Pregnancy - Week 33 and 34

Your changing body

Around week 33, you may start to notice that your ankles and feet seem to be swollen, especially when the weather is warm, or after standing or sitting for a period of time and at the end of the day. You need not get alarmed as it is due to the increase in body fluids during pregnancy.

Your Uterus is still growing at a consistent rate during week 34. Sometimes you may get a tingling sensation or numbness in the Pelvis as your pelvic joints loosen in preparation for the birth of your baby.

As your due date approaches you may be wondering if you will be able to know when your water breaks (rupturing of membranes), i.e. the breaking of Amniotic Fluid surrounding your baby.

Amniotic fluid will be an odorless fluid. Breaking of Amniotic Fluid can occur with a sudden gush or a small trickle. Since many women leak urine in the later stages of pregnancy, it is common to be uncertain about whether leaky fluid is Amniotic Fluid or urine. Call your doctor if you think that your membranes have ruptured.

Your growing baby

At week 33, your baby has probably reached the 2 kg milestone by weight and measures about 44 cm inches from head to toe. Your baby looks less wrinkled now as fats are accumulating under his/her skin. The fat store also will help regulate his/her body temperature once your baby is born. His/her bones are beginning to harden except for the skull. The skull bones remain pliable and not completely joined so that your baby gets through the Birth Canal easily during delivery. By this week, your baby is probably in the head down position in your Uterus.

Around week 34, your baby’s central nervous system is still maturing and the lungs are well developed. You will be happy to know that your baby has a good chance of surviving outside your Uterus at this time without any major problems. Most likely your baby weighs more than 2.2 kg and is around 45 cm from head to toe.

Things to consider

Most women reported that much of the swelling of feet and ankles disappears overnight or after several hours spent lying down. However contact your doctor if the swelling persists for more than 24 h and your hands and face become puffy as it could signal the beginning of pregnancy-induced Hypertension. To ease swelling, avoid standing for a long period, elevate your legs while sitting and some exercise (approved by your doctor) including walking may help you. Drinking lots of water can help avoid excess water retention.

What can you plan for this week?

As the big day approaches, it is time to begin thinking about the delivering of your baby. Talk to your doctor about normal delivery and C-section (birth options), labor, initial signs of labor, pain relief options during labor and breastfeeding. Discuss with your partner and be well informed about the stages of childbirth. Click here to read more about labor and stages of childbirth.

Read more about basics of breastfeeding.