Fetal Development During The Third Trimester

The third trimester of pregnancy can be physically and emotionally challenging. Your baby's size and position might make it hard for you to get comfortable. You might be tired of the pregnancy and eager to move on to the delivery. If you've been gearing up for your due date, you might be disappointed if it comes and goes and you are still pregnant.

Try to remain positive as you look forward to the end of your pregnancy.

YOUR BODY

As your pregnancy progresses, your baby's movements will become more obvious and sometimes more uncomfortable. These sensations are often accompanied by other signs and symptoms, including:

Braxton Hicks contractions. You might feel these mild, irregular contractions as a slight tightness in your abdomen. They're more likely to occur in the afternoon or evening, after physical activity or after sex. These contractions also tend to occur more often and become stronger as you approach your due date. Contact your health care provider if the contractions become regular and steadily increase in strength, particularly if it is many weeks before your due date.

Backaches. Pregnancy hormones relax the connective tissue that holds your bones in place, especially in the pelvis. These changes can be tough on your back and often result in discomfort during the third trimester of pregnancy. When you sit, choose chairs with good back support. Wear low-heeled — but not flat — shoes with good arch support. If you have severe or persistent pain, contact your health care provider.

Shortness of breath. You might get winded easily. Practice good posture to give your lungs the room they need to expand.

Heartburn. Pregnancy hormones relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus. This can allow stomach acid to reflux into your esophagus and cause heartburn. To prevent heartburn, eat small, frequent meals. Also, avoid fried foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, and spicy or fried foods.  Contact your health care provider if heartburn becomes regular and a constant problem.

Spider veins, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids. Increased blood circulation might cause tiny red-purplish veins (spider veins) to appear on your face, neck, and arms. Redness typically fades after delivery. You might also notice swollen veins (varicose veins) on your legs. Painful, itchy varicose veins in your rectal area (hemorrhoids) may also occur. To ease swelling, exercise and elevate your legs frequently, include plenty of fiber in your diet and drink lots of fluids. For hemorrhoid relief, soak in a warm tub or apply witch hazel pads to the area. Contact your health care provider if these symptoms continue to be a problem.  Do not start any medications, even over-the-counter topical creams or ointments, without contacting your health care provider.

Frequent urination. As your baby moves deeper into your pelvis, you'll feel more pressure on your bladder. You might find yourself urinating more often. This extra pressure might also cause you to leak urine — especially when you laugh, cough, sneeze, bend, or lift. If you think you might be leaking amniotic fluid, contact your health care provider.

YOUR EMOTIONS

As anticipation grows, fears about the delivery might become more persistent. How much will it hurt? How long will it last? Can I do this?  You can consider taking childbirth classes. You'll learn what to expect and meet others who share your excitement and concerns. Talk with others who've had positive birth experiences. To help with your fears ask your health care provider about options for pain relief.

The reality of parenthood might begin to sink in as well. You might feel anxious, especially if this is your first baby. It's helpful to plan ahead. If you'll be breastfeeding, you might get a nursing bra or a breast pump. If you're expecting a boy — or you don't know your baby's sex — think about what's right for your family regarding circumcision.  There are many books and magazines that you can read that offer great information about pregnancy, delivery, and the immediate post-partum period.

PRENATAL CARE

During the third trimester, your health care provider might ask you to come in for more frequent checkups — perhaps every two weeks beginning at week 32 and every week beginning at week 36.  This is normal.

Like during previous visits, your health care provider will check your weight and blood pressure and ask about any signs or symptoms you're experiencing. In some cases, virtual prenatal care may be an option if you don't have certain high-risk conditions. To make the most of any of your visits, prepare a list of questions ahead of time and take detailed notes.

If you haven't yet received a COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your health care provider about the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination can help pregnant women build antibodies that protect themselves and their babies. If possible, people who live with you should also be vaccinated against COVID-19.  Be sure to talk to your health care provider about the COVID 19 vaccine and other vaccines that you could get to help protect you and your baby.

You will also need screening tests for various conditions, including:

• Gestational diabetes. This is a type of diabetes that sometimes develops during pregnancy. Prompt treatment and healthy lifestyle choices can help you manage your blood sugar level and deliver a healthy baby.
• Iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. Anemia might cause you to feel very tired. To treat anemia, you might need to take iron supplements.
• Group B strep. Group B strep is a type of bacteria that can live in your vagina or rectum. It can cause a serious infection for your baby if there is exposure during birth. If you test positive for group B strep, your health care provider will provide you with the best possible treatment options.

Your health care provider will also check your baby's size and heart rate. Near the end of your pregnancy, your health care provider will also check your baby's position and ask about your baby's movements. He or she might also ask about your preferences regarding labor and pain management as you get ready for delivery. If you have specific preferences for labor and delivery, such as laboring in water or avoiding medication, talk with your health care provider before you go into labor, but keep in mind that pregnancy or delivery problems might cause plans to change.

