Third Trimester Of Pregnancy (www.encarta.msn.com)

At last my friend was in the third trimester of her pregnancy. Both, husband and wife were both eagerly waiting for the delivery of the baby. They visited the gynecologist at her chamber and she checked her properly. The gynec examined her and said everything was normal and she would deliver the baby at the expected date.

She always used to complain that because of increasing size of the baby and uterus, she could not sleep well in a comfortable position. The doctor then explained her that, after the 36th week, the head of the baby starts to drop down into the pelvis. This creates pressure on the bladder, due to which you feel to pass out urine at frequent intervals.

The doctor then explained her that, during this period of time some women may feel more aches and pains, particularly in the lower back and groin, some may have heartburn. Others experience breathlessness due to hormonal changes and pressure from their growing uterus on their lungs. Few expectant mothers feel leg cramps and ankle swelling, hemorrhoids, and difficulty sleeping. There is no need to be surprised at all, this is a part of the process. The clumsiness in actions is quite common. Few may also feel what is known as Braxton-Hicks contractions, the early contractions that makes the body ready for delivery.

Inspite of all such problem and tensions, she was awaiting to see her baby. She asked the gynecologist to explain her the developmental stages of the baby. The doctor described her in the following way:

During the seventh month, the baby’s eyes open slightly and the eyelashes are formed. It is covered with sufficient amount of hair on the head. The development of the lungs and the blood circulation system is on its way. The weight of the fetus is approximately 3 lbs and around 1415 inches long.

In the eighth month of pregnancy, the baby reacts towards light, weighs approximately 3.54.5 lbs and is around 1618 inches long.

During the last month, the hair covering the body of the baby sheds off and the toenails begin to come out and grow. In the 36th week, the body appears as a plump. The expected date of delivery of the fetus is approximately 266 days. A baby is said to be healthy, if it gains a weight of 68 lbs at the time of his birth and is about 1921 inches long.