Changes:
- Weight gain: You should gain about 2 kg per month, totaling 6 kg.
- Increased urination: More frequent urination, especially as you near delivery, due to the baby’s head moving lower into the pelvis.
- Increased fatigue: Difficulty sleeping, discomfort, and restlessness due to the growing uterus.
- Back pain: Caused by the increasing weight of the uterus and baby, leading to additional strain on your back muscles as you compensate for the extra weight.
- Leg cramps: Resulting from the increased weight on your legs or insufficient calcium.
Important considerations:
Diet:
- Continue to focus on protein-rich foods, similar to the 2nd trimester, including meat, fish, leafy greens, and calcium-rich foods like small fish that you can eat with the bones and low-fat milk.
Prenatal care:
- Prenatal visits will become more frequent. In this trimester, urine tests will be conducted to check for sugar and protein levels, blood pressure monitoring will be increased, and swelling will be assessed to detect any signs of preeclampsia.
Breast care:
- In the 2-3 months before delivery, your body will produce a fatty substance to cover the nipples and areola. When bathing, avoid excessive use of soap on the nipples as it can wash away this protective layer, leading to dry, cracked nipples.
Emergency situations and symptoms requiring immediate hospital visit:
- Contractions: Frequent contractions every 5-10 minutes.
- Vaginal bleeding: Presence of mucus with blood or fresh blood from the vagina.
- Water breaks: Leakage of clear fluid resembling urine.
- Reduced fetal movement: Noticeably fewer movements from the baby.
- Headache, blurred vision, chest tightness, and swelling: These symptoms may indicate a serious condition and require immediate medical attention.
