Baby Born at 33 Weeks What to Expect

Now that you're 33 weeks along, you're approaching the middle of the third trimester.

By now, your baby has reached the length he'll measure at birth, but he's still busy putting on about half a pound a week.

You might notice this rapid growth in the form of sharper kicks (oof) and shortness of breath, thanks to crowding around your lungs.

Your Baby at Week 33

Don't have headphones?

View video transcript.

It's week 33 and, as your watermelon-sized belly is likely to attest, your baby has come a long way from his poppy-seed size status. He seems like a relative heavy weight at four and a half pounds, but remember, he could double that weight in the coming weeks. Happily he won't be doubling his height. At around 17 to 19 inches long, your baby is pretty close to the length he'll be at birth.

What's going on in the uterine nursery? Well, your fetus is starting to react remarkably like the infant he'll become. Sensitive to the light that penetrates through your now thinner abdominal walls, drowsy eyes drift shut to sleep when it's dark and flicker open when it's light. These are your dozing darling's first lessons in learning the difference between night and day, a distinction that's obviously important once he's outside the womb.

Still playing a crucial role is the amniotic fluid that surrounds your floating baby. It's around one degree warmer than your body temperature, so it serves to keep your baby toasty and warm until the big day. Until now, there was more amniotic fluid than actual baby in your womb, a ratio that created a cushion between you and your little boxer.

But now amniotic fluid levels have topped out and your baby's taking up more room in the uterus. The result? There's less elbow room for baby and less of a cushion for mama, meaning those left hooks and karate kicks will be more uncomfortable for you.

Though your little one may be able to throw a mean jab, he's not quite ready for a prime time bout. His body is still busy developing its independent immune system, thanks in large part to the antibodies you're passing along through the placenta. Thanks, mom!

At a Glance

Soft spot

The plates of bone in your baby's skull are still fairly pliable, which makes it easier for him to squeeze down the birth canal.

Thirsty baby

Your baby drinks up to a pint of amniotic fluid a day! This helps prepare your baby's gastrointestinal system for prime time.

Packing on the pounds

Your baby is gaining weight at a fast clip now, putting on about half a pound a week. He'll come close to doubling his weight by the time he's born.

33 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 33 weeks pregnant, you're in month 8 of your pregnancy. Only 1 month left to go! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 33 weeks?

This week your baby may be anywhere between 16 and 17 or more inches in length and could grow up to another full inch this week — especially if he's been on the shorter side.

He weighs more than 4¼ pounds and is still gaining weight at a rate of about half a pound a week. Weight gain can range from a third more to a full doubling before the big debut.

Baby's kicks may feel sharper

With that much baby inside your uterus, your amniotic fluid level has maxed out at 33 weeks pregnant, making it likely you have more baby than fluid now. That's one reason why some of his pokes and kicks feel pretty sharp these days.

Baby differentiates day from night

If your uterus had eyes, here's what you'd see: your fetus acting more and more like a baby, with his eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake.

And because those uterine walls are becoming thinner, more light penetrates the womb, helping your baby differentiate between day and night. Now if only baby can remember that difference on the outside!

Fetal immune system is developing

Good news! Your baby has reached an important milestone about now: He's got his own immune system. Antibodies are being passed from you to your little one as he continues to develop his fetal immune system, which will come in handy once he's outside the womb and fending off all sorts of germs.

Your Body at Week 33

Insomnia

With the hormonal changes, midnight bathroom runs, leg cramps, heartburn and your basketball-sized belly, it's no wonder sleep is elusive. Third trimester insomnia strikes about 3 in 4 pregnant women — who may also be coping with anxiety about the upcoming birth and a mind that races all night long thinking about their to-do-before-the-baby-comes list.

At 33 weeks pregnant, your body needs rest, so remember that worrying about it won't help and neither will staring at the clock watching the minutes tick by.

Instead, do your best to get comfy — before bed and when you get in it. Try a warm bath and perhaps a warm cup of milk before turning in, plus avoid exercising, screen time, eating or drinking too close to bedtime. You can also try asking your partner for a massage. You deserve it!

If sleep still eludes you, read a book or listen to soothing music until drowsiness sets in. And look on the bright side: Pregnancy insomnia is great training for those sleepless nights to come!

Omega-3 fatty acids

Studies suggest that infants born to mothers whose diets contain plenty of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) found mostly in fish oils have an edge in terms of early development.

