Third Trimester

You - Month 9

Prenatal Care Appointment

During your ninth month, your doctor will increase your prenatal appointments to weekly. She will check your weight, blood pressure, urine, fundal height, edema, and varicose veins. She will also check the fetal heartbeat, size, presentation (head or buttocks first?), position (facing the front or the back?), and descent. Sometime after the 38th week, your cervix will be examined for effacement and dilation. Your doctor will ask you to report on the frequency and duration of your Braxton Hicks contractions. You should also receive instructions from her as to when to call if you think you are in labor. If you do not receive these instructions, ask your doctor for them.

Physical Symptoms

This month, you will notice your baby is squirming and rolling more, and less kicking. Your Leukorrhea will become heavier and will contain more mucus. It may be streaked with blood or tinged brown or pink after intercourse or pelvic exam. In addition to the pregnancy discomforts you have been feeling the last couple of months, you may find that your buttocks and pelvic area aches, increased backache and heaviness, more difficulty sleeping, and more frequent and intense Braxton Hicks contractions (which may now be painful). The lower position of your baby will make it easier for you to breathe, but will cause you to urinate more frequently. You may feel very fatigued or you may find that you have extra energy or you may go from one extreme to the other easily. Your appetite may increase or diminish completely.

Emotional Symptoms

By months end, you will likely be feeling more excited, anxious, apprehensive and relieved that it is almost over. You may feel irritable, overly sensitive, restless, and impatient. All of these feelings are normal. Don't worry -- you won't be pregnant much longer!

Remember to pack your bag so that you will be ready to rush to the hospital when the time comes.