Educational content, not medical advice. Clinical review of this page is in progress.
The third trimester covers weeks 28 through birth, when appointments become more frequent and your body starts preparing for labor.
Common Symptoms
- Back pain and pelvic pressure
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Swelling in feet and ankles
- Shortness of breath as the uterus expands
- Trouble sleeping
Appointment Schedule
Visits typically move to every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly until delivery. Group B strep testing occurs around 36–37 weeks.
Preparing for Labor
Use this time to finalize your hospital bag, review your birth plan, install your car seat, and learn the signs of true labor in our labor guide.
Weeks 28 to 40: What to Expect
Your baby gains most of their birth weight in the third trimester. You may notice Braxton Hicks contractions, heartburn, shortness of breath and sleep difficulty. See 32 weeks pregnant.
Monitoring and Appointments
Visits become more frequent, typically every two weeks and then weekly toward the end. Count movements with our Kick Counter if your provider advises it, and contact them right away if movement decreases.
Preparing for Labor and Birth
Learn the signs of labor with the labor guide, practice with the Contraction Timer, and prepare using the hospital bag checklist. See NHS: Signs that labour has begun and ACOG: Labor and Delivery.
After the Birth
Read our breastfeeding preparation guide and postpartum recovery guide.
The Final Stretch: Weeks 28 to 40
The third trimester is when your baby gains most of their birth weight, your body prepares for labor, and your care schedule becomes more frequent. A pregnancy is considered full term at 39 weeks, with 37 to 38 weeks called early term and 41 weeks or more late term. Babies born before 37 weeks are preterm. Because only about 4 percent of babies arrive on their exact due date, treat your date as a window. Use our due date calculator and countdown calculator to stay oriented, and read the due date guide for how accuracy works.
Week-by-Week Snapshot
Weeks 28–31
Your baby’s eyes open and close, the brain grows rapidly and movements become strong and regular. You may have more heartburn, backache, leg cramps and shortness of breath as the uterus pushes up on your diaphragm.
Weeks 32–36
Baby usually turns head-down during this window, although many settle into position later. Lungs continue maturing. Braxton Hicks contractions become more noticeable, and you may feel pelvic pressure. Start packing with our hospital bag checklist. See also 32 weeks pregnant.
Weeks 37–40 and beyond
Your baby is ready for birth. Signs that labor is near include the baby dropping lower (“lightening”), a loss of the mucus plug, increasing Braxton Hicks contractions and loose stools. Labor can still be days or weeks away.
Your Appointment Schedule
- Weeks 28 to 36: visits are typically every two weeks.
- Week 36 until birth: visits are usually weekly.
- Group B strep (GBS) test: a simple swab at about 36 to 37 weeks (some guidelines say 35 to 37). If positive, you will receive antibiotics during labor to protect the baby.
- Growth and position checks: your provider may measure your belly, check the baby’s position and order an ultrasound if needed.
- Vaccines: Tdap is recommended at 27 to 36 weeks. Ask about RSV vaccination, which is typically offered between 32 and 36 weeks during the RSV season, and other seasonal vaccines.
- Rh immune globulin: if you are Rh-negative, it is usually given around 28 weeks.
Counting Your Baby’s Movements
Baby movements are a key sign of wellbeing. Many providers suggest tracking movements daily from about 28 weeks. A common method is to note how long it takes to feel 10 movements, which for most pregnancies happens within two hours. Use our free kick counter. If you notice a clear decrease in movement, or it takes much longer than usual to reach 10, do not wait until the next day: call your provider or go to labor and delivery right away.
Preparing for Labor and Birth
Braxton Hicks vs real labor
Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, usually painless or mildly uncomfortable, and often stop when you rest, drink water or change position. True labor contractions get longer, stronger and closer together and do not ease with movement. Try our contraction timer to see the pattern.
When to go to the hospital
Many providers use the 5-1-1 guideline for a first baby: contractions about every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. Always follow your own provider’s instructions, and go sooner if your water breaks, you have bleeding, the baby is moving less or you feel something is wrong. Our labor guide explains the stages in detail.
Make a plan
- Pre-register at your hospital or birth center and know the route and parking.
- Install the car seat and have it checked by a certified technician.
- Write down your birth preferences and discuss pain relief options with your provider.
- Line up help for the first weeks at home: meals, older children, pets and work coverage.
- Pack your bag by about 36 weeks.
Common Third Trimester Symptoms
Expect swelling, hemorrhoids, constipation, trouble sleeping, frequent urination, backache and shortness of breath. Sleep on your side with pillows for support. Read the pregnancy swelling guide and back pain guide for safe relief, and the fatigue guide if exhaustion returns.
Warning Signs: Call Your Provider or Go to the Hospital
- Decreased fetal movement
- Vaginal bleeding, or a gush or steady leak of fluid
- Regular painful contractions before 37 weeks
- Severe or persistent headache, vision changes, upper abdominal pain, or sudden swelling of the face and hands, which may signal preeclampsia
- Severe itching, especially on the hands and feet, which can indicate a liver condition called cholestasis of pregnancy
- Fever, or pain and burning with urination
After the Birth: Start Planning Now
Recovery begins the moment your baby is born. Learn what to expect in the postpartum recovery guide, review feeding options in breastfeeding preparation, and ask your provider when your postpartum visits will be. Make a note of mental health resources in advance, because the baby blues are common, and call your provider if low mood, anxiety or intrusive thoughts last beyond two weeks or feel overwhelming.
Third Trimester FAQs
What if I go past my due date?
Your provider will monitor you and the baby closely. Many offer induction around 41 weeks, and the timing depends on your health and preferences.
Is sex safe in the third trimester?
For most low-risk pregnancies it is, unless your provider advises otherwise, for example if you have placenta previa or a risk of preterm labor.
How much weight gain is normal now?
For a normal pre-pregnancy BMI, about 1 pound a week is typical. Sudden, rapid weight gain with swelling should be reported to your provider.
Can I still travel?
Many airlines restrict travel in the last month, and your provider may advise staying near home after 36 weeks. Check before booking.
How do I know if it is really labor?
Contractions that keep getting stronger, longer and closer together, along with a bloody show or water breaking, point to labor. When unsure, call your provider.
Related Reading
- 10 Weeks Pregnant — baby development and symptoms
- 13 Weeks Pregnant — end of the first trimester
- 21 Weeks Pregnant — mid-pregnancy milestones
- 32 Weeks Pregnant — preparing for the final stretch
Also see our calculator FAQs, pregnancy FAQs and pregnancy terms glossary.
Related Resources
- Second Trimester Guide (Weeks 14–27)
- The Complete Labor Guide
- Contraction Timer
- Kick Counter
- Hospital Bag Checklist
Sources and Further Reading
This page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your OB-GYN or midwife about your own pregnancy.