The late stages of pregnancy are marked with many changes, signaling that a woman's body is preparing to bring a new person into this world. Changes in the pelvis signal that the body is ready for delivery. Changes in the breasts show that they are ready and able to feed and comfort this new person. Emotional changes help the mother prepare for the presence of her baby.
Abdominal and Pelvic Changes
At about 30 weeks, the baby is gaining about 8 oz. a week, and he is rapidly running out of room. You may notice some shortness of breath as the baby takes up the room that your diaphram once used to breathe. Also, you may notice that your baby's movements have changed from rolls, swishes and kicks to kicking and punching in only a few areas. Occasionally, you may feel the baby's head and hands lower in your abdomen. A baby in utero often sucks his thumb or hands, and, if it slips from his mouth, his rooting reflex (the same reflex that will help him nurse after delivery) will cause him to move his head from side to side to find his hand again.
Most babies are head down now, in preparation for delivery, and you may feel your baby's head putting pressure on your pelvic floor, especially as he drops further into the pelvis. The low baby will also put even more pressure on your already-squeezed bladder, causing more increased urges to urinate.
In late pregnancy, the body continues to release a hormone called relaxin that slows smooth muscle contractions in the body. This helps to keep labor at bay, until the baby is full-term, but it also relaxes smooth muscles in other areas of the body, causing heartburn (from the relaxed muscles of the esophagus), swelling (from the relaxed muscles of the venous tissue) and, occasionally, hip pain (from the flexion of the pelvis).
As your baby grows, so too does your belly. Stretch marks may appear as your baby grows faster than your skin. Your belly may itch as it grows, as well. Many pregnant moms get relief from frequent applications of their favorite moisturizing lotion.
Breast Changes
You may also notice changes in your breasts during late pregnancy. They have increased in size throughout your pregnancy, as the mammary glands prepare to produce milk. New veins have formed and may be visible just under the skin. You may, even, notice leakage of clear, slippery, yellow or green fluid from one or both breasts. This "premilk," or colostrum, is the perfect antibody and protein-packed food for a newborn's tummy. Its production will continue, until it is replaced by mature milk a few days postpartum.
Emotional Changes
The late stages of pregnancy are also marked by many emotional changes. Many women experience anxiety regarding motherhood, birth and other changes brought on by the pregnancy. A mild case of anxiety or depression is completely normal and can be helped by speaking with experienced mothers, your doctor or midwife, or a friend. If you feel that you are experiencing more that just mild anxiety or "the blues," you should seek help from a counselor or medical professional.
Another emotional signpost that is common in late pregnancy is "nesting," or a burst of energy and an urge to have things, such as the nursery or baby clothes, ready for the new arrival.
References
- "The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth"; Sheila Kitzinger; 2003
- American Pregnancy Association: Fetal Development: Third Trimester
