Tips for the Pregnant Lady: Third Trimester

Don't worry - I didn't forget about you third trimies!

Welcome to the final stage of pregnancy and the home stretch.

This is where things can get a little tough. You had energy in the second trimester, but suddenly, with the increasing weight of the baby, it's not so easy anymore. You don't have morning sickness like in the first trimester, but you have back pains, leg cramps, heartburn, and so on...
It's a new stage with a lot to get used to. However, do not fret! There ARE ways to cope and keep your self sane in this LAST stage of pregnancy!

General Tips for the Pregnant Lady: Third Trimester

* Eating well is ever so important in this last trimester.
(Personal Recommendations: Your baby will need lots of calcium to develop his/her strong bones, so it's VERY important to make sure you are getting cheese, yogurt, milk, and the like, in your diet - or else, baby will use up YOUR stash of calcium! Have skim milk with your cereal - the lower the fat in milk, the more protein, calcium, and vitamin D there is in a serving! Buy some low-fat yogurt for breakfast/snack. Keep taking your prenatals!)

* Exercise is tough in this trimester - but that doesn't mean you quit!
(Personal Recommendations: While working out in the second trimester wasn't too difficult, this trimester means it's time to slow down. Instead of doing low-impact aerobics and kickboxing with my Pilates and yoga routines, I started walking and continuing my Pilates and yoga regimen. The main issue is that extra weight in the front, causing you to be clumsy and out of breath easily. So, now is the time to lay off the cardio for a while and do something simple like walking or low-impact aerobics that ARE NOT as strenuous as what you could do in the second trimester. Use a beginner's video if you have exercised before you were pregnant and keep walking if you are new to exercising.)

* There are so many benefits to keeping strong in this last trimester!
Remember that is your last stage until you are able to meet your little boy or girl. It's exciting - but now is the time to prepare! Along with the baby showers, preparing the baby's room, the doctor appointments, tests, and excitement... remember that you are preparing for labor!
(Personal Recommendations: Keep up your exercise regimen. You will need lots of endurance for labor and delivery, and working out to pregnancy videos - while they may be less than appealing with some - will teach you to work out safely and prepare your body for the stress it will endure on the big day. Attend your childbirth classes. You will learn to cope with labor pains and help your partner know what you'll need!)

* Communicate with your doctor.
(Personal Recommendations: NEVER be afraid to ask your doctor questions if you are uncertain about symptoms that are bothering or disturbing you. He/she may have suggestions to help you cope with body aches, the changes in your body, any anxieties, abnormalities, etc, which will keep you positive and in better control of what is going on in this final trimester.)

* Now is a great time to meet and chat with other moms and moms-to-be!
(Personal Recommendations: Sometimes during your pregnancy, you may feel alone. While women have had babies for thousands of years, you still may have that feeling of loneliness that you are going through it alone. Get together with other women who are about as far along as you or are already moms... it's so encouraging to hear stories and advice from those who have been there and done that! Plus, once the baby is born, you have a friend to call who is going through the same thing, and later, possibly play dates with your own kids that may spark an interest in a friendship!)

As hard as it may seem some days, ENJOY what you have left of your pregnancy! You will never be pregnant with this little one again... while this is an obvious fact, it is worth recognizing. Even though your baby may be kicking you constantly at the worst times (like in the middle of the night!), he/she is literally with you 24/7, and once he/she is born... everybody else will have him/her. This is the only time where your baby will be able to experience the world around you (in the work place, at the grocery store, at home, etc.) and you don't have to worry about changing diapers, trying to calm a crying baby, or wonder who is going to watch the baby when you want to go on a date to the movies with your spouse.
Something to think about, preggy ladies!

Until next time, stay well!