If you do have a pelvic exam late in pregnancy, you might have a little spotting afterward. Generally, practitioners won't do cervical checks unless they feel it's necessary, so if you're not comfortable, you can decline them. Moreover, you were screened to check whether you're Rh-negative during your first trimester.
If it turns out you are Rh-negative, you will be given an injection of Rh immune globulin sometimes called RhIg or RhoGAM to prevent your body from producing antibodies for the last part of your pregnancy.
And as always, your doctor will also discuss results from previous tests and follow up on issues that were brought up at your last prenatal appointment.
Whether or not she asks, let your doctor know about any symptoms you're having, even if they seem like the usual fatigue, moodiness, or aches and pains. Be sure to also let your doctor know if you notice your baby is less active than usual she'll ask you to count baby's movements for a set period of time each day.
Inside pregnancy: Weeks 28 to Between 36 and 37 weeks, your practitioner will swab your vagina and rectum to check for a common infection called group B strep. If your test is positive, you'll be given antibiotics during labor to help keep you from passing it on to your baby. If you've had a group B strep urinary tract infection during this pregnancy, you won't need this test because even though the infection was treated, you'll automatically get antibiotics during labor.
Likewise, you'll be automatically treated during labor if you've previously had a baby infected with group B strep. If you were diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Your doctor may also order a third trimester ultrasound to check your baby's growth and development.
Preeclampsia very high blood pressure usually develops during the third trimester. Some of the signs of preeclampsia are sudden swelling in the face and hands and protein in the urine. Most of the time, patients with preeclampsia have no symptoms and it is incidentally diagnosed in the office with new onset high blood pressure.
If you're past 37 weeks of pregnancy, then your doctor may want to deliver your baby. But if you're not at 37 weeks, your doctor will order an ultrasound and heart rate monitoring to check your baby's well-being.
In severe cases, your doctor may want to admit you to the hospital and consider delivering your baby early. Carrying twins, triplets and higher-order multiples is considered a high-risk pregnancy. Because you're at risk for preterm birth , you may need more frequent prenatal appointments, sometimes weekly. If you're experiencing symptoms of preterm labor, such as contractions, vaginal spotting, and abdominal cramps, be sure to alert your doctor.
If you were found to have placenta previa, which is what happens when the placenta partially or totally covers the cervix, you'll have a third trimester ultrasound to check whether the previa has resolved. If it hasn't, you'll most likely have a C-section to deliver your baby safely. Some women with placenta previa experience heavy bleeding, and in this case, your doctor may recommend a C-section to deliver your baby earlier. You'll most likely be given corticosteroids to help your baby's lungs develop faster if your delivery is scheduled before 37 weeks.
Your blood may be checked again for anemia, particularly if you were anemic earlier in your pregnancy. If you're at risk for sexually transmitted infections, you'll be tested again for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. You should get the Tdap vaccine to help protect you and your baby from pertussis whooping cough. Even if you've been vaccinated before, the U.
If flu season is here or approaching, your practitioner should talk with you about the benefits of getting a flu shot if you haven't already had one. Your doctor will also talk to you about the COVID vaccine, which helps protect you from the virus and lessens the severity of the illness if you become sick.
Studies show that antibodies are also passed to the fetus. Before your appointment, it's a good idea to write down any questions you may have for your doctor. This is also a great time to start thinking about your birth plan as well as what to expect postpartum.
Here are some common questions you may want to ask:. Since you may not be in any shape to make important decisions right after delivery, now's the time to start talking about whether you want your baby boy circumcised, whether you plan to breastfeed, and what you'd like to do for contraception after you have your baby.
Of course, you can always change your mind between now and then. And if you haven't found a doctor for your baby, it's time to get started. Your practitioner can give you some names. Finally, your practitioner may screen you for signs of depression during pregnancy. But don't wait to be asked. If you're feeling depressed or anxious, let your caregiver know. She can refer you to someone who can help. Blood screenings may include noninvasive prenatal testing NIPT and the quad screen , both of which indicate whether your baby is at greater risk of a genetic abnormality.
Your doctor may also perform chorionic villus sampling CVS if you're in your first trimester or amniocentesis if you're in your second trimester to diagnose genetic conditions. Be sure to discuss your options and the risks and benefits of the various genetic tests with your practitioner early to decide if and when you should undergo them.
A good portion of doctor visits during pregnancy are about advice and support. During each prenatal appointment, your practitioner should:. As for your role in this relationship, you should strive to show up for every prenatal appointment armed with questions and details on any changes in your health. Faced with new information and tests at every visit, many moms-to-be forget what they wanted to ask or share — so write down anything you want to tell your doctor or midwife.
Your first trimester prenatal appointment, which often takes place during the second month of pregnancy, is usually the longest one as it encompasses a full recording of your medical, gynecological and obstetrical history as well as your mental health history. A number of tests will follow, such as urine, bloodwork, genetic carrier screening, STDs, a pap smear and a blood sugar test. Your visits to the doctor are on the shorter side during the second trimester, but these prenatal appointments still include a check of your weight, urine and blood pressure.
Some prenatal screenings or tests may be offered now, including those for genetic or chromosomal disorders. In addition to asking about all the changes your body is going through, what to expect each month and during labor and delivery, you should also feel free to share any concerns you have with your doctor or midwife. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.
Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.
This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Smith RP. Routine prenatal care: third trimester. In: Smith RP, ed. Netter's Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Williams DE, Pridjian G. Textbook of Family Medicine. Editorial team. Prenatal care in your third trimester. Trimester means 3 months. A normal pregnancy is around 10 months and has 3 trimesters.
It is important that you continue to: Eat well -- including protein rich foods and vegetables frequently and in small amounts Rest as needed Get exercise or get a walk in on most days. Routine Prenatal Visits. During your visits, the provider will: Weigh you Measure your abdomen to see if your baby is growing as expected Check your blood pressure Take a urine sample to test for protein in your urine, if you have high blood pressure Your provider may also give you a pelvic exam to see if your cervix is dilating.
Lab Tests and Ultrasounds. Certain lab tests and tests to monitor the baby may be done for women who: Have a high-risk pregnancy, such as when the baby is not growing Have a health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure Have had problems in a prior pregnancy Are overdue pregnant for more than 40 weeks. Checking Your Baby's Movement. You will notice periods of activity and periods of inactivity. The active periods will be mostly rolling and squirming movements, and a few very hard and strong kicks.
You should still feel the baby move frequently during the day. When to Call the Doctor. Call your provider if: You have any signs or symptoms that are not normal.
You are thinking of taking any new medicines, vitamins, or herbs.
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