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Prenatal Checkups - 3rd Trimester
Your doctor's office will become like a second home during your third trimester. He'll continue to monitor your baby's heartbeat and movements and check your blood pressure and weight. During the last month of pregnancy, your doctor may want to schedule weekly checkups.
Common Tests
Group B streptococcus (GBS): GBS is a bacterium that is usually harmless in adults, but babies infected with GBS can get ill. Your doctor will take a swab from your vagina and rectal area to test for the bacterium. If you test positive for GBS, you'll likely get antibiotics during labor to protect your baby. If you are allergic to penicillin, make sure your doctor has the laboratory check for sensitivities to other antibiotics used to treat GBS infections.
Urine tests: Checking your urine can show signs of preeclampsia, urinary tract infections, and other conditions.
Glucose tolerance test: You'll take this if your blood glucose level was high in previous tests. It will determine if you have gestational diabetes.
Blood test for anemia: You'll get this test if you weren't retested in the second trimester or if you were anemic earlier in your pregnancy.
STD tests: If you're at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, you'll be tested again for syphilis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.
Ultrasound: If you have placenta previa or low-lying placenta during an earlier ultrasound, you'll have another ultrasound to check the location of your placenta.
Biophysical profile or a nonstress test: Your doctor will order this test if your pregnancy is high risk to make sure your baby is developing properly.
Examination
As you get closer to your due date, your doctor will resume vaginal examinations. Your doctor may:
- Check to see if your baby's head is down. If your baby is feet-first (breech), your doctor may try to turn the baby by massaging your abdomen in a procedure called an external version. If your baby stays in the breech position, you may need a Caesarean delivery.
- Look for cervical changes. As your body gets ready for birth, your cervix will begin to soften, open (dilate), and thin (efface). When you're ready to push your baby out, your cervix will be 10 cm dilated and 100 percent effaced. You can be dilated for weeks or you can go into labor without any dilation or effacement at all.
As you get closer to your due date, you'll probably have lots of questions, especially if it's your first baby. Be sure to discuss your birthing plan with your doctor and ask lots of questions. It can help calm your nerves if you feel prepared.
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