You’re in the home straight now! From 28 weeks of pregnancy to birth, you will likely have more frequent visits with your midwife, often every two weeks from 28-36 weeks and then every week from 36 weeks until you have your baby.
This is the part of pregnancy where you are often tired, sore, and increasingly ‘over it’ — but you’re getting so close to meeting your baby!
You will likely have just had screening for gestational diabetes and subsequent antenatal blood tests to check your haemoglobin and ferritin levels, as well as rescreening for syphilis and blood antibodies.
If you are low risk for having a very small baby, your midwife will offer to measure your belly every two weeks from 26-28 weeks onwards to help estimate your baby’s size, and will offer to refer you for growth scans if they are concerned. If you are at increased risk of having a very small baby, your midwife will collaborate with the obstetric team to plan growth scans for you.
Over the third trimester, your midwife will share information with you about postnatal care, and will work with you to think through your birth preferences and preparation.
If you are doing antenatal classes, then these will happen through your third trimester – but need to be booked much earlier!
By 36 weeks, it’s helpful to have your car seat installed and a safe sleep space set up for your baby. Some people find they are tempted to deep clean everything and sometimes start on renovations – if this is you, make sure you have some help as you can wear yourself out!
This is a time to prepare, to take good care of yourself and eat well, to stay hydrated, and to plan for your new arrival!