The third trimester has arrived! Now the final sprint begins! In this final installment of our "Week by Week" pregnancy calendar, find out which developmental steps your unborn baby goes through in the last stage of pregnancy and what tips we can give you for each individual week of pregnancy.
In our three-part "Week by Week" pregnancy calendar, we briefly introduce the most important events in each trimester in every episode. The conclusion is the third trimester, where your journey comes to an end – and an even bigger one begins.
The third trimester at a glance: pregnancy weeks 28–40
As the birth gets closer and closer, your body prepares for the upcoming delivery. You may notice the following symptoms:
PRE-LABOR CONTRACTIONS (BRAXTON HICKS CONTRACTIONS):
These "practice contractions" help you prepare for the upcoming birth.
PRESSURE SENSATION, THE BELLY LOWERS:
From the 32nd week of pregnancy, your baby starts to turn. It then lies head down and has thus reached the birth position.
THE CERVIX OPENS:
From about three weeks before the calculated due date, the cervix can prepare for the birth. From now on, it can open and become softer.
THE AMNIOTIC SAC BURSTS:
Even a premature rupture of membranes near the due date before labor begins (drop-by-drop or gushing discharge of clear fluid from the vagina) is no cause for concern. It is important that your child's head should be deep in the pelvis (your doctor will tell you this during the check-up). If this is not the case, please lie down immediately and have an ambulance transport you to the clinic lying down, otherwise there is a risk of umbilical cord prolapse. If the head is already deep in the pelvis, your partner or another family member can also drive you to the maternity clinic.
The 28th week of pregnancy
Your belly continues to stretch because of the baby inside it. This leads to stretch marks (striae) in many women. You can counteract this with special creams that keep the tissue elastic and promote blood circulation. It is best to talk to your gynecologist.
Now a new stage of development begins. The baby's bone marrow can now produce blood itself. It is even possible that your baby has a different blood group than you. Did you know that you produce and release more oxytocin while cuddling with your partner? This cuddle hormone also reaches your baby via the bloodstream and ensures that it feels completely at ease. If you still needed one, this is the perfect reason to cuddle a lot or simply have a massage.
The 29th week of pregnancy
The third major check-up with ultrasound is coming up. This is always something very special because you get to see your baby and take another ultrasound image home with you. Your baby is now passing the time by playing with the umbilical cord. It ensures a constant exchange of blood between you and your child. Oxygen-rich blood is transported to your baby's heart in the vein, and the used, oxygen- and nutrient-poor blood flows back to the placenta in the two arteries.
Your baby now weighs about 1200 grams and is almost 38 cm tall. The lungs continue to mature so that they can start working immediately after birth. In the upcoming ultrasound examination, everything will be thoroughly checked and measured again. This includes the position of the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid.
The 30th week of pregnancy
Have you already thought about the initial equipment? Since the longing for your unborn baby is gradually becoming almost unbearable, you can bridge the time by getting the first things for your baby – it's about time anyway!
Shopping tip: Although size 56 is considered a newborn size, it could very quickly become too small. It's better not to buy too many items in the smallest size. Expectant parents quickly run the risk of buying a lot of useless things that are not needed later and end up in the basement or storage room.
With our swing2sleep automatic baby hammock, however, you are definitely on the safe side. It rocks your baby in the rhythm of the mother's heartbeat, which gently calms your newborn baby and lets it fall asleep blissfully and easily. Your baby feels transported back to the security of the womb. With the stand available as an accessory, the motorized automatic baby hammock can be set up anywhere, so you can always have it in your immediate vicinity. You can easily take it from room to room.
Space in your belly is slowly becoming scarce. As a result, your baby is now increasingly adopting the typical fetal position (crossed arms and tucked legs). It can maintain and regulate its body temperature independently. It has been scientifically proven that from now on it has so-called REM phases in which it dreams.
The 31st week of pregnancy
Of course, you want to have as much time and peace as possible for yourself and your newborn child after birth. Therefore, it is advisable to complete important formalities before the birth. The birth certificate as well as child benefit and parental allowance must be applied for, and health insurance coverage must also be arranged. The parental allowance application in particular takes some time and requires both good planning and some patience. It is all the better to request as many application forms as possible before the birth and fill them out as far as possible.
Your unborn baby is now about as long as the distance from your elbow to your outstretched fingertips. It loves sweets. However, this does not mean that you should suddenly consume vast amounts of sugar. Fortunately, the amniotic fluid already has a natural sweetness.
The 32nd week of pregnancy
In the future, check-ups with your gynecologist will take place every 14 days. During these, your doctor will check the heart tones and labor activity on the cardiotocogram (CTG).
Perhaps you have noticed that your baby is moving significantly more. Especially when you want to go to sleep, your child becomes very lively. One possible reason for this is that your placenta is particularly well supplied with blood when you are lying down, giving your baby a large dose of energy. But perhaps it is also because your perception increases significantly when you lie quietly and relaxed in bed.
The 33rd week of pregnancy
Clearly, there are still a few weeks to go until the birth of your child. Nevertheless, it is slowly time to think about what belongs in the hospital bag: toiletries and cosmetics, bathrobe, slippers, tracksuit, and the first clothes (rompers) for your baby. The ID card, maternity log, and health insurance card must also not be missing. Not to forget: The expectant father should also pack a small hospital bag. Click here for the checklist.
