Common Concerns in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wonderful journey—it is truly amazing how microscopic cells can grow and multiple to create a new human being in just 40 weeks. But that doesn’t mean that the end of pregnancy is comfortable, or that an expectant mother, especially a woman expecting her first child, may not have concerns about what is happening with her body, the health of her baby, and the upcoming delivery. Some of the most common questions and issue are related to:

Heartburn may sound like something minor to a person who is not experiencing it, but some pregnant women experience truly horrible heartburn in the third trimester that antacids can barely curb. This is typically related to the growing uterus displacing the stomach and leaving it higher than normal in the abdominal cavity, which makes it easier for stomach acid to reach the esophagus. For extreme cases of heartburn during the thirds trimester, liquid antacids may supply some relief since they coat the throat; luckily, the vast majority of heartburn subsides after delivery.

Many women in their third trimester have difficulty sleeping. This is usually caused by movement of the baby waking a mother up, weight on a woman’s bladder that results in a more frequent need to urinate, and the inability to find a sleeping position that is comfortable. Women in their third trimester should not sleep on their backs, as this position can cut off blood flow to both the fetus and the uterus. Doctors typically recommend that women in the advanced stages of pregnancy sleep on their left side in order to improve blood flow to both themselves and their baby; a full length pregnancy pillow can be very helpful for a woman in her third trimester who needs help getting comfortable so she can get the rest that she and the baby needs.

It is not uncommon for women to begin experiencing contractions in their third trimester. In most cases, these are false contractions that are called Braxton-Hicks contractions. It is thought that Braxton-Hicks contractions do not play a role in dilating the cervix, but there is the possibility that they help soften the cervix and help a woman’s body get ready for labor. It can be difficult for a woman, especially first time mothers, to differentiate between Braxton-Hicks contractions and real labor, so it is always a good idea for a pregnant woman in her third trimester to consult her OB/GYN if she experiences any type of contractions.

Many women wonder if it is safe to continue working up until their due date, and in most cases the answer is yes. Women who work with or around toxic chemical or materials may not be able to work up until their due date, but in the vast majority of pregnancies babies are born perfectly healthy to mothers who worked until their baby was born. Many women choose to work as long as possible while pregnant in order to take the longest maternity leave they can afford.

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