All about trimesters of pregnancy

Pregnancy is a fairly long time period. Consider the time before birth can be by day, by week, by month. For ease of calculation, it is easier for both the doctor and the woman to orient themselves in the development of the baby, in the course of time, in obstetrics it is common to divide the entire pregnancy into three equal parts. Each was called a trimester. Each trimester has its own distinctive features.

Pregnancy trimesters are periods of time equal to three calendar months. In total, childbearing lasts 9 months in calendar terms or 10 obstetric months.. The difference is that one calendar month familiar to us contains from 28 to 31 days, and obstetric always equals 4 weeks, that is 28 days.

The entire gestational period is divided into three trimesters.. The answer to the question of whether the 4th trimester of pregnancy exists is obvious: there is no such trimester.

At first, there was a rather primitive, simplified method for determining the trimester: the entire duration of the pregnancy was taken and divided by 3, three periods of 14 weeks each appeared. But with this calculation it turned out that the third, last trimester ended at the 42nd week of pregnancy. Prolonged pregnancy (from 40 to 42 weeks), of course, is not such a rarity, but the situation is not so widespread, and therefore a more rational, in the opinion of obstetricians, method of calculation was gradually developed.

Considering that the pregnancy in the vast majority of cases of women lasts 266-280 days, they took 40 weeks as a basis. The countdown is taken from the first day of the last menstrual period, because there is no way to establish the exact day of conception. At the same time, 40 weeks were divided into 3 parts, taking into account:

• features and rates of formation of fetal structures and the "children's place";
• metamorphosis in the female body;
• exposure to negative factors of influence, which are able to make their own adjustments to the formation of a new life;
• availability of drug therapy and possible other medical interventions to solve current problems with the state of the child and mother.

The result was three periods, which are presented in the table.

If you look at this method of division from the point of view of the separation of periods of development of the baby, you get the schedule of trimesters presented below.

According to the degree of danger, trimesters also have their own classification, which is multifactorial and quite complex.

It should be noted that the most dangerous and "critical" are:

• period of implantation and blastogenesis (they begin one week after conception and last several days);
• period of placentation (formation and formation of the placenta);
• period of organogenesis (formation of internal organs) - 3-9 weeks;
• the beginning of the aging of the placenta, an increase in its permeability (32-36 weeks).

Thus, the most critical periods fall on the first trimester, the danger of the beginning of the third trimester is not so high.

First trimester lasts exactly 13 weeks and is considered the most dangerous. All processes during this third period of gestation occur so rapidly that they need to be measured not even weeks and days, but minutes and seconds. This distinguishes the first trimester from the other two.

In the first third of the pregnancy, organogenesis and placentation occur. This means that from a single cell, which is called a zygote, formed after the merger of two parent cells, a full-fledged complex organism is formed in a limited and rather short period of time.

The first 2 weeks after conception are spent on implantation and cellular processes inside the blastocyst. The baby is fixed in the uterus, being a blastocyst, and begins to receive nourishment and oxygen from the mother’s blood.

The villi of the chorion connect with its blood vessels. Simultaneously with the formation of all the internal organs, without exception, the placentation is underway - the gradual formation of the placenta, without which the development of the baby is impossible. This process goes from 3 weeks after conception to 8 weeks.

Then the crumb ceases to be called an embryo and becomes a fetus, the fetal period of its development begins.

If we consider what is happening in the first trimester in more detail, we get a certain sequence.

