Third trimester how many weeks

We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider. First Trimester 0 to 13 Weeks The first trimester is the most crucial to your baby's development.

Second Trimester 14 to 26 Weeks The second trimester of pregnancy is often called the "golden period" because many of the unpleasant effects of early pregnancy disappear. Somewhere between 16 weeks and 20 weeks, you may feel your baby's first fluttering movements. Third Trimester 27 to 40 Weeks You have now reached your final stretch of pregnancy and are probably very excited and anxious for the birth of your baby.

Check your birth plan. Just remember, when it comes time to push baby out, not everything always goes exactly as planned — the important part is keeping you and your baby safe and healthy! Set up your nursery. Commemorate your baby bump. Stock your fridge. Plan financially. The costs of having a baby can add up quickly, so make a new family budget and start following it accordingly.

Pack your hospital bag. Arrange for cord blood banking. Learn what happens after birth. Read up on what happens after birth as your body repairs and you begin to adjust to your new role. With your burgeoning belly and lower-than-usual energy levels, you might not be doing very much of anything these days. Lying on your back. But you should also avoid lying flat on your back during pregnancy, since the entire weight of your uterus and baby can compress the vein that carries blood from your lower body to your heart, causing you to feel nauseous and short of breath.

Hot tubs and saunas. If you do take a bath, keep the water at around 97 to 98 degrees F and monitor the levels with a thermometer. And, of course, be careful not to lose your balance in the tub.

Exercising in warm temperatures. Now is not the time to try hot Bikram yoga, after all. Stay indoors to reduce your odds of overheating or becoming dehydrated. No amount of alcohol has been shown to be safe at any point during pregnancy — so make it a mocktail.

Raw or undercooked foods. Raw and undercooked foods mainly poultry, eggs, meat or fish can harbor infection-causing bacteria, so keep them off the menu for the remainder of your pregnancy. Unpasteurized dairy and juices. You may not encounter unpasteurized milk or juices very often, but you may run across certain cheeses that have been made with unpasteurized milk. Soft cheeses, like Brie, goat, and feta, are common culprits, for example. Check the label to make sure the product has been made with pasteurized ingredients.

What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Thirty-three weeks into your pregnancy, or 31 weeks after conception, your baby's pupils can change size in response to a stimulus caused by light.

His or her bones are hardening. However, the skull remains soft and flexible. Thirty-four weeks into your pregnancy, or 32 weeks after conception, your baby's fingernails have reached his or her fingertips. Thirty-five weeks into your pregnancy, or 33 weeks after conception, your baby's skin is becoming smooth.

His or her limbs have a chubby appearance. Thirty-six weeks into your pregnancy, or 34 weeks after conception, the crowded conditions inside your uterus might make it harder for your baby to give you a punch. However, you'll probably still feel lots of stretches, rolls and wiggles.

Thirty-seven weeks into your pregnancy, or 35 weeks after conception, your baby has a firm grasp. To prepare for birth, your baby's head might start descending into your pelvis. If your baby isn't head down, your health care provider will talk to you about ways to deal with this issue. Thirty-eight weeks into your pregnancy, or 36 weeks after conception, the circumference of your baby's head and abdomen are about the same.

Your baby's toenails have reached the tips of his or her toes. Your baby has mostly shed all of his or her lanugo. Thirty-nine weeks into your pregnancy, or 37 weeks after conception, your baby's chest is becoming more prominent. For boys, the testes continue to descend into the scrotum. Fat is being added all over your baby's body to keep him or her warm after birth. By the end of the 40th week of pregnancy — 38 weeks after conception — your baby is considered full term.

Remember, however, that healthy babies come in different sizes. Don't be alarmed if your due date comes and goes with no signs of labor starting. Reading about labor and childbirth. Finalizing your baby name choice. Considering middle names. Check out our articles on middle names for boys and middle names for girls for more inspiration. It's wise to slow down and conserve your energy for labor, childbirth, and taking care of your newborn.

If weather permits, take a leisurely walk outdoors a few times a week. The fresh air will invigorate you, get your blood circulating, and help you de-stress. Ask friends or family members to help you with any last-minute errands and treat yourself to a little me-time — you deserve it! These are some of the most common pregnancy symptoms during the third trimester:. Shortness of breath. As your uterus gets larger, grows higher in your abdomen, and presses on your diaphragm, breathing can be difficult.

You might find that you can't make it up a flight of stairs without getting winded. The best thing to do is just to take it easy, move more slowly, and stand up or sit up straight so your lungs have more room to expand. If your breathing changes dramatically, or if you have a cough or chest pain, contact your healthcare provider right away. The good news? Frequent urination. When you enter the final weeks of your pregnancy, you may find yourself needing to pee more often.

This is because as your baby moves further down into your pelvis, she may press on your bladder too. You may also find that you leak a little, especially when you laugh, sneeze, bend, or lift. If this bothers you, wear a panty liner. However, if you feel a gush or trickle of watery fluid, it could be your water breaking, a sign that labor is beginning. Swollen feet and ankles. Many moms-to-be notice a type of swelling, called edema, in their ankles and feet because of extra fluid retention, hormonal changes, and weight gain.

If you notice this, it could help to elevate your legs whenever you can and to soak your feet in cool water. To help you feel more comfortable, you may need to buy bigger shoes. Itchy skin. As your belly grows, you may start to experience itchiness as your skin stretches and dries out. Gently applying a moisturizing lotion and staying well-hydrated can help. Sore gums and teeth feeling looser.