Surviving the Third Trimester | Pregnancy Tips
Disclaimer: Some of the following products were sent for the purpose of testing them out for review. These products are highlighted by the use of an asterisk (*) beside them. All review words and opinions are my own. All photos are copyright property of Me Becoming Mum.
The third trimester comes with it’s fair share of challenges as you reach the final stages of your pregnancy. Read on to find out my top tips from how to deal with nesting to some of my favourite products!
When is the third trimester?
The third trimester includes the 7th, 8th and 9th months of pregnancy, from week 28 to 40.
Your third trimester to-do list
Congratulations on making it to the third trimester! Now the real countdown begins. Here are a few things to add to you your third trimester to-do list.
N.B. Some of these I will go into more detail about below!
Monitor your baby's movements as they settle into a routine.
Always make sure you notify your midwife (or 24 hr triage team) if there is any change to the moments including reduced or lack of movements.
Make a birth plan.
Learn the signs and stages of labor.
Pack your hospital bag, for you and baby.
Organise transport to hospital for when the time comes.
Utilise your nesting instinct to get everything ready for baby.
Consider batch cooking and freezing meals as well as bulk buying household essentials.
What happens in the third trimester?
You may need growth scans
For some of us, especially those who have had previous miscarriage or are considered ‘high risk' you may be given extra scans to check the development of your baby. For me they were booked at 30 weeks, 33 weeks and 36 weeks.
You will need to decide when to take maternity leave
Whether you work in a coffee shop, retail store, office or are self-employed like me; taking a break after your baby is born is important. Here are a few things you should know:
You can take up to 52 weeks (1 year) maternity leave.
Legally you are required to take a minimum of 2 weeks maternity leave after your baby is born.
Maternity leave can start 11 weeks before your due date.
39 weeks of your maternity leave is paid. You may be entitled to SMP (statutory maternity pay) or MA (maternity allowance).
If you are self-employed you can still apply for MA. You can apply when you are 24 weeks pregnant.
To qualify for the higher rate of MA when self-employed you may be required to pay voluntary national insurance contributions (if you do not already pay them). Once your MA application has been submitted to the DWP, HMRC will generate you a bill.
You may choose to have a 4D bonding scan
4D scans can be done at any point in pregnancy but for the best results you should book it at the beginning of the third trimester between 27 weeks and 32 weeks pregnant.
I have actually written posts about Squidgy's 4D scan, Pickle's 4D scan and most recently our experience of Baby I Love You in Carlisle where we went for Munchkin's 4D scan. If you're unsure about booking one yourself, check out the posts, as they may just help you make a decision.
They can be quite expensive, but I am so glad we chose to have them; and I would highly recommend them!
You may want to book a maternity photoshoot
This time around for my maternity photos for Munchkin we got out my camera and tripod and did it ourselves… but if you would prefer, why not book in with a photographer? They can be quite expensive, but most offer packages and there is something quite nice about having someone else doing all the work!
We used a local Peterborough photographer for Pickle's maternity photoshoot, and chose a package deal with newborn photos too. Plus, of course, my brother took maternity photos for Squidgy.
You'll start nesting
One of the most obvious signs of your pregnancy coming toward the final days, is the crazy urge to nest and sort everything. It’s hard to explain (but when it happens you'll understand!)
To be fair, it's not a bad thing; after all baby's bring their own fair share of change without you panicking last minute trying to get clothes washed and a crib ready to bring them home to.
Some people like to celebrate their pregnancy with a baby shower
Baby showers have never really been for me, but sister-in-law insisted this time around. It doesn’t have to be a huge affair, I just had a quiet afternoon tea and it was lovely (you can read about it here!)
You'll get ready… Then you'll have your baby
This is the most exciting part! Don't forget to pack your hospital bag (check out my top tips for what to pack here); get the car seat, crib and other items ready to go (check out my newborn essentials list here) and then begins the true countdown.
Your third trimester shopping list
I’ve decided to do a quick summary of things you should ensure you have in the third trimester here. However, for a full list of newborn essentials you need to ensure you have at the ready, click here.
Somewhere for baby to sleep
I did mention buying or at least saving up for this in my post about surviving the second trimester. Now it's time to make a decision about which crib or Moses basket you wish to use, and getting it set up ready to go.
If needs be, make sure baby's bed is built and put in place in your room.
Don't forget to wash any sheets, blankets and other bed linen.
A car seat (and pushchair!)
When I wrote about surviving the second trimester, I previously mentioned this. However if you haven’t already, now it is imperative that you get these together. Without a car seat you will not be allowed home from hospital!
The all-in one maternity care kit
Nursing clothing and accessories
This is in preparation for after baby arrives, just as with essentials like car seats and cribs. If, like me, you've chosen to breastfeed; it’s important you have breastfeeding-friendly clothing at the ready. Some people choose to wear ‘normal’ clothes and layer them up. This allows for a one-up-one-down style (this style means you lift the top layer and lower the bottom layer to feed.) Sometimes it's easier to simply invest in breastfeeding tops and dresses.
Other things to consider buying include:
Items to continue good pregnancy skin care
Continue using your Secret Saviours belly band and creams
Invest in some products to help soothe itching and other skin ailments
That's not all though, Palmer's® can also help to reducing the raw redness and appearance of stretch marks with their tummy butter or massage cream and lotion. There is something for every mom-to-be at any stage of pregnancy within this lush smelling range.
Items for your hospital bag
I recommend packing two bags… one bag for you and one bag for baby! In your bag don't forget:
In your baby's bag you need to make sure you pack all the essentials. This includes:
You can check out my hosptial bag packing blog post for more in depth coverage of these ideas, and you can save and print my full checklist below to help you pack your own hospital bag.
Household essentials
Finally, things such as toilet roll and long-life food should he stocked up on ahead of baby's arrival. This will make your life a little easier once baby arrives, rather than panicking and having to send someone out to the shop for you.
With this guide to the third trimester (and the accompanying posts for newborn essentials and packing your hospital bag) you’re sure to be ready. Now all that is left to say is good luck, and enjoy the final weeks counting down to your new arrival.
For more blog posts about pregnancy, check out the category here. Do you have any other tips for surviving the first trimester? Let me know in the comments below.
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Check out when we popped down to Bassenthwaite with my camera to snap maternity photos as a family.