Pregnancy - The Third Trimester

 Posted by Chantel Martiromo,  Article By Kyle J. Norton 

Pregnancy is defined as the carrying of one or more offspring, known as fetus or embryo, inside the endometrial lining of a woman. It in generally, can be divided into three trimester periods to prescribe the different Posted by Chantel Martiromo,  Article By Kyle J. Norton stages of prenatal development.

C. Third trimester: (Week 29 -40)
This is a final stage of pregnancy. You may already prepare all the necessities for the coming of the baby. You may feel that your belly has interference with some daily activities, such as picking up thing from the ground, when you want stand up after sitting, heart burn, etc., and that is very normal in this stage of pregnancy.
The Journey of your baby
1. Week 29 -32
a. You baby bones are fully developed
b. Wiggly more often
c. Baby now can store his/her own mineral such iron, magnesium, calcium, etc.
d. You baby eyes are open
e. Testicles are moving through the groin on their way into the scrotum if you baby is a boy, otherwise, her clitoris is now relatively prominent.
f. Your baby eyes can response to light.
g. You may have gain another 3-4 pounds
h. At 32 weeks, Your baby now is approximately 16 inches long at 40 cm in length and weight closed to 4 pounds.
i. Etc.

2. Week 33 to 36
a. The white coating that protects your baby skin is now thicker.
b. Fetal kick counts now become important, if you fell that the count is decreasing, you should check with your doctor
c. The lung and brain are finally developed and functioning.
d. At 36 weeks, your baby now weight about 4 pounds 12 ounces and approximately 45 cm or 17.8 inches in length.
e. Etc.

3. Week 36 -40
a. Your baby is gaining weight rapidly
b. Your baby is practicing breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid.
c. You baby might even get hiccups
d. The baby organs now are ready to function on their own
e. Brain and Nervous system are working better every day
f. If it is a boy, the testes start to descend into the scrotum, otherwise, the labia majora is well developed.
g. At 40 weeks, your baby now weighs about 7 and 1/2 pounds and approximately 20 inches (50 cm) in length.
h. Your are now ready labor and delivery, your baby is ready to signal his/her desire to come out into the world.

Symptoms
Some women may experience the continued symptoms of the first and second trimester, it is normal. The majority of women may experience additional symptoms including
1. Joint Swelling
As the uterus has expanded significantly, it put pressure into the veins bringing blood to your feet, causing joint swelling.

2. Puffiness
Due to fluid accumulation in your body.

3. Continuing Symptoms
a. Growing belly
in the third trimester the growth and expansion of your uterus (to accommodate your growing baby) is the fastest compared to other trimesters. Yor belly start to expand to accommodate with the growth of your baby. Weight gain about 4 pounds is normal to maintain the health of your baby weight support and of yourself.

b. Darkening skin
As a result of hormone change, occurs in 90 percent of all pregnant women, leading skin darkening.

c. Belly stretch marks
It completely normal due to the expansion of your uterus to support the growth of your baby, as the result of your skin is pushed beyond its ability to stretch, resulting in tiny tears. When these tears heal, they are replaced with scar tissue.

d. Respiratory tract Congestion
In the this trimester, the respiratory tract lining receives more blood due to certain hormones that stimulate the blood flow in the body, leading to congestion, causing nosebleeds and sensitive or bleeding gums.

e. Back pain
It is very natural that you body started to prepare for the arrive of your body by softening and loosening the joints between your pelvic.

f. Pain in the lower abdomen
As a result of the stretching of ligaments and muscles around to cope with expansion of uterus and it is normal.

g. Braxton Hicks Contractions
Braxton Hicks are the “practice run” for your uterus to prepare itself for a healthy delivery. It is normally painless which you might feel them in your lower abdomen or groin

h. Vaginal Discharge
It is a natural reaction of your body as it tries to prevent bacteria invasion that may harm your baby. If the discharge changes color or causes itching or irritation, it can be infection.

i. Breathlessness
As the lung needs to breath harder to provide more oxygen for you and your baby.

j. Bladder and Kidney Problems
It is very common in the stage, as the expansion of the uterus may interfere with the passage of your urine. Any increased urination, a burning sensation might be a sign of infection.

