Well, well, well. Since Miles came a couple days before I was about to write this, I’m now writing this postpartum with my sweet baby boy napping behind me. Incase you missed part 1 & 2 of this series, be sure to check them out here: First Trimester Pregnancy Favorites & Second Trimester Pregnancy Favorites
Now let’s jump right in to my Third Trimester Pregnancy Favorites post!
Third Trimester Pregnancy Favorites
Drip Drop Electrolyte Powder
Third Trimester pregnancy thirst is just as intense and high blood sugar thirst. This electrolyte drink mix tastes SO delicious and really hit that insatiable thirst spot!
Extra Pillows
The third trimester is definitely the most uncomfortable! If you have extra pillows stored away in the linen closet, now is the time to bring them out! I slept with pillows under my head, between my legs, under my arms, and against my back. Poor Justin had zero room on the bed, but I was pretty darn comfortable!
The First 40 Days Book
This was an amazing book recommended by my doula. It talks about the essential fourth trimester of pregnancy and how to prepare for it, mentally and physically. It has great tips on recovery and super delicious recipes that promote healing. I highly recommend this book!
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth Book
This was also an incredible book! While I didn’t give birth vaginally, this book helped me eliminate the fear I had about childbirth before I even went into labor. There are lots of great techniques, empowering stories from other women, and super motivating birth affirmations.
Nightly Massages
Remember how I said the third trimester is the most uncomfortable… well it can be a little less uncomfortable when your man, or lady, gives you a nightly rub down. I looked forward to my foot & leg massages every night!
Daily Walks
Walking helps get baby into a favorable position, increases oxytocin (which is the hormone that pitocin tries to imitate), and is great for your mental and physical health in general.
Yoga Ball
Helps open hips to get baby into a good position and great at relieving back and pelvic pain that comes along with third trimester.
Probiotics
Third trimester is when you’ll be tested for Group B strep. If you test positive you are expected to be hooked up to IV antibiotics during labor (though you can decline). To avoid this all together it’s important to up your probiotic intake. I made sure to take a probiotic that contained Lactobacillus rhamnosus & reuteri – which is great for vaginal health (this is the brand I took) + ate lots of fermented foods (like my favorite, sauerkraut).
Positive Birth Affirmations
Reading Ina May’s guide to childbirth really helped me eliminate the fear I had surrounding labor and birth. One of the things she recommends in her book is positive birth affirmations. Saying things like, “my body was made to do this” and even printing out these affirmations and hanging them in your delivery room will help to instill the fact that you are a birthing warrior and can handle anything that is thrown your way! Check out my favorite positive birth affirmations on my pinterest page.
Empowered Birth Project on IG
Another thing that helped get rid of my fear about childbirth was looking at it square in the eye. The more I saw pictures and videos of birth the more normal it was to me and the more beautiful it became. The Empowered Birth Project on Instagram is an amazing IG account that shares beautiful and, yep, you guessed it, empowering pictures & videos of birth and all that surrounds it!
Question of the Day
What were some of your third trimester pregnancy favorites?
Earn good karma points. Share this with your favorite pregnant mama!
a fan…. everywhere I go! Pregnancy sweats are agressive LOL! I had to buy one for my work desk because we’re not allowed to adjust the temp.