The third trimester of your pregnancy starts at 28 weeks and lasts until birth. You have entered the final phase of your pregnancy, during which your belly will grow rapidly and you will prepare yourself mentally and physically for the arrival of your baby.
What changes take place during the third trimester of your pregnancy? What can you expect and how can you best prepare for birth? You will find out in this article.
Find here your vitamins for the third trimester of your pregnancy.
What happens during the third trimester of pregnancy?
During the third trimester, the baby's energy is primarily used for further growth and development. The baby accumulates more body fat, the brain continues to develop, the lungs continue to mature, the baby practices moving, and develops an increasingly defined sleep-wake rhythm.
Your body also undergoes remarkable changes during the third trimester. Your belly will continue to grow as the baby gets bigger, which can lead to discomfort such as back pain and shortness of breath. Poor sleep also becomes increasingly common during this stage of pregnancy. You will need to use the toilet more often at night, which disrupts your sleep but also changes your hormones in preparation for birth. This hormonal change can make you feel more tired during the day and wake up at night, unable to fall back asleep.
What happens to your hormones during the third trimester of pregnancy?
During the third trimester, your hormones change to prepare your body for birth. This can cause symptoms such as poor sleep, hard belly, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, heartburn, etc.
The hormones that change during the third trimester of your pregnancy:
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Progesterone: Progesterone levels remain high during the third trimester and play an important role in maintaining the pregnancy and preventing premature contractions. High progesterone levels can cause the bowels and muscles to relax more, leading to bloating, constipation, and heartburn.
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Oestrogen: During the third trimester, oestrogen levels continue to rise, helping the uterus and breasts grow and develop in preparation for birth and breastfeeding. Oestrogen can intensify emotions, making you more sensitive during the third trimester.
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Oxytocin: Oxytocin, the wonderful 'cuddle hormone', increases during the third trimester and plays a role in stimulating uterine contractions during birth. It is therefore essential for birth. It is important that this hormone only increases towards the end of pregnancy. Too high oxytocin levels too early can cause premature contractions, which may lead to premature birth.
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Insulin and glucagon: During the third trimester, these hormones involved in regulating blood sugar levels can fluctuate. This can lead to gestational diabetes if your body is unable to produce enough insulin. Therefore, avoid excessive sugar spikes during the third trimester. You can do this by eating a healthy, varied diet and avoiding sugar.
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Cortisol: Cortisol levels may increase further during the third trimester in response to stress and anxiety. This can cause high blood pressure and potentially gestational hypertension.
What complications can occur during the third trimester of pregnancy?
Complications can occur during the third trimester, such as gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, cholestasis, back pain, pelvic pain, and hard belly. Your lifestyle and diet affect these complications. Therefore, it is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet throughout your entire pregnancy, including the final stage.
Make sure you get enough rest, continue to exercise sufficiently, and regularly spend time in nature and with your loved ones. Adequate sleep, low stress, a sporty mindset, and a healthy diet with good vitamins and minerals are important to support your pregnancy as best as possible and reduce the risk of complications.
Gestational hypertension - pre-eclampsia
Gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia involve high blood pressure during pregnancy. A healthy lifestyle with plenty of fruit and vegetables, plenty of water, and low sugar and salt intake affects your blood pressure during pregnancy.
Vitamins such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin C help maintain a healthy pregnancy. Therefore, ensure you have a healthy diet and the right pregnancy vitamins.
Gestational diabetes
Due to hormonal changes, you have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes. Vitamins such as vitamin D, magnesium, B vitamins, chromium, and omega-3 fatty acids help improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels. Avoiding sugar and taking the right pregnancy vitamins therefore reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Why are vitamins important during the third trimester of pregnancy?
Pregnancy vitamins are important for maintaining a healthy pregnancy and supporting the baby's development.
Vitamin D, for example, is essential for the development of the baby's strong bones and teeth, while also supporting blood pressure maintenance and reducing the risk of gestational diabetes.
Calcium is another important mineral that supports the baby's bones and teeth, while also helping to prevent pre-eclampsia and premature birth.
Folic acid is needed for the further development of the baby's nervous system, while iron and omega-3 fatty acids are important for the baby's continued growth and brain development, and can also help reduce anaemia.
Pregnancy vitamins that help with birth
Vitamins that help prepare you for birth and support a healthy, smooth delivery are:
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Vitamin K; reduces the risk of excessive blood loss after birth
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Magnesium; helps relax the muscles and also helps stimulate contractions during birth. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress before birth.
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Vitamin C; strengthens the immune system and promotes good mental and physical recovery after birth.
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Calcium; is important for muscle contraction, including the uterus. This helps with contractions during birth.
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Iron; supports the production of red blood cells, which is important for energy and provides a healthy foundation at the start of birth.
Would you like to prepare as best as possible for birth and support your body and baby as best as possible during the third trimester of pregnancy?
Wishing you a beautiful birth!
Find your pregnancy vitamins below.