• Preimplantation period. The conception took place, with the merging of the parental gametes a diploid zygote turned out - an absolutely new stem cell with a complete set of gene information about the future little man. It is from it that a new full-fledged organism will appear. This amazing cell moves for about three days along the fallopian tube into the cavity of the female reproductive organ. It quickly becomes two-cell. Its movement is uneven. At the same time, it is divided into blastomeres and becomes morula. Morula sinks into the uterine cavity and swims freely in it for about three days, transforming into a blastocyst. She first sticks to the endometrium, and then begins to dive deeper with the help of the villi of the outer layer. Implantation takes about 40 hours.
• Intrauterine development of the baby. It usually begins on the 9-10th day after conception, when the implantation is successfully completed. The formation of three germinal lobes begins. They will become the internal organs, skeleton, muscles and skin of the child. When the mother begins the first day of delay, the child is already two weeks old, and midwives think that she has 4 weeks of pregnancy. The kid resembles a vial that is covered with chorial cells. Next, you can evaluate the metamorphosis of the main stages.
• Four weeks of pregnancy - proembryo becomes a full-fledged embryo. The prototype of the placenta is a fluffy and dense collection of villi covering the egg of the child. This can not protect your baby from negative factors. The very first ones are laid extraterrestrial structures that should prepare the best environment for the baby's survival - the yolk sac, the tertiary villi.
• Fifth week of pregnancy (3rd week of the development of the crumbs) - the time of formation of the primary strip, which determines the division into right and left parts, also determines the location of the head and tail. And immediately begins the formation of internal organs.The neural tube, the heart, and the sex cells appear first. The tiny heart, which is still only a two-chamber heart, begins to decline by 21 days after conception, at the end of this obstetric week, and this can already be determined by ultrasound. Simultaneously with the neural tube, the liver, trachea, lungs, the primary intestine, the primary kidney and the pancreas begin to form.
• Sixth week of pregnancy (4 from conception) - the period when the embryonic disk begins to curl into a cylinder, in which the intestinal tube arises. The formation of the prototype of the nervous system begins. The brain and spinal cord are “marked”. There are rudiments of arms and legs, the heart pulses and bulges forward. There are gills - as many as five pairs of arcs. There are eyes and nose, the baby has learned to bend.
• Seventh week of pregnancy (5 from conception) - the time of formation of the brain. The first nerve fibers begin to appear, which pass from the organs to the brain and in the opposite direction. The spine gets its first bend. Hands grow faster than legs. Sexual roller tubercles appear, while the boys and girls are exactly the same. The early placenta becomes more complex, the embryo's blood supply becomes more intense.
• Eighth week of pregnancy (6 from conception) significant in that the brain and spinal cord are separated, become different parts of the central nervous system. The kid is able to quickly bend and unbend the neck, facial structures begin to develop. On the hands there are fingers. The girls in the formed ovaries have 7 million eggs.
• Ninth week of pregnancy (7 from conception) - time of metamorphosis in the limbs, the fetus has learned to straighten the legs and arms. Own erythrocytes appear in the baby’s blood, which can enter the mother’s bloodstream. It is on their detection that a non-invasive genetic DNA test is based, which can be carried out after a given week to determine the chromosomal abnormalities and sex of the baby.
• Tenth week of pregnancy (8 from conception) - the laying of organs ends. The child has everything, and now it will all grow and become able to function. The brain is developing intensively, the behavior of the baby becomes more complex.

By the end of the period of organogenesis, the fetus shows amazing abilities - it covers the face with its hands, sucks a finger, and if it is in danger (the woman decided to have an abortion at this time), he deftly dodges obstetric instruments inserted into the uterine cavity. The kid can swallow water, the kidneys work, which bring urine back to the water. Amniotic fluid refreshes the composition every 3-4 hours.

The first trimester is considered one of the most difficult. Such intense processes inside the female body can not but affect her condition. Some survive this period relatively easily, without toxicosis, but most expectant mothers are looking forward to the end of the first trimester, since the second should bring them at least some relief.

The deterioration of health in the first third of the term of carrying a baby is associated with the action of the hormone progesterone. It is produced in large quantities from the moment of conception, and after implantation its high level is maintained by chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Progesterone is very important for preserving pregnancy. - he prepares the endometrial layer of the uterus for implantation, accumulates fluid and fat in the body to “feed” the growing body, relaxes smooth muscles to prevent increased uterus tone, inhibits the activity of female immunity so that the embryo is not rejected by the aggressive protective cells of the mother's body, who will perceive it as an alien object.

