33 Weeks Pregnant
What’s happening this week. 33 weeks pregnant fetal development?
You’re 33 weeks pregnant and your baby’s brain is maturing fast, and your baby can now make sense of sounds and lights, and even speech patterns. Bones continue to harden, except those in the skull, as these need to overlap during delivery.
Your baby continues to deposit layers of fat and his face, legs and arms are getting chubbier.
This week the bridge on your baby’s nose is complete. Your baby may be moving less, as space is restricted. At 33 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs about 1.9 kg and measures 43 cm.
How is my body changing?
By 33 weeks pregnant, your uterus sits 13 cm above your navel. If you’re expecting twins, labour may occur any day from now on. About 50% women with multiple pregnancies deliver early.
As you get bigger, daily life becomes a struggle with back pain, swollen ankles, frequent visits to the toilet and difficulty sleeping. Braxton-Hicks contractions also become more regular and painful, and can easily be mistaken for the real thing!
As a general rule, if you move position and the contractions stop, they’re just practice.
No matter what you do, in real labour contractions never stop and get increasingly closer and more painful. At 33 weeks pregnant, your weight gain is around 28 pounds.
What if my baby is in the wrong position?
Soon your healthcare provider will be starting to check the position your baby is in. Over the next weeks your baby is likely to settle in a position ready for delivery. Most babies are head down, but some are breech or transverse.
Breech occurs when a baby’s buttocks is facing down, rather than his head and transverse occurs when the baby is sideways. Both may result in a c-section.
Your doctor may attempt an external version, by pressing on your tummy to force the baby to the right position.
A chiropractor may also be able to help. Premature labour, multiple pregnancies or problems with placenta are likely causes of breech or transverse babies.
If your baby is in the wrong position, your doctor will discuss with you the best procedure to follow.