1. Home
  2. Stages

Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these third-trimester problems

Signs to pay attention to during your third trimester

By

Once you’ve reached your third trimester, you can relax, knowing you’re finally in the home stretch of your pregnancy. While your excitement to finally meet your baby is growing, so is your belly, and you may begin developing some new pregnancy symptoms at this time. Heartburn, insomnia, and the inability to get comfortable anywhere are all part of the realities of the third trimester.

While many of the aches, pains, and annoying symptoms you’ll deal with during the third trimester are totally normal, there are some red flags that you’ll want to pay attention to and immediately call your doctor if you experience them.

Recommended Videos

It can be a bit confusing to know if what you’re feeling is a normal part of pregnancy or if it’s something more serious. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these third-trimester problems we’ve listed below. When it comes to you and your baby’s health, you can never be too careful.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Extreme vomiting

It’s been weeks since you’ve had morning sickness, but nausea and vomiting during the third trimester could be symptomatic of something more serious. If you are throwing up and are unable to keep any liquids down, it’s time to give your doctor a call. “This can lead to severe dehydration, which isn’t good for you or your baby,” Isabel Blumberg, M.D. and OB-GYN tells Parents. While you could have a stomach virus or food poisoning, it could be a sign of something more serious and your doctor may want to give you IV fluids to keep you and the baby hydrated.

comzeal images / Shutterstock

Extreme swelling

During the third trimester, it feels like every part of your body is swollen. You’ll notice more swelling in your feet and ankles, especially if you’re on your feet a lot during the day. Since your body is producing about 60% more blood and your growing uterus is putting pressure on your veins, you can expect to see swelling in the lower half of your body during the third trimester. However, you want to be on the lookout for extreme swelling, swelling in places like your hands and fingers, or swelling that doesn’t go away if you drink lots of water and put your feet up.

“If you notice sudden swelling, asymmetric swelling — such as one leg being larger than the other — or one calf being warm or tender to the touch, see your physician right away,” wrote Shivani Patel, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical. “These could be signs of a blood clot. Swelling in non-dependent parts of your body like hands and fingers may suggest the development of preeclampsia.”

Mykola Sosiukin / Getty Images

Back and hip pain

Aches and pains are a part of pregnancy and you’ll have a lot more discomfort during your third trimester. However, if you feel sharp pains in your belly, back or hips, or feel a pain that doesn’t go away, it’s time to call your doctor. “If you have unrelenting pain, a deep and sharp pain, or have become unable to walk or get up, see your doctor,” wrote Dr. Patel. “Also, if you are experiencing a rhythmic pain in your low back every few minutes, it may be contractions, which sometimes present as low back pain.”

The Good Brigade / Getty Images

Lack of fetal movement

By the time you hit your third trimester, you’ll be accustomed to feeling your little one kick, punch, and roll around in your belly. It really is one of the most amazing parts of pregnancy. However, in your third trimester, if you feel a slow down or no movement at all, it’s best to reach out to your doctor. “Usually it’s nothing, and the baby was just being especially still,” said Dr. Blumberg. “But your doctor will probably want you to have a stress test or an ultrasound to make sure there aren’t any problems.”  

Most doctors recommend doing a kick check where you check for 10 movements within 10 minutes. If you start counting kicks, but don’t feel any movement, drink a glass of fruit juice — this will boost the baby’s blood sugar and get them moving and grooving — and lie then lie on your left side for half an hour. If you still don’t feel any movement or 10 movements in 10 minutes, call your doctor so they can check in with you and the baby.  

When the third trimester rolls around, there are so many emotions a mom-to-be is feeling. While your emotions may be up and down, you’ll also feel many new symptoms during the third trimester. Your doctor will tell you that many of these aches, pains and strange things happening to your body are totally normal. But it’s good to check in with yourself and your body to be aware of any symptoms you’re feeling.

During your next appointment, talk to your doctor about the best ways to reach her if you do have an emergency. Make sure you know who to call after hours and on weekends, and it’s also good to know where your nearest emergency room is located, just in case. While it can be scary to think about these things, it’s best to plan ahead for your safety and for your baby’s safety too.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Amanda Mushro
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Glass vs. plastic baby bottles: Here’s what doctors have to say
How to choose the best bottle for your little one

Having a baby can be overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. It means making endless decisions about day-to-day activities and how they can impact the baby's safety. Even something as simple as choosing the type of bottle to use becomes an important decision. Glass vs. plastic baby bottles: Which is a healthier choice?

A baby's bottle is a vital purchase, and it's certainly worth exploring all the factors when it comes to glass or plastic baby bottles for health, convenience, and cost concerns. There are trade-offs to consider with each. So, here's what parents need to know when it comes to glass vs. plastic baby bottles.
The scoop on plastic baby bottles
With all the concerns around chemicals in plastics, it's natural for parents to wonder if anything from a plastic baby bottle might find its way into their baby's milk.

Read more
What is a baby sprinkle (and how to plan a great one)
Why you should at least have a baby sprinkle even if you already have a child

We all know the standard pregnancy celebrations. We've seen gender reveal photoshoots all over social media and have been invited or know someone who has gone to at least one baby shower. But what about when someone is having a second baby? Or is having the first girl after two back-to-back boys? Well, that's where having a baby sprinkle comes in handy. Whether it's been a few years since the last little one or you're having one of the opposite gender and only need a few items, here's why a baby sprinkle is the perfect way to welcome this new addition.
What is a baby sprinkle?

If you don't know anything about pregnancy parties, think of it in scientific terms. What is a shower versus a sprinkle when it rains? Not as much water for one as the other, right? Take that and apply it to a baby shower versus a baby sprinkle. Think of a baby sprinkle as that grocery trip where you only need the fillers, and you're not restocking the whole kitchen.
If you already have a baby
If you are parents to one child (or two or three), you probably have most of the stuff you need from the last child. But if there were items you wish you would have grabbed for the first one or you have a list of needs for this next baby, a sprinkle is the perfect forum to get those goods.
If it's been a few years since you've had a baby
Even if you already have a child, maybe this next one is a few years further away than you wanted or planned. A baby sprinkle is the best way to get those items you may have donated, lost, or broke with the first kiddo.
If you have only one gender but find out you are having the other
Have all boys? You will want a sprinkle to get some girl items. Have only girls? You might use a sprinkle to get at least one item that isn't pink. Not that certain colors are meant for boys or girls, but maybe you had a Minnie Mouse-themed nursery, and you'd like your first boy to have a new theme for their nursery.
Let's sprinkle the details
A baby sprinkle isn't going to be exactly like your baby shower. It's more of a low-key event, should be less stressful, and is less formal.

Read more
What it means if you lose weight during pregnancy – and when to worry
What causes a pregnant woman to lose weight?

Weight gain is a very real, very normal, and very expected part of pregnancy. Most people are prepared to see the scale going up as their pregnancy progresses, but sometimes they may notice it going down, which can cause some anxiety. Pregnancy requires extra calories and extra nutrition to feed a growing baby, which is why it can be very concerning when a pregnant person notices they are losing weight.

Weight loss during pregnancy may be more common than you think. It isn't necessarily cause for alarm unless it's a consistent pattern throughout the pregnancy and not just a short-lived dip on the scale. Many factors can cause a pregnant person to lose weight, but that doesn't mean it can't be concerning when it happens. You should always consult your doctor if you're concerned about your weight gain or loss during pregnancy, but if you've found yourself asking, "Why am I losing weight while pregnant?" here are a few possible explanations.
It's not uncommon

Read more