5 Problems Women Go Through During 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy

As soon as you enter the 28th week of your pregnancy, you are officially in the third and last trimester.

In weeks 28 through 40, fetal development continues. The baby inside your womb will open his or her eyes and gain more weight. By the end of this trimester, the average baby will be 18 to 20 inches long and weigh about 7 pounds.Entering the third trimester also means the end of your pregnancy is near and soon you will be holding your baby in your arms!

But just as the first two trimesters have specific challenges, the third trimester does as well. The third trimester of pregnancy can be physically and emotionally challenging, and you may have to deal with lots of discomforts.

* Backache

Backaches are a common complaint among pregnant women, especially when they are in the third trimester.

The hormonal changes in the body that occur during pregnancy relax the connective tissue that holds your bones in place, especially in the pelvic area. These changes can take a toll on your back and lead to backaches during the third trimester.

* Swelling

Swelling in the body, especially in your face, ankles and legs, is common during the last trimester of pregnancy.

The body produces more blood volume during pregnancy. At the same time, the growing uterus puts pressure on the large veins that return blood to your heart. This in turn allows all the extra fluid to pool in your lower limbs, leading to swelling.

* Frequent Urination

During the third trimester of pregnancy, another common concern is increased urination. You may need to visit the bathroom more often than usual.Frequent urination happens as the growing baby’s head presses or rests on the bladder. Also, as the volume of blood in the body increases during pregnancy, it causes the kidneys to process extra fluid that ends up in your bladder.

* Insomnia

During the last trimester, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This usually happens because it’s difficult to get comfortable due to your growing belly. Also, frequent nighttime urination affects sleep quality. To sleep better, try to find the position that’s most comfortable for you to sleep in. You can also try a variety of body pillows to make you feel comfortable.

* Braxton Hicks Contractions

As your pregnancy progresses in the third trimester, you may start feeling mild contractions, known as Braxton Hicks contractions. It’s nothing to worry about. These mild contractions are warm-ups to prepare your uterus for the real labor to come.These mild contractions are not as intense as real labor contractions. They are irregular and infrequent and usually last about 15 to 30 seconds. They go away when you change positions.