Third Trimester
Before you know it, the third trimester is coming to an end and the big day is looming around the corner. Are you all prepared for THE moment? Let us help you out by explaining to you about the different stages of labour and how to make a birth plan for your impending delivery. In the third trimester, you will also experience other changes in your body. Did you know you can exercise your way to an easier labour? Read up on exercises and methods that you can or cannot put to practice during the third trimester. If you’re still undecided on which hospital to head to for your birth, you can take a look at the maternity wards of Thomson Medical Centre, Raffles Hospital and Mount Alvernia in this section. Mummies-to-be, press on during the third trimester because it is the last stretch to the finish line!
More Articles from Third Trimester
Your pregnancy week by week: Week 42
Week 41 has passed and your baby is still in your belly. There is no reason worry; fewer than 5% of babies are actually born on their due date. This week you're going to get more attention than usual as your physician monitors your overdue baby more closely.
What's happening to your body?
You may be concerned that the pregnancy is taking too long, but studies show than 70% of post-term pregnancies aren't post-term at all. The confusion is…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 41
If your baby hasn't checked out at Week 40, don't be too worried. He or she is just one of the 50% of babies that opt to stay cozy in the womb a little bit past the due date. You, however, probably feel overworked and exhausted.
What's happening to your body?
By now, your body is ready for birth. You've probably been briefed about labour inductions already—but that doesn't ensure that you won't just end up going into labour…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 38
Your baby has grown another 2.5 cm in length and has gotten some 200g heavier since Week 37. Just about two more weeks until you get to see your little one!
What's happening to your body right now:
With two weeks left to go, your body is getting ready for life with baby. One way this happens is with leaky breasts, which many pregnant women experience. Your breasts are actually leaking colostrum, a thin yellowish liquid that is the precursor to breast milk. Colostrum is packed…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 37
Similar to Week 36, your baby has put on about 200g over the last one week. At Week 37, the average foetus weighs about 3 kg. Growth continues to slow, but he's not done growing yet. Until the end of Week 38, babies are still considered 'early term'.
What's happening to your body right now:
Your physician is probably going to start guessing when labour will begin. Signs of labour include dilation and effacement. Dilation refers to how far…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 39
Continuing from Week 38, your baby's brain development is still underway, even if you've already started feeling some of early signs of labour.
What's happening to your body right now:
Congratulations are in order because, at 39 weeks, you are considered to have carried your baby to its full term. Although, as your Braxton Hicks contractions increase in strength and frequency, you feel less like celebrating, remember that this is just your body getting ready for the…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 35
After Week 34, your baby is likely to have reached his or her maximum height already! But in the run up to homestretch, your baby will still be steadily gaining weight.
What's happening to your body?
Frequent urination strikes again at this point due to the position of the baby's head against your bladder. This may cause some difficulty in controlling fluids when laughing, coughing, or sneezing!
'Pregnancy brain' and increasing clumsiness might also be troubling you. You…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 34
So you're done with Week 33 and your baby is heavier and bigger than ever. But it doesn't end there! Your baby (and your uterus) is still growing!
What's happening to your body?
Your vision may be blurring, but don't fear—this is just because of your pregnancy hormones. Add a decrease in tear production, and that will explain why your eyes are dry and irritated, especially if you wear contact lenses. Getting more near- or far-sighted is…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 33
After Week 32, you're probably used to the weight of your baby-to-be. Good, because the foetus is still growing! Your foetus could be anywhere between 43 and 48 centimetres at this point—and you can look forward to 2.5 cm of growth this week. In addition, your foetus will still be gaining about a quarter of a kilo every week. Hang in there!
What's happening to your body?
A third-trimester insomnia afflicts 3 in 4 pregnant women and is caused by…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 32
After 31 weeks of pregnancy, you're probably feeling the weight of your baby—about 1.8 kilos already! Your baby could measure up to 48 cm and space is getting cramped. Your baby is looking more and more like a newborn. He is also learning to act more like a newborn as well—by honing skills needed for life outside the womb, like sucking, kicking, swallowing and breathing amongst others.
How your foetus is developing week by week:
Are you feeling a…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 40
After the pains of Week 39, you must be more than ready to see your baby! This is the official end of your pregnancy.
What's happening to your body right now:
Your due date is marked on your calendar but the little one seems to have missed the memo. This is common, as about half of pregnancies last longer than 40 weeks.
Weight gain also slows in this last month, and you may have even lost 0.9 kg…
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Your pregnancy week by week: Week 36
Welcome to your last month of pregnancy! Weighing in at about 2.7 kg, your baby is now about the size of a head of romaine lettuce, a bit bigger from being pineapple-sized at Week 35.
