33 Weeks Pregnant

33 Weeks of Pregnancy – How Many Months?

The 33rd week of pregnancy is here. Time runs fast, bringing the expectant mother and her long-awaited baby closer to uniting! The first week of the ninth month of pregnancy begins. Less and less time is left until delivery – eight weeks, or 56 days. During this period, the woman has to have enough time to: physically and emotionally prepare for the birth, equip the house, buy clothes for the baby and prepare her hospital bag. It’s important not to immerse yourself in worries at this time, but to mentally prepare for delivery. The last weeks before the birth you should spend on pleasant communication with your loved ones and surrounding yourself with positive emotions.

The Baby at 33 Weeks of Pregnancy

According to the table of norms, the weight of the fetus at 33 weeks of pregnancy is about 2 kg, and the height is 44 cm. Judging by the size, it is easy to see that the baby is now becoming very cramped in the uterus. It is limited in its physical activity, but it still regularly moves, stretches its muscles and makes itself known.

• The formation of the brain is complete, and now comes the maturation of nerve cells and connections that regulate the most important thought processes in the body.
• The heart is actively working, pumping blood and supplying the body with it. The walls of the blood vessels are getting thicker.
• The fetus at 33 weeks of pregnancy is already able to remove metabolic waste products from its body, thanks to fully functioning kidneys.
• The lung alveoli have completed maturation; the fetal respiratory system is ready to function independently.
• The body’s muscular system strengthens, more fatty tissue is deposited under the skin – this increases the baby’s weight at 33 weeks of pregnancy.
• There is an increase of fluid surrounding the baby, acting as a natural lubricant serving the function of lubricant so the baby has an easier passage through the birth canal.
• The baby at 33 weeks of pregnancy is usually already in the most common position for delivery, with the head down.

Changes and Feelings in the Mother’s Body

The last months of pregnancy can be a very difficult time for women, both physically and emotionally. The usual activities of working (whether sitting or standing), taking walks, shopping, household chores, and even simply sitting become more and more difficult to do. Lower back pain and swelling are becoming more and more frequent. But despite all the troubles, the expectant mother takes great pleasure in feeling her baby under her heart. For expecting parents, the feeling of a moving belly will likely always remain as the most vivid memory of pregnancy.

Changes in the mother’s body are a result of the preparations for the logical completion of pregnancy – childbirth. More and more often you can see that the uterus becomes “stony”: with the help of false contractions it prepares for pushing the baby into the birth canal. At times painful tingling in the breasts is also present, symbolizing the process of preparation for lactation.

The psychological and emotional state of a woman at 33 weeks of pregnancy can be unpredictable. Hormones are a force of nature! This is especially true for mothers with pregnancy complications. Worries about the health of the baby are joined by fears of the impending birth. It is important not to gloss over the concerns, but to share your thoughts and fears with your doctor, partner and loved ones.

Tummy Size at 33 Weeks of Pregnancy

The abdomen of a woman when she is 33 weeks pregnant is so voluminous that it can no longer “grow” upwards. A little later it will begin to descend into the pelvic area, the pressure on the diaphragm will decrease, and it will be easier for mom to breathe. In the meantime, she has to put up with the consequences that arise from the rapid growth of the fetus.

• Given that there is no room to expand upwards, the uterus is shifting more and more toward the lower part of the abdomen. The bladder is intensely compressed, and the expectant mother can feel a constant urge to urinate.
• The digestive organs are displaced from their usual places, which can lead to unpleasant symptoms that stem from increased abdominal pressure. Heartburn, and even nausea and vomiting when overeating, can be unfortunately common. Smaller volume, more frequent meals can certainly help!
• Moving around with a large belly becomes more and more of a challenge, the woman’s gait and balance are affected (think about the change in centre of gravity!). Wearing comfortable shoes and staying mindful to avoid falls and injuries is of utmost importance!

Possible problems

Pain in the 33rd Week of Pregnancy

In the 33rd week of pregnancy, painful sensations are associated with a rapid increase in the size of the uterus and with the preparation of the body for childbirth. If any kind of feeling unwell happens, you need to be able to recognize normal and abnormal pains.

Here are the most common sensations characteristic of this term:

• Pain in the sacrum and pelvis (there is a pulling of the muscle and connective tissue and the shifting/stretching of ligaments between the pelvic bones);
• Lower back pain and pain in the legs (due to the increased load of the enlarged uterus);
• Pain in the anus (due to frequent constipation and possibly hemorrhoids);
• Subcostal (beneath the ribs) pain (caused by sudden movements of the baby, but this should come and go quickly. If you have persistent pain ESPECIALLY on the right side under the ribs, contact your doctor immediately)

Temperature and Colds

It should be known that a temperature of up to 37 degrees Celsius is considered normal for pregnant women, which means there is no need to knock it down. Danger appears only when the thermometer shows 38 degrees Celsius and above. Fever carries the threat of complications, so it is very important to treat any illness in its early stages, not letting it become more severe.

