You are almost there! In just a few more weeks, you will be able to meet your baby.

You could still be having some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester, but now you may notice that you may urinate more often or that you find it even harder to breathe. This is because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Don’t worry, your baby is fine and these problems lessen once you give birth. You also might have some of these changes:

As your baby gets bigger, your uterus pushes on your stomach and can cause heartburn, especially before bedtime or right after you eat. Continue to avoid greasy, fried foods and eat six to eight smaller meals instead of large meals. You also can take small sips of milk or eat small pieces of chipped ice. If your heartburn is severe and doesn’t improve with these tips, talk with your health care provider before taking an antacid.

As you near the end of your pregnancy, you might notice more swelling especially in your ankles, fingers and face. Continue to drink lots of fluids (water is best) and rest when you can with your feet elevated. If you notice sudden, extreme swelling in any of these areas or have a rapid significant weight gain call your health care provider right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia or toxemia.

You might begin to experience more discomfort from hemorrhoids now from the increased pressure of your growing baby on the veins in your rectum. You might also be constipated, which makes hemorrhoids worse because you might strain for a bowel movement. Try to avoid hemorrhoids by drinking lots of fluids and eating plenty of whole grains, raw or cooked leafy green vegetables, and fruits. Try not to strain for bowel movements, and always talk with your health care provider before taking a laxative.

Your breasts have most likely increased in size and fullness as your pregnancy has advanced. Hormones in your body cause your breasts to increase even more in size, to prepare for breastfeeding. Your breasts can feel full and heavy, and they might be tender or uncomfortable. Wearing a well-fitting maternity or nursing bra will offer extra support. Some pregnant women begin to leak colostrum in the third trimester. Colostrum is the first milk that your breasts produce for your baby. It is a thick, yellowish fluid that contains antibodies that protect new babies from infections. If leaking becomes a problem for you, you can purchase disposable or cloth nursing pads, which you can also use when nursing your newborn, to place inside your bra.

Now and after delivery, it is a good idea to only wash your nipples with water instead of soap. Soap might cause the skin of your nipples to become dry, irritated, and crack. If you do have skin cracks, which can be sore and painful, use a heavier cream that contains lanolin for extra moisture.

Your baby is still growing and moving, but now it has less room in your uterus. Because of this, you might not feel the kicks and movements as much as you did in the second trimester.

Even before your baby is born it is able to open and close its eyes and might even suck its thumb. As your body prepares for the birth, your baby starts to move into its birth position. You might notice the baby “dropping,” or moving down lower in your abdomen. This can reduce the pressure on your lungs and rib cage, making it easier to breathe. As you near your due date, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (this is called effacing). This is a natural process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing process. Your visits to your provider may increase the month before you give birth. The average 40-week term baby is about 20 inches long and weighs approximately 7 1/2 pounds at birth.

Be sure to continue to visit your health care provider, and ask your questions and 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 nonsurgical, 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. 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.

It’s helpful to know that only five percent of babies are actually born on their due dates. This is very normal and does not mean anything is wrong. Sometimes, though, your labor needs to be induced. Inducing labor means that your health care provider starts your labor through artificial means. Most health care providers wait one to two weeks after a woman’s due date before considering inducing. There are several reasons why a woman might need to have labor induced. She might have a chronic illness like high blood pressure or diabetes that threatens the health of the baby or the baby might not be growing or thriving in the uterus. Sometimes, the uterus can become unhealthy for the baby. A woman also might have the membranes that surround the fetus rupture (or have her “water break”) without going into labor naturally within a reasonable amount of time. Labor can be induced during a vaginal exam; your health care provider might rupture or strip the membranes surrounding the fetus or insert a gel or suppository containing a hormone to stimulate contractions. A drug called Pitocin can also be given intravenously (put into your body through a vein in your arm or hand) to start contractions.

If you haven’t thought about whether you will breastfeed or bottle feed your baby, this is the time to learn more about both and make a decision about what you plan to do. Breastfeeding has many more advantages over formula for your health and your baby’s health. Discuss it with your health care provider then make the decision that is right for you.

Before your due date, make sure to talk with your health care provider about how to reach him or her if you go into labor. It’s also helpful to be familiar with the hospital or birthing center, where you should park, and where to check in ahead of time. Know that sometimes you may think you’re in labor, but really are not (called false labor). This happens to many, many women, so don’t feel embarrassed if you go the hospital certain you are in labor only to be sent home!

It’s always better to be seen by a health care provider as soon as possible once labor has begun. Here are the signs of true labor:

Make sure to continue the healthy behaviors that you learned in your first trimester during these last three months. Many pregnant women feel great in their last trimester and have lots of energy. As you enter your ninth month, you may begin to slow down. This is completely normal. It’s important to get enough rest now, even though it might seem difficult to sleep as you get larger. Your baby’s stretching movements, having to urinate often, and an increase in your body’s metabolism might disturb your sleep. If you are having any leg cramping, this can affect your sleep as well. You might have a better night’s sleep if you try to avoid eating large meals three hours before going to bed. You can also try some mild exercise like walking, which can help relieve stress and may improve sleep. Avoid long naps during the day. If you can’t sleep because you are anxious about becoming a mother or about your labor and delivery, try talking with your partner or friends who’ve been through this before. You can also talk with your health care provider.

Everyone gains weight at different rates, but on average, it is normal to gain about one pound per week, or three to four pounds per month, during this trimester. By the end of your pregnancy you should have gained on average about 25 to 30 pounds.