Pregnancy Week 33

What’s your baby up to?

Your baby now weighs around 1.9kg and measures about 43.7cm from head to toe. He will keep adding more weight in the coming weeks.

He’s grown so big and has taken up most of the space in your uterus. As a result, his kicks and movements are more pronounced, and also due to the lower level of amniotic fluid. He is now building his own immunity thanks to the antibodies you are passing on to him.

Your baby’s brain and nervous system are fully developed. His skeleton continues to harden, while the skull remains soft and unfused to make passing through the birth canal easier.

How are you doing?

You are now in the home stretch.

By now your belly is about the size of a watermelon, making you waddle like a duck due to the shift in gravity. Don’t worry, the end is in sight, and you will get your gracefulness back soon.

For now, the pressure from your uterus pushing on your lungs is making you breathless; while heartburn, indigestion, constipation, fatigue, excessive heat and sweating continue to plague you. Sometimes, you may even feel some pressure on your ribcage when your baby is kicking in that area. Oh the joys of pregnancy!

Some women also experience pregnancy insomnia, due to anxiety or just the stress of pregnancy.

What should you do this week?

Hopefully, your hospital bag is all packed by now. Don’t forget to pop in a cute take-me-home outfit for the little one.

Where will your baby sleep? Have you started decorating the nursery? Bought a cot/crib/co sleeper? Car seat? It’s good to have all these in place by now, because your baby may make his grand entrance sooner than you anticipated.

Increase your iron intake with foods rich in iron, especially now that the volume of blood in your body is increased by 50%. If you’re anaemic, your doctor will prescribe some iron supplements for you.

Keep active with brisk walking, swimming, yoga, pilates.

Get enough rest and sleep. Put up your feet whenever you can, and let the people around you wait on you; you totally deserve it.

Finally, stay informed, healthy and inspired, by reading  Maternity Nest. Connect with other moms-to-be for moral support, by joining your Due Date Club in the The Nest.