In part 1 of The people you meet along your pregnancy journey, we introduced you to providers you may get to know at the beginning of your pregnancy and through your second trimester.
At 28 weeks, your third trimester starts. As you move into the last few months of your pregnancy and life with a newborn, you still have a few more people to meet –including one very special one.
What to expect in your third trimester
In your third trimester, you’ll see your prenatal care provider a lot more often. You may also be ready to choose who your baby’s doctor will be and decide if you will work with a lactation specialist.
There may be other people who are helping you prepare your body for delivery, like a prenatal chiropractor or massage therapist. You may also meet a childbirth educator in a birthing or childbirth education class.
Childbirth Education (CBE) classes are offered by Washington State at no cost for Apple Health members. Learn what to expect during labor and delivery and tips for when baby is home. Find a class in your county in the Childbirth Education Provider Directory.
If you don’t already have a family doctor, during this time, you’ll want to meet your pediatrician, your baby’s doctor. Your baby will see the pediatrician for their first well-child checkup within the first after delivery,
Now, you can also start working with a lactation specialist to support your feeding goals. Many people first meet with a lactation specialist or consultant before delivery, and again after giving birth.
Your prenatal care provider can connect you to a lactation specialist. If you’re a CHPW member, you can also talk with a specialized care manager for help.
Labor and delivery
The big day is finally here! At many hospitals and birthing centers, you’ll meet a labor and delivery nurse once you arrive, who may be with you most of the time.
If you have a doula and midwife, you’ll also see them on your delivery day, and you may also meet an obstetric anesthesiologist (pain doctor) if you’re giving birth in a hospital.
Many doctors who deliver babies work on an on-call schedule. If your prenatal care provider isn’t working when your baby is ready to be born, you could meet a new doctor who will deliver your baby.
And of course, the most important person you’ll meet during this whole journey happens during delivery: your newborn!
If your baby does need extra care when they arrive, you could also meet a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse. NICU is an area of the hospital that has advanced technology and trained health care professionals that provide specialized care for newborns that need extra help adjusting to life outside of your belly.
After childbirth
The days after childbirth are often physically painful and exhausting. Once baby is here, you’ll work with your pregnancy care provider to help you recover from delivery.
If you have a postpartum doula, they may also visit you at home to answer questions, check on your wellbeing, and help you know the signs of postpartum depression.
It may also be helpful to connect with a mental health provider, if you haven’t already, to help manage all the changes you’re going through.
Within a few days after delivery, you’ll get to introduce your newborn to your pediatrician. Many new parents also work with their lactation specialist, in partnership with their pediatrician, to make sure their newborn is healthy and growing.
You may also meet a CHPW Community Health Worker or a social worker who connects you to local resources for everyday needs like food or rental assistance. They can also work with you to make sure you have what you need to best provide care for your newborn.
“Parenting is hard, and we weren’t meant to do it alone. Create your village to support those around you and be willing to accept the support they offer you.”
– Angie Tollefson CHPW Case Manager, Register Nurse, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
We are all here for you
As you navigate your pregnancy journey, remember you are not alone. Everyone you meet in the CHPW community is working together for the same purpose: for the best health of you and your baby.
Learn more
- Watch a short video on ways to advocate for yourself
- Connect to pregnancy care resources for CHPW Apple Health members
- Learn more about the first six weeks after childbirth