Your Third Trimester

Congratulations! You've reached the third trimester of pregnancy. As you prepare for your baby’s birth, it is important to know what’s normal and when to seek care. 

Phone support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The nursing team answers phone calls on weekdays during business hours. After-hours support is available for urgent concerns.  

Urgent Concerns: Reasons to Call Our Office or After-hours Line 

• Pre-term labor (before 37 weeks) 
• Labor  
• Vaginal bleeding 
• Your water breaks or you’re leaking vaginal fluid  
• Decreased fetal movement 
• A very bad headache  
• Vision changes such as blurred vision, flashing lights or spots  
• Severe swelling of the face or hands 
• Severe abdominal pain 
• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher 
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 

If you aren’t sure if a symptom is concerning, call our office. Do not use MyChart. 

Pay Attention To Your Baby’s Movements 

As your baby grows, their movement patterns become more predictable. You should expect your baby to follow their normal patterns until they are born. They will have active and quiet periods every day.  

Your health care provider may recommend a specific method for tracking your baby’s movements. If so, please follow their instructions. 

Contact your health care provider right away if you have any concerns about a significant decrease in your baby’s movements. Do not wait. 

Preterm Labor and Labor 

The signs of preterm labor and labor are often the same. The difference is when they occur. 

Preterm labor occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Contact our office right away if you have signs of preterm labor. 

Labor, occurring on or after 37 weeks, is a normal part of the birth process. When you have contractions on or after 37 weeks, you can usually wait and see if they are Braxton-Hicks (warm-up) contractions or true labor contractions.  

Follow the 5-1-1- guideline - When your contractions are painful AND are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute for at least 1 hour, it’s time to strongly consider heading to the hospital. 

Where to go When You Arrive at The Pavilion for Women 

Go to Triage if you are coming to the hospital because you think you’re in labor or need to be evaluated. Nurses and providers will assess you and your baby to determine the care you need. 

• The main entrance of Pavilion Tower I is at 6651 Main St., Houston, TX 77030. 
• Enter the hospital through the doors near the valet stand. 
• Triage will be to your immediate left (before you reach the second set of doors to the lobby). 

If you are coming to the hospital for labor induction or a planned cesarean birth, those instructions will be provided separately a few days before your planned delivery date.  

If you aren’t sure if you should come to the hospital, call our office for help. 

Actions to Take before Birth 

• Complete pre-registration as soon as possible by calling 832-826-3300. 
• Ask your provider to complete FMLA paperwork (around 30 weeks). 
• Choose a pediatrician (they do not need to have privileges at the hospital; we have pediatricians on staff to care for your baby until they are discharged). 
• Learn about feeding your baby. 
• Call the customer service number on your insurance card to learn about getting a breast pump. 
• Install and learn to use a rear-facing car seat. 
• Discuss postpartum birth control options. 

Third Trimester Resources 

Pavilion Classes and Tours

The Pavilion for Women has classes to help you prepare for birth and early parenthood. Most classes have a fee, but we also offer free, live virtual events. 

Classes and Events

Other Resources

Free Car Seat Installation with Texas Children’s and Safe Kids

Texas Children’s Pediatrics