What should you be feeling at 33 weeks pregnant? Is it okay to deliver baby at 33 weeks? What should you not do at 33 weeks pregnant?
In a little over a month, you'll be giving birth! At week 33 of pregnancy, you will start experiencing strong foetal movements inside the womb. But there is a lot more you'll experience. Read on to know more about this week in your third trimester.
33 Weeks Pregnant in Months
How many months is 33 weeks pregnant?
By now, you're about halfway through your seventh month. Pregnancy is typically calculated as around 9 months or 40 weeks in total, so 33 weeks is well into the third trimester. Just a few more weeks to go and your pregnancy will be considered to reach its term.
Pregnancy Week 33: Baby
This week you will experience significant growth and development in your baby's body. Each stage is critical for their healthy growth, and we want to ensure that you know what to expect so that you can watch for developmental milestones. The following briefly describes each change, including approximate growth and weight gain.
Baby’s Growth
At 33 weeks, your little one is about the size of a baby pineapple, roughly 30cm, and weighs 2kg. No wonder you're starting to feel heavy!
It's been a week since your last appointment, and you've probably noticed that your belly has gotten bigger. That's because your baby is growing!
At this point in the pregnancy, your baby’s brain keeps developing and its lungs are almost ready to work outside the womb. Your baby has also developed taste buds and can swallow amniotic fluid.
The baby's liver produces bile for digestion, which will help it break down nutrients after birth. The pancreas is starting to produce insulin, which will be needed by the body when breastfeeding begins.
The fetus's skeleton continues to develop as well: bones are already starting to harden to support weight after birth.
Baby's Development
Is the baby fully developed at 33 weeks?
At 33 weeks, your baby's major organs are developed, but they may still need some time to mature fully, particularly their lungs. Their bones continue to harden, and they are gaining weight. Although they have a good chance of survival if born at this stage, the last few weeks of pregnancy are essential for your baby's development.
In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you'll learn that:
- Your baby can now differentiate between day and night as the light passes through the thin uterine wall.
- They can close and open their eyes during sleeping and waking up times.
- They have developed an immune system of their own.
- Their bones are hardening. However, the bones in your baby's skull aren't fused together, making it easier for them to pass through the birth canal.
- They are also undergoing major brain development.
- Your baby is packing on the pounds now, gaining as much as one pound per week.
- It's getting more snug in your womb, so you might feel that your baby's movement is not as active as in the previous weeks. However, since your baby is drinking the amniotic fluid, there's less protective cushioning for you, and you'll feel sharper kicks and stabs from your little one this time.
Baby’s Hearing
Pregnancy week 33 is a big one for your baby. You probably feel like it's been a big week already!
Your baby's hearing has developed to the point where they can recognise the sound of your voice—and they may even start to respond to it in their third trimester. This means that if you talk to them, sing them songs, or play music for them, they'll likely be able to hear you and recognise your voice. They'll also probably start to respond with movement as well as sounds.
This is an important milestone for babies because it lets them know that the world is safe for them—and it opens up some amazing opportunities for bonding!
Baby’s Teeth
At 33 weeks, the baby is still growing and developing.
Baby's teeth have begun to form. There are no teeth yet, but the tooth buds are developing under the baby's gums.
It's important to remember that babies' teeth aren't fully formed until they're born—so don't be alarmed if you see or feel something sharp in their mouth!
Baby’s Movement
At this point in your pregnancy, you may feel like your baby is constantly moving. This is because your baby is getting ready for birth! It’s also because they are developing more muscles for movement and practising breathing exercises.
The good news? You can feel all those movements! If you haven’t noticed, your baby will start to move around more frequently—and it might even feel like they are doing somersaults inside you!
You might also experience some kicks to your ribs or arms when the baby moves around. These are normal sensations during pregnancy and can help you bond with your baby before birth.
Is it okay to deliver at 33 weeks?
While babies born at 33 weeks can survive and thrive with medical care, it's considered preterm, and ideally, you'd want to reach full-term, which is around 39 to 40 weeks. If you go into labour at 33 weeks, your healthcare team will work to ensure the best possible outcome for your baby, as their organs are not fully mature yet.
33 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
Other than wearing elastic-waist pants just to fit over your stomach, your body has adjusted quite well. The baby is starting to take shape, and his or her movements feel more deliberate. It is an exciting time!
