Your healthcare provider is a hugely valuable resource for you as you head down the homestretch of pregnancy – make sure you get your questions ready!
With the end in sight, your healthcare provider will begin making his or her way down the pre-delivery medical checklist. Your healthcare provider will, as always, take your weight, blood pressure, and have you provide a urine sample that will be screened for elevated levels of sugar and protein. He or she will also record Baby’s heart rate using a fetal doppler, discuss their movements with you, and measure your womb to get an accurate read on their size.
At these later appointments, your provider might be helping you prepare for labor more than anything else, and will be able to answer any questions you might have.
Speaking of preparation, is your delivery bag ready for the big day?
Reviewed by Dr. Jamie Lo
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Sources
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Fetal development: The third trimester.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 7/11/2014. Web.
- “Prenatal care in your third trimeser.” U.S National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus, 6/11/2014. Web.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Prenatal care: 3rd trimester visits.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 7/30/2015. Web.
- “Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Health: FAQ098.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 11/13/2015. Web.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Third trimester pregnancy: What to expect.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 5/5/2014. Web.