 [ Symptoms ] what is the third trimester week 29   week 40 of pregnancy [ Disease ] you are in the home stretch some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester will continue plus many women find breathing difficult and notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often this is because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs do not worry your baby is fine and these problems will lessen once you give birth some new body changes you might notice in the third trimester include shortness of breath heartburn swelling of the ankles fingers and face if you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly call your doctor right away this could be a sign of preeclampsia  hemorrhoids tender breasts which may leak a watery pre milk called colostrum kuh loss struhm your belly button may stick out trouble sleeping the baby dropping or moving lower in your abdomen contractions which can be a sign of real or false labor as you near your due date your cervix becomes thinner and softer called effacing this is a normal natural process that helps the birth canal vagina to open during the birthing process your doctor will check your progress with a vaginal exam as you near your due date get excited — the final countdown has begun