UConn Health Women’s Center
OUTPATIENT PAVILION, 8TH FLOOR EAST
263 FARMINGTON AVENUE, FARMINGTON, CT 06030
1-84-GET-UCONN • health.uconn.edu/women
UCONN HEALTH OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Your Third Trimester
The third trimester marks the home stretch, as you prepare for the delivery of your baby. Your baby is continuing to
grow in weight and size as the body systems finish maturing. Unfortunately you may feel more uncomfortable now
as your body continues to gain pregnancy weight and begins to have false labor contractions (called Braxton-Hicks
contractions). During the third trimester, it is a good idea to start taking childbirth classes in preparation for the big
day. If you plan to breastfeed, taking a breastfeeding class may be helpful. Because we know that you will feel many
changes and new experiences in the third trimester, we would like to share some insight into the next three months.
How often will I need to come to see my doctor?
During the third trimester, we will now want you to
come in for more frequent checkups. Your doctor will
want to check on you and your baby at 32 weeks, 34
weeks, 36 weeks and then every week until your baby is
born. Like previous visits, your provider will check your
weight and blood pressure and ask about any signs or
symptoms you’re experiencing.
How will I feel during my third trimester?
In the third trimester, some women become increasingly
uncomfortable as their due date nears. As the fetus
grows in size and crowds the abdominal cavity, you
might have diculty taking deep breaths or sleeping at
night as getting comfortable can be dicult.
Changes and symptoms that you may experience
during your third trimester include:
• Increased skin temperature as your baby radiates
body heat.
• Increased urinary frequency due to the increased
pressure being placed on the bladder.
• Swelling of the ankles, hands, and face may occur
as you continue to retain fluids.
• Due to increased hormone stimulation of hair
follicles, your hair might begin to grow or become
coarse on your arms, legs, and face.
• Braxton-Hicks contractions (false labor) may begin
to occur at irregular intervals in preparation for
childbirth.
• Stretch marks may appear on the abdomen, breast,
thighs, and buttocks.
• Colostrum may begin to leak from your breasts.
• Dry itchy skin as your body stretches to
accommodate your pregnancy.
• Skin pigmentation may become more apparent,
especially dark patches of skin on the face.
• Constipation, heartburn, and indigestion.
• Increased white-colored vaginal discharge which
may contain mucus.
• Backaches that may increase in intensity.
• Hemorrhoids that may increase in severity.
• Varicose veins in the legs that may increase in
severity.
What is a glucose challenge test and why does my
provider recommend it?
Pregnant women can develop a condition known
as gestational diabetes (or diabetes caused by your
pregnancy) which can pose a risk to both you and
your baby. A glucose tolerance test used to determine
your potential to develop gestational diabetes by
testing how your body processes sugar. A high level in
your blood may indicate your body is not processing
sugar eectively (positive test).
No preparation is required prior to the glucose
challenge test. During the test, you will be asked to
drink a sweet liquid (glucose) and then have your
blood drawn one hour from having the drink, as blood
glucose levels normally peak within one hour. Timing is
very important for this test, so we will ask you to report
to the Outpatient Laboratory 15 minutes prior to your
blood draw time. The medical assistant that is working
with your provider the day of your glucose challenge
will let you know when your blood should be drawn.
If the results of this screen are positive, your provider
will recommend that you have the glucose tolerance
test performed. It is important to note that not all
women who test positive for the glucose challenge
screening test are found to have diabetes upon further
diagnosis. If it is necessary for you to have a glucose
tolerance test, a nurse will call you from our oce to
schedule the test and oer you instructions.
Why does my doctor recommend a Tdap vaccination?
Current federal guidelines state that the Tdap
vaccine is recommended for all women during every
pregnancy. The Tdap vaccine oers protection from
three serious diseases: tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria,
and pertussis (whooping cough). Whooping cough
is a serious disease that is contagious and can be
Your Baby’s Activity Record
Healthy babies are usually active. Unborn babies sleep
for short periods of time, but most of the time they
will kick, roll, twist and turn. Counting your baby’s
movements, or fetal movement counting, is a way to tell
how your baby is doing. A healthy baby usually moves
at least 10 times in 2 hours.
We recommend that you start counting movements
around month seven, about 28 weeks and become
more aware of your baby’s daily activity. As you get to
know your baby’s movement pattern, you will be able
to report any changes to your care provider.
How do I count my babies movements?
