What it means
The fetus gains most of its weight and the lungs mature. The pregnant person often has back pain, shortness of breath, heartburn, swollen feet, frequent urination and trouble sleeping. Prenatal visits become more frequent as the due date nears.
For the nurse
Teach lying on the left side to keep blood flowing to the uterus, and the signs of preterm labor and preeclampsia to report.
At a glance
| Spanish | tercer trimestre |
|---|---|
| Also written | third trimesters |
Related terms
intrauterine growth restriction
Slower than expected growth of a fetus in the uterus, with an estimated weight below the 10th percentile for its age.
fundus
The rounded top or base of a hollow organ, most often the top of the uterus.
preterm labor
Labor that begins after 20 weeks and before 37 weeks of pregnancy.