Third Trimester Survival Tips Every First-Time Mom Needs to Know

Pregnancy is beautiful and exciting. For some women, it can also be downright miserable at times, especially once you get to the third trimester. It’s OK to admit it! The last three months of pregnancy feel like they take a 100 years, thanks to the increased heartburn, the return of nausea, the extreme body aches and pains, the Braxton Hicks, the insomnia, and the growing belly that makes every single position uncomfortable. It’s a lot!

Whether you’re a first-time mom who is getting overwhelmed, wondering how you will survive this stage, or a seasoned pregnant mama who has forgotten just how challenging this time of pregnancy can be, we’ve compiled a list of third-trimester survival tips that’ll help you get through this. Trust me: I’ve had three kids, and I would not have been able to make it without these tips, products, and self-care suggestions.

Get Better Sleep With a Pregnancy Pillow

Every pregnant mama deserves to have their pillow perpetually cold. If you struggle with insomnia or can't get comfortable in a sleeping position, then this pregnancy pillow will save you in the third trimester. The Momcozy U-shaped Cooling Fabric Pregnancy Pillow supports all your aching body parts. And its cooling cover is made to dissipate heat, so you don’t have to worry about pregnancy heat keeping you up all night. Find it on Momcozy.com for $64.99.

Another tip? Sleep on a recliner instead of a bed. I had a hard time getting up throughout the night to pee (which happened several times a night). So, toward the end of my pregnancies, I would sleep on the recliner instead to help me get up easier. Plus, if heartburn keeps you awake, lying elevated can help alleviate that as well.

Support Your Back With a Pregnancy Band

The belly, back, and pelvis pain of the third trimester cannot be overstated. And if I had to leave the house ever, I relied on a pregnancy band like this Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Support Belt. It’s soft and stretchy, and it wraps around your lower stomach for added support. It’s designed to be adjustable, so you can keep using it as your stomach continues to grow. Others loved it as well, with one five-star reviewer commenting, “Very relieving on the belly and has been helping with the round ligament pain!” Find it for $38 on Target.com.  

Once the pain is under control, the next problem with going outside is managing the heat. The increased blood flow during pregnancy can make your body naturally hotter, so I would go everywhere with a personal fan around my neck. This portable neck fan on Amazon ($28.69) works well; just remember to charge it before leaving the house!

Keep Moving & Stay Hydrated

Working out is the last thing you want to do in the third trimester, but light exercise can actually ease some pregnancy symptoms. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), exercise during pregnancy can reduce back pain, lower the risk of certain conditions like preeclampsia, and strengthen your heart and blood vessels, among other benefits.

These benefits apply to most people with uncomplicated pregnancies, but always consult with your doctor before starting or continuing an exercise routine. If you are cleared, I found that walking and swimming were two low-impact, easy exercises that I could do even in the third trimester. Swimming was especially great, as it made my bump feel lighter and left me feeling refreshed!

The third trimester is also a good time to up your water intake (the ACOG recommends drinking at least 64-96 ounces of water per day) and eat a balanced diet with smaller, more frequent snacks throughout the day.

Use Tools to Prepare Yourself for Labor

The last 12 weeks of pregnancy can be difficult on your mental health, as you anxiously prepare to welcome another baby into the family. Pregnancy apps like BabyCenter were a lifesaver for me! The weekly baby and symptom updates were helpful, but I particularly loved the kick tracker and contraction timer. With the kick tracker, you can log each baby movement and kick to ensure healthy growth, and with the timer, you can see if your contractions are starting to become closer together and more consistent, indicating that labor may begin soon.

Other things you can do to prepare mentally for the birth of your baby include deciding on a birth plan, signing up for a tour of the labor and delivery department of your local hospital, taking birth classes, watching YouTube videos, and anything else you need to do to get in the right headspace for childbirth. Make a plan, ask for help, and breathe — you can do it, Mama!

Self-Care

Once you’ve dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s, there’s only one thing left for you to do: relax! The third trimester is the perfect time to focus on self-care, whatever that looks like for you. Get your nails and hair done (you likely won’t have time or energy to do so once baby arrives!), book a massage from a certified prenatal massage therapist, or take a warm bubble bath. Anything that helps you feel relaxed and pampered is good!

One day soon, you’ll get to hold your new baby in your arms, but for now, it’s all about survival. Make it through the third trimester — arguably, the hardest part of pregnancy — and the sweet reward at the end will make it all worth it.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com