At the same time, progesterone has other actions - it makes the future mother's psyche unstable, the mood changes spontaneously and dramatically, leads to insomnia, relaxes not only the muscles of the uterus, but also the muscles of the esophagus and intestines, which causes heartburn and constipation. Reduced immunity increases the likelihood of illness and exacerbation of chronic ailments. In the development mechanism toxicosis there is also a share of the responsibility of progesterone and its effects on the immune system.

There are many reasons why development in this important period can go wrong. It has long been observed that the presence of disease in a woman significantly increases the likelihood of malformations in a childand the organ of the same name suffers - a woman with kidney disease often gives birth to children who already have problems with the kidneys at the time of birth, and the mother’s heart defects increase the likelihood of fetal heart defects.

Talking about which the most dangerous weeksIt is worth noting that all weeks are dangerous in the first trimester. Unfavorable factors that can affect the fetus after 13 weeks, can cause functional disorders of the organs, but if such factors exactly affect during the period of organogenesis, the defects will be significant, sometimes incompatible with life.

The most dangerous for the fetus are factors such as:

• androgens;
• caffeine;
• indomethacin;
• large amounts of ultraviolet radiation (increases the risk of mutations);
• aspirin (often leads to abnormalities in the structure of the facial structures, delayed development of the fetus);
• an excess of vitamin A;
• lack of iodine, calcium;
• the presence of the mother's diabetes;
• acute infectious viral diseases.

Mutations can occur at the stage of zygote formation, and then the pathology will be chromosomal. These include Down syndrome, Edwards, Turner and others. Some of the “mistakes” that could arise during this period are incompatible with life, the pregnancy is interrupted in the early stages.

Special attention should be paid to the woman medications that she takes. Unfortunately, even gynecologists sometimes prescribe some means for no apparent reason, without taking into account individual features, which greatly increases the likelihood of developmental abnormalities. Even simple vitamins, if they are excessive, can lead to irreversible serious consequences.. Absolutely harmless medication for pregnant women does not happen in nature. Relatively harmless include water-soluble vitamins and minerals, natural laxatives, as well as drugs against ulcers.

Synthetic laxatives, magnesium sulfate solution, enzyme preparations, atropine, corticosteroid hormones, diuretic drugs, some antibiotics of the penicillin, cephalosporin groups, as well as antibiotics, macrolides and antifungal agents are among the means that can adversely affect the fetus. It is strictly forbidden, since they have a pronounced teratogenic effect, sulfonamides, tetracycline, streptomycin, levomycetin, all quinolones, aminoglycosides.

Barbiturates, antihistamines, and vitamins are prohibited in the first trimester, if there are too many of them. It would seem that vitamins can not harm the baby, but there are some nuances here too. Here is what large doses of vitamins can do:

• vitamin C - provocateur miscarriage, missed abortion;
• vitamin A - a factor leading to various defects, more often to defects of the central nervous system, organs of vision, palate;
• vitamin E - causes anomalies of skeletal structures and eyes;
• vitamin k - leads to the formation of heart defects, blood vessels, nervous system.

That is why vitamins are advisable only in the second trimester and beyond, and only some women need them in the early periodwhich have a deficiency of certain substances. Everyone does not need vitamins.

Psychotropic substances and hypnotic drugs, tranquilizers can disrupt the formation of brain structures of the child. As long as the baby is not protected by a complete placenta, everything that enters the maternal bloodstream can penetrate to it. This applies to viruses, bacteria and unwanted substances. There is a high probability of miscarriage, missed abortion, pathology of the placenta.

Given the risks, the basic recommendations for women in the first trimester are fairly simple.