k. Colostrum Leaking
It is a very common symptoms in the second trimester, as your body is preparing itself to breast feed your baby.

l. Heartburn and constipation
As the result of slower metabolism of your digestive system to allow your blood to absorb nutrients for the baby, causing heartburn and constipation.

m. Legs Cramps
Cramps in the lower leg muscles are fairly common in the second and third trimesters, as result of the expanding uterus put pressure on the veins returning blood from the legs.

n. Libido
In this trimester, some women may experiences an increase sex drive due to increased levels of blood and fluids in the pelvic area due to hormonal change.

o. Even Bigger Breasts
The bigger breast at this stage is very normal as the milk is continued expansion to make sure your breast is ready for feeding your baby when the is born. Some women at this stage, may still experience breast tenderness and it is quite normal.

p. Dizziness
At this stage, more oxygen and nutrients are needed to feed the growth of the baby as your blood vessels dilated to accomplish for this change.

q. Urination
As the growth of uterus continued putting even more pressure onto the bladder, even though it is growing more outward, instead inward in the first trimester, some women still experience urinary frequently, while most of them are feeling more relieve.

r. Etc.

What you must aware of
1. Preterm Labor
Preterm labor refers to the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestational age. If you are experience four or more uterine contractions in one hour, a watery discharge from the vagina, etc., you should go to emergency room of the hospital immediately, as it may be a result of preterm labor or an indication of infection.

2. Premature birth
Premature labor refers to the birth of a baby before the developing organs are mature enough to allow normal postnatal survival. If you are experience premature uterine contraction, you may be given some types of stopping labor medicine, depending to the situation. Infant born less than 37 weeks old may have immature lung organ and is are at greater risk for short and long term complications.

2. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
Some women may be experience pregnancy induced hypertension, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center states, the symptoms may be caused by abnormalities of the placenta, and it can lead to fetal growth retardation, prematurity and dangerous complications such as seizures and liver failure. If you are experience with the symptom, please work closely with your doctor to monitor the situation to prevent any complication that may danger to you and the baby.

3. Placenta Previa
During the later stage of pregnancy, 1 in 200 women may experience placenta previa cause of vaginal bleeding due to complication in which the placenta is attached to the uterine wall close to or covering the cervix. If you are noticed heavy bleeding, please go emergency room immediately. In some cases, it may be danger to your baby.

4. Abnormal Fetal Presentation
Fetal presentation means the part of your baby that is "presenting" at the cervix. Under normal condition, it is head first, but for what ever reason, the baby presentation is abnormal, your obstetricians may suggest trying a version to change the baby's position through gentle abdominal manipulation. Others decide choose for a cesarean delivery, depending to the situation.

Diet for third trimester
The second and third trimester is the fastest growth stage of the baby. Focusing in providing vary nutrition with a balancing diet is important for you and your baby. The American Pregnancy Association recommends alterations to your diet, including
1. Protein
Protein in your foods positively affects the growth of fetal tissue, including the brain. It also helps your breast and uterine tissue to grow during pregnancy,
a. 75 to 100 grams of protein per day as it can be divided into 2-3 servings of meat (1 serving = approximately 3 ounces/ size of a deck of cards) from chicken lean beef, lamb, pork, nut and tofu (1 serving = approximately ⅓ cup), etc.
b. 2-3 servings of legumes (1 serving = approximately ½ cup) such as red and white kidney beans,black beans, navy beans etc..

2. Calcium
Daily requirement of calcium is around 1000 milligrams during pregnancy. Calcium helps your body regulate fluids, and it helps build your baby’s bones and tooth buds, such as milk (1 serving = 1 cup), eggs (1 serving = 1 large egg), yogurt (1 serving = 1cup),pasteurized cheese (1 serving = approximately 1.5 ounces/ or 4 playing dice stacked together), tofu (1 serving = ½ cup), etc.

3. Iron
In combination with sodium, potassium, and water, iron helps increase your blood volume and prevent anemia. A daily intake of 27 milligrams is ideal during pregnancy.
a. 2-3 servings of green leafy vegetables (1 serving = approximately 1 cup)such as collard turnip, spinach, lettuce, etc.
b. 3 servings of whole grains (1 serving = approximately. ½ cup or one slice), such as bread, cornmeal, cereal, oatmeal, etc.

