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You’ve made it to the third trimester—Congratulations! Here’s what’s happening this week with your body and your baby.
How Big is Baby?
Can you picture a bowling pin? That’s about how long your baby is right now, measuring around 15 inches from head to heel.
What’s New with Baby?
Your baby’s nervous system is in overdrive this week, developing the nerves for all five senses: hearing, smell, touch, sight and taste. The brain is growing rapidly too. “Your baby’s brain will nearly triple in size during the third trimester,” explains Dr. Paula Lomba, an Ob/Gyn at UT Southwestern Medical Center. This week, the cerebrum is developing deep grooves to provide extra surface area without taking up room in the skull. Meanwhile, your baby’s nervous system is starting to control body temperature and manage breathing to help develop and strengthen baby’s lungs.
Paula Lomba, M.D., is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center who specializes in Ob/Gyn hospital medicine, labor management, care of Ob/Gyn emergencies, and quality and safety.
What’s new With Mom?
“You can expect to feel more regular and defined baby movements,” says Lomba. We know this can be fun, but be warned: Because of baby’s growth and movement, other not-so-fun symptoms can develop, like constipation, lower back pain, hip pain, and more heartburn and vaginal discharge. Staying active, eating a high-fiber diet, and maintaining a good posture can help ease some of these discomforts.
Fun Fact
You may be experiencing weird, vivid dreams, Mom, and that’s normal due to changing hormones and interrupted sleep. But here’s something amazing: your baby is likely dreaming, too. By now, they experience different sleep cycles, including REM (rapid eye movement) phase, where dreaming occurs.
Swollen Legs and Feet in Pregnancy
As your baby and belly continue to grow, you may notice swelling in your legs and feet. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. “Almost all women have some swelling in their feet toward the end of pregnancy,” noted Lomba. “It’s usually most notable after 34–36 weeks.”
So what causes the swelling in your legs and feet? Progesterone, a hormone that increases in pregnancy, can cause water retention and, therefore, swelling. In addition, the growing uterus can block circulation from the legs back up to the heart, which can cause the feet to swell, according to Lomba.
Tips to Manage Swelling
You can’t always prevent swelling, but you can minimize it. Dr. Lomba recommends:
• Stay hydrated. It works even if it sounds counterintuitive.
• Massage the calves and feet (or ask your partner—it’s a great bonding time!)
• Wear graduate compression socks (15–20mmHg knee-highs).
• Elevate your legs above heart level for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, several times daily.
• Soak your feet and ankles in cool water for 20 minutes a few times each week.
• Choose supportive shoes that fit well and provide good arch support.
• Treat yourself to regular pedicures! Tight shoes and infrequent nail trimming can cause ingrown toenails. And let’s be real, it’s difficult to get around the bump to do it yourself.
When to Call Your Doctor
Some swelling is expected, but there are time it can signal something more serious. “Most of the time, women have swelling in both legs and feet somewhat equally,” Dr. Lomba says. “But if you notice you have significantly more swelling on one side than the other—especially associated with pain, redness, difficulty walking—then it could be a sign of a blood clot.”
Sometimes swelling can be associated with preeclampsia, which is when women have elevated blood pressure at the end of pregnancy. Symptoms to watch for here are sudden swelling, including in arms and face, headache, vision changes and pain under your right rib, Dr. Lomba warns.
“If you experience any of these symptoms with swelling, notify your provider for expert care,” emphasizes Dr. Lomba.
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This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The above article was written by DFWChild contributor Katelin Walling with information provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of their sponsored content.
