My baby has already arrived (will share more on that soon!), but I wanted to go back a second and share a recap of how the third trimester went as well as share some of the products that made the final weeks a bit more comfortable.
The last recap I shared was of my second trimester, which was fairly smooth and relatively comfortable. I actually don’t mind being pregnant and think it’s pretty fun to sport a giant belly and feel the kicks. However, things kind of change when you get into the third trimester. The first part of the final trimester was pretty much in line with the second trimester, but in those final four-ish weeks, things get super uncomfortable and an intense countdown to no longer being pregnant begins.
I tried to soak in the magic that is pregnancy, but also was really ready to get through labor and not be pregnant anymore. The end of pregnancy is hard, and then throw in a toddler that requires a lot of attention and it takes you over the top. I definitely allowed a bit more Sesame Street (a Millie fave) so I could enjoy some couch time and toddler cuddles during those final weeks.
Fitness
I continued to work out in the third trimester, mainly doing rides on the Peloton and some light weights following workouts here and there from Expecting and Empowered (you can use code SHAPINUP10 and get $10 off their workout plans!).
When I was pregnant with Millie I didn’t have a Peloton and my main “cardio” workouts were long walks. This time around I didn’t walk nearly as much since it was winter and long walks with a toddler are much more challenging than long walks with a dog. I loved having the Peloton at home during pregnancy. My output numbers dropped significantly and I moved at a very slow pace during the third trimester, but it felt great to be moving regardless. Mornings that I worked out I felt way more energized throughout the day. If I left my workout for the afternoon it rarely happened because my energy was so low the further it got into the day.
Body and Weight Gain
Though my bump was getting big and heavy, I didn’t feel too terrible. Things were definitely more uncomfortable by the end of the day, but I didn’t have any major aches and pains aside from the standard pregnancy discomforts.
My weight gain during this pregnancy was slightly less than what I gained with Millie (which I think was around 45 pounds). At the end of my pregnancy this time I think I gained around 35-40 pounds. I tried to eat relatively healthy but definitely indulged here and there (pretty much equal to the way I eat when not pregnant).
Even though 35-40 pounds is above the 25-35 recommended weight gain, I felt OK about my weight. I actually did a round of Whole30 starting about a week or two before I realized I was pregnant, so my starting weight was a bit lower than it had been in the year since I had Millie, so also for that reason I wasn’t too surprised to surpass 35 pounds during this pregnancy.
After my pregnancy with Millie I’ve come to terms with the fact that I get a really big belly with pregnancy and that’s OK!
In terms of this pregnancy versus the first one, my body did feel a bit different (having a girl vs having a boy). I would say I was mostly belly each time, but with the boy pregnancy it was even more just belly whereas with Millie I think my legs also bulked up a bit. This boy bump stuck even further out if I had to compare the two.
Discomforts
My biggest discomfort of the third trimester would be the PUPPPS rash I developed during the last two weeks of pregnancy. If you’re not familiar (which I was not), it’s an itchy and red rash that can happen during pregnancy (more common during pregnancies with boys!) and starts on your stomach and may spread all over your body, with the exception of your face.
My rash mainly stayed on my stomach and was incredibly uncomfortable. By reading experiences of other pregnant women, it definitely could have been worse, but even so it was pretty miserable. My skin felt like it was on fire and was the worst at night. The rash was beginning to spread to my arms but thankfully didn’t go beyond that. The rash goes away fairly quickly after you give birth but man, that was an uncomfortable couple of weeks (for reference, mine went away within 3 days of delivery).
Favorite Products for the Third Trimester
The final weeks of pregnancy can really suck. Thankfully you’re close to the finish line, but even so those last weeks can feel like an eternity. There were a handful of products that brought me some much-needed relief, especially when dealing with a PUPPPS rash. If you need some extra loving during the final stretch, here are some recommendations.
Hatch Belly Oil: I used this multiple times a day and loved that it absorbed quickly so it didn’t get all over my clothes and sheets. This helped the itchiness and tightness of my belly in general but also helped relieved some of the discomfort from my rash.
Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve: The above belly oil is pricey, and this is a lower priced product that I also loved. It’s a thick salve instead of an oil, but also felt great for itchy and tight skin.
Hatch Belly Mask: At $12 a pop, this is a splurge item, but worth getting one for fun! It felt extra luxurious to have this belly mask and it felt super cold and refreshing (literally the best my rash felt was when I used this mask).
Storq Anytime Overalls: This was my favorite maternity clothing item. These overalls are super comfy and definitely grow with you (they fit well even in the third tri). These are also great for the postpartum period and I wore these home from the hospital.
Bodily’s The Everything Bra: I was gifted this bra from Bodily and am obsessed. It’s a nursing bra but is also perfect for pregnancy as your body expands and all you want is to be comfortable. I could live in this bra (and kind of do). I actually wore this during giving birth.
Perelel Third Trimester Prenatal Pack: These were my vitamins of choice throughout all of pregnancy (and now postpartum). They are a set of vitamins so you are covering all your bases and don’t need to worry about additional vitamins in addition to your standard prenatal. I highly recommend these! Using code SHAPINUP15 will get you 15% off your first month.
Binto Glow Down Magnesium Drink: I tried to make a drink mix with this every night and when I did, I felt that I slept better. It’s a pregnancy-friendly sleep aid and especially during the third trimester, good sleep is hard to come by, so anything that might help is worth trying.
If you’re in the third trimester, I’d love to hear about your favorite products. Moms in those final weeks deserve whatever item might spark a little joy and comfort.
Next week I’ll be sharing the birth story of Baby Boy Michelson, be sure to check back for that soon!