• Lead a healthy lifestyle, give up alcohol (even non-alcoholic beer), do not smoke, do not take drugs.
• Avoid taking medication without consulting your doctor.. When prescribing vitamins, ask if this appointment is justified (ideally, the doctor should conclude that certain vitamins are insufficient according to the results of the biochemical blood test), in the absence of vitamin deficiency, give up vitamin preparations in the first trimester.
• Sleep more. It takes at least 8-9 hours to restore the enormous energy costs that accompany the intensive processes in the female body.
• Eat right. It is not necessary to radically change your diet right away, it will be enough to adjust it a little: start eating 5 times a day in small portions, make sure that there is enough carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the food, and not only plant proteins, but also animals. In the diet should appear vegetables and fruits, it should leave fried, smoked products and dishes, spicy, fast food, factory sweets and carbonated drinks.
• Do not pull with registration - this can be done at any time, but it is best up to 12 weeks, it will enable in the earliest terms to identify possible fetal abnormalities and defects, pregnancy complications.
• Try to stay in a good mood and maintain emotional balance.. Stress hormones, which are produced by a woman during periods of experiences and negative emotions, have an overwhelming effect on sex hormones, which can lead to miscarriage, missed abortion, and fetal developmental pathologies.
• Avoid infection with viral infections., do not visit large shopping centers, crowded concerts and performances, try to avoid traveling in public transport at rush hour. This will help protect yourself from flu, acute respiratory viral infections, chickenpox, measles and other diseases that are dangerous for the formation of crumbs.

All surveys that are conducted in the first third of the gestation period are considered the most informative. They allow a fairly objective assessment of perinatal risks. The first examination of the woman will be held on the day of the consultation.Considering the personal obstetric history, the number of births, abortions, the health of the expectant mother, the doctor will prepare an individual examination plan for her. It will be based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Health.

When registering, in addition to the gynecological examination, a woman is waiting for a large list of tests that need to be done before 11-13 weeks, since during this period she will undergo first prenatal screeningevaluating the risks of fetal chromosomal abnormalities.

A large first examination, when applying to a consultation, will include:

• blood tests for the group and rhesus, coagulogram;
• general blood and urine tests;
• a blood test for HIV status, syphilis and infectious hepatitis;
• research for TORCH infections;
• vaginal secretion smear analysis.

Not necessarily, but almost everywhere, the first ultrasound is carried out before screening. His goal is to establish the fact of uterine pregnancy, specify the period, calculate the number of fetuses, exclude ectopic and vesicular drift, eliminate tumors in the uterus. At 11-13 weeks, the woman donates blood for a biochemical study, and she is screened by ultrasound for a search for markers of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

Second trimester - This is the period from 14 to 27 - It is considered the most calm, because the main risks are left behind. The child does not form anything new, already formed organs grow and develop, the work of different systems is improving. The tummy begins to grow, but women in this period usually feel good - with the formation of the placenta, the child is more protected, the mother is calm, passes toxemia, it’s still not hard to wear the baby, not burdensome.

The baby is now not growing as fast as in the first trimester, but is actively gaining weight. By week 22 it will reach a weight of 500 grams, and childbirth will not be considered a miscarriage, they will be just childbirth, just premature. The baby will have a chance to survive.

With the beginning of the second trimester, the baby's lungs begin to "train". Of course, he does not breathe in the usual sense, but his lungs are already making the corresponding movements - this is how the breathing reflex is set. Tiny vesicles of the alveoli develop by week 22, later the production of surfactant begins - a special phospholipid substance that does not allow the lungs of the crumbs after they make the first inhalation and exhalation to stick together.

Premature birth before 37 weeks are dangerous precisely the fact that distress syndrome can develop, in which many premature babies die from respiratory failure - the inability to breathe.

By the middle of the second trimester, the immune system begins to work in the child. There are all the immune cells, but so far the baby’s immunity is very weak. At the beginning of this third period of gestation, the intestinal motility appears in the child, meconium is deposited in the intestine - dark green feces, with which the crumb will defecate after it is born.