Your baby now weighs approx. 2000 grams and is 44 cm tall and is already viable. Week by week, your baby is currently putting on a small layer of fat. This layer of fat warms the baby and serves as an energy reserve after birth, because the mother's milk flow first has to get going.
The 34th week of pregnancy
Now the maternity leave period begins for you. The last few weeks have certainly been very laborious and exhausting for you, because working with a large baby bump is not exactly practical. The maternity leave period begins 6 weeks before the birth and ends 8 weeks after. You can use this time once more to make the last important errands and prepare for the birth.
Your baby is completely finished. Although it has not yet reached its full size at birth, it can be born without major complications and is in most cases viable without help. All organs are fully developed. Especially the lungs, which are vital for supplying your baby with oxygen independently after birth.
The 35th week of pregnancy
Perhaps you have already thought about whether there is a way to avoid a perineal incision or tear during birth. Unfortunately, there is no patent remedy for this. However, you could make the region between the vaginal exit and the anus a little softer and more flexible. You can achieve this with a daily massage. Use a natural oil such as almond oil or olive oil and massage this area with your fingers.
Your child is putting on a lot of weight again, because it is now forming the subcutaneous fat. It now measures about 46.5 cm and weighs approx. 2500 grams. It can already grip firmly and practices this in the womb. In addition, its immune system is fully mature. This means that its body produces antibodies and recognizes and destroys foreign germs that may enter the body.
The 36th week of pregnancy
In the next few days you can breathe a sigh of relief – literally! Your baby begins to slide into the pelvis with its head. This means for you that you can breathe more easily again and your stomach has more space again. To get your unborn baby into this position, your uterus triggers irregular lightening pains. These are not necessarily perceptible to you. But if you feel them, it feels like a slight pulling in the back and abdomen as well as a general malaise.
From now on, your baby is virtually sitting on packed suitcases in the uterus. It now has sufficient fat reserves for the first time after birth. The space available in the uterus is now significantly limited. Therefore, kicks directed towards the lungs or ribs can be really nasty for you and take your breath away. In addition, the baby now swallows and digests about 3 liters of amniotic fluid a day. This serves as preparation for the start of life. It even digests particles present in the amniotic fluid to practice digestion in the intestines. The development of the lungs is complete, and they are ready for use.
The 37th week of pregnancy
Is your baby being born by C-section? Perhaps you are expecting twins or your baby is in a breech position. Perhaps the placenta is even in front of the cervix. In such cases, a C-section is usually unavoidable. But don't worry, it is now a routine procedure. Often you get your C-section appointment two weeks before the planned due date of the birth. General anesthesia is also usually only used if things have to happen very quickly. Therefore, your baby is placed directly on your chest after birth and you experience everything around the birth.
At the beginning of the pregnancy, tiny little hairs formed that protected your entire baby from the amniotic fluid. These have since fallen out. The vernix caseosa, which served as protection against the amniotic fluid, has also disappeared. The small fingernails reach over the fingertips.
The 38th week of pregnancy
Now it can start at any time! Usually every birth begins with contractions. However, they do not come suddenly, but increase in intensity and then become more frequent and regular. The rupture of membranes usually does not occur in a gush, but only trickles a little. However, the discharge of amniotic fluid always signals the start of labor. You should then go to the clinic or a birth center or inform your midwife. As soon as the mucus plug has detached and the cervix dilates, bleeding usually occurs. Normally this goes hand in hand with the onset of contractions.
Your baby now has a size of about 50 cm and a weight of 3200 grams. If your child makes its way out now, it is no longer considered a premature birth. It can happen that the baby's movements decrease a little. But when they do occur, they are all the stronger. The head is now deep in your pelvis.
The 39th week of pregnancy
Do you feel a pulling in your back down into your legs, and your belly gets hard at regular intervals? Are you pretty sure that these are real contractions and want to make your way to the maternity clinic with your partner? Tip: If the contractions do not yet demand your full attention and you can still lie comfortably on the sofa at home, consider whether you might stay at home for a while. If you are unsure: Call your midwife. If you don't have your own, contact the midwife on duty at the clinic.
The pre-labor contractions begin. They push your baby, who is already very deep in the pelvis, further and further towards the cervix with its head. The amniotic fluid serves as a cushion and protects your baby from the tightness.
The 40th week of pregnancy
You are in the 40th week of pregnancy and can really hardly wait to finally hold your baby in your arms? Are you wondering if the contractions should be actively helped along? There are certainly some simple tricks that can help here: long walks, relaxed sex, a hot bath or a foot reflexology massage. Please discuss this beforehand with your treating gynecologist or with your midwife.
Now your baby is ready to be born. It is completely developed, and all organs are fully mature. It has enough fatty tissue for the first time after birth, in case the production of breast milk first has to get going. Even if you don't feel any signs of an impending birth yet, you don't have to worry. The calculated due date is always just an estimate. Only four percent of all babies are born on the calculated due date. Around 30 percent of babies set off before and 60 percent only in the 10 days after.
We at swing2sleep are very pleased that we were allowed to accompany you during this exciting time of your pregnancy and could inform you about which development steps your baby goes through. We wish you all the best for the delivery from the bottom of our hearts.
