Hey Mama!

You’re in your THIRD TRIMESTER! Do you know what that means? You’re officially on the HOME STRETCH! You’ve done so well getting through the ups and downs of the last two trimesters – what a roller coaster pregnancy is!

Things get a little interesting between now and your baby’s arrival – your baby is in serious growth mode! You should be in awe of yourself and your amazing body – because what you are doing each day is incredible… but that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to complain or talk about the hard stuff. All of your feelings are valid, Mama! This is a safe space to talk about it all.

Let’s chat about some of the common ‘complaints’ that Mamas often have in their third trimester (and perhaps share a few tips and remedies along the way!)

Heartburn/Acid Reflux –urgh, this can be SO uncomfortable, but very common sadly. You might struggle with that burning feeling in your chest ‘heartburn’ – thankfully nothing to do with your actual heart! Or, you might notice a burning feeling in your throat after eating certain foods/if you lie down after eating. A few things you can try to do:
– Eat smaller meals more frequently – and take your time!
– Identify your trigger foods and minimise these – for some it could be caffeine, others it may be fatty or spicy food or even fizzy drinks!
– Try drinking milk – some Mamas find this helps
– Avoid lying down right after a meal, and when you do go to rest, elevate your upper body.
– If you’re really struggling, chat to your healthcare provider about safe OTC and prescription medications for minimising symptoms.

Frequent Urination – your baby is growing rapidly in the third trimester, and unfortunately for you, this means even more pressure on your bladder… and needing to pee a whole lot more! You could try drinking less right before bedtime if you’re finding that your sleep is being disturbed by this.

Aches and pains – You’re growing a whole new human being, Mama… and that human being is getting bigger every day. So, naturally, you’re dealing with a few more aches and pains. You might be dealing with rib pain, back ache or even sciatica. The best thing you can do is take it easy and rest as much as needed. You may find heat packs or a warm shower helps. If you’re struggling, it could be worth chatting to your healthcare provider or physiotherapist about how to help.

Braxton Hicks – These are known as false labour and are a common occurrence in the second and third trimesters. Braxton Hicks are our body’s way of practicing for labour contractions. During Braxton Hicks, you’ll feel a tightening across your abdomen – but it shouldn’t be painful. Braxton Hicks are also sporadic – not regular. You may find you get some relief if you stay hydrated and get some rest. Some Mamas find deep breathing helps. If you are experiencing regular contractions prior to 37 weeks, or at any gestation if you have a high risk pregnancy, then it’s important that you get in touch with your provider as soon as possible.

Haemorrhoids – increased blood flow and an ever-heavier bub mean your rectal veins are under more pressure than ever before! The best things you can do to prevent and relieve haemorrhoids are staying hydrated and avoiding constipation and straining. Ask your Dr or Midwife for their recommendations for safe medications too, if needed.

Shortness of breath – this is quite common in the final weeks and months of your pregnancy. This happens because your uterus has expanded so much to accommodate your growing baby that it may be making all your organs (including your lungs!) feel a bit crowded. If this is sudden, persistent or accompanied by any other symptoms (such as pain, cough, heart palpitations or fever), then it needs to be checked out by your medical provider right away.

Spider/Varicose Veins – these can catch Mamas by surprise, but they do happen to many of us! Just like haemorrhoids, these can occur due to increased blood volume and pressure from your growing baby. Varicose veins can feel itchy, painful and uncomfortable and are most commonly found on the legs. The great news is, Varicose veins do often lessen in appearance after giving birth. In the meantime, they can be helped somewhat by gentle exercise, leg elevation and avoiding tight clothing.

Stretch Marks – some mamas get them, some don’t! This often comes down to your skin type, but may also be influenced by hormonal changes that can make your skin more susceptible to stretch marks. They commonly appear on the tummy, bottom, hips, thighs and breasts and are not painful. There’s no 100% proven way to prevent them – but many Mamas choose to embrace them as their tigress stripes. They should fade somewhat with time after birth.

Intense movements – feeling your baby move is incredible… but when they’re waking you at 3am every day, it’s not so fun. If you notice any changes to your baby’s movements – including an increase, decrease or change in the way they move, it’s important to mention this to your provider or hospital right away so that they can check you over and monitor baby if needed.