Your baby
Welcome to the third trimester. Your baby can now blink their eyes, which have begun to open, and is cycling through periods of REM sleep, the same active sleep stage we all move through. The brain is developing rapidly, forming the grooves and folds that will help it grow in the months ahead.
Your body
You may notice more shortness of breath as your uterus pushes up toward your ribs and lungs. Backaches, leg cramps, and trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position are all common right now. Many people also feel their baby move with more strength and regularity, which is a reassuring sign.
This week
This is often when your provider begins seeing you more frequently, and if you have not yet had your glucose screening, this is the last week of the usual 24-to-28-week window. If your blood type is Rh negative, you will also be offered a Rhogam shot. This is also the window for your Tdap vaccine, recommended in every pregnancy between 27 and 36 weeks. Getting it early in that window passes the most whooping cough protection to your baby. Start paying attention to your baby's movement patterns so you get to know what is normal for them. From about now, sleeping on your side rather than your back is recommended. A pillow between your knees and behind your back can make side sleeping much more comfortable.
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Book your prenatal visitAbout this guide
This page is general educational information, compiled from publicly available guidance from trusted medical sources, including the NHS and MedlinePlus. It is not medical advice from Garden OB/GYN or its providers, and it is not a substitute for care from your own clinician. Every pregnancy is different, so always talk with your OB/GYN about your specific situation. See our full medical disclaimer.
