During your third trimester, your bump will probably go through a real growth spurt, as you start the countdown to that amazing moment when you get to hold your baby for the first time!
Months four through six of your pregnancy will mark major fetal growth spurts, resulting in you gaining quite a bit of weight.
Your baby is now 17.72 inches long and weighs about 4.73 pounds. Baby is now starting the final growth spurt. Your baby's eyes now function very well and they can distinguish between light and dark.
It may feel as if there's no way your tummy can stretch any more than it already has, but there's no doubt about it — your baby bump will get a lot bigger over the course of the third trimester of pregnancy.
Now weighing around 2kg and measuring up to 44cm in length, (from crown to heel), the growth spurt continues during this week. The fetus may, or may have already, turned head-down (cephalic) in preparation for birth.
Your hormones in the third trimester
Estrogen and progesterone peak around 32 weeks and your estrogen levels are the highest they will ever be during this trimester—six times higher than before pregnancy, says Babicki-Farrugia. This is definitely the time to start taking your newborn checklist seriously.
This heavy feeling can be a sign that your baby's in the head down position, ready for birth.
Just as your baby's growth is starting to slow down by this stage, at 36 weeks pregnant its unlikely there will be much change in the size of your baby bump.
What you see on the outside — the general size and shape of your belly — doesn't have much to do with your baby, their health, or their size. A healthy baby can grow regardless of how your belly looks. During your second trimester, your doctor will start taking fundal height measurements.
A 32 weeks pregnant belly should measure about 30 to 34 centimeters from the top of the uterus to the pelvic bone.
If you're in your second or third trimester of pregnancy and you notice that sometimes your pregnant belly gets very hard, feels tight, and even causes mild discomfort, you're probably experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions.
The third trimester means a big growth spurt for your baby, who is starting to gain about half a pound each week. Her organs continue to develop, and she'll have noticeable active and restful periods. She will most likely have settled into a head-down position, ready for birth.
Why do I feel hungry all the time while I'm pregnant? Quite simply, your increased appetite during pregnancy is due to your growing baby demanding more nourishment — and she's sending the message to you loud and clear. Starting in the second trimester, you'll need to steadily gain weight to meet your baby's needs.
Your Pregnant Belly: Second Trimester (Weeks 14 to 27)
Around the 20-week mark your uterus will have grown up to your belly button, which for many women causes their belly to noticeably protrude or pop.
Week 13. This is the start of your second trimester! Your baby's growing fast. Her organs are fully formed and continue to develop.
Month 9 (weeks 33 through 36)
During this stage, the fetus continues to grow and mature. The lungs are close to being fully developed at this point in pregnancy.
A: It doesn't happen to everyone who's pregnant, but sometimes a growing fetus in the uterus puts so much pressure on your abdominal wall that your normally “innie” belly button becomes an “outie.” It typically happens in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, most commonly around 26 weeks.
For some moms-to-be, constantly touching, patting, rubbing and holding their belly can be soothing. For others, it's a way to feel close to the baby inside. But no matter the reason, rubbing your belly simply makes you feel good.
Up until about week 36 of pregnancy, it's possible to gain around one pound per week. Once you reach the final weeks, your baby stops gaining weight, so you may, too—or you might even lose a couple of pounds.
Just as your weight gain is slowing, your baby's weight gain will slow down a little bit as the pregnancy nears the end. At the same time, the amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus will continue to decrease, which will likely change the way you feel movements.
It may feel as if there's no way your belly can get any bigger, but there's no doubt about it – it will get bigger over the course of the third trimester of pregnancy. A lot bigger. Here's what to expect from your body and your rapidly-maturing baby in these final few weeks.
The earliest you can start your maternity leave is usually 11 weeks before your due date. However, even if you decide to work right up until your due date, if you end up taking time off with a pregnancy related illness during your last month of pregnancy, your leave will start then.
Bloating and uncomfortable fullness are common during pregnancy. Unlike other pregnancy symptoms, this symptom may last through all three trimesters. Fullness and bloating may be accompanied with nausea and vomiting, often referred to as morning sickness, or may present on their own.
Late in your third trimester, your baby is taking up most of the space your stomach used to occupy. This can lead to a decrease in appetite, heartburn and a need to eat smaller portions more often.