What Pregnancy Complications Should I Be Aware of in My Third Trimester?

The third trimester is often the most difficult for pregnant women. It’s harder to move and to breathe, and you will need to rest more often. There are also pregnancy complications that are more common during the third trimester. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms so you can report them to your doctor. Among the most common pregnancy complications in the third trimester are: Preeclampsia The third trimester is the time where we possibly could see preeclampsia, a blood pressure-related seizure disorder of late pregnancy. Your urine and blood pressure will be monitored closely for signs of the pregnancy complication preeclampsia.

Some signs of preeclampsia include headaches that are not relieved with Tylenol or have visual changes associated with them. Call your doctor if you have pregnancy complications such as headaches, persistent vomiting and upper abdominal pain.

Fetal Distress Though your baby has less room to move around in your womb during the third trimester, you should feel the baby move every day. If there is decreased movement, call your practitioner. It could be a sign of a pregnancy complication, such as the baby is not growing normally or there are not normal amounts of amniotic fluid present.

Preterm Labor Though preterm labor, a pregnancy complication whereby labor begins prior to 37 weeks, sometimes begins without obvious symptoms, there are some signs. These include:

• changes in your vaginal discharge to a pink or reddish color
• menstrual-like cramps
• pressure in your pelvis or lower abdomen
• contractions that last for at least an hour that aren’t Braxton Hicks contractions (varying in strength and fewer than four per hour)