The Third Trimester: Prenatal Care, Visits and Tests

Be sure to continue to visit your health care provider, and ask him or her to answer your questions and address your concerns about labor and delivery. As the birth of your baby gets closer, you and your health care provider will discuss what kind of delivery you will have. Some women need to have a cesarean section (c-section), in which a surgical incision is made in the abdomen and uterus to remove the baby. If you are able to plan on a non-surgical, vaginal birth, you may want to have your baby naturally, without medications, and you may want to take a childbirth class. Many women find childbirth classes very helpful, even if they have already had a baby. And, women also bring their partners or a friend or relative to these classes, particularly if this person will be with them to offer support and coaching during the birth of their baby.

Topics

• Heartburn
• Swelling
• Hemorrhoids
• Tender Breasts
• Weight Gain
• Changes in Your Baby
• Prenatal Care: Visits and Tests
• Inducing Labor
• Deciding to Breastfeed or Bottle Feed
• When to Call Your Health Care Provider