For colds, the expectant mother can use the following treatments:

• Drinking plenty of warm fluids: milk, tea, berry decoctions, water;
• The use of folk methods of treatment: gargling the throat and nose with herbal infusions (chamomile, eucalyptus, sage), rubbing with cool water, etc.;
• Paracetamol-based antipyretic for high fever.
• Under no circumstances should you use mustard pads or steam your feet. At the first signs of a cold, you should go to your general practitioner for a consultation.

Discharge at 33 Weeks of Pregnancy

If 33 weeks of pregnancy are on the calendar, and the expectant mother found a large amount of mucus of a transparent color, it can only mean one thing – mucus plugs have descended and labor will soon begin. Act calmly: call an ambulance and wait until you are admitted to the hospital. Premature birth does not pose a great risk to the baby’s life. If medics provide them with proper care, they will survive and be healthy.

Intimate Life

At 33 weeks of pregnancy, intimate life is not forbidden. Despite the impressive term and the voluminous belly of the expectant mother, if there is a mutual desire, the couple can opt for physical intimacy, provided that there is no threat of early labor (or certain medical conditions such as placenta previa). If a woman has doubts, she should definitely consult her doctor. However, there should be no hesitation in this matter. Your Obstetrician (OBGYN) will be able to answer unequivocally whether sexual intercourse will not harm the mother and the baby. If the doctor considers it necessary, they will prescribe sexual rest until delivery.

Recommendations for Expectant Mothers

• Monitor your blood pressure and swelling. If you notice an accumulation of fluid in the body, your blood pressure is high, you’re frequently feeling nauseous, contact your Obstetrician immediately or go to an ER/urgent care. Do NOT ignore these symptoms or let them worsen with time.
• Prepare things to go to the hospital and an exchange card. They should always be at hand, because when the birth begins, there will be no time to gather.
• Find time for walks in the fresh air, this is good for you and the baby. Sedentary lifestyle can aggravate an already difficult condition in late pregnancy.
• At the first sign of a cold, seek medical attention. Every week counts, mom should be healthy by the time she gives birth.
• Spend more time with your family, especially the baby’s father. Heart-to-heart talks and close communication with the baby will help stabilize an unstable emotional state, relieve stress.

Recommendations for Nutrition and Vitamins

Dear expectant mothers of Mamas are Cool! Your OBGYN should be the MAIN nutrition adviser for a pregnant woman. Based on test results, they identify the lack of certain nutrients in a woman’s body (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, etc.). Then based off these results, make dietary recommendations to make up the deficiencies.
The daily menu of the mother should include vegetables and fruits – great sources of vitamins and fiber. They should be eaten fresh or steamed. For the first meal you can eat soup cooked in a low-fat broth, and for the second – cereal porridge, beef and fish. In minimal amounts, women can eat foods that are difficult to refuse, such as: bakery products, sausages, as well as smoked, salty, fried, fatty and sugary foods. However, for the duration of pregnancy, you need to forget about alcohol and strong coffee.

And one more important tip – do not overeat! It is a misconception that a mother-to-be should eat for two. If you follow this advice, you run the risk of not only excessive weight gain for you (increased stress on joints and pains), but also for the baby (increased risk of gestational diabetes, large-for-gestational age, and emergency conditions such as shoulder dystocia during labour). Eat several small meals a day instead.

Physical Activity

At 33 weeks of pregnancy, it is more and more difficult for a woman to keep herself in good physical shape. Many moms believe that now is the right time to switch to a sedentary or lying down lifestyle. But this can present a dilemma: muscles ache more from complete lack of use than something moderate but routine. Further, the neurohormonal responses to light-moderate exercise can do absolute wonders for stress, worries, and balancing out the absolute storm of pregnancy-related hormones that may be affecting you.

Recommendations for exercise at this stage:

• Aerobics at the pool;
• Yoga for pregnant women;
• Breathing exercises;
• Kegel exercises;
• And walking.

It is better to do a cycle of exercises regularly, i.e. daily, so that it becomes a routine. Physical activity provides a fresh wave of energy and strength, allows you to burn calories and cope with many troubles including:

• Edema;
• Hypertension;
• Obesity;
• And hemorrhoids.

Required tests and analyses

33 weeks of pregnancy, what a journey is has been so far – by now, both the doctor and the expectant mother herself have a detailed picture of how the fetus develops. Its condition begins to be monitored from the moment the mother is registered at the maternity clinic. The doctor calculates the obstetric term, which is determined not from the moment of conception (ovulation of the egg, fusion with sperm, and the formation of the embryo blastocyst), but from the first day of the last menstruation.

After that, the OBGYN prescribes regular tests, the most important of which is the triple test for genetic abnormalities in the embryo. Studies on the level of hormone hCG and free estriol, AFP protein are conducted at 11-13 weeks. If the test does not reveal any abnormalities, by week 33, the expectant mother should visit the doctor twice a week. At the reception the following procedures are waiting for her:

• Transcription of urine and blood tests;
• Taking a smear if she has any complaints;
• Measurement of blood pressure, body weight, abdominal volume and uterine size;
• Checking the fetal heartbeat with a stethoscope.

If the pregnancy has complications, the doctor prescribes additional examinations and tests, and the frequency of visits may increase. If there is a threat to the life and health of the baby, the expectant mother may be sent to the hospital.