You are 32 weeks and 1 day

If you feel you have little control over your own body, it's natural to think your figure will never be normal again, but it will!

55 days until your due date

At this stage of the third trimester you'll still be gaining 1–2 lb (0.5–1 kg) a week, although weight gain tends to slow in the last few weeks. By now your belly has stretched and your belly button may have popped out, sometimes enough to show through your clothes. You may also have developed a linea nigra in the second trimester, a dark line of pigmentation down the center of your abdomen.

Like most women, you're probably happy and excited about the baby but a little worried about getting your figure back. Some women get quite upset at the thought that their abdomen may never return to its old shape, and this is completely normal. With some hard work, exercise, and a continued healthy diet after the birth, your figure can return to its pre-pregnancy state, and your belly button should go back to normal on its own. The key is to give it time: it did take nine months to gain the weight.

Focus on

Nutrition: Fabulous fiber

Fiber is very important in the third trimester because it helps your digestive system work more efficiently. Dietary fiber, the indigestible part of plant foods, is the best natural way to keep your bowels regular, and most women eating a diet based on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables get enough.

Aim for 1 oz (25 g) a day. For a sense of scale, there are about 3 g in a medium avocado or banana, or a serving of broccoli, blueberries, brown rice, or beans. Three or four servings of fruit a day, vegetables with meals, and whole-grain bread and brown rice will provide plenty.

Fiber also makes you feel full sooner and for longer, which helps prevent overeating and excess weight gain. It helps manage diabetes, lowers cholesterol, and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Ask a Doctor

I want to work right up to the birth. Is that allowed?

Yes. Many women do, so they don't use up maternity leave before the baby arrives. Check with your doctor that it's okay for you, and think carefully first. Late pregnancy can be extremely tiring, and if your job is mentally or physically demanding, it may be better to start your leave before your due date. You'll also need time to prepare for your baby's arrival.

Explainer

Fiber in the third trimester

A fiber-rich diet is good for your health at any age, but especially in these last three months, when it helps relieve common problems such as constipation. Whole-grain breads and cereals make good snacks.

This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.

Nutrition: Fabulous fiber

I want to work right up to the birth. Is that allowed?

Fiber in the third trimester

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