How To Beat Discomfort During The Third Trimester Of Your Pregnancy

When approaching your third trimester, you may have heard many stories from other soon-to-be moms and those who have now given birth about how much discomfort they experienced during the last stage of their pregnancy. 

Awaiting the day in which you give birth can feel like a real drag, especially if you’re struggling with things like joint and back pain and other forms of discomfort. Luckily, there are some ways in which you can manage these problems. We’ve listed some common forms of third-trimester discomfort and how you can attempt to remedy them.

It’s very common during pregnancy to begin developing discomfort and pain in your joints and muscles. As you gain weight and your baby grows, added pressure will start being put on your body, sometimes causing inflammation and pain in your back and certain other areas. Most commonly, you may experience pain in your lower back and hips, and in some cases, you may even need to see a chiropractor or physio to help you to manage these problems.

For more general, mild to moderate pain, applying heat to the affected area will help to loosen up muscles and joints and hopefully reduce that pressure. You’ll also be able to use mild painkillers like paracetamol, but ensure you’ve consulted with your physician before taking anything. 

This is very likely to be a problem during your pregnancy, and while it doesn’t happen to everyone, you have to remember that your baby is going to be putting some pressure on your digestive system. This increase in pressure can increase the chance of acid reflux and heartburn. During pregnancy, dealing with heartburn is similar to dealing with it in other instances, but the main goal is to prevent it before it becomes a problem, especially if you know that you’re prone to it. 

Don’t eat too close to bedtime, as lying down will increase your risk of acid getting into your esophagus. You should also avoid certain foods and drinks that lead to heartburn, like coffee, carbonated beverages, and fast food. Heartburn medication is generally safe to use, too, if you can’t find any other way to deal with the problem. Just make sure to get advice from your doctor beforehand. 

Unfortunately, with this discomfort or pain comes difficulty sleeping. It’s so important for you to get plenty of rest during your pregnancy to keep your energy levels up and avoid serious complications too. The amount of sleep you get impacts both you and your baby, so finding ways in which you can reduce discomfort and improve your chances of sleep should be a top priority. Figuring out how to sleep when pregnant isn’t the easiest task, and whether you’re struggling with one particular type of discomfort, or a combination, causing you to become restless and irritable, your chance of having broken sleep increases significantly. 

To handle this, the first important step is to make sure you’re tired when it’s time to sleep. Try to tire yourself out a bit more during the day by doing light exercise such as going for a walk. You could also try mild yoga too, as certain stretches and poses can also help to reduce back and joint pain. 

The chances are that you’re not going to be surprised by the weight gain you’ll experience during pregnancy. At the end of the day, you have a baby growing inside of you and are having to eat extra nutrients to sustain the both of you. But there are certain areas of your body that will swell unexpectedly, and this can also be painful. Swollen feet are common, as well as swelling in your face and even your hands. This swelling tends to be caused by excessive fluid retention but can also be caused by poor blood flow, especially in the legs if you’ve been standing for long periods of time. Consider wearing compression socks and also lie down and elevate your legs if you’re experiencing this swelling.

This is obviously a very common issue during pregnancy; however, some tips may help you reduce or get rid of this pain. Of course, it’s important to note that if the pain doesn’t disappear and is becoming too much to deal with, your physician will be able to provide you with expert advice on more advanced steps to dealing with this. 

It’s important to remember that just because you’re experiencing increased pain, it doesn’t mean you’re going into labor. Your baby could just be moving a lot more or is kicking more than usual. When your baby makes its way into a space that is more awkward or tight, it can also cause pain and discomfort. The pain should subside over time but keeping your back straight and avoiding bending forward is a good first step. Find ways in which you can relax, too, as being uptight when your baby moves and kicks can exacerbate the pain.