You’ve made it to the final trimester of your pregnancy. Are you seeing third trimester pregnancy symptoms? Let’s see what is happening and what we can do about it! (Not quite there, yet? We also have articles about first trimester symptoms and second trimester symptoms.)
If you have medical questions about any of these third trimester symptoms, please consult with your healthcare provider.
Third Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms
The third trimester of pregnancy is filled with so much joy, a little anxiousness and a whole lot of aches and pains.
Third trimester pregnancy symptoms leave us tired and feeling a bit sluggish, but there are things you can do to manage symptoms during your third trimester.
1. Trouble Sleeping
Are you having trouble sleeping during your pregnancy? Most women in the third trimester find it difficult to get to sleep and once they are asleep they find it hard to stay asleep.
This is due to the ability to sleep. You are exhausted all day and sometimes can’t get comfy at night to fall asleep. Try using a pregnancy pillow and see if that helps you be more comfortable.
Before laying down do some relaxation breathing techniques to help clear your mind. Try to stay on a normal sleep schedule.
Train your body to go to sleep and wake up at the same time. This will hopefully help your body know it’s time to sleep and you will be able to get a better night’s rest.
2. Shortness of Breath
As your baby grows bigger during the third trimester your lungs are starting to become compressed. This is causing you to have shortness of breath and why you are finding it difficult to breathe.
Try practicing good posture while sitting or standing.
Keep exercising because the more you exercise it lowers your pulse and helps with your breathing.
3. Dry, Brittle Nails
Since your nails have been growing rapidly and you are now in your third trimester of pregnancy your nails have become brittle and are easily cracking.
The reason they grow so fast is due to the surplus in nutrients, so just try to keep them short to prevent them from breaking all the time.
4. Braxton Hicks
Braxton hicks begin to show up late in the second trimester or early in the third. Braxton hicks are basically fake contractions to prepare your body for labor.
There is nothing to worry about with Braxton Hicks contractions unless they get stronger, and closer together and don’t go away when you move because this is a sign of true labor.
So if you are having Braxton Hicks contractions, get up and walk around, take a drink and they should go away.
5. Bloating
As you venture into your third trimester of pregnancy bloating makes a return.
As your uterus continues to grow during the third trimester it is putting extra pressure on your stomach. This is causing your digestive system to slow down.
Try eating 6 small meals a day to help your digestive system process food better.
6. Pregnancy Brain
Pregnancy brain is definitely still present during the third trimester.
There is no cure for it, but just keep writing things down, making to-do lists, and giving yourself a little grace when it comes to remembering things.
7. Clumsiness
Are you suddenly a little more clumsy than before?
Now that your joints have loosened this is causing a shift in your gravity and you are more likely to fall. That and the fact that you are a little off-balance.
So be sure you are more careful walking, going up and downstairs and getting in and out of the bathtub to prevent you from falling.
8. Blurred Vision
While in your third trimester if you experience any blurred vision this could be a sign of high blood pressure.
You need to notify your doctor right away because is one of the symptoms of preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a sudden rise in blood pressure and typically develops in your third trimester.
9. Round Ligament Pain
As you continue to get bigger and the further along you get the more round ligament pain you will see.
This is due to your body continuing to stretch for your growing belly. If you are seeing round ligament pain now, you most likely will see it for the rest of your pregnancy.
Sitting and relaxing can help relieve this pain as it takes the pressure off your ligaments.
10. Faintness or Dizziness
In your third trimester, your belly is constantly getting bigger. This is putting more and more pressure on your blood vessels which reduce the blood flow to your brain.
This is one of the main reasons why pregnant women are faint or dizzy. Be sure you are drinking plenty of water to keep your blood pumping.
11. Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums continues to be a pregnancy symptom in the third semester. Your hormones continue to be all over the place this causes gum inflammation.
When there is inflammation in the gums you are more likely to have bacteria and bleeding gums.
Continue to brush and floss and visit the dentist every 6 months to help fight and prevent any infections.
12. Itchy Belly
An itchy belly is common in your third trimester. Since your cute baby bump is growing it is causing your skin to stretch out causing it to be dry and itchy.
Stock up on some fragrance-free moisturizing cream or take an oatmeal bath to help soothe the itchy belly.
13. Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) can be causing you to not get a good night’s rest during your third trimester.
If sleeping wasn’t already difficult enough now you can’t sleep due to restless legs. This could be due to the fact that you aren’t getting enough folic acid or iron, so be sure to talk to your doctor.
14. Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)
Another common third trimester pregnancy symptom is a pain in your pelvic better known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD).
SPD occurs are your ligaments stretch and pelvic bones begin to relax. This helps prepare you for delivery.
