Pregnancy Week 33
Your baby is entering his "finishing period" once you're 33 weeks pregnant. Find out what this means for his development and learn about developing a parenting plan and buying baby clothes.
How Big is Baby?
Your baby is the size of a pineapple. Lanugo, the fine hair that covered her entire body and helped keep her warm as she developed, is starting to disappear, but there might still be patches of it on her shoulders and back.
Baby's Length: 17.20in.
Baby's Weight: 4.23lb.
Mom's Changing Body
Not all contractions mean that you're going to deliver soon, which at this point should have you breathing a sigh of relief! Just like your unborn baby's body takes time to develop and mature before he's ready for his birth, your body readies itself for labor by practicing. These beginner and sporadic contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions. Although they do not lead to active labor, they do prepare your body (and your psyche!) for when the time comes. If you take time to sit down, put your feet up and drink a glass of water or two, these contractions will subside. Labor-inducing contractions don't stop even if you relax for an hour or two.
Baby's Development
Your baby doesn't have much elbow room these days—and, happily, that's probably going to mean fewer elbow jabs to the ribs for you. Because space in your uterus is running out, your baby becomes less active at this point in the pregnancy. You may also notice that her movements are affected by your daily routine: how much and when you eat, what position you are in, and sounds from the world outside can all affect your baby's activity level.
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Weekly Tip
Nervous about working right up until your due date? Propose working from home a day or two during the last few weeks prior to taking off. It will help you ease into your leave without eating into your actual sanctioned time off. Oh, and don't forget to factor in any remaining vacation or sick days when you sit down with the calendar to hammer out your exit strategy; many companies will let you count them toward your time off.
Week 33 Ultrasound
Your baby's brain is continuing to grow and develop. In this image, the red and blue show blood flow to the part of his brain that lets the two halves of the brain communicate with one another.
Credit:
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine - AIUM.org
What Week 33 of Your Pregnancy Is Really Like
Pregnancy Confidential Podcast
What You Really Need to Pack for the Hospital
It's Week 33 and you can just about see your due date on the horizon. But, since babies can be about as unpredictable as everything else in your life, it's a good idea to do what you can to prepare (which believe us, isn't as much as you think). If your idle hands are itching to do something in preparation for so much busyness around the corner, it might be time to put them (and your partner's) to work packing that hospital bag. But what exactly should you put in it? Opinions differ and we'll discuss the essentials in this week's podcast.
This Week's To-Do List
This Week's FAQs
Must-Reads
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False Labor Pain and Signs It's Not Quite Time
Prodromal labor contractions, also know as false labor, often leave pregnant women confused and antsy. Here’s what you need to know about the pesky cramps, and how long you should expect them to last. -
Postpartum Depression: Signs, Statistics, and Treatment Options
Feeling sad or anxious after baby? It could just be the "baby blues," but 10 to 20 percent of new moms experience postpartum depression. Learn about the signs of postpartum depression and how to treat it. -
What to Pack in an Emergency Birth Kit
You're probably planning to give birth at a hospital or birthing center, but what if you can't make it there on time? Here's what to have on hand in your emergency birth kit. -
What to Do for a Baby in Breech Position
If your little one is in the breech position close to your due date, there are a few options for turning her around. -
7 Things You Didn't Know Could Happen During Labor
You know to expect contractions and pain. But take a look at a few lesser-known events that can happen when giving birth.
