Your Body
What to expect
You have entered the third trimester of pregnancy.
You may start getting new symptoms, such as nosebleeds and indigestion. Your feet are likely to be swollen, your back is hurting and you get tired easily. Your baby’s kicking keeps you awake at night and worried during the day. It may feel that your baby is constantly restless and that can be annoying. It hasn't been easy.
Baby size
What to expect
Your baby is the size of a Large Eggplant/Aubergine (roughly 36 cms long and nearly 1 Kg in weight)
Your Baby
What to expect
Your baby’s heart is beating fast (140 beats per minute) but not nearly as fast as in weeks 9-10 (170 bpm). He/she is practising breathing and trying to settle into position for birth. Your baby is probably having dreams now and sticking his/her tongue out to make faces!
Taking care
Tips
- It is important that you have your 28 week antenatal appointment. Your doctor is likely to measure your blood pressure, test your urine for protein and discuss the results of any screening tests.
- Know about harmful infections in pregnancy and learn about the signs of labour.
- Find out your Rh status and get advice whether you need to take a vaccine-like injection.
- Use hot water bags and have bed rests if you suffer from sciatica pain - shooting pain, tingling or numbness that starts in your buttocks and goes down the back of your legs.
Ask your doctor
Questions
- I get exhausted very easily. Is that normal?
- How can I avoid harmful infections in pregnancy?
- Do I need a urine test for protein?
- What were the results of my screening test?
- What is my blood type? Do I need to take an injection for it?
Your to do list
Action points
- Have blood pressure measured.
- Have iron supplement and prenatal vitamins.
- Attend week 28 antenatal appointment.
- Find out which blood type.
- Wash hands regularly with soap and water.