33 Weeks Pregnant
At 33 weeks, your baby is the size of a Cabbage Patch Kid doll, and their bones are hardening.
Now that you’re 33 weeks pregnant, baby is the size of a Cabbage Patch Kid, and you’re less than two months away from baby’s arrival. Baby is working hard to get ready for life outside the womb, putting on more fat so they have those luscious baby rolls. You might be experiencing symptoms like Braxton Hicks contractions, fatigue and more. Read on for what you need to know about week 33 of pregnancy.
What To Expect At 33 Weeks Pregnant
How Many Months Is 33 Weeks Pregnant?
In months, 33 weeks pregnant is eight months pregnant, which is part of the third trimester of pregnancy.
Your Baby at 33 Weeks
Your baby is continuing to prepare for their big debut, adding fat layers, hardening up bones and strengthening their immune system. Here are the details on what’s happening with baby at 33 weeks.
- Hard bones: Your little one’s bones are hardening. But the skull will still be soft at birth. “The skull bones are soft so that the plates can shift slightly and overlap a little to help the hard, bony head fit through the pelvis of the pregnant person at birth,” says Fadwah Hallaby, a certified nurse midwife at Midwife360. “Once the head gets small enough, and the pelvis shifts to make enough room, the baby can be born. ”Know that even after their journey through the birth canal—aka your vagina— babies have soft spots called fontanelles between parts of their skull. They will close in a couple of years (yes, years), and that’s why you have to be gentle with the head post-birth.
- Baby fat: Baby is also starting to chub out by adding fat on their arms and legs. Sure, it makes them extra adorable (less wrinkly too), but it mainly helps them regulate their body temperature in the early weeks of life.
- Peach fuzz: The soft layer of hair called lanugo is falling off this week, though some may be left on the baby’s shoulders or back at birth.
- Immune system: You’re passing antibodies to your baby to prep their developing immune system to fight off germs once they reach the outside world.
How Big Is Your Baby at 33 Weeks?
At 33 weeks, baby is about 11.5 inches long from crown to rump and weighs 4.2 pounds this week. That’s about the size of a Cabbage Patch Kid.
💛 Congratulations 💛
You only have seven weeks left!
You might not get an ultrasound at 33 weeks, but if you do, you may see a baby that looks more like, well, a baby. And if you’re lucky, you will see baby moving around, sucking his or her thumb.
Your Body at 33 Weeks Pregnant
At 33 weeks pregnant, weight gain should continue to be about a pound a week. You’ll stick to this rate all the way up to your due date—and beyond, if you go that far!. (And P.S. if you find yourself wanting to double-check your due date, you can use our due date calculatorto figure it out.) By now, you may have gained about 22 to 28 pounds total, so you’re probably feeling heavy and may have slowed down a bit. You may even have started the infamous pregnancy waddle.
Amniotic fluid levels tend to peak around now. “In most pregnancies, the amniotic fluid accumulates throughout the first two trimesters with peak volume at 32-34 weeks of gestation,” says Dr. Rodney Wise, a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Market Chief Medical Officer at AmeriHealth Caritas. Since your baby keeps growing, you’ll soon have more baby than fluid. Less of that padding can mean baby’s kicks and jabs feel sharp and unmistakable. Pay attention to the movements as much as you can, and call your healthcare provider right away if you notice a decrease in them.
33 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
From more discharge to feeling Braxton Hicks contractions, you and your body are experiencing a lot as you prepare for labor. Here are some of the main symptoms you may be experiencing at 33 weeks pregnant:
Overheating
Feeling toasty? Your baby is actually radiating body heat, so many pregnant people have a higher skin temperature during the third trimester.
Vaginal discharge
It’s very common to have more white-colored discharge during the third trimester because of your increased estrogen levels. Look out for an increase in discharge, but be aware of any big changes. If there are some streaks of blood and the discharge is particularly gelatinous, almost like a jellyfish on the beach, it may be your mucus plug coming out, which is an early sign of labor. If it’s a clear, thin fluid that comes out in a trickle or a gush—it could be amniotic fluid leaking, which means you should call your healthcare provider immediately.
Braxton Hicks contractions
You may feel these practice contractions—a tightening of the belly that isn’t regular or often—here and there, as your body preps to give birth. Stay hydrated to help prevent them from becoming too uncomfortable.
Carpal tunnel
“A pregnant person’s blood volume will double in the course of pregnancy and swelling or in the hands is very common,” says Hallaby. This swelling puts pressure, well, on a lot of things, but notably on a nerve in and around your wrist. This can cause pain, numbness and/or tingling in the hand and fingers called carpal tunnel syndrome. And you may be more likely to get it if you use your hands a lot throughout the day. Late in pregnancy, carpal tunnel can worsen. There are some things you can do, says Hallaby, “Using compression with a wrist brace can sometimes help.” Talk to your care provider about your options. Thankfully, carpal tunnel is likely to go away once you give birth.
Fun Fact
More babies are born in September than any other month. February is the month with the least number of births. (Maybe because it’s the shortest month.)
Pregnancy Symptoms Coming up in Week 34
During week 34 of pregnancy, things will probably start feeling even more real than they do now. Not only will baby be kicking, wiggling and bumping up a storm, but you’ll also likely start to notice some of the discomforts of late pregnancy like increased vaginal discharge, more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions and super frequent urination.
Commonly Asked Questions About 33 Weeks Pregnant
Is it safe to have sex?
As long as your doctor gives the okay, sex is perfectly safe until the end of your pregnancy. But know this: an orgasm can give you contractions. But don’t freak out; it’s totally normal—in fact, you may have been having them all along but are only noticing them now that your belly’s bigger. Post-coital contractions aren’t likely to put you into labor, so enjoy yourself if you feel like it.
Am I forgetting more than normal?
Feeling forgetful? There’s no scientific evidence that pregnant women experience memory loss or brain fog because they’re pregnant. You probably just have a lot on your mind. Plus, you could be sleep deprived, stressed or moody—or all of the above. Be kind to yourself, reminding yourself that it’s okay not to be on top of every little thing. And maybe make some lists so your brain doesn’t have to retain it all.
How can I prepare for the fourth trimester?
Whether you’re having your baby in a hospital or birth clinic, it’s a good idea to prep your home for postpartum life. A bed pad will keep your sheets clean in case of any unexpected leaks while you sleep, and you’ll make things easier on yourself if you stock your bathroom with other recovery essentials. Don’t be shy about leaning on your support system, either.
Recommended Products for 33 Weeks Pregnant
With less than two months to go, you’ve hit the stage where it’s all about making sure you’re comfortable and rested. Here are some ideas to help. Make sure your feet are comfy, and while you feel the urge to nest, don’t forget about yourself! Do a little fourth trimester prep in your own home to make recovery a little easier.
33 Weeks Pregnant Checklist
- Embrace your inner penguin. It’s okay to waddle!
- Schedule your Group B Strep test for between 35 weeks and 37 weeks pregnant.
- Figure out your childcare situation. Daycare? Nanny? Nanny share? Family? It doesn’t matter what you choose as long as it works for you.
- Start packing your hospital bag if you haven’t already. Try to have it completely ready to grab by week 36, just in case!
Sources
- Dr. Rodney Wise, a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Market Chief Medical Officer at AmeriHealth Caritas.