The magical time of pregnancy is slowly coming to an end, and you’re entering the final stretch. Of course, there’s no need to feel sad about this—in just a few weeks, you’ll get to welcome your little treasure, and the wonderful journey of parenthood awaits you. But before that happens, we’d like to share one last set of exciting facts, tips, and to-dos with you.

Milestones in your baby’s development

In the final trimester, it’s especially important for your baby to grow sufficiently and gain weight. This ensures they’ll be able to handle the birth well and have enough energy—even for the time after birth. It’s also time to prepare for the birth—both mentally for the soon-to-be mom and physically for the mother’s body.

Sleep-Wake Cycle Develops

Even though it often doesn’t seem that way after birth, babies develop a sleep-wake cycle while still in the womb and can be woken by movements or loud noises. Expectant mothers can also increasingly recognize these sleep-wake phases, as the baby’s activity can be significantly more intense at certain times than at others. This change occurs around the 28th week, when your little miracle is about 36 centimeters long.

The Baby’s Turn and New Position

As your little one grows bigger and bigger, their range of motion gradually decreases, and they can no longer make wide movements. So when your unborn baby realizes that there’s slowly becoming too little room in your belly, they should ideally turn around and settle into the pelvis with their head down. It will then slowly slide deeper and deeper into the pelvis—a process that may be accompanied by braxton hicks contractions. This is how your body gradually prepares for the upcoming birth. If your baby does not turn into the so-called cephalic position, the baby’s rotation can be encouraged, and a natural birth may still be possible—though sometimes it makes more sense and is safer to recommend a cesarean section.

Completion of Lung Maturation

By the 35th week of pregnancy, lung maturation is complete, and your baby should now be able to breathe on its own without assistance. So if a premature birth were to occur now, you no longer need to worry about lung maturation. If necessary, lung maturation can also be accelerated with medication. By the time lung maturation is complete, babies weigh about 2,300 grams and, at 46 cm, are about the size of a pineapple.

Changes in Mom’s Body

Just as it has throughout your pregnancy, your belly continues to grow steadily and may present challenges in your daily life. You may be noticing for the first time that your uterus is “practicing” for childbirth: You might already be experiencing your first “Braxton Hicks contractions” or “false labor contractions,” which pose no danger and are “normal.” However, if these contractions occur frequently or do not subside over a longer period of time, please contact your doctor. Your breasts are also preparing for breastfeeding and milk production, which is why you may already notice the first few drops of milk leaking. In addition, shortness of breath and back pain are further indicators that you should take it easier again during the third trimester. To prepare for childbirth, the tissues in the pelvis may gradually loosen. This process is normal and very helpful, but it can lead to the typical gait of a pregnant woman.

Another phenomenon is what’s known as “pregnancy brain”: this includes, among other things, forgetfulness that is uncharacteristic of the person affected. The phenomenon can certainly occur earlier in pregnancy, but it can be particularly noticeable toward the end of pregnancy. You can find interesting facts and background information on this topic here. Many women also feel an increasing need to prepare everything for the arrival of their little miracle—sometimes in great detail and with a perfectionist mindset. This urge is called “nesting" and this too, is a completely normal process and is more pronounced in some women than in others.

Organizational Preparations

Checkups

The closer the due date gets, the more regularly checkups are scheduled to ensure that both mom and baby are doing well, but also to make arrangements for supportive measures during labor—should they be necessary. To have as relaxed a birth as possible, none of these appointments should be missed—even if the risk of miscarriage is now extremely low.

Maternity Leave

In the third trimester, you’ll soon be starting maternity leave—unless you’re already on maternity leave due to various risks or complications. For many moms, this also marks the beginning of parental leave, which follows maternity leave.

Childbirth Preparation

Now that the birth is just around the corner, experts recommend that you take a childbirth preparation class to ensure you’re as prepared as possible. If you already know your midwife, you can also have a follow-up conversation with her to discuss your individual situation and any questions you may have. You’ll find a brief collection of tips on childbirth preparation in this article.