The kidneys develop very slowly, and finally their functions are established only by the 36th week of pregnancy.. The danger of childbirth in the second trimester lies in the fact that the child will have immature kidneys, which is fraught with an imbalance of fluids and salts in the body.

The baby begins to move in the first trimester, but pregnant women begin to feel its movements only in the second: primipara - at 20-22 weeks, and multiparous - at 18 weeks. As the nervous system of the fetus gradually develops, movements become more and more meaningful. Until the end of the trimester, babies often turn their heads up and down, rotate around their axis, bend and unbend their limbs.

Develops the cerebral cortex. By week 27, its layers are differentiated completely., matures vestibular apparatus and motor centers, the brain becomes heavier and takes control of the organs and systems of the baby. From week 26, adaptation mechanisms and adjustment of the sense organs start.

The main danger of the second half of the second trimester is preeclampsia - it is a form of late toxicosis, which is manifested by edema - external, visually distinguishable, and internal.

Dangerous and placental insufficiency. In addition to nutrition and protection, the placenta secretes hormones, including very important for the growth of the baby. Therefore, problems with the placenta can lead to fetal hypoxia, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal death. It is important to know that the lack of growth hormones slows down the formation of surfactant in the lungs of a child.

What complications are most commonly detected in the second trimester:

• preterm delivery (survival up to 25 weeks is extremely low, then it grows up to 80% to 27 weeks, but the risk of disability in children of survivors remains high);
• ICN (functional failure of the cervix uteri);
• placental pathology;
• intrauterine infection of the fetus.

Influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, colds are not as dangerous for the baby as before. But now they are dangerous because of the likelihood of high temperatures. It can interfere with uteroplacental blood flow, leading to premature aging of the placenta, and therefore in case of illness it is important not to allow high heat. The use of medicines is expanding - if necessary, antibiotics and antipyretics can be prescribed to a woman.

In the second trimester, a woman should be very attentive to her well-being.

• Monitor vaginal discharge, using sanitary pads - when the appearance of bloody, dark, brown or purulent secretions should immediately consult a doctor.
• Prepare mammary glands for the upcoming breastfeeding. Wash them with water of contrasting temperature, rub them gently with a rough towel - this will help the nipples to become somewhat coarsen, which will facilitate later the task of feeding the baby.
• Increase the amount of daily sleep by 1 hour during the day. In total, a woman should sleep at least 9-10 hours a day.
• Choose comfortable clothes given the fact that by the middle of the trimester increases sweating. Wear a supporting bra with wide straps to relieve back pain due to breast augmentation. If necessary, after consulting a doctor, start wearing a prenatal bandage.
• As long as there is strength tidy up the house, start the arrangement of the children's room. Spend time shopping for children, because in the third trimester, shopping and cleaning will be much more difficult.
• Nutrition should be rich in vitamins, it's time to add a multivitamin., saturate the diet with healthy and healthy food, steamed, boiled and baked. The main thing - to prevent constipation and the appearance of hemorrhoids.
• A woman should watch her own weight weekly.. Excess supplementation can be not only a consequence of overeating, but also a sign of the presence of internal edema during preeclampsia - be sure to report the increase to your doctor.

When appearing in a consultation, a woman who is in the middle of the gestation period must be weighed, blood pressure is measured, hands and feet are examined for edema. After 20 weeks, examine the cervix, measure and record its length in the exchange card. A woman passes a urinalysis before each visit to the doctor. If necessary, any of the necessary studies are carried out, re-donating blood for HIV and syphilis.

A woman is undergoing an ultrasound scan not only as part of the screening, but also in any situation where the doctor has concerns about the condition of the baby and mother. In the second trimester, Doppler ultrasound is performed - it is a color ultrasound that allows you to evaluate the speed of blood flow in the uteroplacental system, to evaluate the functioning of the heart and fetal vessels. If a woman is found to have the prerequisites for preeclampsia, then at 15 and 20-21 weeks, drug prevention is carried out.

