What to expect when you're expecting (111 page)

Emotionally

Increasing excitement (the baby’s coming soon!)

Increasing apprehension (the baby’s coming soon!)

Continued absentmindedness

Strange and vivid dreams

Increased boredom and weariness with pregnancy or a sense of contentment and well-being, particularly if you’re feeling great physically

A couple of new items are on the agenda at this month’s checkup, along with the old standards. As you enter your last trimester, you can expect your practitioner to check the following, though there may be variations depending on your particular needs and on your practitioner’s style of practice:

Weight and blood pressure

Urine, for sugar and protein

Fetal heartbeat

Height of fundus (top of uterus)

Size and position of fetus, by external palpation (feeling from the outside)

Feet and hands for swelling, and legs for protruding varicose veins

Glucose screening test

Blood test for anemia

Symptoms you have been experiencing, especially unusual ones