As your due date approaches, keep asking questions. Knowing what to expect can help you have the most positive birth experience.

FETAL DEVELOPMENT DURING THE THIRD TRIMESTER

Pregnancy and fetal development have characteristic and predictable stages that can be seen or not seen, felt or not felt, and understood or not understood.  After fertilization the embryo quickly begins to grow, change, and show characteristic signs and stages of human development.  During the 40 weeks of gestation a single cell develops into an embryo consisting of thousands of cells and culminating in the delivery of a fully formed infant.  Here are presented the changes seen in fetal development during the third trimester.

27 weeks development:

At the start of the third trimester, you can know the sex of your baby.  Fetal movement will likely be regular and at times uncomfortable.  The baby’s eyes are partially open and sometimes blink.

• Your baby is about the size of a cauliflower.
• Total Length:  About 14 inches

28 weeks development:

The baby has lungs that are capable of breathing.  The central nervous system can control body temperature. The baby is making its own red blood cells in the bone marrow.

• Your baby is about the size of a kabocha squash.
• Total Length:  About 14.5 inches

29 weeks development:

Your baby can kick, stretch, and make grasping movements.

• Your baby is about the size of a butternut squash.     
• Total Length: About 15 inches

30 weeks development:

Your baby probably has a good head of hair. Lungs are not quite fully formed, but the baby can practice breathing.  The fetus can absorb iron and calcium from its intestines.      

• Your baby is about the size of a cabbage.
• Length:  About 15.7 inches

31 weeks development:

At this stage of development your baby has finished most of his or her major development.  Now it’s time to gain weight, fast!

• Your baby is about as long as a bunch of leaks.
• Total Length:  About 16 inches

32 weeks development:

The layer of soft downy hair, lanugo, that covered your baby’s skin starts to fall off.  The skin is pink or dark pink and smooth.  Fingernail and toenails are fully formed.

• Your baby is about as long as a napa cabbage.
• Total Length: About 16.75 inches

33 weeks development:

Your baby’s pupils can change size in response to a bright light.  The bones are hardening except for the skull.  It remains soft and pliable.

• Your baby is about the size of a pineapple.
• Total Length:  About 17.25 inches

34 weeks development:

The fetus is rounder and plumper.  As the baby grows it becomes harder to move around, the uterus is only so big.  You may feel your baby stretch, turn from side to side, roll, and wriggle.

• Your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe.
• Total Length:  About 17.75 inches

35 weeks development:

Your baby’s skin is nice and smooth. It’s getting pretty tight inside the uterus.

• Your baby is about the size of a honeydew melon.
• Total Length:  About 18 inches

36 weeks development:

The crowded condition inside the uterus makes it harder for your baby to kick or throw a punch.  You will still feel your baby move and now is the time the fetus starts to turn head down.

• Your baby is about the size of a head of romaine lettuce.
• Total Length:  About 18.75 inches

37 weeks development:

The baby has a firm grip and is getting ready to be born.  The fetus should be head down, your health care provider will be checking for this.

• Your baby is about as long as a stalk of Swiss chard
• Total Length:   About 19 inches     

38 weeks development:

Your baby might weigh 6-1/2 pounds now.  Brain connections are forming so they will be able to swallow better once they are born.  The circumference of your baby’s head and abdomen are about the same.

• Your baby is about as long as a stalk of rhubarb.
• Total Length:  About 19.5 inches

39 weeks development:

At this stage of development your baby’s chest is becoming more prominent.  For boys, the testes continue to descend into the scrotum.  More fat is being stored all over your baby’s body to keep him or her warm after birth.

• Your baby is about the size of a small pumpkin.
• Total Length:   About 20 inches

40 weeks development:  Your due date arrives!!

At this stage of development your might have a crown to rump length of about 14 inches and weigh over 7lbs.  Healthy babies come in all different sizes.  Don’t be alarmed if your due date comes and goes and you haven’t delivered.  Your due date is simply a calculated estimate of when your pregnancy will be 40 weeks.  It does not estimate when your baby will arrive.  Many first babies are delivered “late” or after their calculated due date. 

• Your baby is about the size of a small watermelon.
• Total Length:   About 20.15 inches

Now it’s time to enjoy your newest family member.  You can look forward to many sleepless nights, being spit up on your best clothes, being urinated on in the face, cleaning and changing countless diapers, feeling like a dairy cow, and many more marvelous, sometimes once in a lifetime, set of feelings and experiences.  Congratulations!!

The information is presented to be a general guide to present the events surrounding fetal development.  It is for informational purposes only.  The information provided is not intended to be the only information available concerning fetal development during the third trimester.  The material provided is not expected to be a substitute for advice or information from your physician or health care provider.

If you have any questions, concerns, apprehensions, unease, or worry about your fetus’ development contact your health care provider immediately.