In your third trimester, some big changes happen.

The first thing is that you should start doing regular kick counts for baby throughout the day. This means that you should normally notice the baby having several periods of good movement throughout the day and there might be times when your baby is quiet. Even during these times, babies move and if you were to sit down, drink a glass of cold water or juice, and focus, you should count at least 3 movements in 1 hour or 6 movements in 2 hours. If you feel less than this, contact your midwife immediately. You might get sent in for a Non-Stress test to ensure baby’s well-being.

This is also the trimester to really focus on exercise. Every day something should be done to ensure you are staying active and healthy. Not only does exercise prevent baby from getting large, it can jiggle the baby into an optimal position for delivery. There is a wonderful (and strict!) handout on exercise in pregnancy here, and following this guide is strongly advised. There is also a great set of exercises called the Miles Circuit which can help get the baby lined up optimally for the birth.

Many people ask about Perineal Massage as preparation for child birth. This is a great technique to prepare your tissues for child birth and could potentially decrease you need for stitches after delivery. Here is a handout on Perineal Massage in pregnancy and how to do it.

Later in the trimester, you will discuss doing a swab for Group B Strep, or GBS. This is bacteria that lives on all humans and is harmless to adults, but sometimes during childbirth the baby can get exposed to it. This has created serious outcomes for babies. Perinatal Services BC has a summary on recommendations for evidence-based prevention and treatment for GBS, available here.

In preparation for birth, cervical ripening is always a good thing to focus on. The idea is to get your cervix nice and soft so that when your labour starts your dilation is easier. The BEST way to dilate your cervix is to have your baby’s head well applied and in the right position so that it pushes downwards with the uterine sensations. Ways to ensure your baby is in the optimal position are discussed above. Some other effective cervical ripening techniques are: Acupuncture, walking, intercourse, nipple stimulation, and some natural supplements your midwife will discuss. None of these stimulate labour unless your body was going to go into labour anyway, but they can gently encourage labour at term and prepare your body.

Should you go past your due date, your midwife will discuss with you the community standards on monitoring your baby and when you would be eligible for a medical induction, should you elect to do that. Remember, a term pregnancy has a range of 5 weeks during which the baby can choose to come, so remind yourself (and others) of that should your due date come and go without a peep from baby. If baby’s movement remains normal and you are eating healthy and getting as much rest as you can, and getting your weekly check-ups, you will feel ensured that baby’s birthday will be within a safe and healthy time.