Third trimester

Suddenly, you have a lot of decisions to make. If you have decided on a home birth, is it still advisable? Will you breastfeed or bottle-feed? Would you like to avoid an episiotomy? Under what conditions would you consider an induction? Does a natural, drug-free birth appeal to you? By the time you read up on all this, you may feel overwhelmed. No wonder you can’t seem to be able to work out what to pack in your hospital bag.

There are many factors that can alter your vision of the perfect birth. That’s why it is a good idea to look into birth plans. Discussing labour issues with your doctor or midwife can help you to end up with a more ideal birth. However, always remember that the ultimate safety of mother and child must outweigh any decisions made before labour.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, you may be concerned with a decrease in foetal activity. While this is usually normal, due to less room in the uterus, it’s a good idea to tell your doctor or midwife at once if you notice a sudden decrease in movement. Your doctor may evaluate your baby’s well-being through an external foetal monitor.

You may find that your weight gain slows at the end. Often, your weight may decrease before labour. Despite this, your baby still gains rapidly. By 37 weeks, your baby weighs six pounds and measures 17½ inches, head to toe.