Fetal Development week 33!

For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ would weigh more than a mere 4 pounds!


But once you add in the placenta, amniotic fluid, and extra blood, you've got at least 10 pounds of baby and their life-support gear smooshed up against your organs!


In terms of appearance, your sweet lil' looker is getting cuter and pudgier every day as they pile on that adorable baby fat.


And as you know all too well, your womb kick-boxer is getting stronger with every passing day. Heck, it’s even possible to observe a well-placed belly-wobbling kick just by watching your belly!

Despite their obviously increasing strength, your bigger-by-the-day baby will actually start dropping their rate of movement in the last few weeks, no thanks to their restricted womb space.
If movement ceases for over an hour, drink some cold juice, lay on your side and wait for some added movement.


If nothing's happening at that point, go ahead and call your medical caregiver.
Hey, did you know you’ll continue feeling your baby's movements even during labor?


Your Body's Development
By 33 weeks pregnant your uterus now measures roughly 5 inches above your belly button. You may have gained up to 28 pounds or more by this point in your pregnancy. Many women will gain weight more rapidly in the third trimester due to the rapid growth in their baby. Most babies start gaining anywhere from five to nine ounces every week from pregnancy week 33 until delivery. 


Changes In Your Body
By 33 weeks pregnant you are probably finding yourself more and more excited at the prospect of meeting your little baby for the first time. You are more than two-thirds of the way there by this point in time. By around week 33 you should consider pre-registering at your hospital if this is allowed. This will help speed the admissions process once you are in labor. The last thing you will have on your mind as you approach delivery is filling out lots of paperwork! 


By pregnancy week 33 many women start experiencing mild swelling or edema. This pattern often remains as you continue your pregnancy week by week. Some women find that swelling is worse during warm weather or in hot climates. If you are experiencing your third trimester in the middle of summer more kudos to you! You are probably very warm and quite bloated. Just be sure to drink plenty of water to keep your body as hydrated as possible. This will help with swelling and improve your comfort. 


Some women begin experiencing numbness or tingling in their fingers and wrists around 33 weeks pregnant. This often results from a condition referred to as carpal tunnel syndrome. You may find the tissues supporting your wrists and hands also swell, pinching the nerves running through your wrist. This is often more noticeable for women who work in a job that requires frequent typing. If this is you ask your healthcare provider if wearing a brace will help relieve some of the discomfort you are experiencing in your wrists and hands. Taking frequent rest breaks should help relieve some of the discomfort and swelling you are experiencing.