The third trimester, spanning from week 28 until the baby’s arrival, is a period of intense anticipation and preparation. The focus shifts from the baby’s major developmental milestones to ensuring the mother and environment are ready for childbirth and the immediate postpartum experience. This phase involves comprehensive tasks, including medical checkups, physical arrangements, administrative planning, and mental readiness for the profound life change ahead.
Final Medical Checkpoints and Health Monitoring
The frequency of prenatal appointments increases significantly during this final trimester to closely monitor the health of both the mother and the developing baby. Visits usually occur every two weeks from week 28 onward, transitioning to a weekly schedule beginning around week 36 until delivery. These frequent checkups allow healthcare providers to track the mother’s blood pressure and weight, measure the baby’s growth by assessing fundal height, and confirm the baby’s position within the uterus.
One specific late-stage screening is the Group B Streptococcus (GBS) test, recommended between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation. This test involves a simple swab of the lower vagina and rectum to check for the presence of GBS bacteria. While usually harmless to adults, GBS can cause serious infection in newborns. If the result is positive, antibiotics will be administered intravenously during labor to significantly reduce the risk of transmission to the baby.
Beyond scheduled appointments, monitoring for signs of complications such as preeclampsia is important, as this high blood pressure disorder most commonly develops in the final weeks. Symptoms to report immediately include persistent severe headaches, changes in vision (like blurring or flashing lights), sudden swelling in the face or hands, and pain in the upper right abdomen. Tracking fetal movement patterns, often called “kick counts,” is another method of daily health monitoring; a sudden decrease in movement should prompt immediate contact with a healthcare provider.
Preparing the Home and Essential Supplies
The third trimester is the time to ensure the home is fully equipped and safe for a newborn. Setting up the nursery involves assembling the crib, ensuring it meets current safety standards, placing the mattress firmly, and making sure no loose blankets or soft toys are inside the sleep space. Organizing essential supplies means having a sufficient stock of diapers, wipes, and appropriate clothing in newborn and three-month sizes ready for immediate use.
One safety-focused task is the proper installation of the infant car seat. The car seat must be installed in the vehicle’s back seat, preferably in the center position, and should be rear-facing for as long as possible. Seeking a check from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) is highly recommended to confirm the seat is installed correctly and does not move more than one inch at the base. This inspection should be completed about a month before the due date to account for potential early arrival.
The hospital bag should be packed and placed near the door by approximately 36 weeks of pregnancy, ensuring readiness for an unexpected onset of labor. This bag should contain items for the mother (comfortable clothing, toiletries, and slippers) and necessary items for the baby (an outfit for the trip home and a blanket). It is also helpful to include snacks, entertainment, and a change of clothes for the partner, as labor can be lengthy.
Administrative Tasks and Postpartum Support Planning
Administrative preparations focus on securing support systems and finalizing documentation necessary for the baby’s arrival. A primary task involves communicating with the employer’s human resources department to finalize maternity or paternity leave paperwork. Understanding the specifics of paid time off, short-term disability, and bonding leave is important for financial planning during the recovery period.
Selecting a pediatrician involves researching local practices and scheduling a preliminary “meet-and-greet” visit to ensure comfort with the provider before the baby’s birth. This ensures a healthcare provider is ready to see the baby within the first few days of life. Simultaneously, confirming insurance coverage details and completing required hospital pre-registration forms streamlines the admission process once labor begins.
Organizing a robust support network significantly aids the postpartum period. This may involve setting up a meal train with friends and family for nutritious food, or arranging help for older children or pets during the hospital stay and initial weeks at home. Compiling a contact list for birth announcements allows for quick communication of the baby’s arrival without searching for contacts in the moment.
Physical and Mental Preparation for Labor
Preparing the body and mind for childbirth involves specific practices aimed at promoting smoother labor and recovery. Developing a birth plan communicates preferences for pain management, labor positions, and interventions to the healthcare team, though flexibility is often required. Attending final childbirth education classes helps reinforce coping mechanisms and provides practical information about the stages of labor.
Physical preparation can include techniques such as perineal massage, recommended to begin around 34 weeks of pregnancy. This practice, performed with lubricated fingers for five to ten minutes daily, helps increase the flexibility of the tissue between the vagina and anus. Research suggests that regular perineal massage can reduce the likelihood of severe tearing during a first vaginal birth.
Managing common physical discomforts of the third trimester is also part of this preparation, including swelling in the ankles and feet, heartburn, and difficulty sleeping. Incorporating relaxation techniques, such as deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises, helps manage stress and provides a useful tool to employ during contractions. This dedicated focus on physical conditioning and mental readiness aims to build confidence for the impending childbirth experience.