Two of your old acquaintances – constipation and heartburn – will likely return for an uninvited visit right around now. Blame it all on progesterone. It relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, which unfortunately includes your gastrointestinal tract. This, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows down digestion. Sluggish digestion can cause gas and heartburn (sexy!) and contribute to constipation. Even sexier, your growing uterus and the growing baby inside it may also be causing hemorrhoids, also known as those swollen blood vessels in your rectal area. Fortunately, they usually clear up in the weeks after delivery.
Try to eat several small meals per day and drink plenty of water during the third trimester. This will help with heartburn, constipation and fluid retention. Drinking fluid does not contribute to fluid retention; it actually helps flush excess fluid from your body.
Some pregnant women also get supine hypotensive syndrome; when lying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might also notice feeling dizzy or lightheaded if you stand up too quickly. To avoid this, lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly and carefully whenever you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.
Shake off those pregnancy blahs by enjoying your last weeks of pre-baby freedom. Do all the things you probably won't have time for once the little monster arrives -- movies, facials, romantic time with your mate or even some alone time.
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