Welcome to your third and final trimester! At 28 weeks, you're officially entering the home stretch. While the finish line is getting closer, many weeks still remain before you meet your baby. The third trimester often brings added aches and pains, interrupted sleep, frequent comments from strangers, and more prenatal appointments. On the flip side, this trimester is also filled with exciting preparations for your baby's arrival, childbirth education classes, feeling baby move regularly, and often an outpouring of support from family and friends.
As with every stage of pregnancy, everyone's experience is unique. Some people feel energized and productive, while others are counting down the days. Try not to compare your experience to someone else's and remember that there is a wide range of normal during pregnancy.
Like our "Your First Trimester" and "Your Second Trimester" posts, we want to make sure you have the most useful and helpful basic information about your third trimester in a quick and easy-to-read post. So, here goes.
How long is the third trimester?
The third trimester is unique in that how long it lasts can vary between 12 to 15 weeks (and beyond, for some), or less than 12 weeks if you give birth prematurely. The third trimester begins at 28 weeks.
A full-term pregnancy is generally considered between 39 weeks and 40 weeks, 6 days. Early term is 37 weeks through 38 weeks, 6 days. Late term is 41 weeks through 41 weeks, 6 days, and post-term refers to pregnancies continuing beyond 42 weeks.
What happens to baby in the third trimester?
Your baby is growing, developing, and moving in the third trimester! In these last few months, your baby really begins to add on the fat they need to thrive outside of your body. Most body systems are well developed by the third trimester, although the lungs and brain continue significant growth and maturation throughout the remainder of pregnancy.
This is one of the many reasons every week of pregnancy matters. Development continues right up until birth, and babies born closer to their due date generally experience fewer complications than those born prematurely.
During the third trimester, your baby's hearing is fully developed and they can respond to sounds. Research continues to show that babies are learning and responding to their environment during pregnancy. In the third trimester, your baby can recognize familiar voices, respond to music and sounds, and may even develop early sleep-wake patterns that continue after birth.
Toward the end of the trimester, your baby's reflexes are increasingly coordinated. They can open and close their eyes, grasp with their fingers, and respond to sound, light, and touch. By the end of this trimester, your baby will have eyelashes and eyebrows and may have a full head of hair—or very little at all.
Movements in the third trimester can cause feelings of awe, discomfort, and hilarity. As your baby grows, there is less room to move around, but that doesn't stop them from trying! You'll likely experience the odd sensation of baby rolling around, stretching arms and legs, and even "bouncing" in your abdomen. You may also feel your baby's hiccups, which can feel amusing or occasionally annoying if they happen frequently.
As your baby grows, movements may feel different, but they should not become less frequent. While kicks may become rolls, stretches, nudges, or wiggles due to decreased space, your baby's usual movement pattern should continue throughout pregnancy. If you notice a significant decrease in movement, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
In the middle to late third trimester, your baby will begin getting into position for birth. Ideally, this will be head down, chin tucked, and facing your back or side, but babies don't always get that memo. Your care provider will help determine your baby's position and discuss options if your baby remains breech.
By the end of the third trimester, babies born at full term typically weigh between 6 and 9 pounds, although healthy babies may weigh more or less than this range. Thanks to advances in neonatal care, babies born prematurely often have excellent outcomes, though every additional week in the womb provides important developmental benefits.
What happens to me in the third trimester?
Oh, third trimester, how I love/loathe thee.
For most people, the third trimester includes a lot of physical symptoms, many of which are not exactly fun and some of which can feel downright debilitating. Because your baby is now at their largest size, your body is working harder than ever to accommodate growth and prepare for birth.
Additionally, as you near the end of pregnancy, hormonal shifts continue. Estrogen levels rise significantly, helping prepare your body for labor and breastfeeding. These hormonal changes may contribute to mood swings, emotional ups and downs, and changes in sleep patterns.
