Third Trimester Things: What You Need to Know
The third trimester — weeks 28 to 40 (and sometimes a little beyond) — marks a time of deep growth, both for you and your baby. It’s a season filled with change, reflection, and preparation as you edge closer to the portal, closer to meeting your little one. It can also feel like there is a lot happening, so we are going to try and break it down into what we, as Doula’s feel you need to know and explore during this beautifully full and transformative time.
What’s Happening Physiologically: For You and Baby
For Baby:
Your baby is growing steadily, putting on weight and developing vital systems like the lungs and brain. Movements may feel different now — fewer sharp kicks and more rolls or stretches as space becomes snug. Toward the end of the pregnancy, your baby will begin to position itself in preparation for birth, though some babies have other plans and this is also totally normal!
For You:
You may notice more physical sensations — pressure, backaches, swelling, heartburn, and the occasional Braxton Hicks (light cramping). These changes are signs of your body gently preparing for birth. You might feel all the emotions as your pregnancy comes to a close, nine months of growing life. Give yourself permission to rest, move gently, feel the feelings, and organise yourself — whatever helps you feel prepared, grounded and held.
Learning and Preparing for Breastfeeding
Whether you’re planning to breastfeed, formula-feed, or combine both, now is a great time to learn what to expect in those early days. Consider:
Attending a breastfeeding class or watching a reliable online course
Learning about newborn feeding cues and latch techniques
Preparing a feeding space with snacks, water, and comfort items
Exploring antenatal hand expression (check with your care provider)
Talking with your partner about ways they can support your feeding journey
Knowing where to turn for support (like a lactation consultant or the Australian Breastfeeding Association) can help you feel more confident and cared for in the early weeks.
Our friend, Joelleen Winduss Paye, Mother, Naturopath and IBCLC is kindly offering 50% off her Preparing for Breastfeeding eGuide and Preparing for Breastfeeding Workshop replay + Workbook with code JWP50.
Conversations That Set the Tone: Boundaries & Support
You might feel a little unsure how you would like people to show up (or not) in early postpartum. Now’s the time to talk with your partner and key loved ones about how you’d like to be supported, what your boundaries are how to gently communicate these.
Some thoughtful topics to explore:
Visitors: Who, when, how long — and how you’ll communicate those wishes, it is totally up to you and your partner, you are allowed to give yourself time and space
Support: What kind of help you might need (meals, errands, childcare for siblings)
Privacy: Whether you want space before announcing if you are in labour or have birthed your baby
Feeding Choices: Asking others to respect your approach, whatever it may be
Framing these conversations with kindness and clarity, can make everyone feel included while still protecting your space and boundaries.
Creating Your Postpartum Sanctuary
Your home is about to become your sanctuary — not just for your baby, but for your healing and settling in as a new parent. Think about creating a cosy, functional space that supports recovery and rest:
Stock a bedside basket with essentials: snacks, water, nursing pads, peri bottle, lip balm, baby wipes
Set up a peaceful feeding and resting zone (with dim lighting and soft blankets)
Think warming foods, warm home, blankets, socks — supporting your recovery
Make a list of postpartum resources: lactation consultant, women’s health physio, postpartum doula, psychologist
Remember: this space isn’t about perfection — it’s about feeling safe, held, nourished, and resourced.
A Babymoon to Recharge
A babymoon isn’t essential, and doesn’t have to be fancy — it could be a weekend away, a cosy staycation, or even a few unplugged days at home.
The idea is simple: slow down, reconnect, have conversations about what you both vision as parents, and how you will support each other, and of course soak up this moment with your partner before life shifts, and it is no longer just the two of you.
Rest, eat your favourite meals, take your time, talk about the next part of your journey together.
Explore Birth Education & Visioning Your Experience
We strongly believe knowledge is power, and while birth is a deeply personal journey, learning about the physiological process, and your options can help you feel informed and empowered. We recommend Look into:
The stages of labor
Comfort measures (breathing, movement, water, massage)
Pain relief options and when they’re offered
Informed decision-making and your rights in the birth space
Creating a birth vision board (we have just launched a Hold The Mother Birth Vision Board) — with images, affirmations, or even just words — is a beautiful way to connect with your desired birth. This isn’t about rigid planning, but about honouring your intuition and feeling supported, whatever path your birth takes.
