In the third trimester of pregnancy, mamas can look forward to soon having a baby and feel good about the person they are BEFORE baby, for the last few months.  Postpartum time calls for major changes.  The third trimester can be a time to appreciate what you have right this minute.  Appreciate your life, body, work, hobbies, and family as it is…because that's all going to change very soon.  If you love it, enjoy it.  If you hate it, it will all be over soon.

Here are a few things you might expect during the third trimester:

Out of body experience. Most women have grown so much at this point that even your own body can feel entirely unfamiliar.  We have to move differently to sit on the floor, climb into the backseat of a cab and hop on a barstool (to order a virgin margarita.  Sheesh, what do you think I'm doing on a barstool in third trimester?!).  It's a learning process adjusting to your new belly, balance and breasts.  Don't get too comfy at any point, because it will probably change again next week.  You or your partner may want to take a headless photo at this point… as I said, these shapes aren't static.

Anxiety. I think this might be the most common feeling among third trimester moms.  I mean, what kind of parent would think "Oh yeah, a whole new human life will be counting on me for everything it needs…no biggie."   Feeling excited and nervous and wavering back and forth between feeling confident and clueless are all part of the third trimester.  Don't stress about stressing too much! It's normal.  Unless you are driving yourself crazy with worry - then you should seek help.

Less Jane Fonda and more Jane Napping. You're more likely to feel tired than energetic now.  Much like the first trimester, the third trimester of pregnancy is a time of rest.  Which doesn't seem like a good partner for anxiety but it really is: You can take a nice long nap after you've exhausted yourself worrying about having sent the wrong angry-brain-wave-messages to baby earlier in the day, when you discovered your last grapefruit had already been eaten.

Hands all over you. People really can't seem to keep their hands away off a round third trimester belly.  You can expect men, women and children to talk to you, smile at you, notice you and touch you more than they did when you were less-obviously pregnant.  It may be difficult to remember what it was like when you were a less-obviously pregnant woman at this point.  It may seem that this is the way it has always been: people touching you and talking about your belly.  But there was probably a time in your life when people respected your space. 

But this stare-touch-magnet state of pregnancy is not so bad.  Just think…soon everyone’s attention will be shifted to your lovely newborn baby!