You may experience any of the following during the third trimester:
- Shortness of breath
- Increased tiredness or fatigue
- Backache
- Heartburn or increased heartburn
- Leg cramps and/or numbness in legs and feet
- Hemorrhoids
- Spider or varicose veins
- Stuffy nose or congestion
- Difficulty finding comfort while sleeping
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Stretch marks
- Frequent urination
- Heightened sense of smell and taste, along with aversions to food and scents
- Mild swelling in feet and ankles
- Round ligament pain
- Mood and emotional changes
- Reduced or increased interest in sex
- Constipation
- Physical body changes, including enlarged breasts and changes to your waistline and abdomen
- Regular or increased vaginal discharge
- Skin changes, including itchiness and pigment changes
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Bursts of energy often referred to as "nesting"
- Increased anxiety about birth, parenting, or both
Will maternity clothes still fit in the third trimester?
There comes a time in most pregnancies when no shirt—no matter how maternity-friendly—seems long enough to fully cover your belly. Your maternity clothes should generally last through the end of pregnancy, but it isn't unusual for things to fit a little differently in the final weeks.
You may also notice an increase in breast size during the third trimester. Look for bras that provide both support and flexibility, especially if you plan to breastfeed.
How often will I feel baby move in the third trimester?
During the third trimester, you'll begin to notice that your baby has regular sleep and wake cycles. It's helpful to become familiar with your baby's normal movement patterns.
Most providers recommend paying attention to daily movements and contacting your healthcare provider if you notice a significant decrease in activity. Some families choose to use formal kick counts, while others focus on recognizing their baby's typical movement pattern.
If you have concerns about fetal movement at any point, don't wait until your next appointment—contact your provider right away.
What happens during prenatal care in the third trimester?
During the third trimester, you'll typically see your OB or midwife every two weeks until about 36 weeks, and then weekly until birth. Your schedule may vary depending on your health history and the needs of your pregnancy.
At each appointment, you'll continue routine checks of weight, blood pressure, and other assessments as needed. Your provider will listen to your baby's heartbeat, feel your abdomen, and measure your fundal height to monitor growth.
Toward the end of pregnancy, your provider will determine your baby's position, often by feeling your abdomen.
Depending on your health history, age, pregnancy complications, or your baby's growth, your provider may recommend additional testing during the third trimester. This could include non-stress tests (NSTs), biophysical profiles (BPPs), growth ultrasounds, or other monitoring to assess your baby's well-being.
Around weeks 35–37, your provider will perform a Group B Strep (GBS) screening. This simple test involves swabbing the lower vagina and rectum to determine whether Group B Streptococcus bacteria are present. Many healthy adults carry GBS without symptoms. If your screening is positive, antibiotics are typically recommended during labor to reduce the risk of newborn infection.
During the third trimester, continue talking openly with your doctor or midwife about labor, birth, and your preferences for care. Ask questions often and seek information that helps you make informed decisions.
What symptoms should I worry about in the third trimester?
Signs that could indicate a complication and require medical attention include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Leakage or gush of fluid
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent abdominal cramping
- Fever and/or chills
- Painful urination
- Excessive thirst
- Swelling or puffiness in the hands and/or face
- Vision changes
- Excessive nausea and vomiting
- Severe headaches
- Leg or calf pain and swelling, especially in one leg
- Constant or intense lower back pain
- Regular contractions before term
- Decreased fetal movement
- Severe itching, especially of the hands and feet
- Persistent upper right abdominal pain
- Severe or worsening shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Thoughts of harming yourself or feeling unable to cope emotionally
If you experience any of the above, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Preparing for Birth and the Postpartum Period
The third trimester is also a great time to think beyond labor and birth. Consider discussing:
- Infant feeding plans
- Newborn care basics
- Postpartum recovery expectations
- Mental health support
- Your support system after birth
- Returning to work or school
- Childcare plans
Preparing for the postpartum period can be just as important as preparing for labor.
Final Thoughts
The third trimester can feel both incredibly long and surprisingly fast. As you prepare to welcome your baby, continue attending prenatal appointments, paying attention to your baby's movements, and asking questions whenever they arise.
This is a time of tremendous growth and preparation—for both you and your baby. While there may be discomforts along the way, you're getting closer every day to meeting the newest member of your family.
Originally published December 2020
Updated May 2026
Published: June 16, 2026
Tags
PregnancyThird TrimesterTrimester by Trimester