So if you eat your wild salmon, will your kid go to Harvard? Maybe, maybe not. But DHA is critical to brain and vision development — and almost all of a baby's accumulation of DHA occurs during the last trimester. DHA may also help prevent preterm labor and protect against postpartum depression.

But haven't you heard that fish is unsafe for pregnant women? Actually, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends eating 8 to 12 ounces (or about two to three average meals) a week of a variety of well-cooked fish and shellfish that are low in mercury, such as shrimp, tilapia, flounder, salmon (wild is best), pollack and catfish. Steer clear of swordfish, shark and bigeye tuna, which are more likely to contain higher levels of mercury.

Hate fish? Other DHA sources include algae-derived supplements, though check your health food store and ask your practitioner before buying a bottle, and DHA-enriched eggs, available in most supermarkets. Or try these tasty omega-3-rich and pregnancy-friendly meal ideas.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 33

Strong fetal movement

You can test for fetal movement twice a day — in the morning and evening. Check the clock and start counting every wiggle, roll, kick and flutter until you reach 10. If by the end of the hour you haven't felt at least that many movements, have a snack or some juice, lie down and resume counting. Your baby just may have needed an energy boost, too! Read More

Varicose veins

Sure they're not that sightly — and sometimes they can be painful — but if you're worried that your varicose veins can be harmful too, you can relax. The good news? If you didn't have them before you got pregnant, they'll disappear soon after you give birth. Read More

Round ligament pain

If your belly is aching when you change positions or get up suddenly, you could be suffering from round ligament pain, or growing pains. As long as it's occasional and you don't have fever, chills or bleeding along with it, there's nothing to worry about. Getting off your feet and getting comfy helps. Read More

Nail changes

Pregnancy hormones can make nails grow faster but can also cause them to become brittle. If your nails are brittle, try getting lots of biotin in your diet in the form of bananas, avocados, nuts and whole grains. Read More

Shortness of breath

That burgeoning belly is pushing anything out of its way — including your lungs, which can't fully expand. It's more uncomfortable for you than it is for your baby, who is getting the oxygen she needs from the placenta. What helps? Standing as straight as you can so that your lungs have a little more room. Read More

Clumsiness

A bigger belly means a shift in your center of gravity and that can spell clumsiness. What to do about it? Slow down and take it easy — rushing will only make you clumsier. Read More

Pregnancy brain

That foggy brain could clue you in to your baby's sex (though it could be an old wives' tale too). Women pregnant with girls sometimes report being more forgetful than moms-to-be who are carrying boys, though the science is dicey. Read More

Braxton Hicks contractions

These practice contractions are most often felt by moms who've already gone through a pregnancy. How do you know they're not the real thing? Even at their most intense, changing your position — from sitting to lying down, from lying down to walking around — will usually make them disappear. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Look into breastfeeding

About 83 percent of women try breastfeeding after giving birth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Will you be one of them?

If so, now's a great time to attend a breastfeeding class, talk to your practitioner about it or watch an instructional video.

Ask about room-sharing

If you don't already know it, find out your hospital's policy on rooming-in — which is sharing a room with your baby 24/7 after you give birth. Studies have shown that it's good for baby, you and the bond you'll share. But it's okay if you decide not to room-share too!

Sneak in more calcium

If milk leaves a sour taste in your mouth, there are plenty of other ways to sneak your calcium in. Blend milk into smoothies or soups, or bypass it altogether and cash in on calcium from other dairy products.

One cup of yogurt has the same amount of calcium as a cup of milk, and an ounce of cheese also serves up a serving, as does a quarter-cup of grated cheese.

Or you can score your calcium fix in fortified fruit juice — think orange, grapefruit, apple, cranberry and others — or calcium-enriched soy milk and cheese.

Keep in mind that skipping milk means missing not only its calcium but also its vitamin D. Yogurt and cheese might be good sources of the former but not so much the latter.

Luckily, getting vitamin D is as easy as soaking up the sun for a few minutes a day since your body manufactures it in response to sunlight. Check, too, that the sunshine vitamin is in your prenatal tablet. If you're drinking soy milk, look for a brand that's enriched with vitamin D.

Switch to light weights

Yes, weight training increases muscle tone — and even prevents bone loss — but during pregnancy it's important to lighten up.