What's happening to your body right now:
Do you feel like you've been waddling around? It' not just in your head; the pregnancy waddle is real. It a symptom of the hormone-triggered loosening and softening of your connective tissue. This process increases the flexibility of your pelvic…
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Your Third Trimester, Week By Week
The home stretch of pregnancy can be a physically and emotionally challenging time. Let our week by week guide help you understand more about what your baby and your body is going through as you make your way across that finish line.
Thomson Medical Centre maternity ward tour
[caption id="attachment_131921" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Which hospital will you deliver your baby in?[/caption]
One of the most important parts of putting together your birth plan when you're pregnant is deciding where you'll deliver.
Thomson Medical Centre (TMC) in Singapore has been committed to the highest quality of treatment and has emphasized personalised care for women and children for the past 36 years. The hospital provide a comprehensive range of services specialising in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Paediatrics — not…
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Why does your belly button pop out during pregnancy?
Thinking about bodily changes during pregnancy is common to all pregnant women. But about belly button changes? This is a body part that most of us rarely think about. However, it does go through some changes during pregnancy.
Overdue: Can you eat curry to bring on labour?
You may feel that the nine months are becoming ten, so you may be willing to try anything to finally meet your baby. But trying natural induction methods is not recommended without doctor approval.
Why a water birth delivery may be right for you
Water birth is becoming more popular in Singapore as a soothing way to give birth. Educate yourself on the benefits and risks here at various hospitals
10 essential items for your pregnancy wardrobe
Being pregnant does not have to mean you are a fashion mishap. Dressing your bump is fun! We put together a must-have list of essentials for your pregnancy wardrobe.
Exercising while pregnant: 6 things not to do
Doctors recommend that you exercise lightly while pregnant to stay in shape and to make delivery easier. Here are 6 things not to do when exercising while pregnant.
TCM solutions for body swelling during pregnancy
Most women will experience swelling in certain areas of the body, such as the hands and the feet, during pregnancy. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers various solutions for this. Find out what you can do.
Safely turning a breech baby for delivery
Less than 5% of babies fail to take the normal position for birth Learn more about a breech position and if there are ways to encourage baby to turn before your delivery.
Crazy labour inducing methods
As you come to the end of your pregnancy, chances are that you will hear at least a handful of supposed labour inducing methods. Everyone and their mothers will probably tell you their stories of how they successfully got the process going a little quicker.
Fetal health screening FAQs
About two to five percent of babies are both with some type of birth defect. While small, it's a scary percentage for expecting mothers. Dr. Tony Tan, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Raffles Women’s Centre credits the defects to something unfortunately out of anyone's control.
"[They] may be due to chromosomal abnormality, genetic disease or structural abnormality in the baby," he says.
For this reason, medical experts say it's important for women of all ages, not…
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The stages of labour explained
You've heard the stories about what labour and delivery will be like, and you know that it hurts. Here we'll explain exactly what happens during all the stages of labour
Overdue? Natural ways to induce labour
Approximately 10% of pregnancies can last longer than 42 weeks. We take a look at different ways to induce labour, where these methods originate from and the effectiveness of such techniques.
How to sleep better during your pregnancy
Pregnancy sleep can be difficult to master. Each trimester has its own set of challenges. Here are some useful tips for getting better pregnancy sleep.
Does walking to induce labour really work?
Generally speaking, you will go into labour when the baby is ready to make its appearance. However, as you get closer to your due date, you might feel the need to try a few natural induction methods to encourage your little one.
I need to pee! Is it normal to need to 'go' all the time when pregnant?
Do you find yourself needing the loo more now you are expecting? Is it normal to urinate all the time when pregnant? We explore this common side effect of pregnancy.
How does baby breathe in your pregnant tummy
Learning the miracles of pregnancy is amazing. There are so many things that are unknown and will probably never be discovered. It is truly a wonder for a woman to be able to carry a child.
How to make a birth plan for your delivery
Before you head to the hospital to deliver your baby, you'll have an idea of how you want to do things during labour. Here's how to make a birth plan and make it official before your delivery
Pregnancy story of Nancy
Read the beautiful pregnancy journey of Nancy Emery as she shares what she loved and hated throughout her nine month journey. Also, find out what tips she has for preggy mummies out there.
When will baby drop? Know the signs that baby is on the move
During the last trimester of your pregnancy, you may wonder whether your baby as dropped. What happens during this process and what are the signs?
What happens when you're 26 weeks pregnant
What happens when you're 26 weeks pregnant? Learn about bodily changes, milestones and fetal development now that you're 26 weeks pregnant.
What happens when you’re 31 weeks pregnant?
You are 31 weeks pregnant, read about what is happening this week. How your body is changing and how your baby is developing. Plus, what might be happening in your life right now.
What happens when you’re 30 weeks pregnant?
