The final trimester of pregnancy is an exhausting but exciting time! With unique needs for rest, nutrition, exercise, and more, these are my top ten must-haves for a healthy, happy third trimester.
Achy ribs, cramped lungs, and sore feet are trademarks of the third trimester for me, and I’ve been experiencing my share of them all these last three months.
Of course, along with the physical discomforts is the excitement of knowing that a whole new little person is about to be welcomed into the world and into our family. I just love to think of the new baby smell and feel as these final months draw to a close!
Just like in previous trimesters, I find certain things to be extremely beneficial for me as I end up a pregnancy. Here are my must-haves for the home stretch, the third trimester!
Must-Haves for a Healthy, Happy Third Trimester
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Naps
My energy levels drop as the third trimester progresses and really bottom out during that last month. I can go a few days without napping, but I end up completely exhausted if more than three days go by and I haven’t napped. I feel so much better when I manage an afternoon nap!
Milk Thistle & Astragalus
I continue to love this herbal extract! As mentioned in the first trimester and second trimester posts of must-haves, it’s really been incredibly helpful for me. This is the best my immunity has ever been during a pregnancy, even when caring for sick children and getting very broken sleep.
Though I make my own, you can find quality herbal extracts at Mountain Rose Herbs and other places online if a local health food or herb store doesn’t carry them. Amazon also offers both milk thistle extracts and astragalus extracts.
Herbal Pregnancy Tea
My Herbal Pregnancy Tea Blend is almost always in my mug by the afternoon and evening hours. It helps me get in enough water, offers vitamins and minerals, and is helping to tone my uterus for the upcoming work it has ahead of it.
Though I enjoy this blend all through pregnancy, I try to be much more faithful in drinking it towards the end for all of the reasons above. It’s really just an all-around nutritious herbal tea to enjoy anytime, too.
Food-Based Prenatal Vitamin
To help fill in any gaps and make sure my nutrient stores are where they need to be for birth and the postpartum period, I keep taking a quality food-based prenatal vitamin through the end of pregnancy. I’m sure the boost of nutrients also helps keep up energy levels as much as possible, too.
I usually take Rainbow Light brand prenatal, but I’ve also enjoyed New Chapter brand, as well.
A Good Belly Butter
The last stretch of pregnancy also stretches the belly to the max, it seems! Stretched skin tends to be dry and itchy, especially when the third trimester falls in the winter months like this one is for me.
Belly butters are extremely easy to make at home, and in fact, if you want something super natural without having to do any extra work, plain shea butter makes a great option! I have made one like this old recipe many times, and of course you can find many great options for purchase, too.
Natural Calm Calcium-Magnesium Supplement
I confess that I’ve slacked in faithfully taking my extra calcium-magnesium supplement this last trimester. At first I didn’t notice it much, but as the last month has gone on, I have! More muscle cramps was my first reminder that the extra boost of calcium and magnesium that I get from Natural Calm is extremely beneficial.
Chiropractic Care
Though Fit2B really helps keep me in better alignment during pregnancy, I still love seeing our chiropractor for additional adjustments. With a bigger belly, I’m guilty of getting a bit lazier with my posture and just being less mindful of how I sit and stand.
I rarely have headaches and deal with sciatic pain only infrequently when I regularly visit our chiropractor. I also believe that chiropractic care can help my body and the baby to be in the best possible position for birth.
Easy Fit2B Routines
I can’t possibly sing the praises of Fit2B enough, especially when it comes to this particular pregnancy. I’ve now been a member for about three years, and because of these videos and all I’ve learned from Beth Learn, my tummy stayed smaller this pregnancy than in any other of the previous five!
It’s not my belly size that matters to me, though. It’s seeing, feeling, and knowing that my tummy muscles are strong again and have been able to do their job all through the pregnancy.
I needed to switch to some of the easier videos through this trimester, though. A newer chair routine, maternity routine, and even a walking routine were favorites! And stretching… lots of gentle stretching!
Heartburn Relief
Heartburn returned this last trimester, as is quite common for most mommas. For me, eating smaller meals was really helpful in keeping it at bay, as well as staying upright after eating for at least 30 minutes. That meant I had to plan out nighttime snacks a bit better.
I honestly wish I had remembered to get papaya enzymes to try for third trimester heartburn. These are often helpful, but by the time I remembered, I was almost to my due date.
A Probiotic Supplement
Typically I rely on our home-brewed dairy and water kefir for probiotics, but towards the end of pregnancy, I do like to take an additional probiotic supplement. I have been Group B Strep positive in about half of my pregnancies, so I like knowing that I have as much good bacteria going for me as possible.
Though I was in a pinch and picked up a bottle from our natural pharmacy, I wish I had prepared a bit better and bought Udo’s Choice from Vitacost ahead of time. (<– That’s my Vitacost referral link. If you’re new to Vitacost, you can use that to get $10 off your first order! I get a credit, too.) Vitacost ships these refrigerated, which is very important.
Do you have any favorite must-haves for the home stretch of pregnancy?
The post My Top 10 Must-Haves for a Healthy, Happy Third Trimester appeared first on Smithspirations.