Breastfeeding or Formula?

Whether you want to or are able to breastfeed your child is a deeply personal decision that you should make entirely on your own. However, it’s helpful to talk to a midwife or doctor and get their advice. Depending on what you decide, you should get bottles and formula, a breast pump, nursing pillows or nursing bras, and everything else you’ll need. You can find a comparison of the benefits of breast milk and formula here. If you decide to breastfeed, we’ve put together an overview here of what to keep in mind regarding your diet to ensure a healthy and successful breastfeeding experience.

Essential Items and Hospital Bag

If you’re still missing items for your personal starter kit or plan to make a few more purchases, now is the ideal time to get everything ready. It’s definitely better to be early than late, since you never know when your little one will arrive. Your hospital bag should also be ready in advance to spare you unnecessary stress when labor begins.

Postpartum Period

You can also start thinking about the postpartum period (i.e., the time after the birth) and communicate your wishes. From whether someone will cook for you or if you’d like to prepare your own meals, to your personal rules for visitors, to household chores—there are many unanswered questions.

Birth (Date)

Childbirth is an incredibly exciting and eventful process. To help you understand what to expect during childbirth, we recommend this article. However, by the time you attend a childbirth preparation class or have a consultation with a midwife or medical staff, you should already be fully informed and well-prepared. If “pregnancy brain” causes any confusion, you can always quickly review the information here.

The Significance of the Due Date

Babies born at or after the 37th week of pregnancy are no longer considered premature. They are generally developed enough to avoid problems with breathing and similar issues.  So from this point on, your little miracle can make their way into the world without any worries. However, your little one shouldn’t take too long to arrive, since labor usually needs to be induced in the case of a prolonged pregnancy to avoid complications. Induction is generally considered starting at the end of the 41st or 42nd week. Generally speaking, however, it’s very uncommon and also unlikely that your baby will be born exactly on the due date, and a difference of a few days is usually not a problem.

A Personal Message from Claudia

Dear mom-to-be, dear dad-to-be,

The final days of this magical pregnancy journey lie ahead of you, and then the truly most beautiful time of your life will begin: getting to know your little miracle and sharing your life with them! To this day, I can hardly believe how magical and incomparable the time with our daughter has been—and continues to be. But before that time comes for you and you get to welcome your child, I wish you all the best for the final weeks of your pregnancy and, of course, for the birth. Savor every moment once more and try not to worry too much. You’ll be a wonderful mom or dad and will master all the challenges ahead with flying colors!

With love,

Claudia

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is weight and height gain so important in the last trimester?

So that the baby has enough energy for birth and for the first few days afterward.

What does “cephalic presentation” mean, and why does the baby turn?

Cerebral presentation means that the baby is lying head-down in the pelvis. This is the optimal position for birth and makes the birthing process much easier.

When are the lungs fully developed?

By the 35th week of pregnancy, the lungs are fully developed, allowing the baby to breathe on its own.

What’s the difference between practice contractions and real labor contractions?

Practice contractions are a harmless way for the uterus to prepare. They are not (yet) about actually pushing the baby out of the uterus. However, if practice contractions occur very frequently or do not subside, you should seek medical advice.

What are “pregnancy brain” and “nesting”?

“Pregnancy brain” refers to the typical forgetfulness experienced during pregnancy, while “nesting” (the urge to prepare the nest) is the urge to get everything perfectly ready for the baby’s arrival.

At what point is a baby no longer considered premature?

As of the 37th week of pregnancy, a baby is considered full-term and no longer premature.

References

• Austria's Public Health Portal. (n.d.). Pregnancy. Gesundheit.gv.at. Retrieved September 1st, 2026, from https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/leben/eltern/schwangerschaft.html  
• Federal Center for Health Education. (n.d.). Familienplanung.de: Topic Overview. Familienplanung.de. Retrieved September 1st, 2026, from https://www.familienplanung.de/uebersicht/