Although you are now in your ninth month of pregnancy, it will still be a while until your estimated due date. Pregnancy usually lasts for a total of 10 months, so you are now about halfway through the third trimester. Read on to find out what your baby is up to, why you should get hold of some oil, and other important information now that you are 33 weeks pregnant.
The fetus is around 17 inches long (crown to heel) and weighs approx. 4-4.5 lbs.
The lungs have been developing rapidly. If your baby were to be born prematurely now, it would have an excellent chance of surviving outside the womb with very little intervention. The immune system is also making good progress. The placental barrier is becoming increasingly permeable in order to supply the baby with antibodies from the mother.
If you are expecting a boy, the testicles should have dropped into the scrotum by now.
Your baby is now about the size of a head of celery.
Your baby will start to move less due to lack of space, so it is not unusual to feel your little one less often. If you do not feel any movement at all over a 24-hour period, arrange a check-up with your doctor to make sure everything is OK. At this point in pregnancy, babies sleep deeply a lot of the time2 - it may very well be that your little one is simply recharging its batteries for before its appearance in a few weeks.
It is now about time for your little one to position itself head-down ready for the birth. Prodromal contractions will help it to drop further down before labor starts.
How Do You Feel at 33 Weeks Pregnant?
Prodromal contractions are sometimes perceived as a pulling in the pelvis and back. They ensure your baby drops lower into the pelvis. This may cause the appearance of your belly to change. This change in position brings with it a major advantage for you: You will be able to breathe a little more easily. However, the baby's new position can increase the pressure on the bladder (but you're probably already used to that by now anyway!).
You should definitely seek medical advice if you experience pain in the upper abdomen, bleeding, watery vaginal discharge, or if you notice a sudden significant weight gain or severe fluid retention. These signs could indicate a pregnancy disorder. Although the risk of this is very low, it is best to play it safe and have it checked out.
The list of symptoms does not get any shorter during the last few weeks of pregnancy, so allow yourself to rest as often as possible. Maybe your partner likes to spoil you with a foot and/or back massage? Those who are not so lucky can at least entrust themselves to professional hands. With your belly now in the way of everything, a pedicure with massage feels particularly good and relieves you of some of the more tedious aspects of your body care regime.
Speaking of body care, you can now start stretching the perineal region (the tissue between the vagina and the anus) to prepare the vagina for childbirth and to prevent perineal tears.
How do I massage my perineum to prepare for the birth?
Ultimately, the aim is to leave the skin suppler and to become used to the stretching sensation. If you are well prepared, you can go into labor feeling more relaxed – and the more at ease you feel, the better the birth experience will be!
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
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