Welcome to the 33rd week of your pregnancy journey! You have now come so far and the journey is almost done, you can expect your baby coming within the next few weeks!
Your bump must be getting big at this point that it is getting in the way of everything you try to do, sitting in a car, getting off a chair, even putting on your own shoes, you’ve probably forgotten how your toes looked like! But all that is about to end as you have now reached the final stages of your pregnancy.
By now, the plates of bone in your baby’s skull are quite pliable as it makes it easier for him to get through the birth canal. On the other hand, your baby is practicing swallowing by drinking up a pint of the amniotic fluid per day. This helps prepare your baby’s gastrointestinal system for life after birth.
Your baby is gaining weight so fast during these weeks, his skin is now opaque and no longer see-through. By the time he is born, he will be almost double his weight right now.
Changes Happening in Your Body by Your 33rd Week
By your 33rd week, you are already pretty exhausted, which is fair because you are carrying some extra weight now. But bear in mind that you have come so far and the end is now finally in sight. Within the next few weeks (maximum 7) you will have your baby in your arms!
You might be experiencing some fake contractions, it feels like your bump tightens up for about 20 or 30 seconds and then relax again, those contractions shouldn’t hurt at all. They are known as Braxton Hicks and sometimes even referred to as practice contractions.
You might experience those contractions after having sex or after a tiring activity. Sometimes even when someone touches your bump they might occur. Those contractions are harmless, however, if they get painful or start to feel them regularly then it might be a sign of early labor, still, speak to your midwife or doctor about any changes in the contraction patterns.
Talk to Your Doctor about Group B Strep
Group B strep is a common bacteria that could make your newborn seriously ill after birth. It is quite common and 2 out of every 5 pregnant women have it in their bodies without them knowing.
If you turned out to be a group B strep carrier, then you need to discuss it with your doctor to take the proper precautions to make sure your baby will be delivered safely and to eliminate any risks of him getting infected.
Be Ready!
Babies have their own opinions about when to come and when not to, only 1 in 20 babies arrive on their due date, no way to know what these little babies are doing in there as in any second, you could go into labor.
Make sure to be prepared with the emergency bag so that you can leave home at any time once your baby decides to come. Try to pack everything you need such as the clothes and nappies for the baby, nightclothes, nursing bras, and breast pads.
You can try keeping the bag ready by the door so in case you got in labor at any point, you’d be ready for it. You can also keep your hospital number handy to notify them once you get in labor so that everything would be ready for you once you reach the hospital.
Symptoms of the 33rd Week of Pregnancy
At this stage of your pregnancy, you will be feeling something so heavy on your pelvis, that heavy feeling is probably a sign that your baby is in the head-down position and he is ready to arrive!
Your 33rd week of pregnancy symptoms might include:
- Sleeping problems
- Baxton Hicks
- Bleeding gums
- Snoring
- Backache
- Headaches
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Random pain around muscles
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Sore breasts
- Leg cramps
- Stretch marks
- Thicker hair
- Swollen gums
- Urine infection
- Bloating or constipation
- Spotty skin
- Feeling too warm
- Greasier skin
- Piles
- Vaginal infection
- Thicker hair
Your Baby’s 33rd Week Development
Your baby is rapidly growing in your womb, making it tighter and tighter in there, but you can still feel all of his kicks and movements. By your 33rd week, your baby is now around 1.9kg in weight and is about 43.7cm in length from head to toe.
Your baby’s nervous system and brain are now fully developed and all of his bones are hardening up, except for the skull bones as it will stay soft to make it easier for him to squeeze through the birth canal, and they harden up around 12 to 18 months after birth.
This Week’s Tips
Exercise!
Working out especially with weights increases your muscle tone, but lifting too heavy weights is really risky as it increases the pressure in your body which could affect the blood flow to the uterus. You can try lifting some light weights instead of heavyweights while doing more reps.
Relieve Your Swollen Feet
You are probably suffering from your swollen feet. Whenever you feel like it is too much, try putting your feet up. You have earned the pass to lift your feet at any time you want. Also, try laying down on your left side as it takes the pressure off your blood vessels which reduces the swelling.