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Pregnancy Week 33

Pregnancy Week 33

Your Baby's Development This Week

Baby is getting more complex with activity, able to breathe and suck, and squirm simultaneously now. The skull and skeleton are complete but still soft, making birth much easier on you both. Amniotic fluid has topped out at its max level this week. Baby has reached important stage in development this week, as the immune system is developed now. That and the antibodies passed on by mother, will enable baby to handle life outside the womb.

Pregnancy Symptoms You May Feel During Week 33

That pesky vaginal discharge, leukorrhea, is getting heavier and heavier now. You might be more comfortable wearing panty liners daily at this point in your pregnancy. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine what is soaking that liner, though. A quick sniff should tell you if it's urine or not. The leukorrhea discharge should be thin and milky white with a non-offensive odor if any. If the discharge is tinged green or yellow, or bloody, it's not typical. If there are accompanying symptoms such as burning, itching or redness, again this is not expected with leukorrhea and you should call your physician. If you are soaking pads and it's not urine, call your doctor as leakage of amniotic fluid might be suspected.

Visit With the Obstetrician

Why does the doctor check the height of the uterus each visit? The fundal height is a bit of a predictor of a few things. It should match up to the weeks you are pregnant throughout first couple trimesters. The measurement is from pubic bone to top of uterus. A smaller than expected fundal height might indicate a smaller baby, or perhaps due to a tall/thin built mom, or strong abs, or baby in birth position sooner than expected, or less than usual amount of amniotic fluid, or breech baby. A larger than expected fundal height could indicate bigger baby, or multiples, or could be result of mother being shorter, scarring from a previous cesarean, a full bladder or a thicker uterine wall. If the doctor thinks the measurement is off, a ultrasound may be performed to check it out.

Preparing for Baby

New ultrasound 3D technology has given rise to commercial ultrasound/photography businesses. While this is a somewhat controversial idea, since some doctors have concern that nonprofessionals and worrying parents might see problems in a scan since they have no medical training or that even the long term consequences of ultrasounds in unproven it is a booming business. New parents are ready to shell out some serious money to get that detailed image of their new baby before birth. Check out any facility thoroughly. Ask friends for recommendations and remember this is not the same as an ultrasound done for medical purposed. Do not attempt to read more into it than a charming keepsake.

Pregnancy Lifestyle

Many mothers struggle with backaches, especially in the final weeks. Ask your doctor if a massage is OK for you, and then look for a massage therapist skilled in the area of prenatal massage. Never lie flat on your back. You might want to ask for a fragrance-free treatment, without aromatherapy as certain smells might be offensive to you while pregnant. If you are cleared by your doctor, a massage can be just the thing to relieve that tired, painful back and give you a boost during your last trimester.

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