Third Trimester Visits
You will likely visit your health care provider every 2 weeks. Then visits will increase to once a week in your last month. This is the time to ask questions about labor and childbirth. Also, learn the warning signs of preterm labor, and know when to call your health care provider.
More Frequent Visits
At every visit, your blood pressure, urine, weight, and the baby's heartbeat will be checked. Your fundal height (the height of the uterus) may also be measured. Extra visits may be scheduled if there are any problems. Also, ask your health care provider who will deliver the baby if he or she is not on call when you go into labor.
Most providers check for B strep via a culture swab of the vagina/rectum at 35 weeks or more. Many women may be carriers of this bacteria that can cause infection in the baby if born vaginally. If the test is positive, antibiotics are given in labor to prevent transmission to the baby.
Be Aware of Preterm Labor
Call your health care provider if you have regular, rhythmic contractions before the 37th week (preterm labor). Other signs that you should be aware of are bleeding or mucous discharge from your vagina, cramps or contractions, and back and pelvic pain.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following:
-
Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or greater
-
Bleeding, fluid leaking, or mucous discharge from the vagina
-
Abdominal pain or contractions
-
Sudden swelling of the face and hands
-
Severe or constant headaches
-
Rapid weight gain
-
Vision changes or dizziness
-
Decrease in your baby's movement
|
Online Editor:
Rademaekers, Ed
Online Medical Reviewer:
Dolan, Mary, MD
Date Last Reviewed:
1/1/2006
Date Last Modified:
1/2/2006