1. Choose a time of day that your baby is usually
active. Try to count around the same time each
day. It may be best to count after a meal.
2. Get in a comfortable position. You can lie down or
sit in a chair with your feet up.
3. Write down the date and time that you begin
counting your baby’s movements.
4. Continue counting until your baby has moved 10
times. Count any movements including, kicks, rolls,
swishes and flutters.
5. After your baby has moved 10 times, write down
the time on your chart.
6. If you can’t feel your baby move, try to wake the
baby by drinking a glass of juice or walking for a few
minutes. Then start counting again.
What should I do if my baby doesn’t move?
Call your doctor at 860.679.2792 right away if:
• Your baby has not moved 10 times in 2 hours.
• You notice a significant decrease in your baby’s
activity.
Contact Us
We hope this answers some questions for you. If you
have additional questions, please write them down and
bring them with you to your next appointment. Your
provider would be happy to address any questions as
they arise.
Questions or Concerns?
Call 860.679.2792 to speak with your provider.
If it’s after hours and your question can’t wait until
the next business day, leave a message for the on-call
physician and you will get a return call.
Always call 911 in an emergency.
Sample Chart
For more information and to download and print this chart go to health.uconn.edu/women.
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
Date
Start Time
Stop Time
Minutes to Reach 10
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
Date
Start Time
Stop Time
Minutes to Reach 10
deadly for your baby. Unfortunately, your baby can’t
get vaccinated and start building protection against
whooping cough until they are two months old. The
good news is that you can avoid this gap in protection
by getting the Tdap vaccination during your
pregnancy. By doing so, you pass antibodies to your
baby before birth. These antibodies help protect your
baby in the first few months of life.
What is Group B Strep and why is my doctor testing
me for it?
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is not a sexual
transmitted disease (STD). The bacteria that causes
GBS normally lives in the intestines, vagina, or rectum,
and approximately 25 percent of all healthy women
carry GBS bacteria. For most women there are no
symptoms of carrying the GBS bacteria. But, while
GBS may not be harmful to you, it can be harmful to
your baby. Because you are pregnant, you can pass it
to your baby during labor and childbirth.
Your provider tests you for GBS at 35 to 37 weeks
of pregnancy. Testing for GBS is simple and painless.
Your provider takes a swab of your vagina and rectum
and sends the sample to a laboratory. Your test results
are usually available in 1 to 2 days.
If I am GBS positive, how can I protect my baby
during childbirth?
Antibiotics will be given to you through your IV while
you are in labor. These antibiotics are recommended
during labor and delivery to reduce the chance of
your baby becoming exposed to GBS therefore
decreasing the risk to your baby. It is recommended
that antibiotics are given once labor has begun and
every four hours during active labor until the baby is
delivered.
My provider recommends that I have weekly
nonstress test. What is that?
A nonstress test or NST is a common prenatal test
used to evaluate the baby’s health by watching how
the fetal heartrate responds to fetal movement. The
term “nonstress” refers to the fact that nothing is done
to place stress on the fetus during the test.
The test is typically done if you’ve gone past your
due date, or in the month or two leading up to your
due date if you’re having a high-risk pregnancy. Some
other reasons your provider might recommend that
you have a nonstress test:
• You have a medical condition that could lead to
complications for your baby such as diabetes or
high blood pressure.
• Your baby appears to be small or not growing as
expected.
• Your baby is less active than normal.
• You have too much amniotic fluid around the baby.
I’m a first-time parent. Where do I go for prenatal
education?
UConn Health has prenatal education classes that are
open to all expectant parents. Classes include:
• Breastfeeding Class
• Childbirth Preparation Class
• Infant Care Class
All classes are taught by certified sta nurses. For
further information and schedules visit health.uconn.
edu/women. Call 800.535.6232 to register.
What are the warning signs of preterm labor?
You might be in preterm labor if you feel:
• Uterine Contractions: Occasional, irregular and
painless contractions (Braxton-Hicks contractions)
are normal with pregnancy. But if you feel
your uterus tightening or the baby “balling up”
five times or more in an hour you might be
experiencing preterm labor.
• Menstrual-like cramps in the lower abdomen that
can come and go or be constant.
• Change in vaginal discharge (leaking fluid or
bleeding from your vagina).
• Pelvic Pressure: Feeling like your baby is pushing
down.
• Belly cramps, with or without diarrhea.
• Low, dull backache felt below the waistline that
may come and go or be constant.