Lifting heavy weights increases pressure in your body, which causes you to hold your breath and could compromise blood flow to the uterus. Plus, loosened ligaments could lead to injury.

Your best bet: Switch to light weights and do more reps — or just wait on weights until after delivery.

Write a letter to your little one

You've got so many hopes and dreams about your baby, and each one is worth remembering and sharing. Record them before you forget by writing a letter — or a series of letters — to your baby.

Feel a little funny writing to a fetus? Just speak from the heart. Talk about what this pregnancy means to you and how it's changing your body and your world. Recount the foods you craved, the way you finally chose your baby's name and what colors you picked for the nursery.

Share your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant, when you felt those first kicks and when you found out your baby's sex (if you have). Imagine what you'll do together in the future. Do you see yourself pushing a swing in the park or tossing a football on the front lawn? Or imagine what your baby's future might be like.

Your letter to your baby is certain to become one of your most treasured possessions — and eventually, your child's.

Prevent an upset stomach

If your body has trouble digesting lactose (a type of sugar), you may find that drinking milk can lead to cramps, gas, bloating and diarrhea.

Sure, you could buy lactose-free milk or pop a lactase capsule before downing a glass of the stuff, but there are other ways to crank up your calcium consumption and avoid an upset stomach.

One solution: Eat naturally aged hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan and Swiss (they lose more than half their lactose during processing). Or get active with active yogurt cultures: They harbor good bacteria that break down lactose.

You can also cut back on the amount of milk you drink. It's possible that your stomach can handle smaller servings, like a half a cup at one sitting or a thin slice of mozzarella.

Lastly, since lactose is easier to digest when mixed with other foods, particularly high-fiber ones, take your milk with whole grain cereal, or melt that cheese on a slice of whole wheat bread.

Sleep on your side

It's been a few months since you've been able to sleep on your back — or your belly, for that matter — but now that you're officially a side sleeper, consider rolling onto your left side at night (though either side works).

Why? Some experts say that the left side is the ideal sleeping position for both you and your baby, since it allows for maximum blood flow and nutrients to the placenta. It may also help ease the swelling in your feet, ankles and hands.

If you do roll onto your back during the night or just can't get comfortable on your side, tilt your hips to one side and place a pillow under one side of your bottom for support.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

• What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
• WhatToExpect.com, Strength Training and Toning Exercises During Pregnancy, October 2018.
• WhatToExpect.com, Breastfeeding: Basics and Tips for Nursing Your Baby, February 2020.
• WhatToExpect.com, How Much Calcium Do You Need During Pregnancy, May 2020.
• WhatToExpect.com, Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy, March 2021.
• WhatToExpect.com, Diarrhea During Pregnancy, October 2020.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy, August 2020.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Releases 2018 Breastfeeding Report Card, August 2018.
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Development of the Immune System, April 2019.
• Cook Children's, What to Expect Week-by-Week, 2021.
• Food and Drug Administration, Advice About Eating Fish, December 2020.
• KidsHealth From Nemours, Can Pregnant Women Do Anything to Reduce or Prevent Swollen Ankles? July 2015.
• Mayo Clinic, Fetal Development: The 3rd Trimester, June 2020.
• National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, Biotin, March 2021.
• National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Symptoms and Causes of Lactose Intolerance, February 2018.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Amniotic Fluid, June 2021.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Calcium in Diet, June 2021.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Selective and Persistent Effect of Foetal Sex on Cognition in Pregnant Women, May 2005.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Healthy Birth Practice #6: Keep Mother and Baby Together — It's Best for Mother, Baby, and Breastfeeding, Fall 2014.
• National Institutes of Health, NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Bone Health, December 2018.
• National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, March 2021.
• National Sleep Foundation, Sleep Tips for Pregnant Women, June 2021.
• Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Pregnancy, Fall 2010.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, MyPlate, All About the Dairy Group, 2021.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library, Organic Aquaculture, 2021.

Recommended Products

What to Expect selects products based on independent research  and suggestions from our community of millions of parents; learn more about our review process. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

⚠️ You can't see this cool product because you have ad block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.

⚠️ You can't see this cool product because you have ad block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.

⚠️ You can't see this cool product because you have ad block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.

⚠️ You can't see this cool product because you have ad block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.

Baby Born at 33 Weeks What to Expect

Source: https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-33.aspx

Share this post