Pregnancy Third Trimester: Symptoms and Complications

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For most women, the third trimester is the most difficult and uncomfortable. Still, most women have normal pregnancies with no fear of serious complications. It’s important, though, tho understand the symptoms you should expect during your third trimester as well as complications you should look for.

Pregnancy Third Trimester Symptoms

• Continued breast growth. Your nipples may start leaking colostrum, which is a thick yellowish fluid that feeds your child before your milk comes in.
• Continued weight gain for a total of 25-35 pounds total by delivery during a healthy pregnancy.
• Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions are basically training before real labor starts. They should be rather weak and unpredictable.
• Bach ache. Your joints are relaxed thanks to pregnancy hormones, while your growing child is putting more pressure on your joints.
• Shortness of breath, as your uterus is expanding under your diaphragm. This feeling may lessen when the baby drops into your pelvis before labor.
• Heartburn, as your uterus is now pushing the stomach out of its regular position.
• Swelling in your feet, ankles and face, thanks to pressure on your veins and water retention.
• Frequent urination.
• Vaginal discharge, which may be thicker during the last couple of months than during your second trimester.
• Hemorrhoids, spider veins and varicose veins.

Pregnancy Third Trimester Complications

• Preeclampsia. During your third trimester your doctor may begin checking you for a potentially serious seizure disorder that’s related to your blood pressure during pregnancy. Your doctor will carefully watch your blood pressure and urine test results for signs of this pregnancy complication. Symptoms of this condition include headaches that don’t respond to Tylenol, pain in your upper abdomen and frequent vomiting.
• Fetal distress. While your child won’t have much room to move during your last months of pregnancy, it’s important that you feel the baby move every day. Your doctor may instruct you to record kick counts to check for decreased movement. This may be a sign of fetal distress, as your baby may not be growing properly or they don’t have enough amniotic fluid.
• Preterm labor. Preterm labor is a complication that means labor has started before 37 weeks into your pregnancy. It sometimes has no symptoms you notice, although possible signs include cramps, a pink or red vaginal discharge, pressure in your pelvis or true contractions that last at least 60 minutes.