Third trimester of pregnancy: The good, bad and ugly

Pregnancy is a blessing, and it is a long yet patient journey for expecting parents. Your life changes in many ways, and there is always that worrying feeling of the unknown and of what's to come. I am currently towards the end of the third trimester of my pregnancy, and the feeling of excitement has taken over.

I cannot wait to meet the little human being that has been growing inside of me, but I am also anxious about the challenges ahead. No matter how much research and preparation you do, there's always the feeling of anticipation and worry of how things will go.

The good side of third trimester pregnancy

Bonding with your baby is important, and during the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby is more active than ever. I can feel her kicking and moving with more force, whereas before it felt like something swimming in my stomach, or just light kicks. She moves at certain times of the day, especially at night, and sometimes reacts to music too.

Another good thing is getting the nest ready for when the baby arrives, and receiving cute gifts for the baby. Looking at the cute baby outfits fills me with joy and makes me even more impatient, because I want to just meet the baby right away.

The ugly side of third trimester pregnancy

My bump has not been so big throughout my pregnancy journey, but in the last two months, it has grown bigger, doubling in size. This means that it's been harder for me to lie in bed, it's more painful to stand for a while, and even sometimes to sit down. It can be really uncomfortable for me and I have to find the right positions to sit in or lie in.

There are also pregnancy symptoms that have worsened in the last trimester, such as back pain and cramps. There is also the dreadful heart burn that happens everyday and fatigue.

The bad side of third trimester pregnancy

Third trimester of pregnancy means that there are also other things to look out for. For example, at this stage you cannot sleep on your back because it can increase the chances of stillbirth. It's also creeping into winter season now, which means there are is a higher risk of getting sick and harming the baby. There are also a ton of other things to be worried about that can cause any problems or premature birth that can cause complications.

Reading about labor is also scary, because it is the biggest challenge of all throughout pregnancy. There are many kinds of horror stories about labor, but there are even stories about women giving birth quickly too. Even if you write down your birth plan, it might not go exactly how you want it to be. It'll be my first time experience, and it feels overwhelming of knowing and yet not knowing what's to come. However, knowing that I will have support helps me feel at ease too.

What pregnancy has been like

Pregnancy is different for everyone, however it has been a great journey for me. But the most difficult part is seeing your body change completely, which can make you feel down, but in order to not feel depressed about it is remembering that your body is a vessel for your child to grow and that it's only temporary. My energy levels aren't the same as they used to be, which makes it harder to do everyday things. However, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and the excitement of holding the bundle of joy in less than two months overcomes any sad feeling I have had during pregnancy.