GUIDE
Welcome to the third trimester. Your baby can blink, dream, and may start turning head-down — and kick counts are recommended from now on.
At the size of an eggplant, your baby weighs about 2.25 pounds and has a survival rate of over 90% if born today.
Be prepared from day one
Your baby is about the size of an eggplant — roughly 15 inches long and weighing approximately 2.25 pounds. Welcome to the third trimester.
Your baby can now blink their eyes fully and has regular cycles of opening and closing them. The eyelashes are present, and the eyes can detect changes in light. When your baby is in REM sleep, their eyes move rapidly behind closed eyelids — the same pattern associated with dreaming in older children and adults. While we cannot know what (if anything) a fetus dreams about, the brain activity required for dreaming is present and serves an important role in brain development.
Many babies begin to shift into a head-down position around this time, though there is no rush — babies can continue to turn until 36 weeks or later. Your provider will begin checking your baby's position at appointments. If your baby is currently breech (feet or bottom down), there is plenty of time for them to flip on their own.
Your baby is gaining weight more rapidly now — about half a pound per week — as fat deposits increase. This fat serves multiple purposes: insulation, energy storage, and rounding out the wrinkled skin into the plump baby appearance you will see at birth. The brain is also gaining weight as it develops more complex folds and connections.
Survival rates for babies born at 28 weeks are over 90% with access to neonatal intensive care, though complications related to prematurity are still possible. Each additional week in the womb continues to improve outcomes significantly.
Since last week, the brain's folding pattern is becoming more complex, and your baby's movements are more coordinated and responsive to external stimuli.
The third trimester is here, and your body knows it. Many women describe the transition as feeling like the physical intensity has been dialed up — the belly is bigger, the discomforts are more pronounced, and the energy of the second trimester is starting to fade.
Back pain is one of the most common third-trimester complaints. Your belly is pulling your center of gravity forward, your joints are loosened by relaxin, and you are carrying significantly more weight than before pregnancy. Good posture, supportive shoes, gentle exercise (swimming is excellent), and a maternity support belt can all help.
Insomnia is increasingly common. Between the physical discomfort, frequent trips to the bathroom (your baby is pressing heavily on your bladder), leg cramps, heartburn, and your baby's active schedule, getting a full night of sleep is challenging. Rest when you can, even if it is not in a traditional sleep schedule.
Braxton Hicks contractions may be more frequent as the third trimester begins. They are still practice contractions and should remain irregular and manageable. The key distinction from real labor contractions: Braxton Hicks do not get progressively closer together, stronger, or longer. If they do, call your provider.
Your prenatal appointment schedule will likely increase to every two weeks from this point forward. Your provider will monitor your blood pressure, check for swelling, measure your belly, and listen to your baby's heartbeat. If you have not done the glucose screening test yet, it should happen now.
The fatigue of the first trimester may be returning as your body works harder to support your growing baby. Be kind to yourself. The third trimester is a marathon, and rest is not a luxury — it is a necessity.
Every pregnancy is different. The start of the third trimester is a good time for a thorough check-in with your provider about how you are feeling overall.
The third trimester brings new responsibilities and a shift toward active preparation. Here is where to start.
From 28 weeks onward, daily kick counting is recommended. Pick a time each day when your baby is usually active, sit or lie comfortably, and count movements. You should feel 10 movements within 2 hours — most babies reach this number in under 30 minutes. If movement is reduced from your baby's normal pattern, contact your provider.
Your provider may recommend additional tests, including a repeat complete blood count to check for anemia, an Rh antibody screen (if you are Rh-negative), and screening for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) later in the trimester. Ask what to expect at your next appointment.
If you have been putting this off, now is the time. Include comfortable labor clothes, toiletries, a phone charger, snacks, a going-home outfit for you and baby, insurance cards, and any comfort items (your own pillow, a playlist). Keep it by the door so it is ready to grab.
Review your birth preferences with your provider and your support person. Cover pain management options, labor positions, who you want in the room, preferences for skin-to-skin contact, cord clamping, and breastfeeding. Keep it flexible — birth often has its own plan.
The third trimester can feel long. It brings more physical discomfort, more appointments, and the growing realization that you are about to become a parent (or expand your family). It is okay to feel excited and anxious at the same time. Talk to your partner, friends, or a professional if you need support.
When in doubt, call your provider. The third trimester brings increased vigilance — kick counts, blood pressure, and signs of preterm labor all matter more from this point forward.
The third trimester is a 12-week journey to your due date. Your baby will continue to gain weight rapidly, the lungs will mature, and your body will prepare for labor in increasingly noticeable ways. Prenatal appointments become more frequent, and the focus shifts from development to preparation.
If weight gain, heartburn, or insomnia are significant concerns, now is the time to talk to your provider about management strategies that will carry you through to delivery.
You are in the home stretch. Your baby is strong, growing, and almost ready to meet you.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
