Preparing the Mind, Body & Home for the 3rd Trimester

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The third trimester of pregnancy refers to the 7^th 8^th & 9^th months of your pregnancy. This is the period between the beginning of the 29^th week to the end of the 40^th week of pregnancy. You will have mixed feelings during this phase of your pregnancy journey. You will be excited as well as anxious. And enthusiastic as well as exhausted.

How to prepare your body for the third trimester:

1. Nourish your body with small frequent meals which have good fats and enough protein. Your baby will need these to grow their brain and body in the third trimester.
2. Take the prescribed supplements to ensure that both you and your baby are healthy.
3. Practice prenatal yoga so that your body is strong enough to carry you through the backaches of the third trimester and the strain of labour.
4. Start resting for 30 minutes thrice a day to combat backache and exhaustion.
5. Switch to slip-on footwear which will help you if your feet swell.
6. Moisturize your skin with virgin coconut oil otherwise it may get itchy in the area of stretch marks.
7. Do not miss any doctor visits so that you can avoid any health issues.

How to prepare your mind for third trimester pregnancy:

1. Attend a prenatal class to learn about birthing and newborn care so that you feel confident.
2. Gut health influences mental health. Eat a high fibre diet to ensure mental wellbeing in the third trimester.
3. Buy a pregnancy pillow to cope with sleepless nights in the third trimester.
4. Start journalling to feel calm.
5. Schedule time for breathing exercises, positive affirmations and relaxing massages.
6. Plan to spend some time talking to your baby bump to build a bond with your baby. Your baby can hear your voice after the 28^th week of pregnancy.
7. Make a playlist of songs and podcasts that will help you relax.

How to prepare your home for the third trimester:

1. Get the house deep cleaned and your air conditioner serviced to avoid allergies.
2. Arrange the furniture to create enough spaces to rest with your feet elevated through the day.
3. You will be going to the toilet often. Fix grab rails in the bathroom so that you don’t slip.
4. Pack your hospital bag and keep it ready in case you need to be admitted to the hospital suddenly.
5. Stock up on protein and fibre rich healthy ingredients to make nourishing meals.

Time flies when you enter the third trimester, so plan and prepare for the end of the trimester and the arrival of your baby.

How to prepare for your baby’s arrival:

1. Buy a crib with a flat mattress. Ensure that they follow the safety standards.
2. Create a diaper changing station. An elevated table that allows you to change your baby without bending is useful. Make sure it has railings so that there is no risk of falls.
3. Create a baby bath area. Buy bath essentials like a massage oil, a gentle nourishing soap and a tear free shampoo around it.
4. Get a breast pump. This will allow you to pump milk and store it for your baby.

Planning and preparation will allow you to enjoy the last phase of your pregnancy journey and walk into parenthood with a joyous outlook.

By

Dr. Debmita Dutta MBBS, MD

Dr. Debmita Dutta MBBS, MD is a doctor, a parenting consultant, a content creator and the founder of What Parents Ask. She conducts online and offline workshops on parenting for schools and corporate organisations. She also conducts online and offline prenatal and infant care classes. She is a well-known thought-leader in parenting and an expert on play, learning and eating habits. She is frequently quoted in national and international publications of repute for her empathetic and compassionate approach and her application of physiology and neuroscience to parenting.

This post is also available in: English