Tips for staying comfortable during the third trimester

Congratulations on entering the final trimester of your pregnancy! You are all set to welcome your little bundle of joy in just a few months. However, managing discomfort in the third trimester can become quite overwhelming and tiring. That is why, we are here to discuss all about the final trimester and various essential tips that can help you stay comfortable during the third trimester.

What is the Third Trimester?

Pregnancy is divided into three phases, or trimesters, of three months each. The third trimester lasts from weeks 29 to 40, or, when calculated in months, from months 7 to 9. During this trimester, your baby keeps growing, and developing and may shift position in preparation for delivery, with the head usually pointing downwards.

The third trimester is the final and most challenging phase of pregnancy. During this trimester, your body experiences various changes and pregnancy discomfort to accommodate your growing baby. Some common pregnancy discomfort during this time includes abdominal aches, backaches and fatigue.

The Third Trimester of Pregnancy: What Can You Expect?

Here are some of the most common things women experience during the third trimester:

• Shortness of breath during pregnancy

Shortness of breath during pregnancy is a common issue women face during the third trimester as an increase in the size of the womb can make it hard for the lungs to expand and make one feel short of breath.

• Frequent urination in the third trimester

As soon as you enter the last phase of your pregnancy, you might feel you need to pee more often because your baby starts to move down in your pelvis area and also puts pressure on your bladder. Frequent urination in the third trimester is a common issue faced by many women.

• Swollen feet and ankles during pregnancy

Due to weight gain and rapid hormonal changes, you might experience swollen feet and ankles during pregnancy.

Tips For Staying Comfortable During the Third Trimester

Follow these tips below to feel comfortable and relaxed during your last trimester. With the help of this, you can take better care of yourself and your baby and prepare for a healthy and smooth pregnancy.

1. Rest as much as you can

Resting during pregnancy is very important as it can help you develop a healthy routine and make you more prepared for newborn duties. However, some women have trouble getting comfortable sleeping in the last few months of pregnancy.

To make resting during pregnancy a priority, try to create a consistent pregnancy sleep routine, and do relaxing activities like reading books, listening to music, or having a warm bath to prepare yourself for quality sleep. You can also try using a pregnancy pillow that provides additional support for your growing belly and alleviates discomfort during your pregnancy sleep routine.

2. Do physical exercise

Physical exercise during pregnancy helps to keep you relaxed, and stress-free, and improves your strength and balance. Try to do low-key physical exercise during pregnancy and pregnancy yoga to prepare your strength and body for childbirth. Walking is one of the gentle activities you can do to help maintain your overall health. Every pregnancy journey is different and that is why it is important to consult your doctor before doing any physical activity, exercises, or yoga.

3. Maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy

A healthy diet during pregnancy leads to a healthy pregnancy journey. During pregnancy, you should be very careful about what you eat because whatever you consume affects your and your baby’s health.

Following a healthy diet during pregnancy comes with lots of benefits, such as fewer complications, increased energy, improved sleep, and a reduced risk of infection. Eating well-balanced foods like whole grains, green leafy vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins is very beneficial for you. You should also avoid the consumption of sugary or processed foods.

4. Choose comfortable clothing

During pregnancy, you experience several changes in your body, and you might feel uncomfortable wearing your regular clothes. Therefore, try to invest in good maternity clothes, ones that are made from soft and breathable materials. Maternity clothing is specially designed to have ample space for your growing belly, and they are also available with elastic panels so they can be adjusted as per your comfort.

5. Practice good posture during pregnancy

Good posture during pregnancy involves keeping your back straight and avoiding slouching. This helps to reduce strain on your back muscles and can alleviate back pain, which is a common complaint during pregnancy due to the added weight of the baby and changes in your centre of gravity.

To maintain good posture during pregnancy, it’s important to keep your shoulders back and down, engage your abdominal muscles to support your lower back and avoid crossing your legs or ankles, which can strain your hips and lower back. Remember to take frequent breaks from sitting or standing in one position for long periods.

6. Consider prenatal massage

Since pregnancy can be a stressful time, both physically and emotionally, massage therapy can help reduce stress hormones such as cortisol and promote the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.

Prenatal massage can also help alleviate muscle tension and reduce pain in areas such as the back, hips, and legs, which can be common sources of discomfort during pregnancy. Getting a massage can also help increase blood flow to the muscles and reduce inflammation. 

7. Staying hydrated during pregnancy

During pregnancy, drinking at least 8 to 12 glasses of water every day is recommended. Water is very essential for staying healthy and for the smooth functioning of your body.

Especially during the summer, try to stay hydrated, as it reduces the risk of urinary tract infections, and preterm labour and birth.

You can also have fruits and vegetable juices as per your preference to increase your water intake. Dehydration in pregnancy can lead to serious complications such as low amniotic fluid, swelling, and the development of kidney stones.

CONCLUSION

The third trimester of pregnancy can be a challenging period for many moms-to-be. But there are various things you can do to manage your discomfort in the third trimester. In this article, we discussed many tips such as getting a prenatal massage, eating a well-balanced diet, and staying active, so you can take good care of yourself and your developing baby. Get support from your gynaecologist if you are facing any pregnancy complications.

Expecting a little bundle of joy? Get help from the experts at Pregahealth in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore.