--- title: "Your Third Trimester at Sutter Health" description: "Learn what to expect in your third trimester of pregnancy, including changes in your body, your baby's development and recommended prenatal testing." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/third-trimester" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Health and wellness](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health) / 3. [Pregnancy and Baby Guide](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide) / 4. Your Third Trimester # Your Third Trimester You're in the home stretch! It's time to start preparing for labor and your newest family member's arrival. We’re here to help you navigate these final weeks with confidence.  Jump to: - [First Trimester](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/first-trimester) - [Second Trimester](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/second-trimester) - [Third Trimester](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/third-trimester) Jump to: - [First Trimester](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/first-trimester) - [Second Trimester](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/second-trimester) - [Third Trimester](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/third-trimester) ## Your Third Trimester Guide Find out ways to get ready for childbirth and [bringing baby home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/bringing-baby-home). ### Group B Strep Test **Weeks 35-37** [Group B strep (GBS)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/group-b-strep) is naturally present in your body. It's harmless to you but dangerous for newborns, so you'll be screened for it this trimester and given antibiotics during labor if needed. ### Sign Up for Classes **Weeks 30-40** Look into [childbirth](https://www.sutterhealth.org/search?query=%22childbirth%20classes%22&verticalKey=events) and [breastfeeding](https://www.sutterhealth.org/search?query=%22breastfeeding%20classes%22&verticalKey=healthcare_facilities) classes as well as [support groups](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/find-event-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_eventType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Support+Group%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&query=%22parenting+childbirth+support+groups%22&verticalKey=events) during these last weeks. Feeling prepared and supported will give you peace of mind. ### Get Ready for Labor **Weeks 36-40**  As your due date approaches, read up on [labor and delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/tips-for-first-time-mothers) so you're familiar with the types and stages of labor, [how to know when you're in labor](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pre-labor-vs-true-labor) and [when to go to the hospital](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/when-to-go-to-hospital). ### Postpartum Care **Weeks 36-40** Educate yourself, your partner and your loved ones on your physical and emotional needs after you've given birth. Pay attention to your [postpartum symptoms](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/postpartum-symptoms-what-to-know) and reach out if you need help. ## Third Trimester Checklist Take these essential steps to support a healthy pregnancy. Decide whether to [bank cord blood](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/cord-banking) Interview [doulas](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/obgyn-midwife-or-doula) if you plan to use one Start doing [kick counts](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/fetal-movement-counting) at 28 weeks [Update your will](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/wills-estates-probate/legal-documents "Update your will") Research, purchase and install a [car seat](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/car-seat-check) Find a [lactation consultant](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/lactation-support-services) near you ![pregnant-woman-on-laptop](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/pregnant-woman-on-laptop.jpg?h=1414&iar=0&w=2121) ## Sutter Sync for Pregnancy  Access personalized maternity support with Sutter Sync™ through My Health Online. Access great features, tips and information for a healthy pregnancy can be seen in your To Dos in the MHO app. [Sign In to My Health Online](https://myhealthonline.sutterhealth.org/mho/Authentication/Login) What to Expect [View all Third Trimester Articles](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Third+Trimester%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness) Read our third trimester articles for a deeper dive into changes in your body, recommended prenatal tests and what they can reveal, and how your baby is growing in these last weeks of pregnancy. ![doctor chart preg woman](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/health-topics/pregnancy/doctor-chart-preg-woman-600x300.jpg?h=300&iar=0&w=600) ### [Third Trimester Overview](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/third-trimester-overview) You may be more tired and feel some discomfort as you get closer to delivery. ![pregnant-woman-getting-ultrasound](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/pregnant-woman-getting-ultrasound2.jpg?h=2901&iar=0&w=4500) ### [Prenatal Screening](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/third-trimester-prenatal-tests) Your care team may order new lab tests during weeks 28-40 of your pregnancy. ![pregnant woman heart belly](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/health-topics/pregnancy/pregnant-woman-heart-belly-600x300.jpg?h=300&iar=0&w=600) ### [Fetal Development](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/third-trimester-fetal-development) Your baby is gaining weight, their organs are maturing and they're growing rapidly. ## Questions During Pregnancy?   Contact our nurse advice line for answers, support and guidance any time you need it. [Call 855-836-3500](tel:+8558363500) ## Getting Ready for Delivery It's almost go time! Learn what to pack for the hospital, how to know if you're really in labor, when you should head to the hospital and more. [Pre Labor vs True Labor](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pre-labor-vs-true-labor) ![pregnant-woman-on-phone](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/women/pregnant-woman-on-phone.jpg?h=1414&iar=0&w=2120) [Planning Your Maternity Leave](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/maternity-leave) ![pregnant-woman-and-her-husband-sitting-in-the-car](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/women/pregnant-woman-and-her-husband-sitting-in-the-car.jpg?h=936&iar=0&w=1664) [When to Go to the Hospital](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/when-to-go-to-hospital) ![pregnant-woman-packing](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/women/pregnant-woman-packing.jpeg?h=4000&iar=0&w=6000) [Hospital Packing List](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/hospital-packing-list) ## Support at Every Step  From conception to delivery, our compassionate [pregnancy and childbirth](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/pregnancy-and-childbirth) providers put you first. [Find a Provider](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Family+Medicine%22%2C%22Nurse+Midwife%22%2C%22Obstetrics+and+Gynecology%22%2C%22Pediatrics%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&staticFilters=%5B%7B%22displayName%22%3A%22Sutter+Medical+Group%22%2C%22selected%22%3Atrue%2C%22filter%22%3A%7B%22kind%22%3A%22fieldValue%22%2C%22fieldId%22%3A%22c_isSutterMedicalGroup%22%2C%22matcher%22%3A%22%24eq%22%2C%22value%22%3Atrue%7D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals&sc_site=SutterHealth) Postpartum Wellness [View all Newborn Articles](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Newborns%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness) Breastfeeding guidance and recovery support for new mothers. ### [Breastfeeding Hub](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/breastfeeding) ### [Newborn Medications and Vaccinations](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/newborn-medications-vaccinations)  ### [Newborn Baby Care](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/newborn-and-baby-care) ## Complete Care for You and Baby At Sutter, we're focused on making your birth experience safe, comfortable and personal. Our teams work together across services to support you and your baby. [Children's Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/childrens-health) [Lactation Support](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/lactation-support-services) [Newborns](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/newborn-and-baby-care) [NICU](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/neonatal-intensive-care) [Pregnancy and Childbirth](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/pregnancy-and-childbirth) [Prenatal Care and Testing](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/prenatal-care-and-testing) [Women's Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/womens-health) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"Your Third Trimester at Sutter Health","description":"Learn what to expect in your third trimester of pregnancy, including changes in your body, your baby's development and recommended prenatal testing.","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/third-trimester","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/third-trimester#breadcrumblist"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide/third-trimester#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Health and wellness","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Pregnancy and Baby Guide","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/pregnancy-baby-guide"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Your Third Trimester"}]} ```