What should I do if I think I might be having
preterm labor?
If you are concerned that you might be in
preterm labor:
• Empty your bladder.
• Lie down tilted towards your left side. This may
slow down or stop signs and symptoms.
• Avoid lying flat on your back. This may cause
contractions to get worse.
• Drink several glasses of water because dehydration
can cause contractions.
• Monitor contractions for one hour by counting the
minutes from the beginning of one contraction to
the beginning of the next.
If symptoms worsen or don’t disappear after one hour,
call your health care provider or go to the hospital.
Now that I’ve made it to 37 weeks, how do I know if
I’m in term labor?
As your due date approaches, Braxton-Hicks
contractions may become stronger or even painful.
Eventually, Braxton-Hicks contractions will be replaced
by the real thing. To tell the dierence, as yourself
these questions:
• Are the contractions regular? Time your
contractions from the beginning of one to the
beginning of the next. Look for a regular pattern
of contractions that get progressively stronger and
closer together. The contractions of false labor will
remain irregular.
• How long do they last? True contractions last more
than 30 seconds at first and get progressively
longer, up to 90 seconds. The contractions of false
labor vary in length.
• Can you stop the contractions? True contractions
continue regardless of your activity level or
position. In fact, they often grow stronger with
increased activity, such as walking. With false
labor, you may be able to stop the contractions by
changing your activity or position, lying down, or
taking a walk.
EXPECT FALSE ALARMS
The boundary between your body’s preparation for
labor and the actual process of labor isn’t always clear.
Some women have painful contractions for days with
no cervical change. Others feel only a little pressure or
backache as the cervix gradually dilates.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call your health care
provider. If you arrive at the hospital in false labor,
don’t feel embarrassed or frustrated. Think of it as a
practice run. The real thing is sure to be on its way!
What doctor is going to take care of my baby when
it’s born?
A pediatrician is a medical doctor that specializes in
the care of infants, adolescents, and children as old
as 21. Just as you have thought very carefully about
an obstetrician, it is also very important to choose a
pediatrician prior to the birth of your child. When you
arrive at the hospital in labor, please notify the Labor
and Delivery sta who you have chosen to be your
baby’s doctor. Once you have delivered, the hospital
sta will notify your pediatrician. After your baby is
discharged, you will follow up with the pediatrician of
your choice.
Circumcision
If you give birth to a boy, you will be asked if you’d
like him circumcised. This is a matter to be considered
carefully before the baby is born, while you have time
to think about it and discuss it with your care provider
and pediatrician.
At birth, boys have skin that covers the end of the
penis, called foreskin. Circumcision is the surgical
removal of this foreskin, exposing the tip of the penis.
It is usually done in the first few days of life before the
baby leaves the hospital. A baby must be stable and
healthy to be circumcised.
It Is Your Decision
The American Academy of Pediatrics considers
circumcision a choice for parents to make. Some
parents choose circumcision for religious or cultural
reasons. It is important to consider the pros and
cons, how the surgery is performed, and the potential
complications.
Not all insurance companies pay for the procedure.
If you plan to circumcise your son, you should contact
your insurance provider for information about
coverage.
Medical Reasons Parents Might Choose Circumcision
Research suggests that there may be some medical
benefits to circumcision, including:
• A slight lower risk of urinary tract infection (UTI).
A circumcised boy has about a one in 1,000
chance of getting a UTI in the first year of life.
A baby who is not circumcised had a one in 100
chance of getting a UTI in the first year of life.
• A slightly lower risk of getting sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs), including HIV.
• A lower risk of cancer of the penis. However,
this is very rare in both circumcised and
uncircumcised men.
• Prevention of foreskin infections.
• Prevention of phimosis, a condition in which it is
impossible to pull back the foreskin.
Medical Reasons Parents Might Choose Not
to Circumcise
• Risks of circumcision surgery, although rare,
include bleeding, infection, and injury to the penis
or urethra.
• The foreskin protects the tip of the penis. When
the foreskin is removed, the tip may become
irritated and cause the opening of the penis
to become too small. This can cause urination
problems that may need to be corrected by an
operation.
• The foreskin has more nerve endings than the
glans, or sensitive tip of the penis, and its removal
decreases sensitivity to touch.
• Almost all uncircumcised boys can be taught
proper hygiene that can lower the chance of
getting infections, cancer of the penis, and
sexually transmitted diseases.