What happens when you're 30 weeks pregnant? Learn about bodily changes, milestones and fetal development now that you're 30 weeks pregnant.
How to sleep better during the 3rd trimester
We look at some tips and tricks to help you sleep soundly during your last trimester. Following these pregnant sleep positions, recommended by doctors, at night time should give you the rest you need for you and your baby.
8 benefits of a C-section birth
Wxpectant mummies now have a choice over how you deliver your baby. As with any procedure in the theatre, undergoing major abdominal surgery carries some risks. But, here are 8 benefits of a C-section birth to help you make your decision.
What happens when you’re 29 weeks pregnant?
What happens when you're 29 weeks pregnant? Learn how your body is changing, pregnancy milestones and fetal development at this stage of your third trimester.
Can your baby bump shape predict your baby's gender?
While you are eager to find out if you are having a boy or a girl, the ultrasound can feel like a long wait. However, it is not very likely that the shape of your baby bump can be used as an accurate gender predictor.
Sweet dreams! Buying a baby cot
Buying a baby cot for your baby is likely to be one of your biggest decisions to make when shopping for your new arrival. A crib is the centrepiece of your nursery and a place where your baby will spend many relaxing hours. That’s why it’s worth taking the time to research the type of cot you want.
Types of baby cots
There are many types and styles of baby cots available from wooden cribs to high-tech…
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Baby genius? Listening to music in the womb
You’ve heard that listening to music in the womb makes your baby smarter, so should you start broadcasting Mozart and Vivaldi round the clock? Well, while there are a lot of benefits to start playing music for your baby in the womb, it may not really work the way you think.
Can baby respond to music in the womb?
From around 19 weeks, your baby can hear the sounds around him, such as the sound of your…
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Raffles Hospital maternity ward tour
If you’re planning to deliver your baby in a private hospital, Raffles Hospital in Singapore is a premiere choice. Providing an extensive range of vaccination, antenatal and delivery packages, the expert OBGYN and nurses at Raffles Hospital will support you through the different phases of conception, pregnancy, delivery and even post-delivery. Couples can also seek help from Raffles Fertility Centre for treatment options such as In-Vitro fertilisation (IVF), super ovulation and intrauterine insemination (SO-IUI) and…
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Study: Sleeping on back may increase risk of stillbirth
Although being pregnant is one of the happiest periods in a woman’s life, it also brings about some discomforts and routine changes. One of the normal everyday routines that will either change or become disrupted is a pregnant woman’s sleeping patterns and styles. With a growing baby in the tummy, many pregnant women find that they have to adjust the way they sleep and the timing of their bedtime just to be comfortable. It turns…
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Pregnancy fitness FAQ
Here are some common questions posed by pregnant mum’s with regards to fitness during pregnancy.
Is it safe for me to exercise during pregnancy?
Yes! If you are a healthy individual who is having a smooth pregnancy, it is extremely safe for you to exercise during pregnancy. If fact, maintaining a regular exercise routine throughout your pregnancy can help you stay healthy and feel your best.
Besides improving your posture and decreasing some common discomforts such as backaches…
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Why you should exercise during your pregnancy
Do you know that exercising during your pregnancy can be beneficial for you and your unborn baby too? Let us tell you why!
Exercise: such an innocent and harmless word on the surface…but yet it holds the power to evoke intense fear in the hearts of many. The thought of sweating and groaning and possibly pulling a muscle while performing yet another squat will turn anyone off the idea of exercising – but yet we know…
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Will breastfeeding change my breast shape & size?
Yes, breastfeeding will probably change both the shape and size of your breast. So does pregnancy as well. For some women they will have fuller breast after breastfeeding and for others, the breast shrinks. It is difficult to predict what will happen for each individual. Generally, after pregnancy, your breast will hang lower, this is due to the stretching and strain placed on the ligaments as they grow. One way to minimise this is to…
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What to buy before your baby is born
Shopping for your new arrival can be an exciting time, but it can be all too easy to get carried away. While there are some things that are a great idea to buy before your baby is born, there are other items that you may want to hold off on getting until after the birth — like a crib or all those adorable onesies you've been eyeing. Before you start racking up the bills, consider…
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Different fetal positions your baby may take during labour
Unborn babies can change into different fetal positions throughout your pregnancy. The majority of babies will tend to get into their final fetal positions during the last trimester of the pregnancy. Most women will not have a problem with delivering their baby because their baby is in the most common fetal position. There are a very rare cases that will change things in the delivery room.
RELATED: What pain relief methods are available for labour? [EXPERT]
Vertex fetal…
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6 important things mums can gain from the Mount Elizabeth Hospital Childbirth Education Programme
Discover how the Mount Elizabeth Hospital Childbirth Education Programme can truly benefit parents-to-be through its highly informative class offerings.