If you are feeling lots of pain try a pelvic support brace or talk with your doctor for more help.
15. Mask of Pregnancy
Mask of pregnancy can be more visible during your third trimester. You will see dark patches on your face and this is called chloasma (sometimes referred to as melasma).
This is hyperpigmentation of the skin. It’s commonly found in the upper cheek, nose, forehead, and lip. Most of it will fade after delivery within a few months.
16. Constipation
Constipation is back. Constipation is something that occurs during pregnancy because your system is just working really slowly.
Be sure you are eating enough fiber and drinking your “P” juices to try to stay regular.
17. Hemorrhoids
Raise your hand if you are lucky enough to have pregnancy hormones.
Hormones are caused by the veins in your bum as they begin to bulge and pop out. This increases the pressure of blood flow in your pelvic region.
While you can’t magically get rid of hemorrhoids, gentle wiping helps not irritate them as much as well as drinking lots of water so your stool is soft so they don’t become more irritated while using the bathroom.
18. Changes in Fetal Movement
As your baby gets bigger so do their baby kicks. In fact, they become stronger and stronger and more uncomfortable.
There is nothing to do about this, just know that your baby is becoming stronger and healthier.
19. Baby Drops
As your baby drops and makes his or her descent into the birth canal during the end of your third trimester, you’ll feel more pressure in your pelvis and the urge to pee more often.
Now is the time to celebrate because you have more room to eat and it’s becoming easier to breathe.
20. Possible Diarrhea
Diarrhea is common towards the end of your third trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the muscles relaxing and preparing for birth.
Just keep up with your water intake to help with the water loss if you are experiencing diarrhea.
21. Nesting Instincts
Nesting instincts are increasing now that you have entered your third trimester. You will find that you are suddenly having the urge to clean and organize everything.
Just don’t overdo it and take lots of breaks. This is a great sign you are preparing for the baby to come.
22. Fatigue
The third trimester of your pregnancy you are definitely fatigued.
You have been growing a baby for the last nine months, you aren’t sleeping well and you might have insomnia as well.
Try to rest when you can and even if you aren’t sleeping be sure you are taking lots of breaks.
23. Frequent Urination
One of my favorite third trimester pregnancy symptoms is frequent peeing. OK, not really.
Now that you are reaching the end of your pregnancy there is more pressure on your bladder leaving less room for urine storage.
This is the reason why you have to use the bathroom more often.
Try double voiding, which means go pee, and then try to pee again to get rid of all the pee so that you don’t have to go quite as often.
24. Backaches
Backaches are normal during your third trimester of pregnancy. This is due to you carrying extra weight with most of it being in the front.
Take warm baths or showers. Put a pillow behind your back while sitting for extra support, and get prenatal massages to help with backaches and pain.
25. Leaky Breasts (Colostrum)
Are you finding your breasts leaking these days?
This is colostrum that is leaking. This will actually be your baby’s food for the first few days until your milk comes in.
If you are leaking wear nursing pads to prevent leaking through your clothes.
26. Skin Rashes
It is common to see skin rashes as your skin changes. These rashes are itchy and usually are bumps on your stomach.
They’re annoying but cause no risk for your baby. To help with the itching put aloe vera gel on them after you shower.
27. Bloody Show
The bloody show happens before you go into labor.
It’s basically a pinkish brown-tinged mucus caused by rupturing blood vessels in your cervix.
Dilation and labor are on the horizon when you see a bloody show start to occur.
28. Water Breaking
Your water breaking is a late third trimester pregnancy symptom.
This is when your amniotic sac breaks and begins to leak fluid. Be sure to tell your doctor when you water breaks as this is a sign of labor.
29. Cervical Dilation / Effacement
While your body prepares for labor you probably won’t feel it occurring, but it is.
Your cervix will begin to soften and dilate which is a sign that delivery is on the horizon.
Third Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week
There you have it! Those are the main third trimester pregnancy symptoms and ways to make it through! Check out our complete week by week pregnancy guide to learn about all of the other pregnancy symptoms and what to expect.
What are you seeing during your third trimester? Share in the comments!
Informative blog. Even though the 3rd trimester is all fun it also comes with body pain.
great information………………….
Thank you so much for the information that you have shared here with all of us. You have made it easier for us…
Very informative articles thanks for sharing
Good article on Parenting.Deep insights shared.Keep it up
The information contained in your blog is really very useful for expectant mothers.
You might experience a variety of pregnancy symptoms in the third trimester, such as leg cramps, heartburn, varicose veins, backache, fatigue, hemorrhoids, numbness in the legs and feet, and itchy skin.