Third Trimester – What to Expect and How to Enjoy it

Last Updated on May 4, 2024 by Kathy

There is so much anticipation while you’re pregnant that by the time you reach your third trimester, you no longer enjoy your pregnancy. Most of the time, when you hit the third trimester, you’re both happy with excitement and restless with expectation.

You’ve made it through two-thirds of your pregnancy, and in a way, the last few months have flown. But the reality is now sinking in, and all you want is to see your little one. You want to hold your baby in your arms, see what they look like, and smell that unmistakable newborn smell.

You are both ready and scared of this new chapter in your life, but you want it to be here overall. You still have about three more months to go. As we all know, three months can become a long time when you are excited!

How To Enjoy Your Third Trimester:

You wonder how you will be able to make it through this time with your ever-growing belly, your back pains, sleepless nights, and this anticipation that keeps getting bigger and bigger.

How do you make these three months more than just a time of waiting and – as my father lovingly calls it – breeding? What about if you are about to become a single mom – how do you make these months worthwhile when you don’t have a partner to share your excitement with?

Try these ideas to keep yourself busy and sane before the baby comes!

Create a vision board.

I love vision boards.

Being crafty and making my dreams a tiny bit more real by putting photos, words, phrases, and more on your vision board is so much fun. Envision the future you want to have with your child and visualize it by letting your creativity roam freely.

Enjoy your baby shower.

Baby showers are so unique and enjoyable; it’s a day that you’ll never forget.

If your family and friends aren’t around to throw you a party, you can always arrange a zoom party and enjoy this time with them that way. And if you are lucky enough to have your special people around you, take the time to soak it all in and realize how loved both you and the baby are.

Plan a trip.

You may not be allowed to go on a plane anymore, but there are still tons of other ways for you to take a break from life and nourish your soul.

Having a babymoon is becoming more and more popular. It can be either you and your partner, or if you’re a single mom, take a weekend trip with your girlfriends or make a road trip on your own. Enjoy these last few weeks of unlimited freedom by cultivating solitude and seeing places you’ve always wanted to see.

Have lunch with the girls

You’ll be a whole lot busier once the baby is here, so use this waiting time for regular catch-up sessions with your girlfriends over lunch. Spend time with your family and friends and focus on cultivating your relationships during this time.

Get to know other pregnant women.

Connecting with other pregnant women is fantastic to help you navigate your pregnancy and enjoy your third trimester. They can support you and give you advice – you’ll most likely even make a friend or two.

Have you gotten to know other pregnant women yet?

If not, why not get together with a few women from your prenatal yoga or Pilates class? Or even join an online forum to get to know other moms in your area. Once you start digging, there are pregnancy groups everywhere, whether you prefer it in person with people in your area or on Facebook.

It’ll be all the difference once the baby is there.

Read the books you’ve wanted to read for years.

If you’re anything like me, you have a whole shelf of books you’ve wanted to read for ages. Read them now before the baby craziness begins.

Book a maternity shoot.

I haven’t taken any pictures of my baby belly yet, but I want to have a few reminders of how I looked when I was pregnant. Pregnancy is such an extraordinary time in your life. Pregnancy deserves to be photographed and to serve as a reminder of the miracles you and your baby are.

It also gives you a day to celebrate your body and all the fantastic things it has done for you and still doing.

Pick a name.

Do you have a name for the baby yet (I don’t!). If not, it’s time to get serious and make a list of the baby names you genuinely like and get comfortable saying them out loud over and over again.

After all, you don’t want your baby to be nameless after it’s born.

De-clutter and get organized.

Go through your home and make space for a new beginning. Get rid of all the clutter that automatically accumulates over time. Get organized and create some space. You’ll feel rejuvenated and ready for a new chapter in your life.

Being pregnant certainly involves quite a bit of nesting, so take advantage of your instinct and enjoy your final trimester by redecorating and setting up the baby’s room.

Do some healing work.

What misconceptions are you holding on to about yourself? Do you have limiting beliefs about motherhood and the new chapter in your life? Regrets? Try to clear that to genuinely be in the present moment once the baby is born.

Sit with your anticipation.

Sometimes, the most rewarding thing to do is to be with your anticipation. Feel the awe washing over you that a baby is growing inside of you and that you’ll get to see their face in only a few months.

Notice the anticipation accumulating in your belly and just let your emotions take over for a while. Take care of yourself and your mental health during this time – you’re going to do great, Mom!

What do you do to make these last three months go by just a tiny bit faster? Please share your thoughts with us and inspire us with your ideas.