--- title: "Third Trimester Overview at Sutter Health" description: "This month-by-month guide to pregnancy may help you plan for some of the changes that may occur." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/third-trimester-overview" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Health and wellness](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health) / 3. Third Trimester Overview # Third Trimester Overview: Months 7, 8 and 9 Find out what to expect during weeks 28 – 40 of pregnancy.  * * * September 27, 2024 You’re in the home stretch! Learn what’s ahead and how your [baby](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/newborn-and-baby-care) will grow in these final weeks. Although each [pregnancy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/pregnancy-and-childbirth) is different, this month-by-month guide can help you plan for some of the changes that may occur.  ## Month Seven **Your Body** You may gain 3 to 4 pounds this month. You may tire more easily. Ask for help if you need it. If you work, try to work shorter hours or arrange for a more flexible schedule if possible. Rest when you can. **Your Feelings** Mood swings and increased irritability are common during the last three months of pregnancy. Be sure to discuss your feelings with your partner. **Childbirth Preparation Classes** Begin [childbirth preparation classes](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/find-event-results?query=%22childbirth%22&verticalKey=events) with your partner. These classes provide useful information on labor and birth and what to expect during your delivery. ## Month Eight **Your Body** You may gain 3 to 4 pounds this month. Increases in frequency of urination, backaches, anxiety, heartburn and shortness of breath occur at this time. Shop for larger maternity clothes, if necessary. You'll grow quite a bit these last few weeks. **Your Diet** What you eat is still important! If you have [trouble sleeping](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/sleep-fatigue-during-pregnancy), try drinking something warm and lying on your side with pillows to support your body. Taking a warm shower before bed can also help you relax and make you sleepy. ## Month Nine **Your Body** You may gain 3 to 4 pounds this month. Your belly may change shape as the baby begins to position itself for birth. It may be easier to breathe now, but you may need to urinate more often. Get plenty of rest! **Hospital Stay** Make arrangements for your hospital stay. Keep important phone numbers and papers close by. [Pack your bag](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/hospital-packing-list) for the hospital, and plan how you will get there at different times of the day or night. Make sure you have everything you will need [when you come home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/bringing-baby-home) from the hospital, such as food and diapers. ## Explore related topics [Pregnancy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Pregnancy%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness)[Fetal Development](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Fetal+Development%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness)[Third Trimester](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%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness) ## Support at Every Step From conception to delivery and after, our [pregnancy and childbirth](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/pregnancy-and-childbirth) providers put you first. [Book an Appointment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Infertility%22%2C%22Nurse+Midwife%22%2C%22Obstetrics+and+Gynecology%22%2C%22Reproductive+Endocrinology%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals) ```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":"Third Trimester Overview at Sutter Health","description":"This month-by-month guide to pregnancy may help you plan for some of the changes that may occur.","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/third-trimester-overview","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/third-trimester-overview#breadcrumblist"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","headline":"Third Trimester Overview: Months 7, 8 and 9","alternativeHeadline":"Third Trimester Overview at Sutter Health","description":"This month-by-month guide to pregnancy may help you plan for some of the changes that may occur.","datePublished":"2024-09-27T15:22:24Z","dateModified":"2025-10-24T17:00:41Z","publisher":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/health-topics/pregnancy/pregnant-woman-reading-600x300.jpg?h=300&iar=0&w=600","width":"600","height":"300","caption":"pregnant woman reading"},"@type":"MedicalWebPage","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/third-trimester-overview#breadcrumblist"},"reviewedBy":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org"},"lastReviewed":"2025-10-24T17:00:41Z"} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/third-trimester-overview#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":"Third Trimester Overview"}]} ```