33rd week of pregnancy

It is the 33rd week of pregnancy- the period of home stretch. With the mother being enormous now, it is the time to have proper rest and a balanced diet. Here we are going to discuss the 33rd week of gestation period.

Development of the baby:

The baby is around 17 inches long by now and weighs between 4 ½ to 5 pounds.
The bones in the body begin to harden now, but the skull remains soft for the delivery.
The skin is less wrinkled. With the continued accumulation of fat, the baby starts to look like a newborn baby.
The baby’s position might become upside down in the uterus now, for the delivery.

Changes in the mother:

The uterus has risen a little more than 5 inches above the belly button.
The total weight gain for a health pregnant woman is approximately 27 pounds till now.
Slight swelling of the body, especially the hands and feet is normal. This condition is called oedema and is because the body retains a lot of water now.
Constipation, stretch marks, backache and abdominal cramps are other constant companions of the pregnant woman.
Although the condition is not very common, but some woman may start leaking the amniotic fluid anytime this week. It is early and so it is important to make sure that the leaking fluid is amniotic fluid because it can expose the body to infections.

Attachment with the baby:

The mother has numerous questions in her mind that might trouble her. During this period, most women seek solutions to their queries about childbirth and child care from the doctor, health care provider and the elderly women of the house. Many women also start sewing and knitting baby clothes on their own, which is an obvious example of their tender love for the baby. Being on a home stretch, the mother does all she can to arrange everything for her loved one.

Complications & tips:

As mentioned earlier, if the mother’s water breaks at this stage, she must consult the doctor straight away. If the fluid is greenish or yellowish, it indicates infection and may complicate the pregnancy if not treated right away. It is important to ascertain whether the leaking fluid is urine or amniotic fluid and contact the doctor immediately if membranes have ruptured. The doctor may decide to get the baby delivered as soon as the water breaks.

Also, in case a woman experiences extreme swelling which is accompanied with headache, it may indicate preeclampsia. It is a rare disorder which must be brought to the doctor’s attention without delay.

Tip for the father:

Apart from the anxiety about the health of the baby and her mother, the father might also become worried about surviving on single income after the birth. The expenditures are surely going to increase. So, it is important to have a budget ready for the future. Instead of getting troubled, share your doubts with your partner. She is definitely going to help you out. The couple should stay together and hear each other out at all times.

Diet:

Avoid deep fried and fatty food as they will increase your weight more than required, and not provide adequate nutrition too. Here are some items that provide all nutrients needed by the mother and baby’s body: citrus fruits, bananas, wholegrain cereals, milk, peas, eggs, figs, almonds, broccoli, brown rice, raisins etc.