The third trimester begins at week 28, and goes until week 40. During that time, your baby will grow from about two pounds to anywhere from six to nine pounds. All that extra weight can mean some discomfort for you. Many women experience back aches and soreness during this time. To help with this, try using heating pads and a belly support garment. You can also get a soothing prenatal massage at a local spa.

You may also get heartburn during the third semester, and you might find yourself getting fatigued more easily. There may also be some achiness in your abdominal region. It’s a good idea to take it easy during the third trimester—put up your feet and relax as much as you can.

During the third trimester weeks, you will probably begin experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions. These typically start at around week 28, and they can go throughout the third trimester. To tell them apart from real contractions, remember that you’ll feel these false contractions in the front of your abdomen, while real contractions will start in the back. Plus, real contractions will start coming closer and closer together, while false contractions will be irregular and sporadic. If you’re unsure what type of contractions you’re having, be sure to call your doctor.

At about week 40, your water will break and it will be time to begin the birthing process. If your baby’s taking a little bit longer than expected to come, don’t worry—about fifty percent of babies are delivered late. If you haven’t gone into labor by week 42, your doctor may choose to induce labor. Then, it’s time for the most exciting part of pregnancy: saying hello to your new baby! Everyone else will want to welcome the little one too, so don’t forget to share the news with a custom birth announcement.