We've reached the third trimester! Now it's the final spurt! Find out here, in the last episode of our pregnancy calendar "Week by week", which developmental steps your unborn baby will go through in the last stage of pregnancy and what tips we can give you for each individual week of pregnancy.
In our three-part pregnancy calendar "Week by week", we briefly introduce you to the most important events in each trimester. It concludes with the third trimester, when 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 draws ever closer, your body prepares for the impending birth. You may experience the following symptoms:
PRE-LABOR CONTRACTIONS (BRAXTON-HICKS CONTRACTIONS):
These "practice contractions" help you to prepare for the upcoming birth.
FEELING OF PRESSURE, THE BELLY SINKS:
From the 32nd week of pregnancy, your baby will start to turn. It is then lying head down and has reached the birthing position.
THE CERVIX OPENS:
From around three weeks before the calculated due date, the cervix can prepare for the birth. From now on it can open and soften.
THE WATERS BREAK:
Premature rupture of the membranes close to the due date before the onset of labor (dripping or gushing of clear fluid from the vagina) is also no cause for concern. The important thing is that your baby's head should be low in the pelvis (your doctor will tell you this at the check-up). If this is not the case, please lie down immediately and have an ambulance transport you to the hospital lying down, otherwise there is a risk of umbilical cord prolapse. If the baby's head is already low 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 expand due to the baby inside it. For many women, this leads to stretch marks (striae). 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 type to you. Did you know that you produce and release more oxytocin while cuddling with your partner? This cuddling hormone also reaches your baby via the bloodstream and makes it feel great. If you needed another 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. In the meantime, your baby passes 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 around 1200 grams and is just under 38 cm tall. The lungs continue to mature so that they can start working immediately after the birth. During the next 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 initialequipment? As the longing for your unborn baby gradually becomes unbearable, you can bridge the time by getting the first things for your baby - it's definitely time!
Shopping tip: Although size 56 is considered a newborn size, it could quickly become too small. It's better not to buy so many items in the smallest size. Expectant parents quickly run the risk of buying lots of useless items that won't be needed later on and will end up in the cellar or storage room.
With our swing2sleep cradle, however, you are definitely on the safe side. It rocks your baby to the rhythm of the mother's heartbeat, which gently soothes your newborn baby and lets them fall asleep blissfully and easily. Your baby feels transported back to the security of the womb. With the frame available as an accessory at , the motorized bassinet can be set up anywhere so that you can always have it close by. You can simply take it with you from room to room.
The space in your tummy is slowly running out. As a result, your baby will increasingly adopt the typical embryonic position (arms folded and legs drawn up). It can maintain and regulate its body temperature independently. It has been scientifically proven that from now on it will have so-called REM phases in which it dreams.
The 31st week of pregnancy
Naturally, you want to have as much time and rest as possible for yourself and your newborn baby after the birth. It is therefore advisable to take care of important formalities before the birth. The birth certificate, child benefit and parental allowance must be applied for, and health insurance must also be arranged. The parental allowance application in particular takes some time and requires both good planning and a little patience. It is therefore all the better to request as many applications as possible before the birth and complete as many 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 huge amounts of sugar. Fortunately, the amniotic fluid already has a natural sweetness.
The 32nd week of pregnancy
From now on, you will have check-ups with your gynecologist every 14 days. Your doctor will check your heartbeat and the contractions on the cardiotocogram (CTG).
You may have noticed that your baby is moving a lot more. Especially when you want to go to sleep, your baby becomes very alert. 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 portion of energy. However, it may also be because your cognition increases significantly when you lie quietly and relaxed in bed.
The 33rd week of pregnancy
Of course, there are still a few weeks to go before your baby is born. Nevertheless, it's time to start thinking about what belongs in your hospital bag: toiletries and cosmetics, bathrobe, slippers, jogging suit and your baby's first clothes (onesie). Your ID card, maternity passport and health insurance card should also be included. Not to be forgotten: The expectant father should also pack a small hospital bag. Click here for the checklist.
Your baby has now reached a weight of approx. 2000 grams and a height of 44 cm 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 has to get going first.
