By the time pregnancy reaches its last stage, the third trimester, both mom and baby are anxious for birth to come. While many couples find this time of the pregnancy the most stable and relaxed, it can also be the most uncomfortable due to the sheer weight of the baby. Mom often has trouble sleeping and is frequently using the restroom because the baby is resting on her bladder.
The last trimester of pregnancy is often most rewarding for mom; the ultrasound photos can be especially exciting because baby is nearly 100% formed; fingers and toes are now visible, facial features are recognizable, and the lungs and brain are nearly done developing. Babies born premature in this final stage of pregnancy have a higher chance of survival, however, doctors will want the baby to stay at the hospital until at least the 38th week, if not the 40th.
While a baby may be nearly fully developed by the last trimester, both the lungs and brain still need as close to 40 weeks as possible for optimum health. The most common problem with premature babies is lung development; many often have respiratory problems. The brain, while nearly fully developed, also needs the last few weeks to really form and shape into the wrinkled specimen most of us see in pictures.
The fetus' bones are also finished developing, though still very pliable, making the birth much easier on both mommy and baby. After delivery many bones begin to harden and fuse. Because the bones are present and fully formed they are also producing red blood cells which will be imperative to a baby's survival if born premature.
While a baby born any time after the 30 week period has a very high chance of survival, the baby needs every extra week possible to gain the weight is needs to survive healthfully. Because going into the last trimester a baby is nearly fully formed, most of the changing done in this last stage of pregnancy is weight gain. Because of the baby's growth, this last trimester doesn't allow it much room for movement in the uterus. He's sometimes only able to move his feet and hands, allowing him to suck his thumb. He is starting to move into the birth canal to prepare for delivery which can be a very uncomfortable position for mom. Not only is baby resting on mommy's bladder causing frequent bathroom breaks, but he sometimes rests on the lower spine, causing a great amount of lower back pain.
Baby will also become much more interactive in this final stage of pregnancy. He will be able to respond to loud noises and oftentimes will respond to soothing sounds, such as mother's voice. To prepare for this last stage of pregnancy it's important to ask many questions of the doctor and know what to expect from the little life growing inside you.
So, you are going to be a father! If you have been through the process before, you probably arent searching for information. If you are looking for information on the stages of pregnancy and what to expect, then you probably recently heard the news for the first time and you want to know what to expect. There are a few things that will be somewhat normal about your partners pregnancy, but keep in mind that each woman and each pregnancy is different. It might be a good thing to prepare for the unexpected.
What are some of the more expected issues? Much of the stages of pregnancy and what to expect depends on how far along the pregnancy is. In the first weeks of a pregnancy, very little will change for anyone. It is possible that the woman wont even know she is pregnant. Possibly, the woman might have felt some nausea that wouldnt go away, no matter what she did. If she goes to a doctor, she will discover that she is pregnant. The nausea is sometimes, though not always, a sign that the womans body is adjusting to the changes inside her. Not all women get this nausea, usually called morning sickness, but some of them do. As the pregnancy develops, it will probably disappear.
The next of the stages of pregnancy and what to expect will probably occur when the woman starts to gain weight noticeably. She may start cleaning house and want you go get rid of some things you have had for years. If she didnt do this before the pregnancy, dont be surprised if she does it early in the pregnancy. In the early stages of pregnancy and what to expect, some woman go through a lot of house cleaning and rearranging. This has been called nesting and is simply the womans way of clearing a space and preparing for the new addition to her family.
As she gets heavier, the stages of pregnancy and what to expect may have the woman wanting to stay close to a bathroom. As the fetus grows, it applies pressure to the bladder, giving a woman the feeling that she has to have a bathroom close. The woman may also have some cravings for foods that she never ate before the pregnancy. This is usually related to the fact that her hormones, combined with the hormones produced by the fetus, are giving her cravings, and emotions, she might not have experienced until she became pregnant. Be patient. These cravings and mood swings wont last forever.
The last of the major stages of pregnancy and what to expect will be toward the end of the pregnancy. The woman has gained a lot of weight, which is shifted to her front. The fetus will be pressing on her internal organs. She will be tired, because she might not be able to sleep comfortably. She will need to rest more than she did before she became pregnant. She may have less interest in sex than she did prior to the pregnancy. She may become cranky and argumentative. Dont take it personally. This, too, is generally short-lived. The fetus is heavy and she is tired. She is ready for the birth of the child, and the moment the two of you become parents.
Both Abhishek Agarwal & Azzam are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Abhishek Agarwal has sinced written about articles on various topics from Surveys, Camping and Camping. Abhishek has seen many childbirths in his huge family! Visit and Download Abhishek's FREE Report "How To Dress And Look Your. Abhishek Agarwal's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.
Azzam has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pregnancy Problems, Miscarriage and Pregnancy Problems. Azzam SheikhFacilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme.. Azzam's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.