4. Folate/Folic Acid
Folic acid plays a key role in reducing the risk of neural tube defects, including spina bifida. Experts recommend 600 to 800 micrograms (.6 to .8 milligrams) daily.
a. 2 servings of dark green leafy vegetables (1 serving = approximately 1 cup), such as collard, turnip, spinach, lettuce. etc.
b. 2-3 servings of fruit (1 serving = approximately ½ cup), such as orange, strawberry, lemon, mango, tomato, etc.

5. Vitamin C
Fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C will help with wound healing, tooth and bone development, and promotes metabolic processes. Experts recommend at least 85 milligrams per day. 3 servings of fruit or vegetables (1 serving = approximately ½ cup), such as orange, strawberry, lemon, mango, tomato, etc. (Source)

6. Etc.

Herbs to protect your baby and enhance the baby growth in second and third trimester
Please do not use these herbs until you have consult with your herbal medicine practitioner
1. Chamomile flowers
Chamomile flowers, the dried flower heads of the herb Matricaria recutita is effectively used in herbal medicine to get rid of nauseating feeling, a common symptoms during pregnancy, as well as inducing sleep.

2. Yellow dock
Yellow Dock has been used extensively as herb to cleanse or purify the blood, thus preventing jaundice in newly born baby. Since it contains high amount of vitamin C and iron, it ensures the pregnant women and baby getting enough oxygen for a healthy pregnancy.

3. Ginger root
In a study of Complementary therapies for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, researcher concluded that nausea and vomiting are uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms encountered in early pregnancy. Many of the more conventional remedies offer only partial to negligible relief. Some pregnant women also express skepticism regarding the safety of the more traditionally prescribed pharmacological agents used to combat morning sickness. Vitamin B6, ginger root and acupressure are three complementary modalities that may help alleviate these self-limiting discomforts. Ginger is admired world wide for its anti-inflammatory and anti- bacterial properties. Thus, it works amazingly on morning sickness.

4. Echinacea
Echinacea, a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae has been used traditionally to treat or prevent colds, flu, and other infections by enhancing the immune system. In a study of pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to echinacea: a prospective controlled study by Gallo M, Sarkar M, Au W, Pietrzak K, Comas B, Smith M, Jaeger TV, Einarson A, Koren G. researchers found that gestational use of echinacea during organogenesis is not associated with an increased risk for major malformations.

5. Red Raspberry leaf
Red Raspberry leaf has been used in herbal medicine as herbal tonic for pregnancy by tonifying the uterus, preventing miscarriage and decreasing constipation due to containing many minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C, calcium and an alkaloid uterus tonifier called fragrine.

6. Nettles
Nettles are species of flowering plants of the genus Urtica in the family Urticaceae contained Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur of which are necessary for providing nutrients a healthy mother and her baby. The herb has been used in herbal medicine to stop excessive bleeding (vitamin K), prevent hemorrhoids, ease leg cramps and other spasms, nourish and protect the mother and unborn.

7. Etc.


Chinese herbs to protect your baby and enhance the baby growth in second and third trimester
Dang Gui Shao Yao San is one the recommended formula because it is extensively used in China and Japan and has been monitored in many large-scale clinical trials with pregnant women. The formula was first recommended for use during pregnancy in the Jin Gui Yao Lue, and has been used regularly for the past 1,800 years. In animal studies researchers found that Dang Gui Shao Yao San showed no teratogenic effects (tendency to cause birth defects). The formula has been used to treat female infertility, morning sickness, anemia during pregnancy, and to prevent miscarriage and approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health. The formula used to avoid miscarriage or to treat a variety of pregnancy disorders, but it is also employed as a blood tonic and treatment for mental distress associated with blood deficiency. It includes peony, Chinese angelica root, cnidium, atractylodes, hoelen and alisma.
Please note that, according to the traditional Chinese medicine, fulfill detention is caused by spleen deficiency, eating warm but not hot foods not only can benefit the spleen but also other organs in promoting healthy delivery.

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