The 34th week of pregnancy
Now the maternity protection period begins for you. The last few weeks have certainly been very tiring and exhausting for you, because working with a large baby bump is not exactly practical. The maternity protection period begins 6 weeks before the birth and ends 8 weeks after. You can use this time to run the last important errands and prepare for the birth.
Your baby is completely ready. Although it has not yet reached its full size at birth, it can be born without any major complications and in the vast majority of cases is viable without assistance. 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 an episiotomy or tear during birth. Unfortunately, there is no patent remedy for this. However, you could make the area between the vaginal opening and anus a little softer and more flexible. You can do 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 will put on a lot more weight, as it is now forming subcutaneous fat. It now measures around 46.5 cm and weighs around 2500 grams. It can already grasp firmly and is practicing this in the womb. Its immune system is also fully developed. This means that its body produces antibodies and recognizes and destroys foreign germs that may enter the body.
The 36th week of pregnancy
Over the next few days, you can breathe a sigh of relief - literally! Your baby begins to slide its head into the pelvis. For you, this means that you can breathe more easily and your stomach has more room again. To get your unborn baby into this position, your uterus triggers irregular contractions. These are not necessarily noticeable to you. However, when you feel them, it feels like a slight pulling in your back and abdomen as well as a general feeling of discomfort.
From now on, your baby is sitting in the womb with its suitcases packed, so to speak. It now has sufficient fat reserves for the first time after birth. The space available in the uterus is now significantly limited. That's why kicks to the lungs or ribs can be really nasty for you and take your breath away. In addition, the baby is already swallowing and digesting around 3 liters of amniotic fluid a day. This serves as preparation for the start of life. It even digests particles 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 caesarean section? Perhaps you are expecting twins or your baby is in a breech position. The placenta may even be in front of the cervix. In such cases, a caesarean section is usually unavoidable. But don't worry, this is now a routine procedure. You will often be given your caesarean section date two weeks before the planned date of birth. A general anesthetic is usually only used if it has to be done very quickly. Your baby will therefore be placed on your chest immediately after the birth and you will hear everything about the birth.
At the beginning of the pregnancy, tiny little hairs formed that protected your entire baby from the amniotic fluid. These have now fallen out. The cheese gunk that served as protection from the amniotic fluid has also disappeared. The little fingernails reach over the fingertips.
The 38th week of pregnancy
Now it can start at any time! Every birth usually begins with contractions. However, they do not come suddenly, but increase in intensity and then become more frequent and regular. The rupture of the membranes does not usually occur in a gush, but only in a small trickle. However, the discharge of amniotic fluid always signals the start of the birth. You should then go to the hospital or a birthing center or contact your midwife. As soon as the mucus plug has loosened and the cervix dilates, bleeding usually occurs. This is usually accompanied by the onset of labor.
Your baby is now about 50 cm long and weighs 3200 grams. If your child is now on its way out, it is no longer considered a premature birth. It is possible that your baby's movements will slow down a little. However, if they do occur, they will be all the stronger. The baby's head is now low in your pelvis.
The 39th week of pregnancy
Do you feel a pulling sensation in your back down to your legs and does your belly get 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 are not already demanding your full attention and you can still lie comfortably at home on the sofa, consider staying at home. If you are unsure: call your midwife. If you don't have your own, contact the midwife on duty at the clinic.
The preterm labor starts. They push your baby, which is already very low in the pelvis, further and further towards the cervix with its head. The amniotic fluid acts as a cushion and protects your baby from the constriction.
The 40th week of pregnancy
You are in the 40th week of pregnancy and can hardly wait to finally hold your baby in your arms? Are you wondering whether you should actively help the contractions? There are a few simple tricks that can help: long walks, relaxed sex, a hot bath or a foot reflexology massage. However, please discuss this with your gynecologist or midwife beforehand.
Your baby is now ready to be born. It is fully 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 has to get going first. Even if you do not yet feel any signs of an impending birth, you do not need to worry. The calculated due date is always just an estimate. Only four percent of all babies are born on their due date. Around 30 percent of babies are born before and 60 percent in the 10 days after.
We at swing2sleep are delighted that we were able to accompany you during this exciting time of your pregnancy and inform you about the developmental stages your baby is going through. We wish you all the best for the delivery.
