Entering the Third Trimester: Prep for Birth
Prenatal Care in the Third Trimester
At this point the frequency of your prenatal visits will increase. You probably just had or are about to take your gestational diabetes test. Read the Evidence on: Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes
Around 36 weeks, you will be offered an ultrasound to check on the baby's size and position. In preparation, read The Evidence on: Suspected Big Babies
If your baby is breech, you may be offered an external cephalic version. Here is the Evidence on: Breech Version. Exercises from Spinning Babies can help flip a breech baby. You can access them here. You may also want to discuss the option of vaginal breech birth versus planned cesarean if your baby does not turn.
At 36 weeks, your provide will offer a test for Group B Streptococcus. This is a common and normal bacteria that lives in the vaginas and anuses of about 10-30% of the population. It can cause issues for baby because they have an undeveloped immune system, so if you test positive, you will be recommended a course of antibiotics in labor. Read the Evidence on: Group B Strep for information on diagnosing and treating Group B Strep.
Physical Preparation in the Third Trimester
Here’s a few recommendations for very simple movements you can incorporate into your daily routine for creating more comfort in your body.
Prenatal physical preparation for birth can make birth smoother, faster, and help make your recovery easier. Here are my recommendations for movements you can do to promote optimal fetal positioning and create lots of room in your pelvis. You can do any of these at any time, they will not send you into labor.
Mental Preparation for Birth
The mind-body connection in pregnancy, labor, and birth is profound. Whether you’re having an unmedicated birth, medicated birth, or cesarean birth, I am 100% you can find bits of wisdom in the following guided meditations from Expectful.
Guided Pregnancy Meditation: Relief from Insomnia
Riding the Waves Visualization
Guided Pregnancy Meditation: Preparing for a C-Section
Find more guided meditations from Expectful here.