At this point, you've most likely been showing for a while. You may have even been getting comments from friends and family asking if you are pregnant. You may also be starting to experience the woes of pregnancy — back pain, swollen ankles or a queasy feeling in your stomach.
33 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
What should you be feeling at 33 weeks pregnant?
By 33 weeks, you may experience increased discomfort, including backaches, swelling, and frequent urination. You might have trouble sleeping due to the size of your belly and the need for bathroom trips. You could also feel the baby's movements more prominently, which is a good sign. Here are other symptoms you might experience at 33 weeks pregnant:
- Since your metabolic rate has peaked, you will always be left feeling overheated.
- Sleep has become elusive with the hormonal rush, regular trips to the bathroom, leg cramps, and heartburn.
- Headaches and feeling anxious all the time will become a common affair.
- You will start experiencing strong foetal movements inside the womb.
- Your nails will become brittle because of hormonal activities.
- Fluid retention and pressure in your veins may result in numbness of your hands and fingers, and even carpal tunnel syndrome.
- If your belly starts hurting when you change positions on the bed, it might be because of the round ligament pain. This is described as a sharp or jabbing pain, usually in the belly or groin area, which is unfortunately common during pregnancy.
- Shortness of breath will become routine at week 33 of pregnancy.
- You may feel clumsy and become forgetful of even the smallest things.
33 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms Not to Ignore
As you approach the final stretch of your pregnancy journey at 33 weeks, it's crucial to be in tune with your body and monitor your well-being closely. While many pregnancy symptoms are entirely normal, there are some warning signs you should never overlook, such as:
- Sudden and severe swelling in your face, hands, or feet
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain or contractions that won't stop
- Vision changes or severe headaches
- A noticeable decrease in your baby's movements
- Signs of preterm labour like regular contractions, pelvic pressure, or lower back pain
Do not hesitate to get in touch with your healthcare provider when you experience those symptoms.
Maternal Weight Gain
Your baby is growing by leaps and bounds, and you should feel less nauseous than you did initially. But something else is happening to your body, which can be hard to deal with.
Your weight gain is accelerating. Don't worry about it! You should be gaining about a pound per week at this point in your pregnancy—and that's normal! It's important, however, to make sure that you're eating right and exercising. Your baby needs all those nutrients so they can grow up strong, but so do you!
The best way to stay fit during pregnancy is to eat healthy foods, get plenty of sleep (which will help avoid headaches), and exercise regularly—even if it's just walking around the block. Don't be afraid of gaining weight because it means you're doing something right—you are! But make sure you’re gaining just the right amount of weight.
Nutrition
At 33 weeks pregnant, you're probably feeling pretty tired. You've been pregnant for almost a month, and the baby is growing fast. It's time to concentrate on the health of your body and what you put in it.
Your diet should contain plenty of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. The best source of these is still food, so ensure you eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you haven't already started taking folic acid supplements, do so now.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 33 Weeks Pregnant
Just one month to go! Here are some pointers to help you in your remaining weeks of pregnancy:
- To avoid gastrointestinal problems like indigestion or heartburn, avoid exercising and eating close to bedtime.
- While exercising, you must not indulge in anything strenuous.
- Ensure that you eat healthy to get all the important nutrients you need for the remaining weeks.
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking at least eight to 10 glasses of water every day. Avoid aerated drinks.
- To ease anxiety, pamper yourself with a warm bath.
- Drink a warm cup of milk before sleeping and listen to your favourite soundtrack to help you relax.
- You may start seeing your doctor every 2 weeks now, so don't forget to talk to them about your birth plan and how to prepare for labour.
- If you're keeping a pregnancy journal, you may want to start writing your letter to your baby.
- If you are planning on cord blood banking, sign up now.
What should you not do at 33 weeks pregnant?
At 33 weeks pregnant, it's a good idea to avoid heavy lifting, excessive physical strain, and any activities that could risk a fall or injury. Also, steer clear of any medications or herbal remedies that haven't been approved by your healthcare provider.
Stay away from hot tubs, saunas, or anything that could cause overheating. And remember, alcohol, smoking, and illicit drugs are big no-nos during pregnancy. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
Your next week: 34 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 32 weeks pregnant
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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