16 to 21 week passes second prenatal screeningIn the framework of which a woman again donates blood from a vein for a biochemical study, and also undergoes an ultrasound examination to identify anomalies and malformations of the fetus.

The third trimester is considered to be quite difficult - the woman’s well-being is deteriorating for quite natural reasons, it becomes difficult to bear a baby, because it is already big. In the future mother's body, global restructuring is underway, a generic dominant is being formed: all its organs and systems and the fetus begin to prepare for childbirth - a complex reflex process.

The kid is actively growing, his organs and systems are ripening, he has learned to adapt to various adverse factors, a compensatory mechanism has been developed, which allows the kid to regulate the functioning of his body under the influence of harmful factors. In this third of the gestation period, fetal defects almost do not arise, or this happens very, very rarely - his body is already highly resistant.

The fetus increasingly affects the body of the mother - in a small amount, he begins to produce oxytocin, which accumulates and gradually brings the beginning of labor. The placenta is aging, it develops its resource and from week 34 it begins to gradually lose the effectiveness of barrier protection and becomes more permeable..

The uterus begins to be supplied with blood more intensively. By week 36, she reaches her maximum stretch. If the birth occurs in this trimester ahead of time, it all depends on what time it is, and how well the baby is developed. But the critical period for preterm birth, when the survival rate is low, and the probability of disability is high, has already been left behind in the second trimester (from 22 to 27 weeks).

The aging of the placenta has a great biological meaning - so the female body and nature are trying to regulate the growth of the fetus so that it does not become too large, because it still has to go through the birth canal. In the third trimester, the baby enters at 28 weeks with an average weight of 1 kilogram. But already at 34 weeks it weighs up to 2.3 kilograms, and by week 38 it is up to 3.5 kilograms. An active process of accumulation of subcutaneous fat is in progress. Now the type of nutrition of a pregnant woman is of great importance.

The formation of the brain crumbs. By week 37, myelination of the nerve fibers of the spinal cord and the midbrain is completely completed. But the baby is incapable of arbitrary, conscious movement to the very birth, all its movements are reflex. AND consciously reach out for something with your hand or turn your head to the sound; the baby will begin to learn after it is born.

The senses work almost perfectly perfectly: immediately after birth, the baby will begin to perceive a lot of new things for himself - smells, sounds, light and taste, temperature of the environment. His digestive system is ready for a new type of food. The accumulation of surfactant in the lung tissue continues, and the number of respiratory movements of the lungs is doubled.

Given that the most intensive processes in this trimester occur in the brain of a child, the main danger is a violation of his work.Hypoxia can interfere with it - oxygen starvation, intrauterine infection, high maternal pressure and numerous metabolic disorders. Impaired blood supply to the brain of a baby, lack of oxygen can lead to irreversible consequences - severe mental disorders, disorders of the central nervous system, death of the baby or stillbirth.

All measures are now aimed at preventing such a state. If it is found that the fetus is exposed to a negative impact and can no longer compensate for its own condition, then the decision is made to stimulate childbirth or carry out a caesarean section ahead of time, because the child is already viable.

The danger now represents the possibility of injuries - a woman with a big belly and a changed center of gravity does not always see where she is going, while a fall and a blunt abdominal trauma can occur.

But my mother's colds and flu, as well as medication, are not as dangerous for the crumbs as before. It is possible to receive the necessary treatment if there is a need for it.

In order to better understand how well the child feels, in the last third of the term of gestation, methods such as Doppler and CTG are used. Doppler ultrasound - a great way to make sure the placenta is in place, in the features of the blood flow between the mother and the placenta, the placenta and fetus.

Cardiotocography is carried out from the 30th week in the antenatal clinic for all pregnant, and then according to indications as many times as necessary, because such a diagnostic method does not have any harmful effects. Two half-hour sensors on the mother's abdomen record changes in the heart rate of the fetus and its locomotor activity.

