Questions to Ask Your Doctor in the Third Trimester

The third trimester is the most challenging part of pregnancy. As the baby's size and weight is considerable, a woman may experience discomfort, fatigue, back pain and sleep disorders to name a few problems. She might be apprehensive about the fast approaching labor and concerned about her baby's or her own health. In addition, she might be worried about how she will handle a newborn. Therefore, it is important that a pregnant woman feels comfortable enough with her doctor to ask questions.

The Pregnant Woman

• A pregnant woman may feel apprehensive about the rapid growth of her belly and ask the doctor about healthy weight gain and safe exercise routines. A backache is common at this stage, so a woman might ask about ways to manage the pain and whether a massage or reflexology is a good option. Some women experience insomnia in which case they should ask about the ways to naturally fall asleep. A woman's body is already starting to prepare for labor, so it is common for a woman to experience Braxton Hicks contractions ("practice" contractions designed to fit the baby's head into pelvis and prepare for labor). A woman who experiences contractions should ask how to differentiate between the real and pretend ones and when it is time to go to the hospital. Other questions might include: "Is it safe to have sex?" or "How much vaginal discharge is considered normal?" or "Can I use cool baths to reduce swelling?"

The Baby

• With the impending labor, a pregnant woman might be concerned about the health of her baby. Getting answers to the following questions, might ease nervousness: "Is the baby developing normally?" "Is the baby normal size?" "Is the baby in the right position?" A future mom also might ask about the tests she should take to ensure the baby's normal development, especially if she experiences discharge or bleeding. It is important to mention a family history of diabetes and anemia, and ask the doctor about whether or not tests would be required for those conditions to ensure the baby's health. A Group B Strep test also might be required at this stage. Women who test positive for Group B Strep might have to take antibiotics to protect the baby from being infected at birth.

Approaching Labor

• In some cases, the baby might not be born by the due date. A mom-to-be should ask the doctor to monitor the baby's health and make sure that the amount of time the baby is overdue is normal. With the labor approaching fast, a woman might want to ask the doctor about different labor options, such as birthing in water or drug-free birth. Some women might be concerned about pain management, so they can ask about the safest pain killers and how effective they are. Women who want an epidural might ask at which point in the labor they can decide to have it and when it will be too late.