When you’re in your final months of pregnancy, it’s important to take extra care to nurture your health and your baby’s development. While pregnancy is different for every woman, there are some common precautions you should take during your third trimester.
Foods to Avoid
Your diet plays a crucial role in keeping you and your baby healthy. Here are some foods that are best to limit or avoid completely during the last 3 months of pregnancy:
- Raw meat, fish, and eggs – These increase your risk of foodborne illnesses like salmonella. Cook meat and eggs thoroughly.
- Unpasteurized dairy – Cheeses, milk, and juices that are unpasteurized can contain dangerous bacteria like listeria.
- Deli meats – Processed meats like cold cuts and hot dogs should be avoided as they may contain listeria.
- Fish high in mercury – Swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish are high in mercury which can harm your baby’s developing brain and nervous system. Limit tuna as well.
- Unpasteurized juice or cider – Only drink pasteurized juices to avoid E. coli infection.
- Alcohol – Alcohol should be avoided completely, as it can impair your baby’s development and growth.
- Unpasteurized honey – Honey can contain botulism spores that can be dangerous for your baby. Only consume pasteurized honey.
- High-mercury fish – Swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish are high in mercury which can harm fetal development. Limit albacore tuna as well.
- Caffeine – Consuming more than 200mg of caffeine (1-2 cups of coffee) per day has been linked with lower birth weight babies.
When in doubt, thoroughly cook foods and avoid unpasteurized products to limit your exposure to harmful bacteria. Focus on eating plenty of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and drink lots of water.
Activities to Avoid
It’s also important to avoid certain activities that could harm you or your baby during the third trimester. Here are some to be cautious with:
- Contact sports – Sports with contact like soccer, basketball, or hockey increase your risk of abdominal trauma.
- Scuba diving – The changes in water pressure can be dangerous for your baby.
- Amusement park rides – Rollercoasters and other intense rides often have restraints that can compress your belly.
- Bouncing on a trampoline – The up and down motions can cause abdominal trauma.
- Raising your arms over your head – This can decrease your blood pressure.
- Lifting heavy objects – Don’t lift anything heavier than 20 pounds to avoid back strain or injury.
- Getting an X-ray – Talk to your doctor before getting any X-rays, as radiation can harm your baby.
- Hot tubs & saunas – Avoid overheating which could cause fetal damage.
- Extreme physical exertion – Your body already works hard in late pregnancy, so take it easy.
In general, listen to your body and avoid any risky, jerky motions or contact. Opt for more gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga instead.
Medications to Avoid
Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications should be avoided in late pregnancy unless explicitly approved by your doctor. Here are some to be cautious with:
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) – Ibuprofen can cause pregnancy complications when taken in the third trimester.
- Aspirin – Avoid regular use of aspirin, especially in your third trimester, unless your doctor prescribes a low dose.
- Tetracycline antibiotics – Can discolor your baby’s teeth.
- ACE inhibitors – Used for high blood pressure but can be dangerous in pregnancy.
- Retinoids – Used for acne treatment but are linked to birth defects.
- Pseudoephedrine – Found in many decongestants, but can constrict blood flow.
- Statins – Cholesterol medications that have risks for development.
- Herbal supplements – The safety is uncertain for many herbal remedies.
- Laxatives – Use sparingly and only if explicitly approved by your doctor.
Before taking any new medications or supplements in your third trimester, get approval from your obstetrician to ensure they are safe for you and your baby.
Other Precautions
Here are some other general health precautions to take in your final trimester:
- Limit chemical exposure – Avoid paint fumes, heavy cleaning products, pesticides, etc which contain chemicals that can be harmful.
- Avoid getting too hot – Don’t take very hot baths or sit in hot tubs, as this can raise your core body temperature which can be dangerous for your baby.
- Don’t sleep on your back after 20 weeks – Sleeping on your back can decrease blood flow to your baby.
- Limit stress – High stress is linked to pregnancy complications. Take time to relax and destress each day.
- Avoid smoking & secondhand smoke – This impedes oxygen delivery to your baby.
- Limit your caffeine intake – Consuming more than 200mg of caffeine per day can raise risks.
- Get influenza & TDAP vaccines – It’s important to protect yourself against illnesses like flu and whooping cough.
- Listen to your body – If you feel exhausted, rest. Avoid anything that doesn’t feel right.
- Monitor fetal movement – Notify your doctor immediately if you notice changes in your baby’s normal movement patterns.
Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Listen to your healthcare providers and your own body to determine what feels right for you during this important phase.
When to Call Your Doctor
You should call your doctor right away if you experience any concerning symptoms in your third trimester, including:
- Bleeding or discharge from your vagina
- A sudden gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina (may indicate your water broke)
- Menstrual-like cramping pain, especially if accompanied by bleeding
- A severe or consistent headache that won’t go away
- Blurry vision or seeing spots
- Excess swelling in your hands and face
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Chills or fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Consistent abdominal pain
- Excessive vomiting
- Baby’s movements slow down or stop
You should always trust your instincts during pregnancy. Notify your doctor promptly about any unusual symptoms so they can check that you and your baby are healthy.
Warning Signs of Preterm Labor
Preterm labor is labor occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy. It’s important to recognize warning signs of preterm labor and contact your doctor promptly so they can try to delay or halt labor if possible. Warning signs include:
- Menstrual-like cramping, with or without diarrhea
- Low, dull backache
- Pelvic pressure
- Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea
- Increase or change in vaginal discharge
- Bleeding or spotting from the vagina
If you experience regular contractions (every 10 minutes or more often) along with any of these symptoms before 37 weeks, you may be going into preterm labor. Call your doctor right away or go to the hospital so they can assess the situation.
conclusion and Summary Tips
Your health and safety are the top priorities during your third trimester. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid foods prone to contamination like raw eggs, unpasteurized dairy, and deli meats.
- Steer clear of activities that could cause abdominal injury like contact sports and trampolines.
- Don’t take any medications, especially in the NSAID class, unless they are approved by your doctor.
- Limit chemical exposure and get plenty of rest.
- Never hesitate to call your doctor if you have any troubling symptoms.
- Recognize the warning signs of preterm labor and call your doctor right away if they occur.
Stay in close contact with your medical providers, take it easy, and listen to your body during this critical phase of your pregnancy. With proper precautions, you can help ensure you deliver a healthy, full-term baby.