Pregnancy week 33

Your baby’s development

At week 33 your baby is about the size of a pineapple: roughly 43.7 cm long and 1918 g. The immune system is developing, and antibodies from you help prepare your baby for life outside. The skull bones are not yet fused, which allows the head to change shape slightly as it passes through the birth canal. The pupils can now get smaller and larger in response to light. Brain growth is still very rapid, and your baby spends much of its sleep in a dream-like (REM) stage. Fat storage goes on, making the arms and legs rounder. With less room in the womb, movements may be smaller in range but more distinct. What matters is that movements continue regularly through the day. Most babies are head down or lying sideways at this stage, and your provider will check the position at visits. Do not be surprised if your baby is more active at night than you are; this is common.

Changes in the mother

Tiredness can return in these weeks. With extra weight and a body that moves more slowly, needing rest is only natural. Frequent urination, heavy legs and, for some people, tingling or numb hands may appear. Pressure in the pelvis can grow as the baby moves lower. It is a good time to start thinking about a birth plan: the kind of setting you would like, the pain relief options, and who will be with you. A plan is a wish list, so talk it through with your birth team and stay flexible. Every way of giving birth is valid, and how labour will go cannot be known in advance. Sharing your thoughts with your partner and care team can ease worries. An antenatal class or a support group may also help with any concerns.

To do this week

• Look through the birth plan questions and start noting your preferences.
• Find out about registration and pre-admission steps at your hospital or birth centre.
• Keep a note of your blood pressure and urine results from visits.
• Plan small rest breaks each day.

Tip for the partner

Reading the birth plan together and talking about what matters most will help you give the best support on the day.

Nutrition tip

Wholegrains, pulses and vegetables help keep your energy steady.