All About the Third Trimester

Our guide to the exciting last third of pregnancy

BY Laurie Tarkan

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Rest up Feeling uncomfortable and going to the bathroom a lot at night can leave you tired. Use a body pillow when sleeping and limit your liquid and food intake after 6 p.m. To combat fatigue during the day, take a five-minute break every hour. Sit back, relax, do deep-breathing exercises or take a walk to rejuvenate yourself.

Stay sexy Sex and orgasms are generally safe unless you’re at risk for preterm labor, but intercourse may begin to be uncomfortable. Now’s a good time for you and your partner to experiment with alternate positions, such as lying on your sides.

Countdown To Delivery
Follow this timeline recommended by Rebecca Burpo, a certified nurse-midwife in Dallas, to prepare for the big day.
Week 30 Start shopping for items you’ll need in the hospital (nursing bras, nightgown, baby clothes, car seat) and at home (diapers, wipes, etc.).
Week 31 Attend childbirth classes. The sessions should end by week 36.
Week 32 Interview doulas or labor coaches—they book up quickly.
Week 33 Have your baby shower about two months before your due date so you’ll have time to shop for items you didn’t receive as gifts.
Week 34 Interview baby nurses or postpartum doulas; locate a lactation specialist in case you need one later. Research cord-blood-banking options.
Week 35 Meet with several pediatricians and choose one. Your baby will need to be checked immediately after birth.
Week 36 Pack your bag for the hospital (don’t forget your phone book). A baby is considered at term three weeks before your due date, so be prepared.
Week 37 If you plan to breastfeed, read up on techniques and gather resources to have at your fingertips when you come home. Join a local La Leche League group to meet the leader and other moms; you don’t want to be a stranger if you need to call them for help.
Week 38 Tour your hospital’s maternity floor. Decide which family members and friends may visit you at the hospital and at home in the first few days or weeks after you give birth. If you don’t, good intentions can overwhelm you: It’s easier to say “This is our plan” beforehand than to reject offers on the spot.
Week 39 Many women begin maternity leave weeks before their due date. If you plan to work up until the end, post an “If I go into labor tonight” memo at work.


Two Great Toners To Keep You Strong
1. Wall Plie: Stand facing a wall, feet slightly farther than hip-width apart, knees turned out and legs straight. Place your hands on the wall. Tilt your pelvis so your tailbone points down. Bend your knees, lowering your torso toward the floor. Straighten legs, pressing upward through your heels, and repeat. Do 1–2 sets of 10–12 repetitions, resting 1 minute between sets.

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