Learn Pregnancy and birthThird Trimester

Third trimester overview: What it is and what to expect

Week 28 to birth can feel like the longest stretch. What to expect from your body, your mood and your appointments as birth approaches.

What the third trimester actually is

The third trimester runs from week 28 through to the birth. For many, it can feel like the longest stretch of pregnancy. Your body is working hard, the pace of prenatal appointments picks up and there is often a growing awareness that birth, postpartum and baby are coming quickly.

Starting the preparation now can help make the transition into birth and postpartum less overwhelming.

When to seek same-day care

Contact a healthcare provider or call 8-1-1 if you experience any of the following:

Heavy vaginal bleeding
Sudden, severe abdominal pain
Signs of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that can include sudden swelling in the face or hands, a severe headache that doesn’t go away, vision changes, dizziness, high blood pressure or pain under the ribs. This requires a same-day assessment.
Your baby’s movements have significantly decreased or stopped: if you notice a change in how often or how strongly your baby is moving, contact your provider the same day. Do not wait.
Fluid leaking from the vagina before labour begins

If you’re unsure whether something is urgent, reach out to a care provider. In Newfoundland and Labrador, you can call 8-1-1 to speak with a nurse at any time. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

References

This article was developed using sourced educational content from Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings (CPMHT), and informed by the collective knowledge and expertise of CPMHT professionals and Karen Clarke, BA, MSW, RSW, Doula (Open Book Doula, Counselling and Consulting Services), as well as the following cited research and clinical practice guidelines:

1

Peridot Article

Sleep in late pregnancy – what's normal and what helpsThird Trimester

2

Peridot Article

Fear and anxiety about birthThird Trimester

3

Peridot Article

Preparing for birth and reducing the risk of birth traumaThird Trimester

4

Peridot Article

Preparing for postpartum: Rest, healing, bonding and feeding in the early weeksThird Trimester

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External

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT). Clinician Pocket Guide: Management of Perinatal Mood, Anxiety, and Related Disorders. Toronto: CANMAT, 2024.

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External

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT). Seeds of Hope: Nurturing Mental Health and Managing Perinatal Mood, Anxiety, and Related Disorders — A Patient and Family Guide. Toronto: CANMAT, 2024.

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External

Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). "Guideline No. 454: Identification and Treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders." Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada 46, no. 10 (2024): 102696.

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External

Statistics Canada. As cited in: Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings, Module 2 — Video 1. PMAD Prevalence document.

The early weeks postpartum ask a lot of you. Planning now for rest, feeding, healing and help can protect your mood when it matters most.

Some fears and nerves before birth make sense. When worry and fear become a constant loop, there are real ways to quiet it, and support that helps.