The third trimester starts at 28 weeks pregnant and continues until birth. This is the final stage of pregnancy: your baby gains weight quickly, the brain and lungs keep maturing, and your body prepares for labour and recovery after birth.
Baby movements may feel more like rolls, stretches or firm pushes as space becomes tighter. The pattern should still feel familiar day to day. If your baby is moving less than usual, movements feel weaker or you are worried, contact your maternity unit, midwife, OB-GYN or doctor promptly.
Common third trimester symptoms include heartburn, pelvic pressure, back pain, leg cramps, constipation, swelling, shortness of breath, frequent urination, sleep disruption and Braxton Hicks contractions. Symptoms can be normal, but sudden swelling, severe headache, vision changes, chest pain, heavy bleeding, fever or green/brown waters need urgent medical advice.
To follow pregnancy week by week, start with 28 weeks pregnant, read about 36 weeks pregnant near the end of pregnancy, or jump to 40 weeks pregnant. You can also estimate your due date with the due date calculator.
Appointment schedules vary between the US, UK and other healthcare systems, and they also depend on your health, your baby and whether the pregnancy is considered higher risk. In many pregnancies, visits become more frequent from about 28 weeks and closer together again near the due date.
Your provider may check blood pressure, urine, weight gain, swelling, fundal height and your baby’s heartbeat. They may ask about mood, sleep, pain, contractions, discharge and the pattern of baby movements. From the later third trimester, your team may also check your baby’s position, including whether the baby is head down or breech.
If pregnancy continues past the due date, monitoring may become more frequent. Depending on local policy and your individual situation, this may include fetal heart rate monitoring, ultrasound checks, discussion of membrane sweep, induction of labour or planned birth options.
The third trimester is a good time to choose your birth preferences, pack a hospital bag, install or check the newborn car seat, plan transport to the hospital or birth centre and decide who to call when labour starts. If you are in the UK, keep your maternity notes ready if your unit uses handheld notes. If you are in the US, check hospital registration, photo ID and insurance requirements.
Labour may be starting if contractions become regular, longer, stronger and closer together, your waters break, you have a bloody show or pelvic pressure increases. Call your maternity unit or clinician right away for heavy bleeding, reduced baby movements, green or brown fluid, fever, severe headache, vision changes, severe abdominal pain or if labour signs start well before your due date.
Braxton Hicks contractions are practice contractions. They are often irregular and may ease with rest, hydration or a change of position.
Fetal movement pattern means the usual rhythm of your baby’s movements. A clear reduction should be checked the same day.
Mucus plug or bloody show is mucus from the cervix that may come away before labour. It does not always mean active labour has started.
Waters breaking means amniotic fluid is leaking or gushing. Note the time, colour and smell, then contact your maternity unit or clinician for instructions.
The third trimester starts at 28 weeks pregnant and continues until birth. A due date is usually set at 40 weeks, but many healthy pregnancies end a little before or after that date.
Common third trimester symptoms include heartburn, back or pelvic pain, swelling, leg cramps, constipation, shortness of breath, frequent urination, trouble sleeping and Braxton Hicks contractions.
Appointment schedules vary by country, clinic and risk level. Many people are seen more often from about 28 weeks, then more frequently near the due date. Your midwife, OB-GYN or maternity unit will give you the schedule for your pregnancy.
Call your maternity unit, midwife, OB-GYN or doctor promptly if your baby's movements slow down, feel weaker than usual or stop. Do not wait until the next day to ask for advice.
Labour may be starting if contractions become regular, longer, stronger and closer together, your waters break, you have a bloody show or pressure increases. Call urgently for bleeding, green or brown waters, fever, severe headache, vision changes or reduced movements.
A practical time to pack a hospital bag is around 34-36 weeks. Pack earlier if you are expecting twins, have a planned induction or caesarean, live far from hospital or your clinician has advised earlier preparation.
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