Your healthcare provider is a hugely valuable resource for you as you head into the home stretch of pregnancy – get your questions ready!
Although this is your last anticipated prenatal visit, many parents will have either already given birth or have babies who may stay in for longer, requiring additional visits. Generally, if you reach the 40 week mark, your OB provider will also have you schedule a non-stress test to listen to the baby for a longer stretch, and possibly an ultrasound to check fluid levels. This appointment is a great time to talk about whether these additional tests would be right for you.
It’s also common at this appointment to talk through possible plans for induction of labor. Timing of an induction varies on your health, birth preferences, and scheduling availability, but by 42 full weeks, most providers agree it’s safer to have Baby out than in. Having an induction plan in case labor doesn’t start on its own can give you time to learn about and process potential interventions, or give you some peace of mind if you’re anxious to meet Baby!
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
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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 trimester.” 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.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Signs of labor: Know what to expect.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 7/18/2013. Web.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Third trimester pregnancy: What to expect.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 5/5/2014. Web.
