Pregnancy Calendar at Week 33
What's Happening with the Baby
At 33 weeks of pregnancy, the size of the fetus continues to increase. Its weight reaches 2100 grams, and its length is 44 centimeters. The internal organs are developing. The heart is reaching the size it will be at birth. It is actively "pumping" blood. There are temporary structures in it: the oval window, the ductus arteriosus, and others. These are necessary to direct blood through the systemic circulation, bypassing the lungs, which are not yet functioning.
The brain is increasing in size. The first nerve centers are appearing, which control the cardiovascular, respiratory, and other systems of the body. The baby's kidneys are starting to produce urine, which contains metabolic waste products.
What's Happening with Mom
At 33 weeks, a woman experiences typical gestational signs: fetal movements, discomfort in the pelvic area, and more. These are not signs of any pathology and do not require treatment.
Changes in the Abdomen
The size of the abdomen is constantly increasing as the fetus and uterus grow larger. This leads to the appearance of heartburn and shortness of breath. Changes in the baby's position in the coming weeks will reduce these unpleasant symptoms. Stretching of the abdominal skin is characterized by the appearance of stretch marks and itching. To avoid this, it is recommended that the woman use moisturizing creams or gels and wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics. Synthetic materials further irritate the skin, increasing itching and redness.
Pain in the Legs and Lower Back
These issues arise due to the shifting center of gravity caused by the increasing size of the belly and body weight. To reduce discomfort, it is recommended to lie down with your legs elevated for 40-60 minutes during the day. Wearing a special support belt daily can help alleviate the strain on your spine and lower back muscles. If the pain is accompanied by watery or bloody vaginal discharge, you should seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms could indicate preterm labor, placental abruption, or other serious conditions. Painful sensations also accompany fetal movements and are related to pressure on the bladder and other internal organs.
At 33 weeks of gestation, changes begin to occur in the pelvis – the pubic symphysis enlarges due to the separation of the pubic bones. This is accompanied by discomfort and mild pain.
Leg cramps occur in the evening or at night
A woman wakes up due to pain that accompanies cramping contractions of the calf muscles or foot muscles. To relieve the discomfort, it's necessary to straighten the leg at the knee and pull the toes of the foot towards you. This helps stretch the calf muscle and eliminate the muscle fiber spasm. Cramps are characterized by the persistence of pain even after they subside. To prevent the pain syndrome, it is recommended to massage the cramped muscle. If cramps occur daily, it is necessary to consult a doctor. They may indicate an imbalance in the ionic composition of the blood and other conditions.
Digestive Issues
Such as: heaviness in the abdomen, nausea, heartburn, and more. Their occurrence is associated with two reasons – changes in the woman's hormonal background and increased intra-abdominal pressure. The rise in progesterone levels in the blood leads to the relaxation of the smooth muscles that form the sphincters in the digestive tract organs. The reduced tone of the cardiac sphincter, located at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, allows stomach acid to reach the mucous membrane and irritate it. As a result, heartburn occurs. It is characterized by discomfort, burning, and pain behind the sternum, which intensify during physical activity, after eating, and so on.
Vaginal Discharge
They accompany a woman throughout her entire pregnancy. Normally, they are clear in color. If there is a blood mixture in the discharge, you should call an ambulance. This could be a sign of placental abruption and other serious complications. The appearance of cottage cheese-like "flakes" indicates a flare-up of a yeast infection, which is caused by Candida fungi. When you see a doctor, they will prescribe antifungal medications to eliminate the infection. Heavy watery discharge is a sign of the onset of preterm labor and the leaking of amniotic fluid. This may be accompanied by the passage of the mucus plug, which is white and has a mucous consistency. In this case, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist.
Medical Examination
At 33 weeks, if a woman has any complaints, she needs to seek medical attention.
Doctors
- Obstetrician-gynecologist – consult this specialist if you experience abnormal vaginal discharge, severe pelvic pain, or other symptoms;
- If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or other symptoms, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner.
Tests
- Complete blood count and urinalysis during a routine visit to the prenatal clinic;
- If there are symptoms of diseases, biochemical and immunological tests are prescribed to confirm the diagnosis.
Examinations
- If an ultrasound screening was not done at 32 weeks, it is scheduled for the 33rd week of gestation;
- Additional methods are prescribed to detect any diseases.
Pregnancy Complications
The 33rd week of gestation can lead to pathological conditions:
Preeclampsia
Characterized by elevated blood pressure and swelling. This condition is associated with changes in vascular tone due to the body's intoxication from the baby's metabolic products and immune system activity disruptions;
Risk of Preterm Labor
Occurs with high uterine muscle tone. This condition is marked by a pulling, spasmodic pain in the lower abdomen. The woman requires hospitalization;
Placental Insufficiency
Accompanied by fetal hypoxia, which can lead to damage to the baby's nervous system or internal organs. The woman shows no symptoms, making timely diagnosis challenging. Placental blood flow insufficiency requires comprehensive treatment;
Placental Abruption
With elevated blood pressure, abdominal trauma, and other conditions, premature detachment of a normally positioned placenta can occur. This condition is accompanied by severe pain and heavy vaginal bleeding. The pregnant woman needs urgent hospitalization for a cesarean section.
What You Can and Can't Do
Pregnancy imposes certain restrictions on a woman's lifestyle and diet. An obstetrician-gynecologist will consult her about these in advance.
What an Expectant Mom CAN Do:
- Attend massage sessions. It's best to choose therapists and salons experienced in working with pregnant women;
- Engage in regular exercise. The type of physical activity should be selected by a doctor. Programs specifically designed for expectant moms are recommended;
- Spend at least 2 hours outdoors every day. This positively impacts health and enhances psychological comfort;
- Continue having sex if there are no contraindications. Doctors advise using condoms during every sexual encounter, as semen can soften the cervix and potentially stimulate labor;
- Use vitamin complexes and dietary supplements with microelements that improve well-being and the functioning of internal organs;
- Practice breathing exercises. This reduces stress and prepares the pregnant woman for the upcoming labor;
- Eat fruits, vegetables, berries, and nuts. They are rich in vitamins, microelements, and biologically active substances.
What an Expectant Mom CAN'T Do:
- using dietary supplements and medications without consulting a doctor;
- undergoing X-ray examinations, including fluorography and CT scans;
- smoking, using drugs, or consuming alcoholic beverages. Harmful habits should be completely avoided during pregnancy, including passive smoking;
- engaging in intense physical activities, such as sprinting or heavy lifting;
- flying on airplanes due to sudden changes in atmospheric pressure;
- breaking your diet: eating fried, salty, or spicy foods that negatively affect the digestive system, causing heartburn, stomach pain, etc.;
- experiencing severe stress;
- visiting a bathhouse, sauna, or taking hot baths. This can trigger premature labor;
- having close contact with pets. Cats and other animals can carry toxoplasmosis, which adversely affects the developing baby;
- having sex if you have an elevated uterine tone or other contraindications.
Helpful Tips
Proper nutrition during pregnancy helps maintain a woman's health and prevent diseases in the baby. To create a diet plan, it is recommended to consult your doctor or a nutritionist. These specialists will determine the nutritional needs of the pregnant woman and create a sample weekly menu. You can also do it yourself by studying literature and consulting with your doctor. The diet should prioritize fresh foods, lean meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk, and dairy products. It is important to avoid any fatty, spicy, smoked, and overly salty dishes, as they increase the risk of obesity, hypertension, and other conditions that can negatively affect the course of pregnancy.