10 common third trimester problems you may experience

When entering your third trimester, in addition to feeling happy when you are about to welcome your baby, there are certain health issues that you should be aware of.

The third trimester begins at 28 weeks and ends with the birth of the baby. This is an exciting time for the mother as well as the family members. However, some health problems are still at risk and you should learn to avoid affecting your baby's condition.

In the following article,  aFamilyToday Health will introduce 10 common problems in the 3rd trimester to help you better understand these conditions.

1. Pre-eclampsia - a dangerous condition that usually occurs in the 3rd trimester

Pregnant mothers may have to deal with this situation after the 20th week of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia in pregnancy is a serious complication and requires immediate treatment. If delayed, this can lead to eclampsia or convulsions, kidney failure and even death.

Symptoms of pre-eclampsia include high blood pressure, proteinuria, swelling of the hands and feet due to fluid retention, and excessive weight gain. In severe cases, pregnant women may experience headache, blurred vision and pain in the upper abdomen.

Treatment for pre-eclampsia during pregnancy will depend on the severity of the condition. If your pregnancy is past 37 weeks , your doctor will recommend a cesarean section . In the case of pregnancy of 34 weeks or less, your doctor will use medicine to accelerate the development of the fetal lungs.

2. Preterm labor is a potential risk factor in the third trimester

This is one of the most common pregnancy complications during the third trimester. You will go into labor if you start to feel uterine contractions before the usual adulthood of pregnancy, that is, around 37 weeks.

Women with multiple pregnancies , a history of preterm labor in previous pregnancies, or those with uterine and cervical problems are often in the high risk group for preterm labor.

Pregnant mothers need to pay attention to the suspicious signs to be able to get to the hospital in time, such as:

Urinate more often

A feeling of tightness in the lower abdomen

The vagina drains and becomes constricted.

Sometimes, doctors prescribe drugs with magnesium sulfate to prevent preterm labor. In some cases, when labor begins before the 34th week of pregnancy, pregnant mothers are allowed to use steroids to accelerate fetal lung development.

3. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)

In rare cases, the baby may develop intrauterine delayed fetal syndrome (IUGR) because the growth index has not changed, it can be seen that the fetus has limited growth. . Sometimes it's due to genetics that babies are born smaller than the standard.

There are many causes of this condition in the 3rd trimester, including the mother suffering from gestational diabetes, anemia, malnutrition or kidney problems, high blood pressure ... If the fetus has stopped growing, the doctor will recommend a cesarean section immediately.

4. Young placenta in the third trimester

In rare cases, the placenta separates from the uterus even before labor begins. This condition is called premature placenta and is extremely serious because it can cause fetal death in the womb. Premature placenta also causes serious vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain and cramps or even convulsions.

Although an exact cause for this condition is not known, factors that may increase the risk of premature placenta ablation include diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, twins , short umbilical cord, mother's age and bulging of the wall of the uterus due to excess amniotic fluid.

Some pregnant mothers need to cesarean section immediately if they are diagnosed with placenta falling premature. In the event of excessive blood loss from vaginal bleeding, you will need a blood transfusion.

5. Each other striker

Food and all the nutrients that your baby receives while in the womb comes through the placenta. This organ will be eliminated from the mother's body after the baby is born. If the mother elected to be a striker, during labor, the placenta will first shed and block in front of the cervix, obstructing the output of the baby.

If you have had a caesarean section, had surgery on your uterus, or been diagnosed with an abnormally large placenta, you are at risk of developing the placenta. This condition can cause pregnant mothers to die if they bleed too much.

The most common forwards placenta symptom is sudden and severe bleeding without pain, bright red bleeding. The above condition may appear after the 28th week of pregnancy.

6. Insomnia is a common problem in the 3rd trimester

Some pregnant women experience insomnia as early as the first few weeks of pregnancy. But most pregnant women feel that sleep problems gradually become more apparent in the third trimester. You may not be able to sleep well later in pregnancy.

The first reason for this condition is the enlarged belly, making it difficult for the pregnant mother to find a comfortable sleeping position. Another important reason is that the hormone estrogen is secreted more in the last 3 months. On the other hand, the constant movement of the fetus or the need to constantly go to the toilet also makes pregnant mothers not sleep straight.

The advice for you at this time is not to take sleeping pills to avoid affecting the fetus. Alternatively, you can meditate, listen to some light music to relax your mind. In addition, turning to the left and placing a pillow between your legs and under your belly will also help your body feel more comfortable.

7. Shortness of breath - a common problem in the 3rd trimester

Respiratory problems that a pregnant woman experiences in the 3rd trimester are mainly due to uterine enlargement. As the uterus grows, the lungs take up the space they need to breathe, making it difficult for you to breathe. However, this can be improved by using pillows to raise the head and shoulders.

8. Gestational diabetes

During pregnancy, the body can not effectively use the hormone insulin due to hormonal changes. Therefore, blood sugar levels of pregnant mothers tend to increase. Although it does not pose any risks to the mother, the condition does put the developing fetus inside.

Pregnant mothers with diabetes can cause the fetus to overgrow and need to use cesarean delivery for a safe baby. In order to prevent gestational diabetes, pregnant mothers need to change their lifestyle to be healthy as well as scientific.

9. Depression

Like insomnia during pregnancy, depression can occur in the early days of pregnancy. However, most pregnant mums seem to feel this mentality clearly by the time of their third trimester, and for many, it can go on to develop postpartum depression .

Depression during pregnancy will cause babies to be underweight because mothers often lose their appetite and be exhausted from lack of rest.

Of course, pregnant mothers should not take antidepressants during pregnancy, but instead, try to reduce stress through meditation or yoga prenatal practice.

10. Deep vein thrombosis

Leg swelling is fairly common in the third trimester. But if the swelling is accompanied by pain, you are more likely to have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) . This is a dangerous condition because the flow of blood will be blocked.

Consult your doctor if you notice suspicious leg symptoms, such as painful swelling, discoloration, and a warm sensation to the touch. Deep vein thrombosis can be treated with medication even during pregnancy.

The third trimester is a very important but challenging time for you and your baby alike. However, do not be too stressful because of this, because most pregnant mothers go through the last 3 months of pregnancy gently and give birth smoothly. Pay attention to the regular diet and exercise to make the process of excess easier than you.