Third Trimester | Birth Advocate

Appointment

Planning appointment checklist

13-item checklist covering your birth plan, on-call schedule, GBS results, hospital logistics, and home prep.

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Your checklist0 of 13 done

Know your risk

Preterm birth risk factors

8 factors to know before your appointment, ask your provider what monitoring is in place for each.

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⚠️Previous preterm birth, the strongest single predictor

⚠️Short cervical length (under 25mm) detected on ultrasound

⚠️Carrying multiples (twins, triplets)

⚠️Uterine or cervical abnormalities

⚠️Infection or inflammation during pregnancy

⚠️Chronic stress, housing instability, or racism-related stress

⚠️Smoking, substance use, or inadequate prenatal care

⚠️Underweight before pregnancy or poor nutrition during

Black women are 49% more likely to deliver preterm than white women, even when controlling for income and education. This is structural, not individual. Advocate loudly for monitoring if anything on this list applies to you.

Safety

Signs of preterm labor

Call your provider immediately if any of these appear before 37 weeks.

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ContractionsMore than 4 per hour, even if painless

Pelvic pressureFeeling like baby is pushing down

Low back painDull, constant ache, new or different

CrampingLike period cramps, with or without diarrhea

Fluid leakingAny gush or trickle from vagina

Spotting or bleedingAny amount, call immediately

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Your birth plan

Build and share your preferences before you arrive. Ask your provider to review it at this appointment.

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Warning signs library

Preeclampsia, blood clots, sepsis, know every sign before you need it.

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Know what to askbefore you need to.

Know what to ask
before you need to.