By the third trimester, you fully understand that you are never alone — the one in your belly kicks, pushes, weighs you down and makes life challenging, to say the least. Let's see what almost all the mothers complain about as they round the corner to the finish line.
Heartburn
If you don't have heartburn, then you are the exception to the rule. A burning sensation behind the breastbone or in the throat is experienced by 80% of pregnant women in the third trimester. The baby is already big, the uterus literally presses on the stomach from below, making stomach acid enter the esophagus. Unpleasant, but not dangerous. If it is completely unbearable, the doctor may suggest antacids that neutralize acid and eliminate the burning sensation. Most are allowed during pregnancy [1].
Training contractions
The so-called training contractions, or Braxton-Hicks, are the absolute norm after the 20th week of pregnancy. The uterus strains, there may even be a pulling pain in the lower abdomen. If the contractions are irregular and do not last long, then there is nothing to fear. Their exact cause remains unknown, but it has been noted that they usually occur when a woman is very active (including during sex), or her bladder is full, or she is dehydrated, or hungry. That is, the child either feels cramped or is asking for water and nutrients. In order to increase blood flow to the placenta and urgently provide baby with everything they need, the uterus contracts [2]. The best thing to do in these conditions is to eliminate the cause of the discomfort: rest, drink or eat.
Snoring
Yes, almost all pregnant women snore, especially if they turn onto their backs. The enlarged uterus raises the diaphragm, and because of this, breathing is disturbed. And hormonal changes affect the larynx causing it to lose elasticity [3].
Hemorrhoids
The problem is so common that it is considered the norm. Hemorrhoids develop in every tenth woman. Lifehack: those who do not have constipation do not have hemorrhoids. Therefore, nothing will help you more than proper nutrition (think: fiber), hydration and physical activity.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins develop during pregnancy in 40% of women. There are many reasons for this:
increased venous pressure due to increased blood volume;
increased load on the legs due to weight gain;
relaxing effect of progesterone and relaxin on the vein.
All you can do now is try not to make the situation worse: walk more, stand less.
Lack of sleep
Sleep for pregnant women in the last trimester is intermittent. Studies show that every third mama does not even receive seven hours of sleep per day [3]. The reasons are all the other discomforts on this list: first you wake up from heartburn, then from snoring. Or the baby started kicking or the uterus contracted.
But if restless leg syndrome is preventing you from falling asleep, it's worth discussing with your doctor. Unpleasant sensations in the legs may be the first symptoms of preeclampsia [3].