Late preeclampsia is dangerous now - it significantly worsens the course of labor and prognoses for the baby and mother. Therefore, as before, a woman at each visit to the doctor must be examined for edema, weighed, blood pressure is measured on two hands. After 34 weeks spend third screening - Ultrasound.

By week 38, the cervix is ​​examined for maturation and preparation for childbirth.. Before giving birth, a woman gives another impressive list of tests, repeating the one described above, when registering.

To control the condition of the fetus, much must be done not only by doctors, but also by the expectant mother herself. For this From the first week of the trimester (28 obstetric weeks) a mandatory daily count of fetal movements is introduced. Do not ignore it..

Normally, a baby in 12 hours must have at least 10 episodes of motor activity. The reduction can speak of a severe uncompensated hypoxia, and an increase in hypoxia in the initial stage, when the baby still manages to compensate for the lack of oxygen.

Here are some more useful recommendations in late terms.

• Be attentive to your condition, watch for secretions, sensations, study as much information as possible about the structure of your reproductive organs, about the processes of preparing for childbirth, about physiological changes and training fights, so as not to disturb yourself, relatives and doctor with unfounded complaints about completely natural processes.
• Attend courses for expectant mothers. There, they will teach you how to breathe and straighten correctly, tell you about the methods of naturally reducing birth pain without medicines, tell you which gymnastics will help you better prepare for childbirth. And there they will show how to care for a newborn, how to adjust lactation.
• There is more time, because at the beginning of the last trimester, a woman goes on maternity leave. Do not spend this time on the sofa with a plate of favorite treats, do not reduce as much as you are active - walk, do exercises, walk, do yoga. This will help to better prepare the muscles for childbirth and will facilitate easier delivery.
• Pre-select a maternity hospital or perinatal center (This opportunity is now given by the birth certificate, which is given to all expectant mothers when they sign up maternity leave in consultation). When choosing, evaluate the technical equipment of the hospital, ask how the children's reanimation is equipped, what qualification category specialists work in this hospital, what are the conditions for staying in wards. Having decided, sign the exchange card with the chief doctor or the head of the chosen obstetric institution.
• Pay special attention to psychological readiness for childbirth - fears and panic increase muscle clamps, and they, in turn, increase the likelihood of protracted labor, weakness of labor forces, ruptures of the cervix, birth canal, child birth injuries. All fears must be worked out with a psychologist or psychotherapist and eliminated before childbirth begins.
• Eat less calcium in late third trimesterbecause the baby’s skeleton has already hardened, and the cranial bones need to remain relatively soft and mobile. A month before giving birth, reduce the amount of animal protein, add more vegetables, fish and chicken breast.
• Visit the doctor once a week from the 36th week of pregnancy, do not forget to do a urinalysis every time - this is very important now.
• Collect the bag and documents necessary for hospitalization in advance.. It should be visible and always ready to be sent to the hospital.
• Try not to travel in the last weeks by air, do not go on long trips. Take a charged phone and exchange card with you when leaving the house - childbirth can start at any time and in any place.

The third trimester is not limited to the top bar. Childbirth can happen at week 37 and week 42.

Readiness for childbirth of the baby and mother should be mutual. When this happens, childbirth will surely begin. If they do not start, then there are obstacles that can significantly complicate the generic process, if forced to cause it.

Stimulation and preparation for childbirth, if they are delayed, should be dealt with exclusively by medical workers in a hospital. Attempts at home can lead to tragedy. According to statistics, every third child is born on the 38th week. At 39-40 week - more than half of all children. Exactly at 40 weeks - only 5% of babies, and after 40 weeks - another 15% of the crumbs.

The main thing that a pregnant woman in the final weeks should remember is the exact signs of the onset of labor:

• rhythmic contractions of the uterus appeared, it tenses and relaxes at certain intervals of time;
• the waters are gone.

The third trimester ends with a pleasant and amazing event that will change your whole life - the birth of the long-awaited, beloved and most beautiful child in the world, your child.