Celebrating This Moment: Baby Shower or Mother Blessing Ceremony
You deserve to be celebrated — not just for bringing a new life into the world, but for the transformation you’re undergoing. There are a few different ways to mark this special season:
A Baby Shower: A fun gathering with gifts and excitement shared with loved ones
A Mother Blessing Ceremony: A more intimate, reflective gathering centered around support and ritual with your closest women - we offer Mother Blessing Ceremonies and they are so cup filling for the mother to be.
Both or none: It’s your journey — you get to choose what feels like you
Wrapping Up Work & Beginning Maternity Leave
As you prepare to step away from work, give yourself time to shift gears. If you’re able, try to take a little time off before baby arrives — though we know that isn’t always possible, just do what you can and where you can prioritise rest and slowing down.
Be gentle with yourself as you say goodbye (for now) to work life and begin welcoming your new rhythm.
You’re not “stopping” — you’re transitioning into something equally valuable, though at this point in your pregnancy before you baby arrives it can feel like a werid time of pause.
We highly recommend listening to the following podcast episodes by Ready Or Not, a Podcast for Mothers and Paarents on Making Work, Work.
Nesting & Making Space
Got that urge to clean, organise, rearrange, and prepare? Totally normal. Nesting is your body and mind’s way of getting ready. While your to-do list might be long, and energy low, it might be a good time to call in support and ask for help to move through your list, saving your energy for yourself.
You might like to host a Nesting Party, a fun way to prepare for postpartum by inviting a close circle of women around to cook, fill the freezer and tick off the jobs. We offer a Nest and Rest Session, which is a favourite!
Here are a few ‘Nesting’ type jobs that are worth spending time on in the third trimester:
Wash baby clothes and set up changing areas
Pack your hospital bag
Prep nourishing meals
Write a list of jobs you can outsource
It’s not about checking every box — it’s about creating a space where you feel calm, ready, and held.
The Final Days: Surrendering to the Unknown
As you move into the last days or weeks before birth, you may feel a mix of emotions — excitement, uncertainty, impatience. Try to trust the timing of your journey. Your baby knows when to arrive, trust that your body knows what to do, and trust your health care team have your best interests
Use this time to:
Nap and hydrate
Watch your favorite comfort shows
Take gentle walks
Journal your thoughts and dreams
Lean on your support people
You are stepping into something beautiful, unknown, and powerful. You don’t have to be ready in the traditional sense.
A Gentle Reminder
This final season of pregnancy is sacred. Whether you’re feeling calm, emotional, organised, or overwhelmed — it’s all part of the experience.
While there is a lot happening in the third trimester, it is a time for reflection too, what is next is literally life altering.
So take the time, gather your tools, your people, rest and lean into the change of pace.
Know that you are enough, just as you are. You are worthy of support and care as you prepare for one of life’s biggest transitions.
Hold The Mother is dedicated to honouring, and holding the Mother during life's biggest transitions. We are Melbourne based Postpartum Doulas supporting families within 30 minutes of Greensborough, Victoria. Suburbs including Eltham, Montmorency, Diamond Creek, Plenty, Lower Plenty, Rosanna, Macleod, Rosanna, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Northcote, Thornbury, Preston, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Ringwood, Croydon, Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Templestowe, Doncaster, Kangaroo Ground, Research, Kew, Blackburn, Box Hill Hawthorn and more.
We are deeply passionate about community building, connection and wrapping mothers in curated, accessible care. We have a range of Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Services available to meet you at whatever stage you are at, supporting you on the mother of all journeys.
Birth Doula Support, Postpartum Doula Support, Virtual Doula Support, Doula Mentoring, Postpartum Preparation Sessions, Mothers Blessings, Closing of the Bones Ceremonies, Events and Education Workshops, Social Events and Clubs.
For more information visit our Services page, and book in a Connection Call to explore how to work with us.
