping, swelling, shortness of breath, and more frequent urination. Many of these changes are a normal part of late pregnancy, although please let us know if symptoms are severe, persistent, or concerning.

Feeling Your Baby Move

By the third trimester, your baby's movements are usually stronger and more predictable. Pay attention to your baby's usual pattern of movement, since every baby is a little different.

As your baby grows and has less room, the type of movement may change, but you should continue to feel regular movement throughout the third trimester. If you notice a significant decrease or change from your baby's usual movement, please contact us promptly rather than waiting for your next appointment.

Braxton Hicks or Labor?

Braxton Hicks contractions are common in the third trimester. They are usually irregular, do not become progressively stronger or closer together, and may improve with hydration, rest, or a change in activity.

Labor contractions tend to develop a more regular pattern and become progressively stronger, longer, and closer together. If you're having regular painful contractions, think your water may have broken, have vaginal bleeding, or aren't sure whether you may be in labor, please call us for guidance.

Back, Hip & Sciatic Pain

Back, hip, pelvic, and sciatic pain are common as pregnancy progresses. Changes in posture, the growing uterus, and increased mobility of the pelvic joints can all contribute to discomfort.

Gentle stretching, regular movement, heat, supportive footwear, and a pregnancy support belt may help. Acetaminophen can also be used when needed.

If your pain is persistent or interfering with your usual activities, physical therapy or pelvic floor physical therapy can be very helpful during pregnancy. Please let us know if you would like a referral.

Understanding Baby's Position

Babies frequently change positions throughout pregnancy, and it is common for a baby to be breech earlier in the third trimester. We generally don't become concerned about your baby's position until around 36 weeks, when we will check to see whether your baby is head-down.

Even at 36 weeks, some breech babies will still turn on their own. If your baby remains breech as you approach delivery, we'll talk about your options. One option may be an external cephalic version (ECV), a procedure that attempts to turn the baby into a head-down position. If desired and appropriate, this is typically performed around 37–38 weeks.

Preparing for Birth

As your due date approaches, it can be helpful to think about your preferences for labor and birth and learn what to expect when labor begins. Birth plans can help you consider your preferences, although labor and delivery sometimes require flexibility based on the needs of you and your baby.

Preparing For Your Newborn

The third trimester is also a good time to prepare for your baby's care after delivery. You may want to learn about feeding your baby, routine newborn medications and screening, circumcision if applicable, and safe transportation home from the hospital.

When Should I Call?

Most changes and discomforts in late pregnancy are normal, but some symptoms should prompt a call to our office. Please call our office for:

Painful contractions about 5-7 minutes apart for 1–2 hours
Any concern that your water may have broken
Vaginal bleeding. A small amount of spotting can be normal after a cervical exam or intercourse, but please call if you are concerned.
Decreased fetal movement or if your baby is not moving like usual
Elevated blood pressure or a persistent headache that does not improve with Tylenol
Any other symptoms that feel concerning or unusual to you

How to Reach Us

Please call our office at 704-973-2106 with any of the concerns above. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For urgent pregnancy concerns, please call rather than sending a MyChart message.

If you think you may be in labor, please call us for guidance. Labor contractions typically become progressively stronger, longer, and closer together and do not resolve with rest, hydration, or a change in activity. You should also call if you think your water has broken, even if you are not having contractions. If it is not an emergency and you have time, please call us before going to the hospital so we can help determine the appropriate next steps.