At 33 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs just over 4 lbs., measures more than 17 inches, and is rapidly losing its wrinkled appearance as the skeleton hardens — though the skull bones remain deliberately unfused to allow passage through the birth canal. Mothers can expect a range of physical changes this week, including itchy, stretching skin, carpal tunnel-like symptoms in the hands and wrists, and increasing difficulty finding comfortable sitting and sleeping positions. Persistent itching concentrated on the soles of the feet, hands, and abdomen should be reported to a midwife or GP, as it may indicate obstetric cholestasis. Nutritionally, carrots are highlighted as a particularly beneficial food at this stage, providing beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B6, C, K, E, and D, along with minerals including calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- At week 33, a baby should weigh just over 4 lbs. and measure over 17 inches in length.
- During pregnancy week 33, the baby's skull bones are not yet fused, allowing them to overlap slightly to ease passage through the birth canal.
- Itching located primarily on the soles of the feet, hands, and tummy at week 33 can be a sign of obstetric cholestasis, which requires consultation with a midwife or GP.
- Fluid retention in the wrist during pregnancy can increase pressure on the carpal tunnel, causing tingling, numbness, burning, or shooting pain in the hands and fingers.
- Carrots are highlighted as a beneficial pregnancy food, containing vitamins B1, B6, C, K, E, and D alongside minerals including magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.
- The beta-carotene content in carrots is identified as a vital nutrient for both the mother and baby during pregnancy, and for nursing mothers it may help improve the quality and quantity of breast milk.
Pregnancy Diary Week 33
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 33
When a woman is 33 weeks pregnant she will most likely continue feeling sexy and her partner will often agree. While there may need to be some adjustments made, for most women, sex during pregnancy week 33 and all the way up until the water breaks or labour begins is fine. Of course, every woman and every pregnancy are different!
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 33: How Is Your Baby Growing?
During pregnancy week 33, the baby should weigh just over 4 lbs. and is over the 17-inch mark. He will rapidly lose the wrinkles and the alien look as the skeleton hardens. The bones of the skull are not yet fused together, allowing them to move in order to overlap slightly to make passage through the birth canal.
(The baby’s head can undergo such pressure during his birth that many children are born displaying an elongated head, that is cone-shaped.) These bones of the skull do not completely fuse until the child is an adult, to allowing room for growth of the brain and other tissues during his infancy as well as his childhood.
What you can expect
The stretching of the skin can cause it to become itchy, but this can usually be relieved using soothing moisturizers. If the itching increases and is located primarily on the soles of the feet, hands and tummy, it could be a sign of obstetric cholestasis, and you should talk with the midwife or GP.
As the baby takes even more room in the belly, many things will begin to change: Your former sashaying may turn into a waddle. It can become more challenging to find a position that is comfortable for sitting and sleeping comfortably can be next to impossible. Adjusting to the new size may mean you find yourself bumping into counters and chairs.
Feelings of achiness and even numbness of the hands, wrists and fingers in common. The tissues in the wrist, like other tissues in the body, can retain fluid, increasing pressure on the carpal tunnel, and causing these problems.
Nerves that are threaded through the tunnel can be pinched by the pressure, resulting in tingling, numbness, burning or shooting pain and dull aches. Splints can help to stabilize the wrist. Propping the arm with a pillow during sleep may help. If the job requires repetitive movements of the hand, such as keyboarding or working on an assembly line, be sure to stretch the hands during breaks, which need to be frequent.
Ginger For Pregnancy Nutrition
Every pregnant Mum should observe and maintain a healthy diet everyday. Pregnant women need extra nutrients for their babies, thus they need to increase their intake of foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Aside from the health supplements which doctors prescribe, pregnant women should take more fruit and vegetables, which normally contain high levels of nutrients that are beneficial for the baby.
Carrots are definitely one of the best foods to take during pregnancy. This vegetable is loaded with essential minerals and vitamins which offer profound benefits to the human body. Its bright orange colour signifies its beta carotene content which is considered as a vital nutrient both for the mother and the baby during pregnancy. The vegetable is an excellent source of antioxidants which are beneficial in maintaining eye health and skin clarity. For nursing mothers, carrots can help in improving the quality and quantity of mother’s milk.
Aside from its beta-carotene content, carrots are excellent sources of Vitamin B1, B6, C, K, E and D. Research shows that carrots also contain high levels of magnesium, calcium, potassium, biotin, organic sodium, phosphorus and other trace minerals. It even contains phytonutrients such as lycopenes, beta carotenes, gamma carotenes, xantophyll, lutein and zeaxanthin.
Pregnancy Diary Week 33
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DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
How big is a baby at 33 weeks pregnant?
At 33 weeks pregnant, the baby should weigh just over 4 lbs and measure over 17 inches. The skeleton is hardening rapidly, and the baby is losing the wrinkled appearance it had in earlier weeks.
Are the baby's skull bones fused at 33 weeks?
No, the bones of the skull are not yet fused at 33 weeks, which allows them to overlap slightly to ease passage through the birth canal. These skull bones do not completely fuse until the child reaches adulthood, allowing room for brain growth during infancy and childhood.
Is sex safe at 33 weeks pregnant?
For most women, sex during pregnancy week 33 and all the way up until the water breaks or labour begins is considered fine. Some adjustments may be needed, though every woman and every pregnancy are different.
What causes itchy skin at 33 weeks pregnant?
Itchy skin at 33 weeks is commonly caused by the stretching of the skin as the baby grows, and it can usually be relieved with soothing moisturizers. If itching is severe and located primarily on the soles of the feet, hands, and tummy, it could be a sign of obstetric cholestasis, and a midwife or GP should be consulted.
What causes carpal tunnel symptoms during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, tissues in the wrist can retain fluid, increasing pressure on the carpal tunnel and pinching the nerves that run through it. This can result in tingling, numbness, burning, shooting pain, or dull aches in the hands, wrists, and fingers.
How can pregnancy-related carpal tunnel symptoms be managed?
Splints can help stabilize the wrist and relieve pressure. Propping the arm with a pillow during sleep may also help, and those doing repetitive hand movements at work should stretch their hands frequently during regular breaks.
What are the benefits of eating carrots during pregnancy?
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, antioxidants, and vitamins B1, B6, C, K, E, and D, as well as minerals including magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. They support eye health, skin clarity, and for nursing mothers, can help improve the quality and quantity of breast milk.
What physical changes should you expect at 33 weeks pregnant?
At 33 weeks, the growing baby takes up more room in the belly, which can cause a waddling gait, difficulty finding comfortable sitting or sleeping positions, and a tendency to bump into furniture. Achiness and numbness in the hands, wrists, and fingers are also common at this stage.