33 Weeks Of Pregnancy What To Expect – Medically Reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT – Natalie Silver on October 17, 2017
You’re entering your third trimester and you’re probably starting to wonder what life will be like with your new baby. At this stage, your body can feel the effects of pregnancy for more than seven months. You may notice many changes that have taken place. You may also have unpleasant pains and swelling in parts of your body. With only a few weeks left in your pregnancy, you should know the signs of early labor and when to call your doctor.
33 Weeks Of Pregnancy What To Expect
By now you are aware that many parts of your body change during pregnancy. While some are obvious, like your growing midsection and breasts, many other parts of your body are also adjusting to your pregnancy. The good news is that most of these changes should return to normal after pregnancy.
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During pregnancy, your body produces more blood than normal. Blood volume increases by more than 40 percent, and your heart has to pump faster to accommodate this change. Sometimes this can cause the heart to skip a beat. If you notice this happening more often than that, call your doctor.
With only seven weeks left in the average 40-week pregnancy, your baby is preparing to enter the world. At 33 weeks, your baby should be about 15 to 17 inches long and weigh 4 to 4.5 pounds. Your baby will continue to gain weight as the due date approaches.
During these last few weeks in the womb, your baby is kicking hard, using his senses to monitor his surroundings and sleep. Babies can even experience deep REM sleep during this stage. In addition, your baby sees with eyes that contract, expand and detect light.
You’ve probably noticed that your babies sleep a lot between kicking and rolling. They even show brain patterns of dreams! This week, their lungs are almost fully matured, so they will be ready to breathe the day they are born.
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As mentioned above, you may notice some changes in your heart. Some other symptoms you may experience at 33 weeks and in the later stages of pregnancy include:
As your baby grows, pressure is placed on your sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in your body. This can cause back pain called sciatica. To relieve back pain, you can try:
A study published in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy shows that physical therapy, such as education and exercise therapy, can reduce back and pelvic pain before and after pregnancy.
You may notice that your ankles and feet are more swollen than in previous months. This is because your growing uterus puts pressure on the veins that run down your legs. If your ankles and feet swell, elevate them above the level of your heart for 15 to 20 minutes at least two to three times a day. If you experience extreme swelling, this could be a sign of preeclampsia and you should contact your doctor immediately.
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Now that you are firmly in the last trimester of pregnancy, you need to know what the signs of early labor are. Although your baby won’t be considered born for a few more weeks, premature labor is possible. Signs of early labor include:
While you may think you’re in labor, it could just be Braxton-Hicks contractions. These are rare contractions that do not come together and are stronger. They should go away after a while and shouldn’t be as strong as labor when you finally go into labor.
If your contractions become longer, stronger or closer together, go to the hospital. It’s still too early for a baby and they’re probably trying to stop labor. Early labor can be triggered by dehydration. An intravenous bag of fluid is often enough to stop labor.
With increased pressure on the body, it may be time to hit the pool. Walking or swimming in a pool can help with swelling as it compresses the leg tissues and can provide temporary relief. It also gives you weightlessness. When doing moderate exercise, don’t overdo it and remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
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At this stage of pregnancy, you will visit the doctor more often than before. Be sure to ask questions if you have any to put your mind at ease. If the questions are urgent, write them down as soon as they come up so you don’t forget to ask them at the next meeting.
Call your doctor if you notice signs of early labor, experience unusual shortness of breath, or notice a decrease in fetal movements (unless you are counting 6 to 10 movements per hour).
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Our experts are constantly monitoring the health and wellness space, and we update articles as new information becomes available. Time flies and you’re probably starting to feel tired now that your baby is continuing to grow.
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You may be sleeping less because your baby is keeping you up at night. What’s going on there?
Read on to learn more about 33 weeks of pregnancy and what to expect during this week.
As you know, health care providers count pregnancy in weeks, starting from the first day of your last period. But sometimes it’s nice to know how many months you are pregnant.
Once you’ve hired a doula, it’s time to thoroughly review your birth options and finalize your birth plan.
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When you have a doula, you greatly reduce your chances of complications during labor. This means you are less likely to ask for pain relief or a C-section.
While some doulas do last-minute births, if you’re interested in hiring a doula, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later.
This is because the more time your doula has with you, the more time she has to help you with advice and resources.
It’s also a good idea to start thinking about breastfeeding and how to get help and support if needed.
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It’s also a good idea to check with your hospital or midwife what lactation consultants are available.
If you need help after giving birth, you can hire lactation consultants privately. This is a great option because you can choose someone to communicate with and know exactly what kind of care you will receive.
If you’re 33 weeks pregnant, it’s important to look out for symptoms that indicate you or your baby may have complications.
Contact your doctor, midwife or health facility immediately if you experience any of these signs or symptoms during the 33rd week of pregnancy.
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You can sleep on both sides. It is preferable to avoid sleeping on your back, but after about 28 weeks of pregnancy, you will see that it is not comfortable at all.
Sleeping on your left side allows for maximum blood and nutrient flow to the placenta. This also means less pressure on the larger blood vessels.
Sleeping on your side improves kidney function, which means better excretion of waste products and less swelling in the feet, ankles and hands.
All pregnancies and babies are different, but it’s unlikely that lots of activity means anything other than your baby getting bigger and stronger.
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However, a sudden increase in fetal movement is a sign of acute fetal stress, such as umbilical cord complications or placental abruption.
You won’t hurt your baby by pressing on your pregnancy cuff. However, if you fall or get hit hard by the stomach, it would be a good idea to check just in case.
Uterine trauma can cause internal bleeding or placental abruption. It is better to be safe and contact your gynecologist or doctor if you have had such an accident.
The fruit is tasty and rich in vitamins and minerals – ideal for the nutrition of your body and baby.
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However, fruit is often high in a sugar called fructose, and eating too much fruit is linked to a higher risk of gestational diabetes.
Some fruits are said to be dangerous for women during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
Your birth plan should serve as a guide for your healthcare providers to know your preferences and consider potential “what ifs.”
Having a plan allows you to make informed decisions about all aspects of your care, even if the outcome of your birth isn’t exactly what you planned.
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It is important to discuss the plan with a trusted birth partner, such as a doula, who can support or support you when you are most vulnerable.
This article on birth plans has lots of information and a free downloadable template that you can customize.
At 33 weeks pregnant, your metabolism is working at full speed. You may see your weight gain begin to slow down a
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