Pregnancy Calendar Week 33

During pregnancy calendar week 33, your baby’s bones are continuing to harden. However, the skull will remain soft and pliable to allow for easier delivery. As fat continues to accumulate, his/her skin color will change from red to pink.

At this point in your pregnancy, your baby’s vernix is getting quite thick. Vernix is a cheesy white substance that protects your baby’s skin from the irritation associated with amniotic fluid. By pregnancy calendar week 33, the amniotic fluid has reached its highest levels.

By pregnancy calendar week 33, most women have gained between 22 and 28 pounds. At this time, the top of your uterus can be felt just over 5 inches from your belly button. Common pregnancy symptoms during the third trimester include shortness of breath, constipation, dizziness, occasional headaches, heartburn, Braxton Hick Contractions, pelvic pressure, and difficulty sleeping. You may also notice that you feel both eager to meet your baby and apprehensive about the responsibility of raising a child.

As you approach your due date, you may notice that friends, family, and/or strangers feel compelled to comment on your pregnant silhouette. For example, if you’re carrying small and low, they may suggest that your baby isn’t growing properly. However, there’s no need to be alarmed. Research has proven that there is no relationship between how you carry and your baby’s health. Your previous weight, your pregnancy-related weight gain, and your dietary choices can all influence how you carry your baby.

During pregnancy calendar week 33, it’s important to be aware of signs that your membranes have ruptured. Also known as breaking your water, this is the breaking of the amniotic fluid sac that surrounds your baby. About 10 percent of all women experience a noticeable gush of fluid when the membranes rupture. Most of the time, amniotic fluid leaks as just a small trickle. If you notice any amount of suspicious fluid leaking from your vagina, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Amniotic fluid is normally clear and odorless, but greenish, yellowish or foul-smelling fluid may be a sign of infection or that your baby has passed mecconium. Until you meet with your healthcare provider, avoid having sexual intercourse or engaging in other activities that may introduce bacteria into the vagina.

As you prepare for your delivery, you may hear about the pros and cons of having an episiotomy. An episiotomy is a surgical incision into the perineum, or the area of skin between the vagina and the anus. Its purpose is to enlarge the vaginal opening and make it easier to deliver your baby. Episiotomies speed up the birth process if your baby is compromised. Some experts feel episitomies prevent unnecessary tearing, though many experts now agree that episitomies actually cause tearing.

However, since recovering from an episiotomy can be somewhat painful, many women take steps to avoid the procedure. For example, performing Kegel exercises can help tone the pelvic floor muscles. Perineal massage and using warm compresses during delivery may also be useful. If you’d like to avoid an episiotomy, remember to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider at your next prenatal appointment.

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