My Third Trimester Favourites
photo by Kayla Rocca
My third trimester is almost over as I stretch beyond my due date and patiently wait for our baby to arrive. These past few months have been hectic and transformative as we’ve moved to a new house and I have gone on maternity leave and finished up my one on one client work for the next few months. Not to mention all of this change happening in the middle of a global pandemic and pretty isolated from family and friends.
The third trimester begins in week 28 of pregnancy and lasts until you give birth, which may be around week 40 of pregnancy but usually lasts until 41-42 weeks. Only 5% of pregnant folks actually give birth on their due date so expect to go a bit beyond that date. During this trimester babe is focused on growing! Starting at about 2 1/2 pounds and 16 inches long in week 28 of pregnancy to between 6- 9 pounds and 19 to 22 inches long in week 40. This can mean a whole lot of physical changes for you too! Feeling more kicks, movement, cramping, stretching and fatigue as things get real before birth.
I’m so grateful for my partner Steve and my community for reaching out and making me feel so cared for during this time. Here are a few things that I’ve loved during this last trimester of pregnancy.
Doula Care
Being pretty isolated from my family, friends and regular resources (like in-person midwife appointments, in-person birth classes and prenatal community) during this pregnancy has made me really appreciate the additional support of a doula.
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a birther before, during and after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. These folks are not healthcare practitioners but offer education and support to insure you have an empowered birth, pregnancy and postpartum experience. I have found having someone to quickly text or speak with during this time has been incredibly helpful for my mental health and so much better than doom-scrolling google all day.
There are several specialized doulas that offer a wide range or services at different price points. Anything from attending and supporting your birth to in-home postpartum cooking and support to virtual access and classes. Here are some of the amazing doulas I have encountered during this pregnancy. I highly recommend reaching out to them to see if they are the right fit for you:
Dr.Rachel at Dupont Naturopathic
Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth
This book is a classic in birthing communities, written by the ‘mother of midwifery’ this book shares the experiences of several of Ina’s patients as they give birth at her self-sustaining birth center known as The Farm. I found this book a great way to get used to the idea of giving birth, which can still feel quite foriegn and scary even at 9 months pregnant. It’s been a great opportunity to read folks different experiences during childbirth while preparing for my own.
Epsom Salt Baths
I love Magnesium all day every day! It’s truly one of my favorite things for relaxing sore muscles, calming nerves and helping to get a good night's sleep. Epsom salt baths have been such a relaxing way to unwind after a day of being on your feet. I find these to be exceptionally helpful when experiencing round ligament pain from my belly growing and stretching. I love this brand when I’m feeling fancy but usually I’m happy with a big scoop of plain epsom salts and a drop or two of my favourite body oil in the tub for some aromatherapy.
photo by Kayla Rocca
Foot Massage
I really wasn’t expecting my feet to feel so awful during pregnancy, I can’t really see that much of them anymore but I’ve definitely noticed them becoming more swollen and itchy during these final stages of pregnancy. It’s a very common side effect of pregnancy due to the increase in fluids and the hormone Progesterone and is often harmless but should be mentioned to your healthcare provider to rule out preeclampsia.
I’ve found making sure to stay hydrated and elevating and massaging my feet daily has really made a difference for me. I like to massage with Everyday Oil, I find it hydrates my skin, absorbs nicely and smells incredible.
Postpartum Meal Prep Books and Inspiration
As I’m sure you know, I’m someone who loves to be prepared in the kitchen. It’s been difficult for me to imagine not having time or access to cooking for the first few weeks after birth so I’ve been slowly plugging away at stashing my pantry and freezer with easy, nourishing and delicious recipes to feed me and my partner once the baby arrives. Here are a few of the books I’ve been using to get things ready!
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother
This book is focused on the fourth trimester postpartum experience of zuo yuezi, a set period of “confinement,” in which a birther remains at home focusing on healing and bonding with their baby in chinese culture. The book shares concepts and recipes from a chinese medicine perspective and offers lots of nourishing recipes and support to help your body heal after childbirth.
This newly released book is quickly becoming a favourite. With recipes and tips all about comfort and practicality, think eggplant parm, cold smoothie bowls and hummus you can pack away in the freezer. This book co-written by chef Christine Flynn and Greenhouse beverage company co-founder Emma Knight it’s full of easy to make recipes and beautiful essays all about pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood.
From doula and Culinary Nutritionist Lindsay Taylor this book is great for folks who want easy, nutrient dense meals to support them throughout their pregnancy and postpartum experience. I love Lyndsey’s guilt-free and thoughtful approach for folks who are looking to stock their pantry and overhaul their meal prep!
*you’ll notice I’ve used amazon links to the books I’ve referenced, please if you can consider ordering from your local bookshops if possible.
Bonus: Maternity Photos
Especially now when most of my friends and family haven’t actually seen me pregnant, it was really important to me to capture my pregnancy with a maternity photo shoot and a lot of selfies at home. So often when being in a bigger body, I thought I didn’t think I looked pregnant enough but I am so glad I have some photos to document the transition of my shifting and growing body. These photos will definitely be keepsakes for us to remember the silver lining of our time during the pandemic. Even if you don’t feel your best, I think it is important to document this time. It goes by so quickly and it’s an incredible testament to what our bodies are capable of.
To read more, find my First Trimester Favourites here and
my Second Trimester Favourites here.